12 Best Shampoos for Oily Hair, According to Dermatologists & Hairstylists

As someone with super greasy hair—I’m talking within a day—using one of the best shampoos for oily hair gives me a layer of protection against excess shine. To help you find the right shampoo for your hair type, we polled dermatologists for recommendations and tips on what to look for, then tested them over a span of washes. After trying nearly a dozen dermatologist- and editor-approved shampoos, the Act+Acre Clarifying Hard Water Shampoo was our top pick because it lathered well and left strands soft, nongreasy, and fresh for hours. But we also found options for a variety of budgets and hair concerns, such as shampoos for dandruff and scalp health.

The best shampoos for oily hair, at a glance

How we chose the best shampoos for oily hair

Best Overall: Act+Acre Clarifying Hard Water Shampoo

Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Act+Acre Clarifying Hard Water Shampoo

Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Act+Acre Clarifying Hard Water Shampoo

This hard water shampoo is best overall on our list because it strikes the fine balance of leaving your hair looking shiny without making it look greasy or weighed down. It has a combination of coconut and fulvic acid to deeply hydrate and remove build-up and residue for healthier-looking hair.

Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary swears that this is one of the best shampoos for oily hair she’s ever tried. “Not only does my hair get oily at the roots, but it also gets gross around the midshaft when I don’t wash it for a day or two. The texture becomes stringy and almost looks wet (TMI, I know). This shampoo did such wonders in breathing life back into my hair. After washing and drying, I styled my hair into a bubble pony, and it held a lot of volume and shape. My hair was slicked back at the top but didn’t appear greasy. I’ve continued to use this shampoo since, and overall my hair is a lot softer and stays fresh throughout the day.”

Best for Textured Hair: Redken Hair Cleansing Cream Clarifying Shampoo

Original photo from Jazmin Gathers testing Redken Hair Cleansing Cream Clarifying Shampoo

Original photo from Jazmin Gathers testing Redken Hair Cleansing Cream Clarifying Shampoo

Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, absolutely loves this detox shampoo for all hair types, including textured hair. “This cleansing cream is formulated with AHA fruit acids and has a 4% cleansing complex that works quickly and effectively to eliminate unwanted residue and oil, leaving hair refreshed and shinier,” she says.

And Glamour senior manager of social media Jazmin Gathers agrees.”This shampoo left my hair feeling clean without feeling like it stripped all the oil from my hair. It had a delightfully fruity smell, which I feel isn’t always common for products that really clean your hair. It lathers really well, and I could immediately tell a difference in how my hair felt after using it—it was much softer and hydrated. I didn’t feel the need to go back and add products to rehydrate it after the fact, which is a huge plus.”

Best for Deep Cleaning: Dae Desert Detox Clarifying Shampoo

Dae Desert Detox Clarifying Shampoo

Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Dae Desert Detox Clarifying Shampoo

Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Dae Desert Detox Clarifying Shampoo

Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Dae Desert Detox Clarifying Shampoo

Let’s be real, sometimes a “deep clean” feeling makes washing your hair that much better. This color-safe shampoo gives you that sentiment without stripping your scalp or making it feel dry or sensitive. It has a botanical blend that helps hydrate hair, keeps flyaways at bay and strengthens. It also helps clarify excess oil and sebum build-up, and smells heavenly.

“I’m already a huge fan of the Dae Dry Shampoo, so I couldn’t wait to put their new detox clarifying shampoo to the test,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. “This one is a dream to apply—it lathers beautifully and gives you a ton of suds. My hair and scalp felt very clean after using this one, and I also noticed a difference in the volume and feel of my hair after I dried it. My hair was not flat or extra shiny like usual; instead it was quite bouncy and thick. I’d definitely recommend this one if you’re looking for an affordable deep cleansing shampoo to combat oiliness that feels just, incredibly luxe.”

Best Balancing Shampoo: Moroccan Oil Scalp Balancing Shampoo

Moroccanoil Scalp Balancing Shampoo

Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Moroccan Oil Scalp Balancing Shampoo

Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Moroccan Oil Scalp Balancing Shampoo

Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Moroccan Oil Scalp Balancing Shampoo

“This sulfate-free shampoo helps balance out oily, irritated scalps and still restores and nourishes the hair,” says Dimitris Giannetos, a celebrity hairstylist who is a big fan of this formula. This is thanks to the fact that this pick is chock-full of exfoliating ingredients, including salicylic acid and niacinamide to gently exfoliate and nourish, plus argan oil that keeps the hair looking and feeling hydrated and healthy without weighing it down.

Glamour’s Kilkeary was thoroughly impressed with how well the formula lathers on the scalp and leaves behind fresh, clean strands with little flakes or oiliness in sight. “This one left my hair looking soft and nongreasy, which made it easy to style, especially in the way that I like to wear my hair with two longer bang strands at the front.”

Best Shampoo With Apple Cider Vinegar: DP Hue ACV Soothing Shampoo

DP Hue ACV Soothing Shampoo

Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing dpHue ACV Soothing Shampoo

Dr. Engelman also recommends this purifying shampoo for oily hair and scalp types because of one special (sometimes referred to as magic) ingredient: apple cider vinegar. ACV has become a favorite of dermatologists and hairstylists alike because it naturally detoxes the skin and has antimicrobial properties. “This shampoo helps unclog hair follicles and balance pH levels,” she says. It also contains peptides and hyaluronic acid to help keep hair healthy and hydrated without wearing it down.

“I gave this a test when I was experiencing some greasy roots after I had just gotten off a plane. The consistency is gel-like and super easy to lather, which makes it get into every nook and cranny of your scalp. I’m a big fan of how well it washed out (which can sometimes be difficult with some super-bubbly shampoos) and how clean my hair felt after the fact. It felt as if I’d washed my hair multiple times when I only used it once, and for that, it will be my go-to when I’m in desperate need of a hair care reset,” says Kilkeary.

Best Drugstore: Garnier Pure Clean Shampoo

Garnier Pure Clean Shampoo

Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Garnier Pure Clean Shampoo

This clarifying shampoo comes highly recommended by Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. She loves that it removes residue and gently exfoliates with the help of salicylic acid, which is oil-soluble and can penetrate into pores ​to gently exfoliate and remove excess sebum. “It’s a nice choice for oily hair because it removes 100% of residue and is very lightweight, so it won’t weigh down strands,” says Dr. King. “And although there’s no residue, it won’t cause a dry scalp or strip the hair of moisture because it contains glycerin, aloe vera, and vitamins B₃ and B₆—these ingredients help to support scalp health.”