What's the Best shampoo for oily hair?

By Carl Keeley
May 30, 2019

Say Goodbye to Oily Hair

Greasy hair isn't fun – especially when it can sometimes seem as though most hair care products are geared towards people with dry or chemically treated hair. Moisturising shampoos, hydrating conditioners, and super-rich treatment masks fill product shelves in most salons. But what about those of us suffering from oily roots, frustrated with having to shampoo every day – where’s our greasy hair busting relief?

The good news is that there are formulas that help to combat oiliness and will remove all traces of grease, dirt and product residue without stripping your hair of the nourishment it needs to stay healthy. But first, let’s look at why you are so oily to begin with?

What causes oily hair?

An oily scalp and strands are a result of the overproduction of sebum (the natural oil your head secretes to nourish your hair). While it does the necessary job of keeping your scalp healthy and lubricated, an excess can clog your roots, with the build-up responsible for everything from dandruff to bacteria blooms on the scalp.

The problem is though when you wash your hair too often, you strip your scalp and roots of the nourishment it needs, which in turn results in your scalp going into overdrive to replenish its natural oils as quickly as possible. What a lot of people don’t realise is that if you start to wash your hair less often, you will notice your sebum production over time begin to slow down and balance out, leaving your hair looking cleaner than ever! But be warned the first 2-4 weeks may be hell as your natural oil production can take some time to self regulate itself back to a normal level.

Another less discussed possible cause is food and lifestyle choices. High fat diets such as the Keto diet may result in a higher than normal sebum level for your hair and skin. Conversely a low carb low fat diet may lead to insufficient sebum levels depending on the individual of course.

Makes sense, right?

Now for the best shampoos for oily hair depending on your hair type …

Oily, fine hair

So your hair is as fine as a newborn babe’s, but also oily? If you’re tired of struggling with dull, flat, wet-looking hair, you need a formula that will cut through the build-up of oil and heavy ingredients without drying it out.

Try: Original Mineral Original Detox Shampoo

This deeply cleansing shampoo is designed to remove the natural build-up of oils that can cause you to look dull up top. Formulated to neutralise and balance excess oil from hair and scalp without drying. Australian River Mint cleanses without stripping essential oils to invigorate and cool the scalp.

Oily, dandruff-ridden hair

If you struggle with both an oily and flakey scalp, we feel your pain. This type of greasy dandruff occurs when oily and yellow flakes or scales form on your scalp and stick to your head and hair.

Try:Oribe Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Oribe’s Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is a gentle treatment cleanser formulated to fight against flakiness and scaling while soothing an itchy and irritated scalp. Its active ingredient is Salicylic Acid, which gently exfoliates the scalp and rejuvenates hair follicles for healthy, nourished hair with no trace of flakes.

Oily, damaged hair

When struggling with hair that’s oily but also damaged from too much heat styling or colouring, then you may have fragile strands that are limp yet frazzled. To restore your locks, you want to opt for products that will reintroduce proteins to your hair to rebuild it from the core.

Try: Shu Uemura Ultimate Reset Shampoo

Shu Uemura’s Ultimate Reset Shampoo is rich in proteins together with carotene, almond oil and Vitamin E to deeply repair your damaged hair. Formulated in extremely small, fine droplets, this combination of powerful restoring ingredients gently removes impurities without weighing hair down or causing further damage.

Oily, thick hair

If your hair is oily and thick, you’re probably no stranger to greased up tangles and knots. The trick here is not to fall into the trap of reaching for the shampoo every time your ‘do looks greasy and knotted up. Stripping your scalp of its natural oils will only make the situation worse in the long run through the overproduction of sebum that follows. To help revive your locks and relieve them of oiliness in-between washes, we’re recommending a dry shampoo, instead.

Try: Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo

Our dry shampoo favourite, Oribe’s Gold Lust Dry Shampoo instantly purifies – absorbing oil and dirt from the scalp to leave hair feeling ‘just washed’. Using Celery Seed Extract to cut through sebum, its lightweight translucent powders leave hair smooth and soft without added texture, grip or weight. By extending the days between washes, sebum production is managed over time.

Oily, coloured hair

If your hair is dyed, you will need a colour preserving shampoo to ensure your hue lasts as long as possible without fading or discolouring. Add oily tresses to the mix and you will want that same shampoo to be free of any of the harsh cleansing agents sometimes found in colour preserving shampoos.

Try: Shu Uemura Color Lustre Shampoo

Sulphate and paraben free, Shu Uemura's Color Lustre Shampoo is full of nourishing, colour protecting ingredients to balance the scalp’s natural oils, protect the hair fibre and prevents colour from fading. Infused with refining lipids and Musk Rose Oil, its healing formula will smooth out colour damaged hair cuticles without sending sebum production into hyperdrive.

Tips to WAshing your Oily Hair

If your scalp is producing more sebum than is necessary, chances are it’s an overzealous hair washing routine that’s to blame. When you’re struggling with grease and oil on a daily basis, less is more when it comes to shampooing. When it comes time to shampoo here's our top tips for getting the best results:

  • Wash your hair less frequently with the right products to avoid your scalp from overcompensating with extra sebum production.
  • Before jumping into the shower brush your hair thoroughly. Brushing loosens oil and grime build up, distributes the sebum along the hair shaft and stimulates the sebum gland to release any excess that's lurking beneath the scalp.
  • Use warm but not too hot water to wet your hair.
  • Don't be surprised if the first application does lather well. Rinse and repeat, the second application should lather as expected. If it does not rinse and repeat again.
  • When applying conditioner avoid the root area - focus on the ends and mid lengths.
  • On the final rinse after conditioning try to use cool water- hot rinsing can re-stimulate the sebum gland resulting in a release of oil.
  • Clarifying shampoos are great for cutting through grease and build-up, but gentler alternatives will regulate sebum production in the long term to give you soft, lustrous hair that shines with health!

 

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