The 12 Best Shampoos for Oily Hair That Target Grease for a Nondrying Deep Cleanse, Tested & Reviewed

Best Overall

Nécessaire Shampoo

$28 at Amazon $28 at Sephora View on Necessaire.com

Hair Type: All | Size: 250 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Known for chic branding and elevated formulas, Nécessaire has nailed it yet again with this shampoo. Though a fragrance-free shampoo might sound boring to some people, it’s a dream for those who are headache-prone, suffer from allergies, or prefer their perfumes to be the star of the show. The formula's texture is rich and gel-like, and our tester, Donna, was incredibly impressed by how well it lathers. Just mild scalp massaging will produce a creamy bunch of bubbles, making for a sensorial experience as you cleanse your hair and scalp.

The list of things Donna loves about this shampoo is long, but at the top is just how well it cleanses excess oil, sweat, and product buildup (think dry shampoo, hair oil, and even leave-in products) from both the scalp and the lengths of the hair. Though many shampoos that provide such a deep cleanse feel incredibly dry to the skin and often suck the life (and moisture) out of the hair, this one doesn’t. It effectively gets the job done while maintaining a comfortable and balanced feel on the scalp—it even leaves the hair feeling light, fluffy, and incredibly soft. Overall: It’s extremely effective, fragrance-free, color and keratin-safe, and, compared to other similar options, fairly priced.

Best Budget

Kristin Ess Clarifying Shampoo

$11 at Amazon $12 at Ulta $12 at Target

Hair Type: All | Size: 296 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly shampoo that will give your oily hair a good cleanse, reach for this clarifying formula from Kristin Ess. It contains a proprietary strengthening complex that helps to smooth the appearance of damaged strands and cuts grease and grime without overdrying the hair. Though it’s suitable for all hair types, the lightweight texture makes it particularly easy to massage through fine hair.

According to our tester, Sarah, this formula is one that you’ll probably want to use twice because it doesn’t lather all that well on the first shampoo. However, Sarah says it lathers beautifully once it gets through the initial layer of grime (typically during the second shampoo). She also loved that it deeply cleaned her scalp and hair without over-stripping. And if you prefer shampoos that aren’t overly fragranced, you’ll also appreciate that this one has a light floral scent.

Best Clarifying

Bumble and bumble Sunday Shampoo

$16 at Sephora $34 at Ulta $35 at Target

Hair Type: All | Size: 60, 236, 1000 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes

There are regular showers, and then there are “everything showers” where you do it all—we’re talking shaving, deep cleansing, a hair mask, etc. This perfectly named shampoo is ideal for when you need a complete reset for your hair—something you might try to achieve as part of your do-it-all routine if you have some extra time on Sundays. This all-star clarifying formula works to completely rid your hair of grease, product buildup, and pollution that could be coming from your water or environment. While it might be a bit too harsh for everyday use, it’s fantastic to achieve a super deep clean.

The formula contains ginseng root and sage leaf extract to cleanse, as well as rosemary extract to stimulate the scalp, and it creates a nice lather with minimal effort required. During testing, our tester, Shannon, found that she could put off washing her hair by two days after using this product—quite an amazing feat. The caveat to this is that it can be drying on the strands, so you may want to apply a nourishing hair mask to the lengths of your hair after shampooing.

Best Purifying

Ouai Detox Shampoo

$14 at Amazon $14 at Sephora $32 at Ulta

Hair Type: All | Size: 89, 300, 474, 946 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you use dry shampoo consistently, it’s important to ensure that your hair-washing routine is effectively getting rid of the remnants every once in a while, as buildup can contribute to a greasy scalp. This clarifying formula works to detoxify the scalp by washing away buildup and grease, as well as removing free radicals, pollution, and more. We love that it contains apple cider vinegar to aid its purifying capabilities, although some people find its scent pretty unpleasant. If the scent doesn’t bother you, you’ll love this formula.

Our tester, Samantha, noticed that the rich texture creates a smooth lather, and it’s meant to be left on in the shower for a few minutes to work its magic fully. Once you rinse, you can expect your hair to feel squeaky clean. She did claim it's a bit drying, so this is another shampoo that we recommend following up with a deep conditioner. An added plus: This shampoo comes in fully recyclable packaging, as well as a range of sizes.

Best for Curly Hair

Shaz & Kiks Clay Hair Cleanser

View on Shazandkiks.com View on Thirteenlune.com $42 at Freepeople.com

Hair Type: All hair types | Size: 90, 230 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you have curly hair or you just prefer a shampoo that’s a bit more gentle than other clarifying options, this is a great choice for you. It has a unique formula and texture—it comes in a tub and feels almost like a clay mask—but it lathers well and works to efficiently cleanse the hair and scalp. It’s formulated with an Indian clay that absorbs excess oils, hibiscus flower to help reduce hair shedding, and bits of Indian blackberry to provide subtle exfoliation. The perfectly balanced formula effectively removes oil and buildup but isn’t so harsh that it strips your scalp or dries out your hair.

After washing with this formula, our tester Elizabeth’s hair felt clean and soft, and her curls looked extra bouncy. It’s worth noting that she found the blackberry bits easy to wash away, but some online reviewers struggled to fully remove all of them. Between how satisfying the texture is to apply, how effectively it cleanses, how beautifully it enhances the shape of curls, and how delicious it smells, recommending this product is a no-brainer.

Best for Hard Water

Redken Hair Cleansing Cream Clarifying Shampoo

$25 at Amazon $26 at Ulta View on Redken.com

Hair Type: All | Size: 250, 1000 mL | Cruelty-Free: No

Hard water is full of minerals, and over time, they can create buildup in the hair that can result in greasiness and dull-looking strands. If you’re showering in hard water consistently, it’s a good idea to use a shampoo (like this one) that works to neutralize mineral buildup. With just one shampoo, this formula cleanses the scalp of excess oil and removes copper, iron, magnesium, and calcium, which are often found in hard water. It creates a fine lather that’s easy to massage around the head, and the more you work it through your hair, the more the lather grows. Our tester, Ashleigh, loved that she didn’t need to shampoo and rinse twice with it—it’s super clarifying the first time around.

Though it claims to be safe on color-treated hair (and our tester didn’t see any issues with it fading color), beware that some online reviewers say this formula did alter their color. However, if you don’t dye your hair and you want a product that will reduce oiliness and neutralize mineral buildup, this is a solid choice.

Best for Color-Treated Hair

Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo

$36 at Amazon $36 at Sephora $36 at Ulta

Hair Type: All | Size: 236 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes

You shouldn’t have to choose between protecting your hair color and a thorough cleanse on wash day. But if you’ve had bad luck in the past with clarifying shampoos and your dye job, it’s understandable to be a little hesitant before lathering up with one. Featuring activated charcoal, this formula from Living Proof works to lift up and wash away dirt, oil, grime, and impurities from the scalp and your strands without warping your hair color in the process.

In fact, our tester and Byrdie associate commerce editor Caitlyn Martyn noticed it helps improve color vibrancy and extend the time between washes by removing product and heavy metal buildup that can cause hair to look dull. She also enjoyed the clean scent, which left her hair feeling smoother and softer. Some reviewers note it can be a little drying, so if you already have parched or damaged hair, you’ll want to follow up with a deep conditioner or a hydrating hair mask.

Best Sulfate-Free

AG Care Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

$34 at Amazon $34 at Ulta View on Ag.care

Hair Type: All | Size: 355, 1000 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Sulfates—which act like detergents in shampoo formulas—are not inherently bad. They often get a bad rap because they can be a bit harsh and stripping for those who have dry or damaged hair, but these ingredients can be super effective at removing excess grease from oily hair. However, if you prefer to stick to sulfate-free formulas but still need something to effectively cleanse oily hair, this shampoo is for you.

The lightweight texture is a bit watery, which takes some getting used to, but it does lather despite this, and you don’t need to use a lot of product to get the job done. It’s formulated with ​​apple cider vinegar to help break down oil, as well as argan oil to enhance shine. Our tester, Christine, was impressed with how long it kept her hair clean, the shine she experienced after using it, and the formula’s subtle scent. Bottom-line? You can count on this bottle for a deep, satisfying, non-stripping cleanse.

Best Post-Workout

SadieB Athlete Clarifying Shampoo

$12 at Target View on Sadieb.co

Hair Type: All | Size: 295 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If your post-workout scalp needs more cleansing power than what your daily shampoo can provide, reach for this pick from SadieB. It has a silky texture that works into a lovely, easy-to-distribute lather that gently but effectively cleanses sweat and oil from your scalp using a combo of apple cider vinegar and charcoal. It’s made with vitamin E to balance out the formula and moisturize hair, but it may still be a little drying for those with dehydrated or damaged lengths.

For only $12 a bottle, it leaves hair feeling softer, clean, refreshed, and even gives fine hair a little boost in volume. Those that like an olfactory experience out of their shampoo will appreciate its subtly sweet vanilla-mint scent. Reviewers also claim it's a great option for swimmers who need a clarifying shampoo to wash away chlorine, too.

Best Splurge

Oribe Oil Control Shampoo

$52 at Sephora $52 at Dermstore $52 at Neiman Marcus

Hair Type: All | Size: 250 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This luxurious shampoo immediately purifies the scalp of dirt and grease while helping to balance the scalp and regulate oil production, allowing you to go longer between washes. According to the brand, it uses a sugar-derived prebiotic and biomimetic amino acids to diversify and rebalance the bacteria in the scalp's microbiome, reportedly helping to support scalp health and reduce excess oil.

Many reviewers say that it does, indeed, help them go longer between washes, and also praise it for how it softens their hair. Like most Oribe products, this one has a beautiful scent that reviewers describe as earthy and floral, however it may be too strong for those who are sensitive to fragrance or just don’t want their shampoo to smell like, well, anything.

Best Anti-Dandruff

Head & Shoulders Oil Control Shampoo

$10 at Target View on CVS View on Headandshoulders.com

Hair Type: All  | Size: 400 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If your scalp’s excess oil production is paired with symptoms of dry or oily dandruff, consider a shampoo from Head & Shoulders—though, we do recommend checking in with your dermatologist first. This antifungal formula controls oil to fight off malassezia, the yeast that causes dandruff flakes, with 1% prescription-strength selenium sulfide. At the same time, it cleanses the scalp of dirt and product buildup.

It’s advertised to have a citrusy scent, but some reviewers claim it’s overpowering. Otherwise, plenty of reviewers enjoy how the formula leaves their hair feeling soft and shiny and, of course, their scalps refreshed, balanced, and flake-free.

Best for Oily Scalp and Dry Ends

Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent Balancing Shampoo

$42 at Amazon $42 at Sephora View on Kerastase-usa.com

Hair Type: All  | Size: 250 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Having oily hair doesn’t always mean it’s oily from root to tip. Sometimes, the oiliness seems to only be an issue near your scalp and the rest of your hair is suffering from dryness. This shampoo is designed to address that particular scenario. It works into a fine, bubbly lather that’s easy to distribute. It cleanses the scalp of dirt, oil, and sweat while also hydrating dry lengths and giving you a little volumizing lift at the root. Some reviewers don’t find it to be clarifying enough, so if you have a ton of product buildup, you may want to enlist the help of a stronger clarifying shampoo.

It has a silky and milky texture, as well as a lovely sandalwood and freesia fragrance that fills your shower within seconds of lathering. However, if you’re sensitive to scent or don’t like perfumy hair products, this may not be for you.