Anyone whos ever dealt with an oily scalp knows just how critical a well-formulated shampoo is.
I should know, I have very fine hair that gets weighed down easily.
The second my scalp gets oily, its abundantly noticeable.
Of my testing, here are the top formulas Id happily give my stamp of approval.
Essentially, its everything you want in a shampoo for oily roots.
But what makes this formula uniquely effective is the papaya enzymes.
Enzymes break down dead skin cells, offering a very gentle exfoliation.
I often experience buildup, but sometimes find scalp scrubs to feel too harshthis is the perfect inbetween.
Final note: I also love that this helps me stretch the time between washes.
Experience: 5
This has one of the best lathers Ive ever felt from a sulfate-free shampoo.
Truly: Youd mistake it for a conventional shampoo if you didnt know.
Thats why a a malleable formula is so important, as it makes app more user friendly.
I found the overall scent to be playful, if young.
It has notes of juicy mango, bright citrus, and fresh florals.
The rinse out isnt cumbersome, and leaves no residue.
About as effortless a cleanse as you could get outside of a professional blowout.
And while it does offer a deep clean, the lightweight hydration really sinks into the hair fiber.
This combo makes my strands feel so soft and smooth after.
However, someone whose hair is less fragile will likely be fine with a lighter conditioner.
Plus the addition of fruit enzymes removes dead skin cells.
I should know, I have very fine hair.
And this shampoo takes hair from weighed down to weightless.
Our reviewer, beauty editorJamie Schneider, notes: Weightlessis just the right word for this shampoo.
When I use it, my strands feel fluffy, clean, and light as air.
This is the shampoo that made me realize the importance of a proper cleanser for silky hair.
Since testing it, my strands have never felt softer.
If I have tons of buildup, though, I do find I need to double cleanse.
Experience: 4.5
Overall, the in-shower experience was enjoyable, notes our reviewer.
It foams quite well for a sulfate-free shampoo!
Just see to it to rub it aggressively between wet palms before applying.
If you have a sensitive scalp I might recommend a different fragrance-free formula, but I think its delicious.
Like light, fruity guava, she told me.
For a shampoo with such a nice lather, thats saying something.
When the barrier is compromised or theres inflammation, it sends the oil glands into overdrive.
This gentle, cooling formula helps calm the skinhelping with oil in the long term.
It gets to work right away, thanks to the cooling sensation.
Its formulated for daily use, so its not a deep clean like others on the list.
If youre looking for a real reset, you may benefit from something thats more clarifying.
If I go too long between washes, my scalp feels tender.
A bonus: When Im using this, I find my hair stays fresher between washes.
It really provides instant relief!
As far as hydration goes, Id say its pretty middle of the road.
Its a gentle cleanser that doesnt strip too natural hydration away, nor is it deeply moisturizing.
Its balanced, if you will.
One of the leaders in clean, natural hair care, its no surprise that Avedas formulas are quality.
dpHue ACV Hair Rinseby dpHue
To clarify: This is not a shampoo.
Theyre supplemental products, not replacements.
And for oily haired folks, theyre a total gamechanger.
I love using dpHUEs cult classic rinse between washes as a style refresher, and have for years.
Its one of my all-time favorite products.
Assistant beauty editorHannah Fryeagrees, This product is designed to be usedsupplementalto other shampoos and for that purpose Iloveit.
This helps oily-prone roots feel refreshed without a full shampoo.
It filled a gap in my routine.
Essentially: This wont suds or leave the hair feeling squeaky clean.
But for what it does, its the best at its job.
It extends your time between a true shampoo.
It really is a game-changer, says Frye.
Squeeze the bottle gently, so not too much formula comes out.
Massage the product into the scalp, and rake it through the strands.
Rather the ACV rebalances the scalp, redistributes oil, and refreshes the style.
Helps to moisturize your scalp and refresh your strands but never leaves your hair feeling dry, notes Frye.
This natural-leaning formula blends together a variety of hair-supporting botanical ingredients to balance oil.
And this shampoo is a classic.
Its intended for use dailyor every other daywhich many folks with oily roots feel they need.
This does just that to perfection.
As one of our reviewers Schneider notes, This is high on my list of my all-time favorite shampoos.
It lathers like a dream, effectively lifts buildup, and doesnt leave my scalp parched dry.
JVN Embody Volumizing Shampoo, which is closer to a clarifying shampoo than conventional one).
But its still pretty great at lifting off buildup and dissolving oil.
As Schneider notes, This is the shampoo I turn to when I have loads of buildup.
Greasy days are no match for the Hair Cleanse.
The lather is my favorite part of the experience.
Its a dense, soft foamthe kind with tiny bubbles and a rich texture.
Its a treat to apply it all over the scalp.
Schneider agrees: Very impressive lather!
It doesnt take much work at all for it to bubble into a foam.
Its elevated, but not overpowering.
As Schneider notes, The fragrance Its a nice scent!
As Schneider said, I have noticed my hair feeling dry before piling on the conditioner.
So I try not to saturate my lengths with the shampoo, but sometimes it just happens.
It is buffered with conditioning ingredients, such as baobab oil and glycerin to help buffer any dryness.
Skin care quality ingredients make this formula a standout.
If youre after a big, full-bodied blowout, this is the shampoo to start with.
It uses a concentrated combination of plant-derived cleansers that power through oil buildup, dirt, and products.
My hair was the cleanest its felt in a long time after I tested it.
While I didnt test it long enough to really judge it, its also infused with a caffeine extract.
Caffeine is an excellent ingredient forhair growth products, as it stimulates circulation at the root.
I also love that the brand uses a naturalsiliconealternative, that conditions and smoothes the hairsans damage or buildup.
In fact, the brand notes that it can reduce breakage by 51%.
When I use it, I notice less hair fragments in my hands post rinse.
The lightweight gel formula builds into a comfortable foam, and easily spreads throughout the hair.
I was able to work it in throughout the scalp quite efficiently.
It rinsed out quickly, and left no residue.
Non-drying: 2
While this contains hydrating ingredients (hello,aloe vera!)
this leans closer to a clarifying shampoo than a traditional formula.
Read: It deep cleans the scalp and roots, but I found it to be slightly drying.
So it’s really up to brands, publications, and individuals to create their own definition.
Natural ingredients are plant- or mineral-derived and are extracted from natural-world sources.
(A few below!)
Clean formulas can include both natural and lab-derived ingredients.
Clean ingredients are those that are identified as safe for the skin and overall health as backed by research.
Clean formulas tend to be more gentle for skin, as they avoid sensitizing ingredients.
We believe that what ingredients are deemed “safe” is an ongoing conversation.
As a thorough reporter, I stay informed on the latest ingredient research and innovations.
The ones I recommend to you are rigorously tested, vetted, and researched.
High standards are earnedand there are no shortcuts.
For those with oily roots or hair, however, a good rule of thumb is every 2-3 days.
However, several things might influence this cadence:
Read more in our guide toshampooing hair.
Now, dont forget to follow that up with one of ourfavorite conditioners.
