17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (2024)

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (1)

If you find you’re having to wash your hair on a daily basis to ensure your scalp remains grease-free, it may be time to switch up your shampoo routine.

Having oily hair means you need specific products to target the issue, rather than constantly jumping in the shower (which could actually be making things worse – more on that below).

We tested the market-leading shampoos, which claim to detoxify the scalp and control oil production, to find the ones that really work. Here are the products we recommend at a glance, but keep scrolling for our full reviews.

We also spoke to Darren Bain, International Artist at Taylor Taylor London's Liberty salon for the low-down on how to keep grease at bay.

What causes oily hair?

According to Bain, it could be caused by various lifestyle habits or how we shampoo and condition our hair. “Oily hair can often be caused by too much washing, which in turn overstimulates the sebaceous glands,” he tells us. “Another culprit is using too much conditioner or using products that are too heavy for your hair to absorb, so they sit on the outside of the hair shaft and make it look greasy or weighed down.

“At the salon, we always recommend applying shampoo to your scalp and roots, massaging thoroughly and letting the suds run down your mid lengths and ends. Unless you have a large amount of styling product on your hair, it really is all it needs, or else you begin to dry out your ends and your roots aren’t cleaned properly… hey presto, oily roots and dry ends.

“Applying conditioner to your roots will also create instant greasy-feeling hair. Remember, your scalp is where the sebum production is at its most concentrated and it rarely needs conditioning. Apply your conditioner to mid lengths only and your hair will thank you for it.”

Think about the products you use, too. “It may sound simple but check when you last washed your hairbrush as well, as the dirt, bacteria and products transfer easily onto your brushes,” adds Bain. “The same is true of your pillowcases, which are in direct contact with your hair for seven to eight hours a night.”

“Overproduction of sebum can also be down to changes in hormone levels, or deficiency in certain vitamins such as vitamin D, which plays a key role in the regulation of sebum production.”

Vitamin D synthesis is triggered by the UVB rays in sunlight, and it’s perhaps unsurprising that here in the (not-so) sunny UK, one in five UK adults are deficient. Government advice is that everyone should consider taking a vitamin D supplement in the autumn and winter months when we have reduced hours of sunlight.

Can you train your hair to be less greasy?

“You can try gradually reducing how frequently you wash your hair to help train your scalp to produce less oil – because sometimes, over-washing can cause the scalp and hair to dry out, meaning more oil is produced to try to make up for the lack of moisture,” says Bain.

“Even if you try and move your regular morning shower to the evening of the same day, or from the evening to the next morning, you’ll should reap the benefits long-term. The longer you train your hair to regulate itself between washes, the less you’ll need to wash it.”

However, this may not work for everyone, he warns, and not washing your hair often enough can also cause it to look greasier, so it’s about finding the right frequency for you.

It’s also tricky if you’re planning a trip to the gym on a non-wash day, or your social schedule doesn't match up to your hair-wash one, but that’s where a dry shampoo can step in as a quick and easy solution. Just make sure you don’t over-use the product as it can cause build-up and irritation.

How often should I wash my hair a week?

“The general rule of thumb is every two to three days, but if you have curly or particularly dry hair, you may find that once or twice a week is enough,” advises Bain. “I suggest using a clarifying detox shampoo up to once a week.”

How we test

Our panel of 450 testers — with hair textures ranging from straight to afro — tried 33 brands of shampoo for two weeks.

They noted how effectively the products cleaned oily hair, how much they lathered up and whether they noticed any long-lasting benefits. They also reported back on how their hair felt after use, focusing on hydration, smoothness, shine and volume.

In the GHI lab, our experts applied artificial sebum to hair switches before using a Sebumeter to measure oil and sebum levels after cleaning with each shampoo, to judge how effective they were. Should parabens, silicones or sulphates be dealbreakers, we've listed which shampoos contain them below

Here are our best shampoos for oily hair.

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Score: 90/100

Brimming with peppermint extract, our winning shampoo aims to balance out your pH to leave scalps feeling fresh.

Its gentle, irritation-free formula sloughed away product build-up and grease for all testers, leaving shinier, smoother strands in its wake. In fact, it was such a powerful cleaner that many testers found they could go an extra day or two between washes.

Key specifications

Volume:300ml
Paraben free: Yes
Silicone free: Yes
Sulphate free:No

2

Best shampoo for shine

Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent Shampoo

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (14)

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (15)

Score: 89/100

This bottle left our entire panel with glossy ends and minty-fresh scalps. Our lab test backed this up, confirming it as a top performer when it came to removing artificial sebum. Better still, despite its thorough clean, it still managed to leave strands more hydrated after washing.

Key specifications

Volume:250ml
Paraben free:No
Silicone free:Yes
Sulphate free:No

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3

Best smoothing shampoo

OGX Clarify & Shine+ Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (16)

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (17)

Score: 88/100

Apple cider vinegar is known in the beauty world for preventing dandruff and boosting shine, as well as containing antibacterial properties.

This clever cleanser scored best across the board for its ability to banish oil and product build-up. Overall, our testers agreed that their hair looked smoother, and reported hair looking softer and more nourished after the trial.

Key specifications

Size:385ml
Paraben free: Yes
Silicone free: No
Sulphate free: Yes

4

Best value shampoo

TRESemmé Deep Cleansing Shampoo

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (18)

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (19)

Score: 86/100

If you go through hair products quickly, this supersized shampoo is guaranteed to keep you going for longer.

In the GHI lab, we found it helped reduce oiliness in hair, with the majority of testers agreeing that hair felt deeply cleansed and softer after use, too.

Key specifications

Size:800ml
Paraben free:Yes
Silicone free:No
Sulphate free:No

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5

Best anti-dandruff shampoo

Head & Shoulders Citrus Fresh Anti Dandruff Shampoo

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (20)

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (21)

Score: 85/100

You might think dandruff is a telltale sign of a dry scalp but it can often plague those on the oilier side too.

All our testers noted how well this shampoo cleaned hair, which they said left their scalps felt refreshed. Those who suffered from dandruff also agreed that it made a huge difference in eradicating it.

Key specifications

Size:500ml
Paraben free: Yes
Silicone free: No
Sulphate free:No

6

Best shampoo for a deep clean

Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (22)

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (23)

Score: 84/100

Acting as a weekly treat for tresses, this shampoo is designed to remove product build-up, pollutants and any residue to give hair a spring clean.

Testers agreed, with the majority appreciating how purified their hair and scalp felt. In the lab, it managed to cleanse hair of over 95% of oiliness.

Key specifications

Size:250ml
Paraben free:Yes
Silicone free:Yes
Sulphate free:No

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7

Best for irritated scalps

Oribe Serene Scalp Balancing Shampoo

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (24)

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (25)

Score: 82/100

If you're looking for relief from an itchy scalp, look no further. This pH-balancing shampoo banished product build-up and unwanted oil for nearly everyone, while the formula itself was irritation-free. Scalps were left refreshed, and it helped to eliminate dandruff for some testers.

Key specifications

Size:250ml
Paraben free:Yes
Silicone free:No
Sulphate free: Yes

8

Best for dry ends

Kevin Murphy Balancing Wash Shampoo

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (26)

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (27)

Score: 82/100

Aiming to hit the refresh button on claggy scalps, this daily shampoo uses lavender oil and grapefruit extract to clean deeply while boosting shine.

It removed product build-up brilliantly and smoothed frazzled ends, making it easier for our entire panel to detangle their manes. The formula didn't upset anyone's scalps, and it left strands feather-soft too.

Key specifications

Size:250ml
Paraben free: Yes
Silicone free:No
Sulphate free: Yes

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9

Best for a gentle cleanse

Virtue Purifying Shampoo

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (28)

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (29)

Score: 81/100

What this shampoo lacks in size, it makes up for in detoxing power. Despite the deep clean it offered, it didn't cause irritation for any of our testers, leaving many with added smoothness and softness. Our lab test gave it a thumbs up for removing artificial sebum too.

Key specifications

Size:20ml
Paraben free: Yes
Silicone free:No
Sulphate free: Yes

10

Best for long-lasting oil control

Aussie Shampoo Mega For Everyday Cleaning

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (30)

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (31)

Score: 81/100

Not only is this shampoo great value for money, but it also cleansed everyone's scalps of dirt and oil, all while providing long-lasting oil control.

It was so effective that all testers found that they could wash their hair less, with everybody left with softer, smoother and more hydrated manes.

Key specifications

Size:300ml
Paraben free: Yes
Silicone free:Yes
Sulphate free:No

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11

Best for adding volume

Christophe Robin Purifying Shampoo with Thermal Mud

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (32)

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (33)

Score: 80/100

Looking to zhush up your roots? This shampoo delivered impressive volume for nearly everyone, all while its thermal mud soaked up any excess oil.

Scalps felt refreshed, while lengths were left with some mirror-esque shine and iron smoothness.

Key specifications

Size:250ml
Paraben free: Yes
Silicone free: Yes
Sulphate free: Yes

12

Best for pre-styling

Davines SOLU Shampoo

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (34)

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (35)

Score: 80/100

We're not going to preach about the damage excess heat styling can do to fragile strands, but if beachy waves or poker-straight tresses are on your agenda, this shampoo is great at prepping hair.

Many testers found it blitzed product residue that clung to roots, while boosting shine and volume. Hair was easier to detangle after washing, with many enjoying added bounce.

Key specifications

Size:250ml
Paraben free: Yes
Silicone free:Yes
Sulphate free:Yes

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13

Best budget buy shampoo

Aldi Lacura Apple Shampoo

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (36)

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (37)

Score: 79/100

One of the highest-scoring shampoos in our lab test, this value buy eliminated most oiliness from hair. Testers also appreciated the fresh scent, while almost everyone said it did a great job at cleansing. Our panel didn't report any irritation either, with testers loving how bouncy it left lengths.

Key specifications

VolumeShampoo, 400ml
PriceShampoo, 69p
Paraben freeYes
Silicone freeYes
Sulphate freeNo

14

Best shampoo for combination hair

L'Oréal Elvive Extraordinary Clay Re-Balancing Shampoo

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (38)

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (39)

Score: 79/100

Having combination hair — where the ends feel dry but the scalp oily — can be tricky to manage. This shampoo claims to leave roots feeling purified for up to 72 hours, while hydrating lengths.

Testers with combination hair said it worked particularly well, leaving scalps fresh and ends shiny and soft. The majority of our panel also said their strands looked more nourished and smoother, and agreed the shampoo was gentle on hair.

Key specifications

Size:400ml
Paraben free: Yes
Silicone free: Yes
Sulphate free:No

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15

Best shampoo for softer hair

L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Pure Resource Shampoo

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (40)

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (41)

Score: 78/100

Our panel appreciated this gel formula, which managed to produce a rich lather without using much product. Testers were left with softer, smoother ends, and said hair felt clean after use.

The “luxurious” scent was also a hit with the panel and, in the lab, we found it reduced oiliness by 89%.

Key specifications

Size:300ml
Paraben free: Yes
Silicone free: Yes
Sulphate free:No

16

Best vegan shampoo

The Body Shop Tea Tree Purifying & Balancing Shampoo

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (42)

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (43)

Score: 76/100

Tea tree oil is well known in the beauty world for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory powers, so we had high hopes for the impact this ‘purifying’ shampoo would have on clammy scalps.

Sure enough, its vegan formula scored top marks in our lab test for removing sebum, while our panel rated it for its gentle approach to lifting dirt and sweat.

Key specifications

Size:400ml
Paraben free: Yes
Silicone free:Yes
Sulphate free:Yes

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17

Best for curly hair

Pattern Cleansing Shampoo

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (44)

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (45)

Score: 70/100

Emmy-nominated actress, Tracee Ellis Ross, is the brain behind this curl-friendly brand. Specifically designed to cater to type 3 and 4 curls, its lightweight texture lathered up impressively to give many testers a gentle yet thorough cleanse.

It banished excess oil like a champ and left most of our panel delighted with their freshened up hair.

Key specifications

Size:230ml
Paraben free: Yes
Silicone free: Yes
Sulphate free: Yes

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (46)

Florence Reeves-White

Senior Beauty Writer

Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.

With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.

When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (47)

Tested byOrla Badger

Senior Beauty and Grooming Tester

Orla is our Senior Beauty and Grooming Tester and has extensive knowledge of skin and hair composition thanks to her first class bachelor's degree in cosmetic science from the Universy of the Arts London. She also spent time as a Formulation Chemist intern at Amelia Knight Cosmetics.

17 best shampoos for oily hair 2024, tested on 450 women (2024)
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