These are the very best shampoos for greasy hair — according to our Beauty Team
Greasy hair can be a bit of a faff. Period. As a firsthand sufferer of oily roots, I understand (all too well) the frustration that comes with having to shampoo your hair every goddamn day. Aaand don't even get me started on the the moment of pure panic brought on by realising your dry shampoo is about to run out...
If you've found yourself on this page, chances are, you know exactly what we're talking about. So, hopefully, scrollin' through the below will bring you a little relief from the oily hair prison you've found yourself in.
Yup, we've tried, tested and reviewed the most effective shampoos for greasy hair in the UK to bring you a definitive ranking of the very best. This includes the budget-friendly Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Anti Dandruff Shampoo, which helps target oil production by rebalancing the scalp whilst hydrating hair. It's perfect for thicker hair types, that don't want to be stripped of moisture, but still need a boost of freshness.
Then there's the classic Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo, which is the ultimate detox for greasy hair. It will blitz your locks of ALL build-up (from pollutants to excess oil, and hard water to styling products) leaving it feeling light and clean. Seriously, if you want a shampoo that packs a punch, this is it.
But before we get into our round-up of best shampoos for greasy hair, Cosmopolitan UK spoke to Anabel Kingsley, brand president and consultant trichologist at Philip Kingsley to get the low-down on what actually causes greasy hair and what you can do to combat it. You're welcome...
What causes oily hair?
Simply, the most common cause of greasy hair is not shampooing often enough or not taking your time when you cleanse your scalp. "If you don’t wash your hair properly (or enough) this build-up of shampoo residue, dirt, oils and dead skins can cause your hair to become greasier," says Anabel.
What ingredients should I look for in a shampoo and/or avoid in shampoo?
Anabel recommends choosing a shampoo that suits your specific hair texture. "I recommend people with fine-textured hair shampoo daily. This is because people with finer hair have more oil glands on their scalp and their hair, therefore, becomes greasy faster.
"If you have medium-textured hair, try to shampoo daily to every other day. Ideally, coarser and curly hair textures should leave no more than three days between shampoos. My favourite is the Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Shampoo; it is an effective but gentle daily shampoo with exceptional ingredients including anti-microbial Piroctone Olamine and Lauryl Betaine to deeply cleanse without causing redness or irritation."
Are sulphates good for oily hair?
There are many types of sulphates and they are a cleansing agent that will often only be found in products that foam i.e. shampoos. Anabel says to "look for a shampoo with a gentle cleansing agent, such as SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulphate)." Generally, people may be afraid of SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) in products because it can be irritating, so, as Anabel suggest, "if you have a sensitive scalp then use a sulphate-free shampoo."
Above all, make sure you shampoo frequently and properly to cleanse your scalp.
Does washing your hair more often cause your hair to get greasier more often?
Myth-busting 101: Not at all!
"You take your hair and scalp to the same places you take your face and it gets just as dirty," Anabel explains. "Your scalp is also a living tissue; it sweats, produces oils and sheds skin cells. You wouldn’t leave three days between washing your face and you likely wouldn’t wear the same outfit more than a few times before washing it – apply the same thinking to your hair."
So whatever your budget and however oily your scalp is, there's a shampoo out there to make your hair happy, trust me.
The best shampoos for greasy hair
SOLU Shampoo
Grease-busting strength: 8/10
Clarifying AF, if you're a sucker for styling products you may have finally met your match. Buckwheat blitzes build-up and excess residue, giving an added dose of protein and antioxidants.
It's free from sulfates, too, so is great for those with greasy scalps and dry ends, or curly hair types.
Ginger Anti-dandruff Shampoo
Sunday Shampoo
Grease-busting strength: 10/10
To be used once a week, this detoxing shampoo will blitz your locks of ALL build up (from pollutants to excess oil, and hard water to styling products) leaving it feeling light and clean.
If your hair is coloured or chemically treated approach this one with care though, as it can be a little intense for fragile locks.
Serene Scalp Balancing Shampoo
Grease-busting strength: 8/10
OK, I know what you're thinking, this is a seriously pricey shampoo... But so often I find shampoo bottles for oily hair types can look a little 'meh' and if you want something that will instantly make your shower look ridiculously boujee, this is it.
And it's not just pretty packaging, the formula is incredible for deeply cleansing whilst ensuring the scalp is soothed and nourished to prevent any flakiness or irritations.
Retail Amino-Mint Scalp Shampoo
Grease-busting strength: 9/10
The formula contains peppermint extract which helps to refresh the scalp and combat dead cells, whilst calming and soothing. The balanced formula means it's safe to use 'often', and won't leave your hair feeling stripped or straw-like.
Whilst many shampoos can be harsh or stripping, this one has been designed to balance the scalp's pH and put a stop to excessive oil production.
Flaky/Itchy Scalp Shampoo
Grease-busting strength: 9/10
This gentle shampoo has been designed by trichologists that specialise in bringing the hair and scalp back to optimal health. And it is the brand president and consultant trichologist, Anabel Kingsley's favourite.
The clever formula has been designed for all hair types and is infused with a bunch of beneficial ingredients, including lauryl betaine that cleanses without redness or irritation; and anti-microbial Piroctone Olamine that helps relieve flaking and itching.
It cleanses and balances hair, delivering the perfect amount of moisture – less at the roots (making it ideal for oily scalps) and more throughout the mid-lengths to ends.
£14.00 at philipkingsley.co.uk
Be Gentle, Be Kind™ Aloe and Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Shampoo 236ml
Grease-busting strength: 7/10
If oily roots demand you wash your hair almost as often as you wash your face, this shampoo is well worth picking up. The super-gentle formula is perfect for frequent hair washers that find their scalp and strands can be left irritated or stripped of moisture.The Aloe and Oat Milk formula softly cleanses hair without being too harsh on the scalp's barrier function, whilst the added green tea gives the shampoo antimicrobial benefits that leave your hair clean and healthy.
Classic Clean Anti Dandruff Shampoo
Grease-busting strength: 8/10
If you're prone to oily roots but your scalp is a little on the sensitive side, Head & Shoulders Classic Clean shampoo is well worth checking out.
The formula is dermatologically tested, ph-balanced and loaded with antioxidants to gently care and clean both the scalp and your strands.
It's formulated with 0% Phosphates and 0% Paraffins (basically the nasty ingredients you want to avoid), meaning you can banish excess oil without triggering any sensitivities.
Plus, have you seen that price?! Affordable and effective.
Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo
Grease-busting strength: 9.5/10
A firm fave amongst those with lank locks, this will get your strands squeaky clean - and smelling sublime - in a jiffy. White wine vinegar might sound scary, but it's the secret behind this bottles oil eliminating power.
You'll be pleased to know your head won't smell like chips, as organic peppermint, spearmint and rosemary give it a glorious fragrance.
MAXI.WASH detox shampoo 250ml
Grease-busting strength: 9/10
A clarifying shampoo that laughs in the face of the oiliest scalps, but won't leave your strands feeling straw-like (no sulphates in here), Maxi.Wash ticks all the boxes.
Fruit AHAs (yes, the savvy ones in your skincare) do the most to deeply decongest every time you lather and rinse. There's also a delicious mix of mint, lime, eucalyptus and sage, to moisturise and nourish from root to tip.
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