Top-rated purifying shampoo for oily hair revealed
Struggling with hair that looks greasy barely a day after washing it? These purifying shampoos will rebalance your scalp and extend time between washes.
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Washing your hair can be relaxing for some, but anyone with oily hair knows it’s much more of a chore than a luxury.
With the wrong products, you may even find yourself committing the cardinal sin of haircare and resorting to shampooing every day.
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Daily shampooing can worsen your problems, because it tells your scalp to produce even more oily sebum to protect your skin, which leads to oilier looking hair, making you want to wash again sooner – and the vicious cycle goes on and on.
BEST SHAMPOO FOR OILY HAIR
Luckily, there are plenty of shampoos with the perfect blend of purifying and nourishing ingredients that can clean your hair without stripping it of its natural oils, which will help you go longer between washes and improve scalp health. Read on for our top picks.
BEST CHEAP SHAMPOO FOR OILY HAIR
OGX Charcoal Detox Shampoo, Amazon Australia, $19.99
Matching conditioner: OGX Charcoal Detox Conditioner, Amazon Australia, $14.69 (RRP $19.99)
This purifying shampoo also nourishes your hair for a balanced, healthy appearance. Infused with coconut charcoal and kaolin clay and free from sulfates, it deeply cleanses your hair without stripping it of its natural moisture.
“If you’re looking for a decent clarifying shampoo and conditioner that’s cheap, invest in this,” wrote one five-star reviewer. “I have mostly 4b/4c hair, and it worked great. My scalp felt clean, I could feel it breathe. The shampoo didn’t dry my hair out, which is usually what happens with clarifying shampoo.”
BEST BALANCING SHAMPOO FOR OILY HAIR
Hunter Lab Invigorating Shampoo, The ICONIC, $45
Matching conditioner:Hunter Lab Nourishing Conditioner, The ICONIC, $45
This natural Invigorating Shampoo is locally made in Melbourne, Australia, and is filled with healthy botanicals to balance your hair. With antioxidant rich hemp oil, soothing quandong, nourishing desert lime and wattle seed extracts, it provides a thorough cleanse without dehydrating hair.
A five-star reviewer said it leaves hair “feeling really clean and nourished, without making it feel oily or flat”.
NAK Care Balance Shampoo, Oz Hair & Beauty, $13.40 (RRP $16.95)
Matching conditioner: NAK Care Balance Conditioner, $13.40 (RRP $16.95)
Thanks to volumising proteins, and sebum-production-controlling natural botanicals like lemongrass and chamomile, you can keep your oily hair in check with this NAK shampoo. It’s also vegan, and creates a great base for styling.
“Have tried SO many shampoos for oily hair – this is so great!” wrote one of many happy reviewers. “Can genuinely go three or four days without washing when usually I can only go one. Gives hair body and life as well”.
BEST PURIFYING SHAMPOO FOR OILY HAIR
Christophe Robin Purifying Shampoo with Jujube Bark Extract, Adore Beauty, $50
Matching conditioner:Christophe Robin Detangling Gelée With Sea Minerals Conditioner, Adore Beauty, $51
This Christophe Robin shampoo might be pricey, but it promises to permanently eliminate dandruff, regulate excess sebum and calm itchiness – and reviewers say it really works. It also features cherry flower extract to soothe and hydrate.
“Balances out my oily scalp and helps me to extend time between washes. Worth it,” said one reviewer.
BEST SHAMPOO FOR OILY AFRO-TEXTURED OR KINKY HAIR
Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Shampoo, Net-A-Porter, $44.71
Matching conditioner:Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumising Conditioner, Net-A-Porter, $38.47
From Black-owned brand Briogeo, and ideal for hair types from straight to coily, this volumising shampoo features strengthening ginger, ginseng and biotin to create fullness in limp hair. It’s also packed with clarifying witch hazel extract to absorb excess oil and extend time between washes.
A five-star reviewer said it would be great for oily hair, commenting, “It really cleanses the hair and smells great. It has a good lather to it that makes your hair shiny and soft”.
Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo, Beauty Bay, $18.90
Matching conditioner: Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Conditioner, Beauty Bay, $17.95 (RRP $19.95)
Deeply clarifying while remaining moisturising, this Jamaican Black Castor Oil shampoo removes build-up and is boosted with peppermint oil to invigorate the scalp.
One reviewer wrote after three weeks of use, “my hair is now the healthiest it has ever been. I wash my hair twice a week and find that my hair doesn’t get oily between washes, presumably because my scalp is getting the nourishment it needs so isn’t overproducing oil to compensate”.
BEST ANTI-DANDRUFF SHAMPOO FOR OILY HAIR
Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo, Sephora, $41
Matching conditioner: Sachajuan Scalp Conditioner, Sephora, $41
Containing rosemary oil, menthol, salicylic acid and ginger extract to both clarify and soothe an oily scalp with dandruff issues, the Sachajuan Scalp shampoo won’t dry out your hair.
“After years of searching I finally found you! I have an oily scalp and couldn’t find a shampoo that consistently cleansed my roots and prevented scalp itchiness. this product is a god send I hope they never stop making it,” wrote one thrilled reviewer.
Kérastase Specifique Shampoo for Oily Scalp, Oz Hair & Beauty, $46
Matching conditioner: Kérastase Specifique Scalp Renewing Mask, Oz Hair & Beauty, $66
Formulated with salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and purify oily scalps and vitamin B6 to regulate sebum production, this Kérastase shampoo is balancing for oily and dandruff-ridden hair.
“I have bleached blonde hair via foils and have struggled with oily roots and scalp for years … Other shampoos and conditioners tend to dry my ends out too much or too conditioning even when I avoid the scalp. This product seems to do both very well. It certainly does not dry out the ends which is what I wanted,” wrote one happy reviewer.
BEST DETOXIFYING SHAMPOO FOR OILY HAIR
IGK First Class Detoxifying Charcoal Shampoo, Sephora, $39
Matching conditioner: IGK First Class Weightless Replenishing Conditioner, Sephora, $39
Infused with charcoal to gently detoxify and cleanse while absorbing excess oil and removing build-up, this IGK shampoo will restore an oil-free shine. Added witch hazel and tea tree oil soothes the scalp, and the formulation is vegan and colour-safe.
Reviewers have praised its efficacy, with one writing, “I absolutely LOVE this shampoo. I have very oily hair that I have to wash daily (yes I’ve tried to ‘train’ my hair and it didn’t work) but this changed my life. I’m able to go up to two days without washing my hair and it getting oily”.
WHY DOES MY HAIR GET OILY SO FAST?
Oily hair has plenty of potential causes. Skin conditions like seborrhoeic dermatitis, eczema or psoriasis can irritate skin, leading to greasy patches of inflamed scalp. Excessive hair bleaching or colouring can also affect your hair, as some harsh chemicals can strip the hair shaft of natural moisture and lead it to overcompensate with excess sebum.
Similarly, washing your hair too often can cause oiliness, as each wash signals your scalp to replenish its natural oily sebum. The wrong hair products can also affect your hair – if you use poor quality ingredients, or product that is wrong for your hair type, you may weigh your hair down with excess moisture and result in a slicker look than you intended for.
HOW DO I CONTROL MY OILY SCALP AND DRY HAIR?
Having combination hair types that suffer from an oily scalp but dry ends can be caused by a number of factors, from overwashing to colouring to skin conditions. That said, it is treatable by using shampoo and conditioners that cater to your specific hair type. Opt for those with clarifying ingredients which add lightweight moisture to avoid drying out your hair.
IS CONDITIONER BAD FOR OILY HAIR?
Contrary to what you may believe, conditioner is still essential for oily hair. It provides the hydration, moisture and nourishment that shampoo alone can’t provide, and without it, your hair may become dry or even turn to producing excess sebum to make up for the lack of moisture. Use a lightweight conditioner through the ends of your hair, avoiding the scalp, and make sure to thoroughly rinse it out.
Want more great hair tips? Check out the best anti-dandruff shampoos for giving flakes the flick, and the top-rated shampoos for dry hair.
Plus, make sure you’re getting the best deals on your purchases by visiting news.com.au Coupons. There you’ll find discount codes for brands from Adore Beauty and Sephora to The Body Shop.
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