Does your hair look greasy just a few hours after you wash it? You are not alone! Many men battle oily scalps that make their hair look flat and unwashed, no matter how much they scrub.
Finding the perfect shampoo for oily hair can feel like a mission. Store shelves are packed with bottles promising miracles, but many just strip your hair or make the oil problem worse. You need a product that truly cleans without over-drying, which is a tricky balance to strike when you have an excess of sebum.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what ingredients work best for controlling oil and give you clear recommendations. You will learn how to choose a shampoo that keeps your hair fresh and clean all day long.
Ready to ditch the midday shine? Let’s dive into the best shampoos designed specifically to tackle men’s oily hair problems.
Top Shampoo For Oily Hair Men Recommendations
- 72-HR Oil Balance With Refreshed Roots & Hydrated Hair*: Developed for oily hair & scalp, this shampoo for women & men removes excess oil and effectively cleanses. Purifies without stripping or disrupting the scalp barrier, leaving hair fresh & hydrated
- Gentle on Scalp & Hair: pH-balanced formula features three essential ceramides plus zinc PCA and hyaluronic acid to restore your scalp's natural barrier. Purifies oily scalp while delivering hydration to ends for balanced moisture from roots to tips
- Suitable for All Hair Types and Textures: Works on straight, wavy, curly, or color-treated hair. This sulfate free, fragrance free shampoo is non-comedogenic, allergy-tested & safe for sensitive scalps, making it ideal for daily use
- Lightweight Hydration: Instantly removes excess oil while providing moisture that won't weigh hair down. Wash hair using CeraVe Oil Control Balancing Shampoo. Apply Oil Control Balancing Conditioner to wet hair, working through ends. Rinse thoroughly
- Developed With Dermatologists: This shampoo for oily hair pairs with CeraVe Oil Control Balancing Conditioner for complete oily hair care. Gentle yet effective formula restores balance for Normal to Oily scalps
- Oily Hair Shampoo - Degrease is one the most popular purifying shampoo oily hair formulas that can tackle some of the most common hair concerns making it a top greasy hair shampoo for oily scalp care
- Dandruff Tip - One of the best ways to combat flaking and itchy scalp is to ditch your artificial dandruff shampoo with damaging sulfates and choose one with gentler more hydrating natural ingredients
- Sulfate Free Clarifying Shampoo for Build Up - Say goodbye to tricky buildup in your hair and scalp with our Degrease formula featuring natural hair care products like rosemary oil for hair care
- Oily Scalp Shampoo - Better hair begins at the scalp and our oily and dry scalp shampoo for men and women features some of the finest natural hair products like cleansing cypress basil and lemon oils
- Maple Holistics Quality - We believe in using real ingredients for real results that is why we created our sulfate and paraben free shampoo for men and women with cleansing pure essential oils
- Good Hair Starts Here: Black Wolf Everyday Oil Control Shampoo for men is a total game changer. Our unique formula has been designed to effectively cleanse your scalp and pull dirt and oil from your hair. And with our amazing bourbon & tobacco fragrance, your shower will never be the same. One 12 fl oz bottle.
- Say Goodbye to Oily, Greasy Hair: Our all new, Everyday Oil Control Shampoo removes impurities and unwanted oils to leave your hair feeling fresh and clean for a long time.
- Keeps Hair Hydrated and Healthy: Everyday Shampoo is formulated to create easy-to-brush, frizz-free, and shiny hair. Our ingredients moisturize, strengthen, hydrate, and repair your strands.
- Gentle Enough for Everyday Use: This shampoo is formulated to be used as often as needed without drying out your scalp or damaging your hair.
- Thick & Rich Lather with No Sulfates: Our shampoo is sulfate-free and designed to create a rich, foaming lather that cleans and purifies hair.
- 100% Australian tea tree is sourced from a farm in Australia that is certified for their responsible sourcing and harvesting practices
- Get your self-care senses tingling with the famous Tingle Complex—a blend of tea tree, peppermint and lavender that leaves a cooling feeling on the skin
- The fresh scent of tea tree, peppermint and lavender invigorate the scalp and leave hair smelling great
- Clean natural formula from Japan clarifies excess oil & thickens hair with natural Botanical Boosts like Rice Extract & Clove Flower.
- Deep cleanses the sweat, oil & buildup that can clog your scalp pores & lead to hair loss. Perfect for post-workout showers.
- Soothes redness, itching & flaking while helping to heal the scalp with natural Licorice Root, Aloe Vera & cooling Menthol.
- Stimulates healthy growth, thickens & helps inhibit baldness-causing DHT with potent Asian botanicals like Ginseng & Loquat (aka Japanese Plum).
- Helps prevent breakage & premature grey with our custom Strand Enhancing Solution of hair-healing amino acids, including Proline, Valine & Biotin-GHK.
- Dove Men+Care Charcoal Purifying Shampoo cleanses and purifies your hair, leaving it visibly healthy.
- This purifying shampoo is enriched with charcoal, clay, and effective plant-based cleansers for a deep clean.
- Engineered for men, this charcoal shampoo has a 90% natural formula and leaves hair deeply cleansed and invigorated.
- Start your day off right with earthy notes of nutmeg—a fresh scent that lasts up to 24 hours.
- Dove shampoos are cruelty-free. Globally, we do not test on animals.
- ADVANCED OIL CONTROL: Effectively combat Malassezia and control oil with just one wash, outperforming ordinary anti-dandruff shampoos. Experience 35% more dandruff-fighting power* with our advanced formula. *Results based on comparative studies.
- PRESCRIPTION-STRENGTH DANDRUFF RELIEF: Formulated with 1% Selenium Sulfide, our shampoo delivers prescription-strength dandruff control and flake protection. *Flake protection compared to prescription dandruff shampoo with 2% ketoconazole.
- PROVEN DANDRUFF PROTECTION: Up to 100% dandruff protection* Say goodbye to visible flakes and enjoy a healthier scalp with regular use. *visible flakes; with regular use.
- RELIEF FOR SEVERE DANDRUFF AND SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS: Effectively alleviates symptoms providing long-lasting relief and promoting a healthier scalp.
- CITRUS-INFUSED FRESHNESS: Leaves your scalp and hair feeling clean, revitalized, and refreshed all day.
- Deeply cleanses and removes dulling buildup
- Leaves hair squeaky clean, shiny and full of body
- Ideal for use before a deep conditioning treatment
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Men’s Shampoo for Oily Hair
Oily hair can be a real pain for men. It often looks flat, greasy, and just plain messy. Finding the right shampoo makes a huge difference. This guide helps you choose the best one to keep your hair fresh and clean.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, look for specific labels that promise oil control. These features tackle the root cause of the grease.
Deep Cleansing Action
- The shampoo must effectively remove excess sebum (natural scalp oil) without stripping your hair completely.
- Look for terms like “Clarifying” or “Deep Cleansing.”
Sulfate-Free Options
While sulfates clean well, they can sometimes over-dry the scalp, causing it to produce even more oil. Many modern oily hair shampoos skip these harsh chemicals.
Lightweight Formulas
Heavy, creamy shampoos weigh down oily hair. Choose clear, gel-like formulas that rinse out easily.
Scalp Balancing Ingredients
The best shampoos help regulate oil production over time, not just mask the oil for a few hours.
Important Ingredients: What to Seek Out
The ingredients list tells you a lot about how the shampoo will perform. Some natural ingredients are superstars for cutting grease.
Oil-Absorbing Agents
- Clay (like Kaolin or Bentonite): These naturally draw out impurities and excess oil from the scalp.
- Activated Charcoal: This works like a magnet to pull toxins and oil from the pores.
Natural Astringents
These ingredients help tighten pores and reduce oil flow.
- Tea Tree Oil: It cleanses deeply and often fights scalp bacteria.
- Witch Hazel: A natural toner that helps balance the scalp.
- Lemon or Mint Extracts: They leave a fresh feeling and help cut through grease.
Moisturizing Agents (Used Sparingly)
Even oily hair needs a little moisture to prevent dryness. Look for small amounts of gentle hydrators like Aloe Vera, but avoid heavy butters like Shea butter.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all shampoos are created equal. A few things can make a product excellent or just mediocre for oily hair.
Quality Boosters:
- pH Balanced Formulas: A balanced pH keeps the scalp healthy and discourages overproduction of oil.
- Salicylic Acid: Sometimes included, this ingredient helps exfoliate the scalp, preventing buildup.
Quality Reducers:
- Heavy Silicones: These can coat the hair shaft, making oily hair look even flatter and greasier faster.
- Mineral Oils or Waxes: These ingredients add weight and can clog scalp pores.
- Excessive Fragrances: While nice, heavy perfumes often hide poor performance or cause scalp irritation.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the shampoo and what results you expect matter greatly.
Application Tips
When washing oily hair, focus the lather directly on the scalp, not just the ends of your hair. Massage gently for a full minute to break down the oil. Rinse thoroughly—any residue left behind will make hair look oily immediately.
Best Use Cases
- Daily Washers: If your hair gets oily by the afternoon, you need a very gentle, balancing shampoo you can use every day.
- Workout Users: If you sweat a lot, look for a strong clarifying wash to use 2-3 times a week to remove sweat and residue buildup.
- Post-Gel/Product Use: Use a clarifying shampoo after using styling products to ensure no waxy film remains.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Men’s Oily Hair Shampoo
Q: How often should I wash oily hair?
A: Most men with very oily hair benefit from washing daily or every other day. Use a gentle balancing shampoo if you wash daily.
Q: Will using a clarifying shampoo too often dry out my scalp?
A: Yes, harsh clarifying shampoos can strip too much oil. Use them only once or twice a week. For daily use, choose a balancing formula.
Q: Can conditioner make my oily hair worse?
A: Heavy conditioners can weigh down oily hair. If you need conditioner, only apply it from the mid-shaft to the ends of your hair, avoiding the scalp completely.
Q: What is the difference between “oily hair” and “greasy scalp”?
A: Oily hair means too much sebum is produced on the scalp. A greasy scalp has the same issue, but shampoo designed for it focuses on deep cleaning the skin underneath the hair.
Q: Are shampoos with sulfates bad for oily hair?
A: Sulfates clean very strongly. They can remove all the oil, which sometimes causes your scalp to panic and produce *more* oil to compensate. Sulfate-free is often better for long-term balance.
Q: Should I use hot or cold water when washing?
A: Use lukewarm water for washing, as hot water stimulates oil glands. Rinse with cool water to help close the hair cuticles and reduce shine.
Q: Do natural shampoos work better for oil control?
A: Often, yes. Ingredients like tea tree oil and charcoal are excellent natural oil absorbers compared to many synthetic heavy ingredients.
Q: Can my diet affect how oily my hair is?
A: Yes. Eating too many sugary or fatty foods can sometimes increase oil production. Drinking plenty of water helps keep your skin and scalp healthy.
Q: How long does it take to see results from a new shampoo?
A: You will feel cleaner immediately. However, for the shampoo to truly balance your scalp’s oil production, give it about two to three weeks of consistent use.
Q: I have dandruff along with oily hair. What should I look for?
A: Look for shampoos containing active ingredients like Zinc Pyrithione or Ketoconazole, often labeled as ‘Anti-Dandruff,’ alongside your oil-control agents.