Yahoo Finance Our Beauty Lab Pros Swear By This $2 Shampoo to Clean Dirty, Greasy Hair
- 1/20
Our Beauty Lab Pros Swear By This $2 Shampoo to Clean Dirty, Greasy Hair
We updated this article in December 2022 to add more information about each featured product. Our original top-rated picks, selected by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab, remain the same. We also added new editor and expert-loved picks.
Going days between washing your hair has become quite the conversation topic in recent years — remember when TikTokers started training their hair to be less greasy? Kim Kardashian even famously revealed she only washes her hair every five days. But despite all that, if you feel like you can’t go a day without washing (even with the help of dry shampoo) or often find yourself reaching for a clarifying shampoo for a deeper clean to cut through all the buildup, you may want to switch your go-to shampoo to a specially-formulated one for oily hair.
Shampoos for oily hair typically contain stronger surfactants — the ingredients that cleanse strands — to remove excess sebum (a.k.a. oil). "They are also usually made with very few conditioning ingredients compared to ones for dry, damaged hair," says GH Beauty Lab Chemist Danusia Wnek. The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab has tested many of the best shampoos on the market, evaluating multiple factors, including testing their cleansing ability in the Lab. Using the swatch-wash station, our scientists dispense precise amounts of each formula onto human hair swatches of various textures and types, which are then washed and rinsed in a standardized process. Finally, thousands of data points are quantified to identify the top performing shampoos.
From shampoo that targets both oily hair and dandruff or a dry scalp to drugstore, natural or sulfate-free shampoos for oily hair, our Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab pros share some of their top-tested and trusted picks. Ahead, expert-loved shampoos for oily and greasy hair to help you get the cleanest (and best-looking!) strands ever.
Our top picks:
You can read more about how we choose the best shampoos for oily hair — plus everything you need to know to get the cleanest hair ever — at the end of this guide. Looking for more ways to improve your hair and scalp? Check out our guides to the best shampoo bars and scalp issues and how to treat them.
courtesy - 2/20
1) Essentials Daily Clarifying Cleansing Shampoo
Suave
target.com
$1.99
Clarifying formulas are the powerhouse cleansers of shampoos, delivering the most purification and easily removing oil and dirt. This super lightweight Suave formula is the GH Beauty Lab go-to for deeply cleaning strands in all their hair swatch studies! Plus, you truly cannot beat the price. GH Textiles Reviews Product Analyst Grace Wu uses this shampoo once a week: "The first time I used this shampoo, I was blown away by how squeaky clean my terribly oily hair could feel," she says. "My hair doesn't get as oily as it usually does for a few days after using it." Many reviewers are unhappy with the smaller sized bottle even though it remains the same price as the previous larger bottle.
Suave - 3/20
2) Elvive Extraordinary Clay Rebalancing Shampoo
L'Oreal Paris
target.com
$7.99
Oily strands and parched ends are a tough combo — but luckily are no match for this multi-tasking L'Oréal shampoo. A blend of three types of refined clay help reduce oil at the roots, while keeping the rest of your hair nourished and healthy at a bargain price. "This is an incredible shampoo," says one reviewer. "cleans my scalp and leaves my hair really soft." However, some reviewers disagree, finding their hair and scalp to still be oily after use.
L'Oréal Paris - 4/20
3) Volumizing Shampoo
Kenra Professional
amazon.com
$25.19
Kenra's professional volumizing shampoo scored highly in GH Beauty Lab testing for washing out easily and leaving hair feeling clean after rinsing, plus highest for making strands easy to comb after towel-drying. "My fine, thin hair looks thicker, has more volume than before and it lasts all day!" a tester remarked. Celebrity hairstylist Glenn Ellis also loves this pick, though it is more expensive than many other shampoos.
Kenra - 5/20
4) Cleansing Oil Shampoo
Shu Uemura
amazon.com
$49.00
Yes, Shu Uemura's shampoo contains oil, but don't let that deter you. Its gentle formula contains oil to help balance the scalp and avoid itchiness. The shampoo and conditioner combination is loved by Ellis. "It cleans your hair very thoroughly; I can go three or more days between washing without it looking greasy," reports a reviewer. "It smells amazing, like I just came from a nice salon." Take note that this shampoo is a splurge.
Shu Uemura - 6/20
5) Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo
Aveda
nordstrom.com
$20.00
Rosemary and mint clean the hair with a refreshing scent, Aveda's purifying shampoo is also a winner of our GH Sustainable Packaging Awards. Its bottle is made of 100% recycled plastic and has no secondary packaging. GH experts like that you can recycle the press-caps; the design also dispenses the perfect amount of product to avoid waste. "My hair gets oily the next day after washing," a reviewer writes. "With this shampoo, I can push my hair washing to every three days." Some reviewers note that they would prefer a pump for the bottle.
Aveda - 7/20
6) Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience
k18hair.com
$38.00
If you have oily hair and an oily scalp, this detoxifying shampoo is a great choice. It deeply cleanses hair and can extend the amount of time between washes. Hearst Associate Sales Director Dana Parra uses it once a week: "It has been a game changer for me, and allows me to go 4 days between washes (where I used to have to go every 2 days)." Note that this is on the pricier side.
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience - 8/20
7) Stabilizing Shampoo
harklinikken.com
$54.00
Harklinikken's stabilizing shampoo is a favorite of celebrity hairstylist Ashleigh Marie. She likes that it's "very clarifying but doesn’t overdry the hair and helps to stabilize the scalp microbiome." The brand claims this pricey hair wash is formulated to reduce excess sebum while also promoting conditions for hair growth.
Harklinikken - 9/20
8) No. 4 Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo
Olaplex
ulta.com
$30.00
For a gentle yet effective clarifying shampoo, turn to this Olaplex formula. Marie likes this one for its deep cleanse. "It removes buildup and minerals on the scalp and hair but also isn’t super stripping," she shares. Our Beauty Assistant has also used this shampoo and noticed a significant improvement in hair shine even after just one use, though it's pricey.
Olaplex - 10/20
9) Full and Plush Shampoo
Garnier Fructis
amazon.com
$9.93
An extra oily scalp can leave hair feeling weighed down. If you want to add some oomph to your locks, you need Garnier’s shampoo (and matching conditioner). This pair won the GH Beauty Lab’s latest hair volumizing and thickening shampoos test, clinching the top spot for adding volume and body to hair. It’ll leave hair looking full and feeling clean — without weighing it down— at a great price.
Garnier - 11/20
10) Vetiver + Sage Shampoo
Alpine Provisions
amazon.com
$19.00
Made with plant-derived ingredients, this Alpine Provisions shampoo has a novel gel formula that pours from its recycled aluminum bottle. Beauty Lab evaluators were impressed by its minimalist aluminum packaging and how the shampoo dispenses mess-free without being runny until the end of the bottle. "It clarifies buildup on my hair and uplifts my senses with refreshing scent," a tester notes. It's on the pricier side, but a little goes a long way with this formula.
Alpine Provisions - 12/20
11) Instant Oil Control Dandruff Shampoo
Head & Shoulders
amazon.com
$49.99
Great if you have oily hair and a dry, itchy scalp, this Head & Shoulders shampoo tackles both issues. Formulated with the flake-fighting active ingredient zinc pyrithione, there’s a reason the brand has become the most trusted pick for combatting combat dandruff. "I no longer have an itchy scalp and my hair isn’t oily," shares one Amazon user. Some reviewers didn't find the formula to be as effective for them, though, as they still experienced some oiliness after use.
Head and Shoulders - 13/20
12) Weightless Hydration Coconut Water Shampoo (Trial Size)
OGX
walmart.com
$7.74
With nutrient-rich electrolytes and super nourishing (but weightless) coconut water, this lightweight shampoo will quench dry ends without weighing down hair. In addition to loving the scent, one reviewer shares that "it doesn't leave residue and makes my hair feel so fresh and soft compared to other shampoos." However, this hydrating shampoo may not be as effective for those with extra oily hair.
OGX - 14/20
13) Densifique Bodifying Shampoo
Kérastase
sephora.com
$35.00
A salon splurge that’s worth it, Kérastase’s shampoo (and complementary conditioner) were stars in GH Beauty Lab testing for plumping strands but feeling featherlight. They won for leaving hair feeling clean after rinsing and also earned top points for weightlessness in Lab evaluations. "It left my hair full of body and was nice and thick without weighting my hair down," a tester raves. "All day it had that just-washed look." However, the screw-on lid design was very polarizing to testers.
Kérastase - 15/20
14) Blue Ginger & Micellar Water Shampoo
Herbal Essences
walmart.com
$10.25
Thanks to a blend of botanicals, blue ginger and micellar water, this lightweight Herbal Essences formula, Wizemann's recommendation, cleans well and conditions color-treated hair without weighing it down or stripping your shade. A reviewer adds, "My hair is thin, fine and oily — a very challenging combination — finally something that really works, and the price is right!" Some users didn't like the scent, though.
Herbal Essences - 16/20
15) Voluminous Shampoo
Rahua
amazon.com
$36.00
Rahua's top-rated organic shampoo uses natural lemongrass and green tea to remove excess oil and balance the scalp, while helping to enhance body and volume. Plus, the soothing lavender scent makes washing your hair a spa-like experience. "It tends to get oily fast and my hair is very flat," a reviewer says. "This natural shampoo cleans well and gives a squeaky clean feeling without drying my hair out." However, note that it doesn't lather as much as other shampoos.
Rahua - 17/20
16) Sunday Clarifying Shampoo
Bumble and bumble
sephora.com
$15.00
This Bumble and Bumble weekly intensive deep cleanser is known to remove every last drop of oil, product build-up, dirt and pollutants from your hair and scalp. This Sephora best-seller is great for fine or thick hair, but you may want to skip if you color to prevent fading. "This product is great for breaking down product buildup from styling your hair," a reviewer shares. "I used to use this a lot before I colored my hair, but stopped ever since because it’s not color safe."
Bumble and bumble - 18/20
17) Wash Day Delight Water-to-Foam Shampoo
Carol's Daughter
ulta.com
$13.99
Unlike traditional shampoos, this uber cool formula from Carol's Daughter starts as a water and transforms into a foam once you massage it into hair and scalp. It gives hair a deep clean, thanks to the magnet-like power of micellar water to draw out impurities, while also detangling and hydrating hair. Plus, it has a targeted applicator, allowing you to focus the product on your roots. "The nozzle on the shampoo bottle lets me get the product directly on my scalp, creates a nice lather and leaves my hair clean & smelling great," says one reviewer. Some reviewers find that the product leaves their hair feeling very dry, though.
Carol's Daughter - 19/20
18) Essentials Kit for Women Essences & Shampoo
Keep it Anchored
keepitanchored.com
$59.00
This 2021 GH Beauty Award winner is key when it comes to maintaining hair fullness, especially for those with oily hair. The two-step kit from Keep it Anchored includes a shampoo and essence that work synergistically to clean, treat and help maintain strands. In a clinical study on the technology, users of the kit had about 2,400 more hairs on their scalp after six months than those who used a placebo, per Lab data analysis. Reviewers rave about the efficacy of the kit and beyond: "Not only does the product do what is intended to do, it smells great and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin in the least," says one user.
Keep It Anchored - 20/20
19) Clarifying Lemon Shampoo
Avalon Organics
amazon.com
$7.02
This certified organic formula from Avalon Organics gently cleans hair, while removing excess oil and product build-up. A powerful blend of lemon essential oil, quinoa protein, aloe and vitamin E help smooth and seal hair's cuticle, making strands smooth and shiny. Plus, it has a soft and subtly sweet citrus fragrance. "The scent is light and pleasant, not overpowering and does not linger," says one reviewer. Take note, this shampoo may not lather as much as others.
Avalon Organics
