Do you struggle with oily hair? Many people do! Excess sebum makes your hair look flat, lifeless, and greasy – even if you wash it regularly. You might think the fix for oily hair is just washing it more often. But 9 times out of 10, oily hair is best...Do you struggle with oily hair? Many people do! Excess...
Do you struggle with oily hair? Many people do! Excess sebum makes your hair look flat, lifeless, and greasy – even if you wash it regularly. You might think the fix for oily hair is just washing it more often. But 9 times out of 10, oily hair is best treated with a good shampoo specially designed for oily hair. Finding the best shampoo for oily hair can be tricky. What really works? Which ingredients should you avoid or seek out? Don’t worry, we’ve got all your questions about shampoo for oily hair covered.
Why does your hair get oily?
Oily hair is caused by excessive sebum production on the scalp. Sebum is a natural oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands in our skin, including the scalp. While sebum is essential for protecting your scalp and hair, overproduction quickly leads to a greasy appearance.
Common causes of oily hair include:
Washing too often (or too harshly): Excessive washing dries out the scalp, prompting it to produce more sebum as a response.
Hormonal scHommeges: For example, during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or stress.
Genetic predisposition: Some people’s sebaceous glands naturally produce more oil.
Wrong hair products: Shampoos with lots of silicones or heavy oils can build up and make your hair feel greasy faster.
Hair type: Fine hair gets oily faster because it’s thinner and oil spreads more quickly over the scalp.
Unhealthy lifestyle: Just like food affects your skin, it affects your hair too. This is especially true with greasy, unhealthy foods.
Your hands: Do you touch your hair all day trying to fix it? That may be why it gets greasy quickly. Dirt from your hands transfers to your hair, causing oiliness and encouraging sebum production.
It’s important to identify your personal cause to tackle the issue at the source. Recent studies show that one in three people suffer from oily hair, often due to genetics. Hormonal scHommeges during puberty and pregnancy also play a big role. Hair products are another factor. The wrong shampoo or overusing styling products can increase sebum production.
What’s the difference between regular shampoo and shampoo for oily hair?
Regular shampoos focus on mild cleansing and care for all hair types. They often contain silicones and sometimes heavy oils. Shampoos for oily hair are designed to regulate excess sebum and deeply cleanse your scalp without drying it out. Features of shampoos for oily hair include:
Contain light, non-heavy nourishing ingredients
Regulate the scalp’s natural pH balance
Free (or low) in silicones, sulfates, and heavy oils
Extra ingredients like rosemary, mint, Tea Tree, thyme, chamomile or zinc to effectively remove excess oil and balance the scalp
The key difference is the formula: shampoo for oily hair targets excess oil, while regular shampoo uses gentle cleansers more suitable for normal or dry hair. Fine hair with oily roots especially benefits from these formulations because they don’t weigh hair down.
What to look for when choosing a shampoo for oily hair?
Keep these points in mind when picking your shampoo:
No silicones: Silicones can build up, making hair heavy or sticky (watch for names ending in -cone, -conol or -siloxane).
Mild cleansing: Preferably free from harsh sulfates like SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate).
Natural ingredients: Ingredients like rosemary oil, peppermint, Tea Tree or apple cider vinegar support scalp balance.
No heavy oils: Avoid coconut oil, argan oil, etc. if your hair gets oily quickly.
Purity: Prefer no parabens or overpowering perfumes.
Choose shampoos labelled specifically for oily hair. Look for extra active ingredients like rosemary oil, sea salt (Maris Sal), creeping bramble, blueberry extract, aloe vera and colloidal oatmeal, as they regulate sebum and balance your scalp.
Goldwell Dualsenses Scalp Specialist Deep Cleansing Shampoo is the Perfect shampoo for oily hair. This shampoo deeply cleanses and removes residue from styling products and buildup flawlessly. It contains zinc PCA which regulates sebum production, so hair becomes greasy less often. The hydro-lime extract refreshes, hydrates and revitalises.
The best shampoo for oily hair varies per person. Your hair type, scalp sensitivity, and lifestyle are key factors. Generally, light, sulphate-free shampoos without silicones with natural ingredients offer the most benefits. Pair these with mild styling products, avoid washing too often, and give your scalp time to recover. Consider adding an occasional Detox scrub or clarifying treatment for optimal results. Try various products and routines to find what works best for your hair.
Do natural shampoos really help with oily hair?
Yes, natural shampoos can be effective against oily hair if you pay attention to the full ingredients list. A good natural shampoo contains plant extracts like rosemary, peppermint, lemongrass or apple cider vinegar. They’re gentle on the scalp and often reduce irritation, but sometimes remove sebum less intensely than strong synthetic shampoos. Natural shampoos without silicones build up less. Remember: don’t expect miracles immediately; it usually takes two to four weeks for your scalp to adjust to a natural routine.
How often should you use shampoo for oily hair?
Most experts recommend limiting washing to two to three times a week. Washing too often boosts sebum production. At first, this feels uncomfortable as your hair gets oily faster. But over time, your scalp recovers and the oiliness reduces. You can also use dry shampoo to postpone washing by a day.
Can you use shampoo for oily hair daily?
In principle, yes—if you choose a very mild, sulphate-free formula and notice your scalp doesn’t become dry, red, or irritated. Specialists often recommend gradually reducing washing frequency to two to three times a week. Using too strong a shampoo daily increases the risk of a vicious cycle: more dryness → more oil production.
Do sulphate-free shampoos help with oily hair?
Yes! Sulphate-free shampoos cleanse gently and don’t disrupt the scalp’s natural oily layer. Sulphates (like SLS and SLES) often strip all oils from hair and skin, causing sebaceous glands to overproduce.
Common mistakes when caring for oily hair?
Washing too often hoping your hair will get less oily – but the opposite happens
Using shampoo that’s too harsh with lots of sulphates
Applying conditioner or hair mask to the scalp
Too many or wrong styling products
Using a dirty hairbrush, towel or pillowcase (clean weekly)
Where can I ask questions about oily hair?
Still have questions about shampoo for oily hair or unsure about something? Don’t hesitate to contact us! You can email your question to info@Haarspullen.nl and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. During office hours, you can also call our HaarspullenTeam. Did you know you get free shipping when you spend 35 euro? Happy shopping!
