I’ve Testing Dozens of Shampoos on My Grease-Prone, Flat Hair—These Are the Only Ones I’ll Use Now

I keep a bottle of this shampoo in my shower at all times. Why? Because it’s legit the perfect middle-ground for my fine, oily hair. It gets rid of all the excess oils on my scalp with strong cleansers, yet also moisturizes my hair with lightweight ingredients (hi, biotin and chia seed oil) that work together to help make my hair look a bit thicker. It’s also filled with hydrolyzed keratin which helps fill the “holes” in damaged hair strands to strengthen your hair over time (which, as someone who uses a curling iron every day, is much needed).

• Key ingredients: Hydrolyzed keratin (strengthening), biotin, and chia seed oil (moisturizing)
• Sulfate free? Yes

One Cosmo editor says: “From the first wash, my fine hair felt fuller and healthier—no more limp strands. I love the lather of the shampoo and the conditioner delivers just the right hydration without weighing my hair down. The soft floral scent turns my shower into a mini spa, and the chic packaging looks great in my shower. This duo has truly changed my hair care routine for the better and it honestly makes every day feel like a good (voluminous!) hair day.”—KARA MILLER, DESIGNER

Yup, I’ve got oily roots and scalp acne—basically a match made in heaven (er, hell, IMO). I started lathering up with this salicylic acid-based shampoo years ago, and I’ve kept it in my monthly rotation ever since to help exfoliate dead skin that can get trapped in my follicles and cause zits. Just know that it is drying, so I always layer on a deep conditioner afterward to help keep my hair feeling like straw.

• Key ingredients: Salicylic acid (exfoliating)
• Sulfate free? No

One Cosmo reader says: “No matter what shampoo I have used or how often or not often I would wash my hair, it was almost immediately oily again. I’ve been using this shampoo for over a week now, and it is the first time in ages I’ve been able to go three days straight without having to wash it or it feel itchy and look gross.”

I read a handful of the 7,800+ five-star reviews raving about this calming shampoo that actually helps break down greasy roots, and obvi, ordered a bottle for myself. And yep, the hype is real, because this shampoo uses a mix of strong cleansers to dissolve oil, along with soothing colloidal oatmeal to help calm my itchy scalp. Plus, it’s also filled with apple cider vinegar, which helps clarify my roots even more while also reducing scalp irritation.

• Key ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, colloidal oatmeal (soothing and moisturizing)
• Sulfate free? Yes *(but contains some harsh surfactants)

One Cosmo reader says: “I have very oily hair, and I have to wash it daily. I ordered my first bottle of both this shampoo and conditioner, and I was amazed by the results. My hair is not oily anymore, and it has more life and shine to it. I absolutely love this product and will be using it from now on.”

This shampoo offers the best of both worlds: It soothes and thoroughly cleanses your scalp, while also adding lightweight volume for hair. The citrusy scent is a major bonus, making it a must-have in the A.M.

• Key ingredients: Moringa oil, provitamin B5, hydrolyzed wheat protein
• Sulfate free? Yes

One Cosmo editor says: “This didn’t upset my finicky scalp—which is prone to oil and itchiness—and left my bob looking thick and full. It’s perfect for my 2B curls.”—DEANNA PAI, FORMER INTERIM DEPUTY BEAUTY DIRECTOR

If your curls always look pulled out and limp a day or so after washing, it might be a result of your shampoo being too moisturizing (yup, it’s a thing, even for curls). This shampoo is the perfect Goldilocks formula for grease-prone curls. It’s got lightweight hydrators in sodium PCA and aloe vera, plus a strengthening wheat protein to help reduce breakage. But it’s not packed with oils or butters that can weigh down your hair. Instead, it opts for gentle surfactants that really clean without stripping.

• Key ingredients: Sodium PCA, aloe vera, hydrolyzed wheat protein
• Sulfate free? Yes

One Cosmo editor says: “Curly girls, rest assured: You aren’t forgotten. Color Wow also has a line of products for those of us with more texture. And while I’ll admit it takes a LOT to get me to change up my tried-and-true curly hair routine (that took years to perfect, might I add), this curl-defining duo really wowed me. The shampoo’s sulfate-free formula claims to ‘lock’ your curls in at the root, which I instantly noticed in my before/after photos. My 3a ringlets felt light, voluminous, and defined.”—SAMANTHA JONES, EDITOR

Some of us with oily hair have to wash every day. And while that can be a problem if your shampoo is too stripping, it’s totally fine with something like this. It’s packed with the lightest weight hydrators to help offset any dryness without making fine hair feel too weighed down. But it also gives your hair a good enough clean so as to not make it feel greasy by the end of the day.

• Key ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid
• Sulfate free? Yes

One Cosmo editor says: “At first glance, I didn’t actually think the shampoo would be effective at removing product buildup, sweat, and oil because it’s so creamy, but I was wrong. The formula lathers up a ton and post-rinse my scalp and strands felt clean but not squeaky or straw-like. It is also safe for dyed hair and won’t contribute to color fading, which is a must for me.”—LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR

A mix of chemical exfoliants and itsy bitsy crystals offer up double exfoliation to buff away basically everything that could be built up on your scalp. It also does so without using any silicones or sulfates, making it great for weaves and wigs too. I mean, should we expect anything less from Beyoncé’s haircare line?

• Key ingredients: Tea tree oil, rosemary oil, niacinamide. purple willow bark
• Sulfate free? Yes

One Cosmo editor says: “Of every clarifying shampoo I’ve ever used, this one gets me the deepest clean. It’s what I lathered tf up with after Coachella this year, and it got out all the dry shampoo, dust, and grime that was built up on my scalp in one quick wash.”— BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR

Celebrity hairstylist Laura Polko herself has fine hair, so I seriously trusted her to make products that would be good for mine too. I was right, considering this quickly became my favorite shampoo as soon as I used it. The combo of exfoliating salicylic acid and hydrating-yet-lighweight macadamia and avocado oils both clean and nourish my hair. But I really love the addition of hydrolyzed collagen, which helps fluff up each hair strand a lil bit for a fuller effect.

• Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, hydrolyzed collagen, macadamia oil, avocado oil
• Sulfate free? Yes

One Cosmo editor says: “Every time I use this shampoo, I get compliments on how good my hair looks. Legit, every single time. It makes my roots have so much lift, even with no product added. A strong feat for my fine hair.”— BG

Most shampoos for oily hair contain stripping sulfates to dissolve oil and buildup, which can be quite drying for some hair types and also fade your hair color. Enter: Olaplex’s clarifying shampoo that’s filled with gentle and mild cleansers to help break down oil without totally drying out your hair. Plus, it’s also formulated with bond-building ingredients to help strengthen and repair your hair at the same time.

• Key ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate (bond-building), sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate (surfactant)
• Sulfate free? Yes

One Cosmo editor says: “It was a huge win for the blonde, oily hair community when I first discovered this. It’s great for getting all the grease out of my roots without making my color fade. And the bond-building is a nice touch for my dehydrated ends.”—BG

If you’re into natural skincare products and hair products, try this natural shampoo for giving your oily hair a deep clean. It’s legit filled with organic, plant-based ingredients, including soothers like aloe vera, chamomile, and calendula, plus moisturizers like lemon peel extract, grapefruit peel oil, and cedarwood oil. If you’re also used to shampoos for oily hair making your ends feel like straw, you’ll get a nice reprieve with this mild cleanser, since it’s free of traditional strong surfactants.

• Key ingredients: Aloe vera (soothing), lemon peel extract and cedarwood bark oil (moisturizing)
• Sulfate free? Yes

One Cosmo reader says: “If you have oily hair, this works. On the days I use this, I notice my hair looks less shiny the following morning, and I make sure to use it in the morning if I have an evening outing since it helps control the oil a bit.”

FYI: Dandruff feeds off of excess oil, so it makes sense why my flakes tend to get worse in the summer when my scalp is oilier than usual. So to help curb the flakes, I’ve been sudsing up with this dandruff shampoo that combines selenium sulfide (an antifungal that helps reduce dandruff-causing yeast) with strong sulfates (to dissolve oil and buildup). I just massage it through my roots in the shower once a week, then layer on a moisturizing conditioner to keep my ends soft.

• Key ingredients: Selenium sulfide (antifungal)
• Sulfate free? No

One shopper writes: “I like this shampoo because it’s nice to strip all the nasty oils off my hair. It also leaves my hair very clean! It’s also nice that this shampoo says to use it every other wash, depending on how bad the flakes or oil buildup is.”

Whenever I color-treat my hair, I’m left with the super-fun conundrum of having oily roots and dry ends—an annoyance that has led me to test dozens of moisturizing shampoos in search of the perfect unicorn. The best I’ve found so far? Necessaire’s shampoo, which uses ultra-light moisturizers (see: hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and niacinamide) to hydrate my hair without weighing it down or leaving behind an oily film.

• Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, niacinamide (moisturizers)
• Sulfate free? Yes

One Cosmo reader says: “I am not one to love or hate a shampoo or conditioner,” writes one reviewer. “However, this one is different! It’s super light and feels cleansing but not too heavy.”

About twice a month, I like to do a “reset” wash on my hair to help seriously de-gunk everything that’s been on my scalp (dry shampoo, I’m talkin’ about you), and it usually requires a shampoo that contains sulfates. I almost exclusively reach for this cult-favorite clarifying shampoo from Bumble and Bumble, which uses sodium laureth sulfate (SLS, one of the strongest surfactants out there) to dissolve every trace of oil and buildup on my scalp. I just follow it up with a deep conditioner on my ends to keep them moisturized, since the SLS can be quite drying.

• Key ingredients: Ginseng (light moisturizer), rosemary extract (antioxidant)
• Sulfates? Yes

One Cosmo editor says: “Yes, this is strong, but it seriously works. I always wash my hair with this before a trip because it starts me off with a super clean scalp and volumized roots. Peep me on day one of a Parisian adventure “—BG

Oily hair is caused by an overproduction of sebum (oil) from your oil glands, and can be the result of hormones, certain medications (like birth control), eating habits, stress levels, weather, and just overall genetics, says Dr. Kinler.

All to say: There is no single cause or quick fix for oily hair, and it generally isn’t something you can just “get rid of” with a topical product (though some oral meds can seriously help).

No, you don’t necessarily have to wash oily hair more often, but you might prefer it. “​​If you have oily hair, it’s okay to wash it every day if you use a mild, sulfate-free shampoo and a moisturizing conditioner after every wash,” says Dr. Kinler. But, if possible, “stretch the time between washes by using dry shampoo,” she says, because “overwashing your hair strips away the natural oils coating your scalp and hair shafts.”

Figure out your stance on sulfates.

Sulfates (like sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate, which are the strongest surfactants) are known for being stripping and harsh on your hair, but they’re also super excellent at breaking down oil and buildup. So, there’s no right or wrong choice if you decide to opt for a sulfate-free shampoo for oily hair or for a sulfate-filled option—at the end of the day, it just depends on your hair type and goals.

For example, sulfate-filled shampoos are great for super-oily hair once a week or as a “reset” wash once or twice a month, especially if you moisturize your hair afterward with a deep conditioner to reduce dryness. But if you have thick and/or curly hair, you might prefer to go with a sulfate-free shampoo that’s filled with milder (yet still effective) cleansers to help dissolve oils (peep this surfactants list to help you determine which are strong, mild, or gentle). Don’t worry, I’ve included a good mix of both options above, depending on your ~vibes~.

Look for lightweight moisturizers.

“Hair products full of rich, heavy ingredients might leave a residue that can make your hair look more oily,” says Dr. Kinler. Instead, look for shampoos with lightweight hydrators, like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and jojoba oil. Don’t feel like reading the ingredients list? Try looking at the packaging instead. It’s not an exact science, but in general, a clear shampoo tends to contain fewer oils and moisturizers than a milky or creamy shampoo. So, when in doubt, go for the clear formula.