Perhaps you are familiar with the following scenario: you have just finished the painstaking effort of washing, drying, and styling your hair, only for the roots to become greasy and your tresses a flat, lifeless mop atop your head just a few hours later. We sought the guidance of board-certified dermatologists and hair styling experts who said that the wrong products and the wrong hair care routine could be to blame for an excessively oily scalp — including washing your hair too often.
Dr. Mona Foad, board-certified dermatologist and founder of MONA Dermatology in Cincinnati, Ohio, said that though a balanced amount of oil keeps the scalp comfortable and adds shine and flexibility to the hair, too much oil production can lead to more than just a ruined hairstyle. It can also trigger scalp irritation or breakouts around the hairline.
"Conditions like dandruff, eczema, or psoriasis may also contribute, as can overwashing or using harsh hair products that strip the scalp and cause it to produce even more oil to compensate," Foad said, speaking to the potential causes of an overly oily scalp. Foad said that finding the right washing frequency is key, whether that be shampooing daily with a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser or less often to avoid overstimulating oil production.
"The goal isn't to eliminate all oil, but to maintain a clean, balanced scalp that supports healthy, hydrated hair," she said.
And when washing, she said to focus on cleansing the scalp rather than the hair length, and use your fingertips instead of your nails to avoid irritation, while conditioner should only be applied mid-length to ends of hair. "Choosing products formulated for oily scalps can also make a big difference," she said. Foad, along with others who corresponded with us, suggested several of those specially formulated products as well as specific ingredients to look out for when treating oily scalps. See these recommendations in the list ahead. The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
1. Neutrogena Healthy Scalp Clarify and Shine Shampoo
A clarifying shampoo with gentle exfoliants. "A great option is the Neutrogena Healthy Scalp Clarify and Shine shampoo, which uses gentle exfoliants to lift away residue and balance oil while keeping the hair lightweight and shiny," Foad said of this shampoo infused with pink grapefruit extract for adding shine to tresses. The cream formula is pH-balanced and meant to maintain a healthy skin barrier for the scalp, without stripping or drying. Non-medicated, sulfate-free, and scented like bergamot, citrus, and fresh florals, this shampoo promises to be safe for all hair types, including color-treated hair.
2. Head and Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff Shampoo
A clinical strength dandruff shampoo. Dr. Lauren Moy is a Beverly Hills-based double board-certified dermatologist who suggested this clinical-strength Head and Shoulders formula, specifically targeted for oil control. "[It's] an antifungal shampoo that uses selenium sulfide to fight off a yeast that causes dandruff and also cleans the scalp of dirt and product buildup," Moy said. In addition to oil control, the extra-strength and fresh-smelling shampoo stays true to the Head and Shoulders promise by treating flakes, itching, and scalp irritation.
3. Oribe Serene Scalp Dry Shampoo Powder
A clay- and rice starch-infused dry shampoo. In between washes, Foad suggests using a dry shampoo containing ingredients like rice starch or kaolin clay can absorb surface oil and keep the hair feeling fresh. Based on this guidance, we found the Serene Scalp dry shampoo powder by Oribe, a product that features both. This luxury and aerosol-free formula has a specialty starch blend of rice, corn, and tapioca powders along with kaolin clay to effectively absorb sebum, oil, and other impurities from the roots and scalp. Other extracts help to instantly refresh hair and regulate the scalp's microbiome for healthier hair.
4. Ouai Detox Shampoo
A keratin-infused clarifying shampoo by Ouai. "The Ouai Detox shampoo detoxes and clarifies with apple cider vinegar to cut through buildup and oil while still being gentle," Moy said of this all-hair-types clarifying shampoo that uses "chelating agents to help remove heavy metals, minerals, and chlorine found in hard water," according to the brand. Scented with an intoxicating blend of rose, lychee, berry, and freesia, this shampoo also contains hydrolyzed keratin to help maintain hair's structure and keep it frizz-free. The Ouai Detox shampoo is compatible even with color-treated hair and is meant to be used once or twice a week.
5. Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo
A therapeutic shampoo for those who deal with scalp psoriasis. If conditions like dandruff, eczema, or psoriasis are the cause of your oily scalp, Neutrogena's T/Sal therapeutic shampoo "is a great shampoo that is easily accessible and uses salicylic acid as an exfoliator and anti-inflammatory to help treat oily scalp," according to Moy. This fragrance-free formula claims to soothe troubled and irritated scalps for hours after rinsing, providing long-lasting comfort.
6. Act + Acre Salicylic Acid Pre-Wash Scalp Treatment
A salicylic acid pre-wash scalp treatment. As Moy mentioned earlier, salicylic acid is a helpful oil control ingredient that can help exfoliate away dead skin cells on the scalp, along with buildup and excess sebum. This led us to find this salicylic acid pre-wash scalp treatment by Act + Acre, a scalp-focused hair care line that we have featured in previous coverage. Using the brand's signature cold process method for extracting the most from ingredients at their highest concentrations, this scalp exfoliator helps release flakes and excess sebum from the scalp while papaya extract breaks down dead skin cells and helps replenish the scalp's natural moisture. There is also peppermint oil for an itch-relieving tingly feeling that works immediately.
7. Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo
A charcoal-infused detox shampoo. According to Foad, Living Proof's Clarifying Detox shampoo is "another excellent choice" for oil control. "It effectively removes excess oil, product buildup, and environmental residue without stripping the scalp's natural moisture barrier," she said. It uses activated charcoal to absorb odor and impurities, mild surfactants to wash away sebum, and unique polymers that, according to the brand, act as magnets to attract product buildup on the scalp. This once-a-week reset shampoo is compatible with all hair types and can even work to remove hard water buildup.
8. Jupiter Anti-Dandruff Balancing Shampoo
A balancing anti-dandruff shampoo that manages oil production. Another suggestion from Moy is the Jupiter anti-dandruff balancing shampoo, which she likes for its inclusion of 1% zinc pyrithione, an active ingredient that she says helps with flaking and oil production. Meant to be used three to four times a week, this formula also contains a blend of dermatologist-adored hydrators like nourishing coconut oil, antibacterial sugar kelp extract, and squalane for increasing hair shine and preventing strand breakage.
