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Elle UK

14 Of The Best Shampoos For Greasy Hair

From clarifying heroes to weekly deep treatments, these are the best shampoos for endlessly oily hair

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Tired of catching your hair looking less than fresh on a time-poor morning before work? Well, it might be time to look at your shampoo, switching out your usual bottle for one specially formulated for greasy hair.

Not only will a shampoo for oily roots cleanse away dirt, sweat and product build-up, it will also keep your scalp feeling fresher for longer. Interested? We've tested the best shampoos for greasy hair on the market, so you can keep your 'do looking its best. Keep scrolling for the products that impressed us the most.

Shampoo for greasy hair: the ELLE top five

What causes greasy hair?

Just like an oily T-zone, the reason your scalp isn’t feeling so fresh is likely down to too much sebum being produced. This can be due to a number of reasons, from genetics to hormones, as well as environmental factors such as pollution or excessive sweating caused by workouts.

This dreaded oily build-up can even start on wash day, but rather than grabbing the dry shampoo or washing your hair more frequently (which only makes things worse), you need to break the cycle by using products that are suited to your hair type.

Also, try limiting your washes to three times a week to retrain your locks. We’ll admit, the first few weeks will be a challenge, but your hair will thank you in the long-run.

Is greasy hair healthy?

Let's start by saying that greasy hair is natural. Sebum is naturally produced by our scalps and is key for a healthy, hydrated head of hair, but sometimes it can get a bit excessive, which is where you may want to intervene.

Trichologist Ricardo Vila Nova explains: ‘​​Like the skin on our faces, our scalps can present as oily or dry. However, some oily conditions can lead to dermatitis, which can increase sensitivity of the scalp and intolerance to water types or products.’

It also has some unwelcome side effects, too. ‘Excess oil production can lead to scalp inflammation, dermatitis and congestion, which can also promote flakiness and dandruff. An unbalanced scalp or excessively oily scalp can also be a major cause for hair loss,’ says Vila Nova.

Can I stop my hair from getting greasy?

The good news is that you can help rebalance a stressed-out, oily scalp, and it starts with picking the right formula.

‘I always advise that the scalp is like the skin, so we have to wash our scalp but we shouldn't forget to balance and replenish its pH and protective film of hydration. Formulas containing oil-targetting ingredients such as salicylic acid or natural clay are efficient in extracting excess grease,’ says Vila Nova.

What's more, you should also avoid using too much dry shampoo (sorry). It may seem like the obvious answer to mattifying a glowing hairline, but in the long run, it'll lead to build up and do more harm than good.

‘Using products like dry shampoo to make the hair appear freshly washed are nothing more than a quick fix,’ Vila Nova explains. ‘In fact, they can create congestion in the scalp, obstructing the segregation of oils through the follicles that contributes to build up of excess grease on the roots.’

So, what's a girl to do? Here, see the shampoos for oily hair that strike just the right balance...

The best shampoos for greasy hair, tried and tested

1

Redken Amino-Mint Scalp Shampoo

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Amino-Mint Scalp Shampoo

As well as reviving clogged-up scalps, this minty-fresh shampoo is perfect for helping you achieve the glass hair trend. Think shiny, smooth strands that never look greasy or heavy. Not to mention it also helps to control excess oil, reducing the amount of hair wash days needed. What more could we ask for?

2

Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo

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Sunday Shampoo
Now 17% Off
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This shampoo is so powerful in its cleansing capabilities that you’re only supposed to use it as a weekly detox. Designed to wash away everything from pollutants to product build-up, it purifies both strand and scalp, providing a satisfyingly deep clean.

While it may be effective, don't be tempted to reach for it on a daily basis: best to stick to the once-a-week rule.

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3

Hello Klean Clarifying Scalp Scrub

Clarifying Scalp Scrub

A product containing apple cider vinegar will work wonders on oily roots and dull strands, sweeping away build up and minerals without challenging your strands. Hello Klean's pre-shampoo treatment is designed to sweep away all the deposits that come from hard water (if you live in London or the South East, this likely sounds familiar) removing that sticky, slimy feeling that comes post-shower.

4

Olaplex No. 4C Clarifying Shampoo

No. 4C Clarifying Shampoo

For fine hair that never seems to feel really clean, Olaplex's conditioning formula is a saviour. It's sulphate-free, yet you won't end up using half the bottle just to get a satisfying lather, and the shine it delivers is major.

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5

Christophe Robin Purifying Shampoo with Thermal Mud

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Purifying Shampoo with Thermal Mud

Adding mud into the mix may seem counterproductive on hair wash day, but this is mineral-rich thermal mud, designed to soak up excess oil. This clever shampoo helps to regulate sebum production while also encouraging enviable volume at the root. Trust us, it works.

6

OGX Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

OGX Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

Proof that high-street brands can surpass even the spendiest of formulas, this brilliant affordable option will cut through the oiliest of roots with ease. It's formulated with apple cider vinegar, which makes light work of overloaded roots, yet doesn't strip fragile strands into oblivion.

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7

L'Oréal Professionnel Scalp Advanced AHA 3% Professional Shampoo

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Scalp Advanced AHA 3% Professional Shampoo

There’s a fine line between hair feeling clean and completely stripped, but this shampoo delivers that optimal middle ground. Ideal for those with oily, greasy scalps, it's concentrated with 3% alpha-hydroxy-acid to cut through oil build-up and purify the scalp, for a fresher, cleaner feel with every wash.

8

Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent Shampoo

Specifique Bain Divalent Shampoo

Boosting shine from root to tip, this creamy shampoo doesn't mess about, leaving all heads feeling squeaky-clean. It's the ideal choice for anyone who has the double trouble of an oily scalp and delicate, fragile strands.

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9

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PhD) Shampoo

Perfect Hair Day (PhD) Shampoo

This salon formula will blitz impurities and dirt away without depriving ends of moisture. For a satisfying yet sulphate-free lather, it really can't be beaten.

10

Oribe Serene Scalp Oil Control Shampoo

Serene Scalp Oil Control Shampoo

Working on the scalp's all-important microbiome, Oribe's luxe shampoo contains probiotics that work to balance microflora, helping to calm and control skin issues such as excess oiliness and sensitivities.

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You don't have to be aggressive to get a deep clean. This shampoo delivers the perfect balance, sweeping away dirt without causing any irritation. It does a stellar job of cleansing hair of sebum, leaving you with softer, smoother strands.

12

Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Now 26% Off

Having an itchy or irritated scalp isn’t pleasant. This shampoo promises to relieve roots from any sensitivity or inflammation, while also leaving your hair looking fuller and feeling softer.

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13

Kevin Murphy Balancing Wash Shampoo

Balancing Wash Shampoo

The smoothing and hydrating powers of this shampoo are second to none. The irritation-free formula works especially well when it comes to detangling, while product build-up will be a thing of the past.

14

L'Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Re-Balancing Shampoo

Elvive Extraordinary Clay Re-Balancing Shampoo

Oily roots but straw-like ends? Sounds like you have combination hair. This clay-texture shampoo attempts to rebalance strands and refresh roots, while leaving ends hydrated and swishy.

Headshot of Florence Reeves-White
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

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