15 Best Drugstore Shampoos for Oily Hair to Clarify Greasiness

Written by Alvira Dsouza, Hair Expert
Updated on Feb 16, 2024
drugstore shampoos for oily hair
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Oily hair people have to deal with numerous problems like limp mane, greasy scalp, weighed down strands, zero volume, and whatnot! To rescue you from these severe problems, we have come up with the personalized best drugstore shampoos for oily hair that will effectively alleviate all the problems related to a greasy mane without burning a hole in your pockets. 

As per our expertise, we can safely claim that these shampoos are exceptionally blended with potent ingredients to clarify your hair and wash away the impurities while removing all the excess oil and build-up for added bounce and shine. Plus the moisturizing formula of the shampoos promises not to dry or damage the strands in the name of cleaning 'em!

Our contributor Kate Ross, who is a Hair Specialist, shares, “Specific shampoos for oily hair often contain ingredients that control excess oil without stripping the scalp. They usually have a lighter formulation that cleanses thoroughly without overstimulating the sebaceous glands, helping to manage oiliness more effectively.”

From our in-depth research and first-hand experience, we can say, that these oil-control shampoos are ideal for washing your mane while infusing a great amount of shine into the strands. Flaunting your bouncy hair unapologetically without damaging or stressing the shafts couldn’t be easier than this! So, without further ado, let's dig into the gems that are raging on the internet—

15 Best Drugstore Shampoos for Oily Hair

A special formulation by Paul Mitchell, this clarifying shampoo stands true to its name and is loaded with the goodness of peppermint, tea tree oil, and lavender and leaves a refreshing feeling as it thoroughly cleanses the hair. It comes with a hair color-safe formula that protects the hair while helping you to get rid of impurities and leaving the strands shiny and bouncy. Furthermore, the formula gently removes the tacky product residues, dirt, and pollution while extracting the dead skin at the same time for a fresher scalp.

Pros
  • Leaves hair feel fresh
  • Washes away impurities
  • Removes build-ups
  • Adds bounce
  • Smells amazing
  • Vegan-friendly
Cons
  • Not for sensitive scalps
  • Best to Combat Flakiness

    Maple Holistics Degrease Shampoo

    Maple Holistics Degrease Shampoo
  • Maple Holistics offers you a deep cleansing shampoo that takes the upper hand at thoroughly extracting all the greasiness, build-ups, and flakes to ensure you a healthy and bouncy hair. With a tantalizing scent of lemon oil, the clarifying formula blended with pure oil leaves a freshness in your hair strands for an elevated experience. Apart from maintaining the hair, it also ensures total scalp care at the same time for silky tresses. In a nutshell, we can say that this shampoo is ideal to revive your hair.

    Pros
    • Removes excess greasiness
    • Clarifies the scalp
    • Sulfate-free
    • Has a purifying effect
    • Combats flakiness
    • Hydrates sublimely
    Cons
    • Could be gentler
  • Best to Nourish the Shafts

    OGX Hydrating + Tea Tree Mint Shampoo

    OGX Hydrating + Tea Tree Mint Shampoo
  • Enriched with tea tree oil, milk protein, and peppermint oil, getting the nourished tresses is now easier than you had thought. The gentle shampoo works best on oily hair to remove all the excess oil and add the coveted bounce to the limp mane. While preventing over-drying by infusing hydration, it also keeps in check the excessive sebum production to add volume, softness, and rejuvenation. Not only that, but it also ensures that the hair remains soft and moisturized while stimulating the senses. The paraben-free formula also stimulates each strand while invigorating the senses with its refreshing scent. Best part? It works on all types of hair like textured, colored tresses, and processed hair.

    Pros
    • Strengthen the strands
    • Refreshes the scalp
    • Stimulates growth
    • Sulfate-free
    • Nourishes the shafts
    • Rejuvenates the hair
    Cons
    • Not for sensitive scalp
  • Best to Add Shine

    Aveeno Apple Cider & Vinegar Blend Clarify & Shine Shampoo

    Aveeno Apple Cider & Vinegar Blend Clarify & Shine Shampoo
  • If you want a balanced shampoo that clarifies the scalp and nourishes the strands, Aveeno has something exciting for you! With a refreshing scent of apple cider vinegar, the formula loaded with colloidal oatmeal gently balances the pH of your scalp to bestow you with the ultimate hair strands that you have always wanted for yourself. It also refreshes. rejuvenates, and provides nourishment to your scalp and length to add smoothness and bounce for a healthy-looking mane. What's more? The paraben-free formula is infused with gentler surfactants than sulfates that won’t strip your hair of any natural oils!

    Pros
    • Replenishes the shaft
    • Paraben-free
    • Not too stripping
    • Clinically-proven
    • Clarifies scalp
    • Adds shine to dull hair
    Cons
    • Overpowering scent
  • Best to Remove Buildups

    Paul Mitchell Shampoo Two

    Paul Mitchell Shampoo Two
  • Paul Mitchell brings you a clarifying shampoo that goes a long way and takes the upper hand at cleaning the hair roots, extracting the dead cells, and removing the build-up from your oily hair without stripping natural oil. Infused with the invigoratingly sharp and crisp scent of lemon, this drugstore shampoo for oily hair works wonders on the shaft and scalp to give you the hair of your dreams without being too harsh. Plus, the brand also claims to extract the hard water build-up as the potent natural ingredients infuse shine into the hair for a lustrous appearance.

    Pros
    • Deeply cleanses hair
    • Invigorating scent
    • Infuses shine
    • Removes build-up
    • Color-safe
    • Vegan-friendly
    Cons
    • Could be more moisturizing
  • Best Non-drying Formula

    Neutrogena Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo

    Neutrogena Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo
  • Infused with the tantalizing scent of pink grapefruit, sheer florals, and fresh bergamot, the shampoo not only cleanses the product buildups but also balances the pH of your scalp at the same time. Apart from cleansing, the shampoo also exfoliates the oily scalp while imparting a healthy shine on your strands. Free of sulfates, phthalates, SLS, SLES, and parabens, the shampoo also maintains the natural barrier of your scalp with regular use. The best part? It suits all — wavy, curly, coily, and straight hair types.

    Pros
    • Clarifies the scalp
    • Soothing scent
    • Paraben-free
    • Gentle formula
    • SLS free
    • Non-drying
    Cons
    • Not for allergy-prone scalp
  • Best to Balance pH

    Herbal Essences Rose Hips Shampoo

    Herbal Essences Rose Hips Shampoo
  • Herbal Essence offers you one good PETA-approved shampoo for oily hair, infused with a potent formula consisting of vitamin E, rosehip, and jojoba extracts to give you the hair of your dreams. It is especially given a texture and formula that is most suitable for oily hair to add bounce and dimension so that it looks straight out of dreams. The dermatologically-tested shampoo thoroughly cleanses the hair and balances the pH of the scalp. If followed by the right conditioner, getting smooth and shiny locks cannot be easier than this.

    Pros
    • Cruelty-free
    • Dermatologist-tested
    • Mineral-oil free
    • Balances pH
    • Unscented
    • Smoothens the end
    Cons
    • Not for fine hair
  • Best to Retain Natural Movement

    Nexxus Hydra-Light Weightless Moisture Shampoo

    Nexxus Hydra-Light Weightless Moisture Shampoo
  • The moisturizing shampoo is built in such a way that it strips off excess oil from your hair without drying out your hair. It has a revolutionary formula, packed with minerals from the deep sea, to give you the nourished mane that you have always wanted. Specially designed for fine hair, the weightless texture adds a dimension to the hair while leaving the mane hydrated. It further claims not to weigh down the hair and add the coveted bounce that you have been looking for!

    Pros
    • Retains natural movement
    • Leave the hair hydrated
    • Nourishes the strands
    • Lightweight formula
    • Exotic ingredients
    • Adds bounce
    Cons
    • Poor packaging
  • Best Gluten-free Formula

    Desert Essence Organics Hair Care Shampoo

    Desert Essence Organics Hair Care Shampoo
  • This shampoo for thin and oily hair is packed with effective ingredients like Australian tea tree oil, aloe vera, and lemon peel extract to balance the natural pH of your scalp and soothe it at the same time. It also takes the credit for nourishing the strands while removing excess oil from the same for the voluminous hair everyone wants. However, the moisturizing formula also ensures that it doesn’t strip away natural moisture from the shaft so that your hair remains soft and manageable.

    Pros
    • Refreshing scent
    • Adds bounce
    • Removes excess oil
    • Nourishes hair
    • Gluten-free
    • Cruelty-free
    Cons
    • Poor container
  • Best Sulfate-free Shampoo

    AG Care Balance Apple Cider Vinegar Sulfate-free Shampoo

    AG Care Balance Apple Cider Vinegar Sulfate-free Shampoo
  • The hydrating formula of the plant-based shampoo not only cleanses off the excess oil but also ensures that it restores moisture at the same time to the strands. It gently exfoliates the scalp so that no build-up remains in the roots for healthy hair growth. It further helps to lock the hydration in your hair cuticles for a glossy texture that everyone loves. Specially formulated for oily hair, the sulfate-free shampoo, packed with the goodness of apple cider vinegar, also suits all hair types and textures.

    Pros
    • Frizz-free finish
    • Rehydrates cuticles
    • Gently cleanses hair
    • Exfoliates the scalp
    • Locks in the moisture
    • Plant-based formula
    Cons
    • Weird consistency
  • Honeydew Lemon Sage Cleansing Shampoo

    Honeydew Lemon Sage Cleansing Shampoo
  • Honeydew offers a nutrient-enriched revolutionary formula, enriched with tea tree oil and rosemary oil, to infuse much-needed nutrients for your oily mane. It is designed to cleanse the scalp while helping the moisture penetrate deeply for overall care. Furthermore, the invigorating essence of lemon will boost your mood as you use it on your hair while leaving the hair clean and looking fantastic. Addedly, apart from volumizing the length, it also protects the color of your lustrous hair, if any.

    Pros
    • Refreshing scent
    • Sulfate-free formula
    • Nutrient-rich formula
    • Boosts volume
    • Paraben-free
    • Moisturizes the hair
    Cons
    • Abrasive for fine hair
  • TRESemmé Purify and Replenish Shampoo

    TRESemmé Purify and Replenish Shampoo
  • It is one of the most popular shampoos among oily hair beauties for all the good reasons! Plus, it also has some rave reviews online which will surely convince you why you should get the product in the first place. The shampoo deserves accolades for thoroughly cleansing the hair by deeply penetrating into the scalp so that no build-up or impurities remain on the scalp. Apart from purifying, it also deeply replenishes the hair shaft to ensure the smooth and glossy mane that everyone desires.

    Pros
    • Ensures shine
    • Removes impurities
    • Purifies deeply
    • Replenishes hair shaft
    • Ensures smooth hair
    • Clears buildups
    Cons
    • Slimy texture
  • umble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo

    umble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo
  • Apart from its cute and attractive packaging, Bumble and Bumble offers an effective clarifying solution in one of the best shampoos for thin oily hair. Hence, you can trust this product to deeply cleanse and remove build-up. It not only primarily cleanses the hair but also protects the existing color and perming of your hair, if any. Plus, it can also be used as a weekly detox to remove the hard water residue, impurities, and pollutants. Giving your lifeless dull-looking locks a healthy look cannot be easier than this!

    Pros
    • Removes build-up
    • Deeply cleanses
    • Protects color
    • Detoxifies the scalp
    • Hydrates the hair
    • Infuses moisture
    Cons
    • Poor packaging
  • MONDAY Haircare Volume Shampoo

    MONDAY Haircare Volume Shampoo
  • Enriched with the goodness of vitamin E, coconut oil, and ginger extract, the volume shampoo claims to live up to the expectations of people with a fine and limp mane. Apart from deep cleansing, the dermatologically-tested formula also takes the upper hand at balancing the pH of your scalp while the hydrating ingredients present in the shampoo, like shea butter and rice protein, promise to nourish the strands for healthy-looking strands. What’s more? Well, it’s cruelty-free!

    Pros
    • Recyclable bottle
    • Leave hair deeply cleansed
    • Moisturizes the shaft
    • Minimizes carbon footprint
    • Cruelty-free
    • Deeply nourishes
    Cons
    • Not frizz-proof
  • Maple Holistics Activated Charcoal Shampoo

    Maple Holistics Activated Charcoal Shampoo
  • Activated charcoal is already a raging ingredient when it comes to cleansing the hair and scalp. It allows you to say adios to your harmful shampoos, loaded with nasty chemicals, in the name of deep cleansing and exfoliating the hair roots. Apart from cleaning the strands and scalp, it infuses a great amount of hydration while being gentler than the other shampoos. It also deeply cleanses the hair shafts and addresses common scalp concerns like flakes, build-ups, and itchy scalp without stripping away natural oil, thanks to the formula, packed with, keratin, jojoba oil, and coconut oil.

    Pros
    • Gentler on scalp
    • Clears flakes
    • Removes impurities
    • Nourishes strands
    • Paraben-free
    • Premium quality
    Cons
    • Not for sensitive scalp

    Now that you have checked out the products, take a look at how you can get the best one for yourself—

    How You Can Choose the Best Drugstore Shampoo for Oily Hair:

    Below are the parameters to look for—

    1. Ingredients- When it comes to shampoo for oily hair, the ingredients you look for are quite tricky. Components like gentle sulfates, tea tree oil, ketoconazole, rosemary oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, coco-glucoside, coconut acid, and lemongrass oil work excellent to cleanse the scalp and control the oil balance without extracting the natural oil of your hair. On the other hand, harsh ingredients like phthalates, denatured and isopropyl alcohol, and parabens should be avoided to keep the hair healthy.

    2. Formula- You should look for special formulas like dermatologically-tested ones if you have any scalp condition like dermatitis, itchiness, or sensitive skin. A pH-balanced formula is required to keep the excess sebum production in check. On the other hand, a color-protecting formula is a must-have if you have a colored shaft. Choose yours wisely according to your own condition.

    Stating the importance of a pH-balanced formula, our contributor and hair specialist Kate Ross says, “Maintaining the pH balance of the scalp is crucial to regulate sebum production. When the pH is balanced, the scalp remains healthy, preventing excessive oiliness or dryness, leading to more regulated sebum production.”

    3. Hair Type- Before you consider the shampoo for yourself, make sure you are buying the right one for your hair type. While some of the shampoos work for curly hair, they may not work quite well for fine or straight hair, and vice versa. Check the label and pick yours accordingly!

    So, that’s it! Here is the list of best drugstore shampoos for oily hair which are uniquely formulated to address concerns like limp mane, greasy hair, and fine strands. Drawing from our experience, it is safe to claim that the effective ingredients present in the product will thoroughly clean the scalp without stripping away the moisture from the mane for a lust-worthy appearance. If your lookout is to wash away the impurities, Tea Tree Special Shampoo By Paul Mitchell is your ideal catch. And if you want to nourish the strands, OGX Hydrating + Tea Tree Mint Shampoo is what you need. Lastly, people wanting to infuse shine Aveeno Apple Cider & Vinegar Blend Clarify & Shine Shampoo can be your best buddy undoubtedly!

    Contributor: Kate Ross, Hair and Beauty Specialist - Irresistible Me

    FAQ's

    Which shampoo is the best for oily hair?
    There are a few recommendations that work excellently on oily hair, such as Maple Holistics Degrease Shampoo, Nexxus Hydra-Light Weightless Moisture Shampoo, Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo, and many more.
    Should I shampoo when my hair is oily?
    Yes, shampooing the hair is of utmost importance when you have oily hair to wash away the impurities and clean the build-up without stripping away the natural oil of your hair.
    How much shampoo should I use on oily hair?
    10 ml or two teaspoons of shampoo is enough for average hair length if you wash your hair twice a week.
    How often should I use drugstore shampoo for oily hair?
    Even if you have an oily and greasy scalp, using shampoo more than thrice a week can be harmful to your hair and scalp.
    What causes oily hair and scalp?
    The production of excessive sebum from microscopic sebaceous glands, in your hair follicles, usually causes all the greasiness in your hair and scalp. Seborrhea or oily scalp condition occurs when the gland is overactive.
    Can drugstore shampoos for oily hair strip my hair of essential oils?
    Yes, if the shampoo contains harmful and harsh ingredients like SLS, SLES, phthalates, paraben, and gluten, it can strip away the natural oil of your hair and leave it dry and brittle.
    .Are drugstore shampoos for oily hair suitable for all hair types?
    Yes, many shampoos are equipped with a formula that is suitable for all hair types and textures.
    Can drugstore shampoos for oily hair help with dandruff or itchy scalp?
    Drugstore shampoos with refreshing and effective ingredients like tea tree oil, aloe vera, ketoconazole, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid work the best for dandruff and itchy scalp.
    Can I use a drugstore shampoo for oily hair on color-treated hair?
    Yes, if your shampoo is packed with ingredients that claim to protect the color-treated hair, you can any time use the product and it is less likely to affect the color of your hair.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Our in-house haircare expert, Alvira, loves to curate products for our readers taking out her time and energy, and the credit fully goes to her expertise and interest in the field. For this article, she mostly relied on online reviews to come up with a few products that she later used on her own hair. Being an oily-haired beauty herself, it was quite easy for her to come up with the verdict. She considered parameters like ingredients, formula, texture, and outcome to round off the best products for people out there.

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health and Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Alvira Dsouza
    Hair Expert

    With a keen eye for detail and a passion for hairstyling, Alvira is a certified Hair Expert who brings the latest tre More