What Shampoo and Conditioner Is Good for Oily Hair? Best Tips

ByCarolina Herrera

What Shampoo and Conditioner Is Good for Oily Hair

Finding what shampoo and conditioner is good for oily hair can feel like chasing something you never quite catch. One day your hair looks fresh, the next morning your roots already look greasy, heavy, and flat. Add in dry ends or a bit of dandruff, and suddenly no bottle on the shelf seems right for you. I know the struggle, it’s not just about washing your hair more often; it’s about understanding what your scalp is telling you, and picking formulas that balance instead of making things worse.

As a cosmetics specialist who’s spent years dissecting formulas and working with oily scalps in real salon settings, I can tell you: oily hair is not “bad hair.” It’s just misunderstood. The trick is using shampoos that manage excess sebum (that natural oil your scalp produces) without stripping your strands to straw. Pair that with the right lightweight conditioner, and you can go from greasy by lunchtime to clean and airy for days.

Let’s break this down.

Why Does Hair Get Oily So Fast?

First, a little science. Your scalp has sebaceous glands that produce oil to keep your skin and hair healthy. But when those glands go into overdrive, whether because of hormones, genetics, stress, or even the wrong shampoo, you end up with greasy roots.

Quick Fact:

  • Studies published in the International Journal of Trichology note that excess scalp oiliness often peaks between ages 15–35 due to high sebaceous activity. That’s why teens and young adults commonly complain about oily hair.

And here’s the kicker: overwashing can make things worse. If you scrub your scalp daily with harsh shampoo, your glands panic and pump out even more oil. So the best shampoo and conditioner for oily hair isn’t the harshest, it’s the one that respects your scalp’s balance.

What Type of Shampoo Is Best for Oily Hair?

Look for these keywords on the label:

  • Clarifying

  • Volumizing

  • Balancing

  • Oil-control

Avoid words like “hydrating,” “smoothing,” or “repair” when buying shampoo for an oily scalp. Those formulas often carry heavy silicones or oils that only make your roots feel slicker.

Star Ingredients That Actually Work:

  • Tea Tree Oil: Antimicrobial, keeps scalp fresh.

  • Salicylic Acid: Exfoliates and unclogs follicles.

  • Lemon Extract or Apple Cider Vinegar: Balances pH, reduces grease.

  • Charcoal or Green Clay: Absorb impurities.

What Research Says:
Clinical studies on salicylic acid shampoos (see Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020) show significant improvement in both oil control and dandruff within 4 weeks of use.

Best Shampoo for Oily Thin Hair

Thin hair gets weighed down even faster by grease. The wrong shampoo leaves it flat to your head by noon.

The fix? Lightweight clarifying shampoos with gentle cleansing agents. My go-to recommendations include:

  • Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo – deeply cleanses, invigorates the scalp.

  • Biotin-boosted formulas like Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex – clean without stripping, while giving some lift to limp strands.

Pro Tip: If your hair is thin and oily, wash every 2–3 days instead of daily. On off-days, use a dry shampoo powder, not spray, for less buildup.

Best Shampoo for Oily Hair Overall

For general oily hair (not ultra-thin, not severely damaged), you want balance: a good cleanse, scalp freshness, but no straw-like ends.

Top picks:

  • Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo – a cult classic for cutting through buildup.

  • Davines Rebalancing Shampoo – salon favorite with gentle surfactants.

  • Klorane Oil Control with Nettle – uses natural nettle extract to reduce scalp oil by up to 30% (brand’s consumer study).

Oily Scalp with Dry Ends

This one is tricky, and super common. The scalp floods oil, while your mid-lengths and ends look fried.

Solution:

  1. Shampoo roots with oil-control formulas (apple cider vinegar or clay-based).

  2. Condition only the ends with lightweight hydration.

Examples:

  • L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Shampoo + Conditioner Duo – triple clay absorbs oil, conditioner hydrates dry ends.

  • Matrix Biolage ScalpSync Cooling Mint Shampoo – fresh at the scalp, soft at the tips when paired with Biolage Hydrasource Conditioner.

Oily Hair with Dandruff

Sebum is food for Malassezia yeast, which causes dandruff. No surprise the two often come as a package deal.

For this, you need an anti-dandruff shampoo that also balances oil:

  • Nizoral (Ketoconazole 1%) – proven antifungal action, strong choice if flakes are stubborn.

  • Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength (1% Selenium Sulfide) – controls flakes and cuts oiliness.

  • Selsun Blue Naturals – another selenium-based option with aloe to prevent dryness.

What Research Says:
A 2019 clinical trial found ketoconazole shampoos reduced both dandruff severity and scalp sebum production significantly after 8 weeks.

Shampoo for Oily Scalp and Hair Loss

Grease itself doesn’t cause bald spots, but clogged follicles and inflammation from buildup can accelerate hair shedding.

Look for shampoos with caffeine, niacinamide, ginseng, or peppermint oil, these boost scalp circulation and create a healthier environment for growth.

Try:

  • Pura D’Or Hair Thinning Therapy Shampoo – niacin, biotin, argan oil blend.

  • Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo – stimulates follicles, popular in Europe.

  • OGX Tea Tree Mint Shampoo – refreshing, balances oil while promoting scalp health.

Drugstore Options for Oily Hair

Not everyone wants a $30 salon bottle, and the good news is you don’t need one. Drugstores carry excellent clarifying options.

  • Suave Essentials Daily Clarifying Shampoo – budget-friendly, simple.

  • Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Shampoo – silicone-free, fresh finish.

  • Pantene Pro-V Sheer Volume Conditioner – lightweight hydration for ends only.

Tip: Always use conditioner sparingly with oily hair, half a teaspoon is enough for medium length.

Community Insights: What Reddit Users Swear By

If you’ve ever typed “what shampoo and conditioner is good for oily hair Reddit” you’ll find some passionate answers.

Most upvoted mentions:

  • Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent – pricey, but balances oily roots and dry ends beautifully.

  • Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo – weekly detox option to reset scalp.

These come up again and again in user discussions, especially from people who tried endless drugstore brands before splurging.

Conditioner Rules for Oily Hair

Here’s the secret: conditioner is not your enemy. Misusing it is.

  • Never apply conditioner to your scalp. Only mid-length to ends.

  • Choose lightweight, water-based formulas (avoid heavy oils like coconut or shea on roots).

  • Rinse longer than you think, residue equals grease.

Best conditioners for oily hair:

  • Pantene Sheer Volume Conditioner

  • Biolage Volumebloom Conditioner

  • Living Proof Full Conditioner

Is Dandruff Shampoo Good for Oily Hair?

Yes, often it’s the best solution. Zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, and ketoconazole not only fight flakes but also reduce scalp oiliness. Just don’t use them daily. Rotate with a gentle balancing shampoo.

Which Shampoo Is Best for Oily Hair in Pakistan?

For readers in Pakistan or South Asia:

  • Sunsilk Anti-Grease – affordable and effective.

  • Himalaya Herbals Protein Shampoo for Oily Hair – mild, herbal option.

  • Head & Shoulders Lemon Fresh – widely available.

These combine accessibility with decent oil control.

Pro Hairdresser Picks

Hairdressers often lean toward salon brands because of formula reliability. The ones I see recommended most often:

  • Redken Clean Maniac Clarifying Shampoo

  • Davines Rebalancing Shampoo

  • Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent

These are pricier, but less likely to dry your scalp raw compared to cheap clarifiers.

Everyday Tips for Managing Oily Hair

  • Wash Less Often: 2–3 times a week is enough.

  • Dry Shampoo Saves Lives: Use powder-based formulas to extend freshness.

  • Hands Off: Constantly touching your scalp transfers oils.

  • Rinse in Cool Water: Hot water stimulates oil glands.

  • Avoid Heavy Styling Products: Mousses, creams, and oils can worsen the look.

Final Word from Me

Oily hair is not a curse, it’s just a balancing act. Once you find the right combo, like a clay or salicylic-based shampoo at the scalp, and a featherweight conditioner at the ends, you’ll realize your hair can stay fresh and bouncy longer than you thought.

If you ask me, the best approach is rotation: keep one clarifying shampoo, one gentle balancing shampoo, and one lightweight conditioner in your routine. Switch depending on how your scalp feels that week.

Your scalp changes with hormones, seasons, and stress. Listen to it. Treat it kindly. And remember, sometimes the problem isn’t your hair; it’s just the wrong bottle.