Best sulfate free shampoo for oily scalp and dry ends

If you find you’re having to wash your hair on a daily basis to ensure your scalp remains grease-free, it might be time to switch up your shampoo and conditioner.

Having oily hair means you need specific products to target the issue, rather than constantly having to jump in the shower.

We tested the top shampoos and their matching conditioners that claim to detoxify the scalp and control oil production, to find the ones that really work. Here are the products we recommend:

  • 1

    Best sulfate free shampoo for oily scalp and dry ends

    Best shampoo for oily hair

    Redken Amino-Mint Scalp Shampoo

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  • 2

    Best sulfate free shampoo for oily scalp and dry ends

    Best shampoo for shine

    Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent Shampoo

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  • 3

    Best sulfate free shampoo for oily scalp and dry ends

    Best smoothing shampoo

    OGX Clarify & Shine+ Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

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  • 4

    Best sulfate free shampoo for oily scalp and dry ends

    Best value for money shampoo

    TRESemmé Deep Cleansing Shampoo and Cleanse and Replenish Conditioner

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  • 5

    Best sulfate free shampoo for oily scalp and dry ends

    Best shampoo for anti-dandruff

    Head & Shoulders Citrus Fresh Anti Dandruff Shampoo

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      Can you stop hair from getting greasy quickly?

      Over-washing your hair is often the culprit. It may be hard to resist but if you scrub your hair every day it will strip the scalp of its natural oils, causing it to stimulate the production of even more oil. Worse case scenario, washing too often can cause dandruff and even excess hair breakage.

      Instead, reduce how often you cleanse your hair. Depending on your hair type, try limiting your washes to three times a week. The first few weeks will be greasy but once your hair gets used to the new routine, you’ll thank yourself.

      It might sound obvious but also reducing how much - albeit unconsciously - you run your hands through your hair will limit oiliness too. Every time your hands come into contact with your scalp you’re transferring even more oil, which makes for an unhappy, greasy scalp.

      What causes greasy hair?

      Just like your skin can be oily, your hair can be too. Greasiness is down to your scalp working overtime and producing too much sebum. This could be down to genetics and hormones but there are also environmental factors such as pollution, working out and overwhelming the scalp with products that can take its toll.

      Although it may be tempting to use a dry shampoo to mattify, too many products too often will only cause the scalp to get clogged. Your best bet is to invest in a powerful shampoo that’s specifically targeted to tackle greasiness. That’s where we can help...

      How we test

      Our panel of 450 testers - with hair textures ranging from straight to afro - tried 33 brands of shampoo and their matching conditioners for two weeks.

      They noted how effectively the products cleaned oily hair, how much they lathered up and whether they noticed any long-lasting benefits. They also reported back on how their hair felt after use, focusing on hydration, smoothness, shininess and volume.

      In the GHI lab, our experts applied artificial sebum to hair switches before using a Sebumeter to measure oil and sebum levels after cleaning with each shampoo, to judge how effective they were.

      Should parabens, silicones or sulphates be dealbreakers, we've listed which shampoos contain them below.

      Here are our best shampoos for greasy hair:

      1

      Best shampoo for oily hair

      Redken Amino-Mint Scalp Shampoo

      2

      Best shampoo for shine

      Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent Shampoo

      3

      Best smoothing shampoo

      OGX Clarify & Shine+ Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

      4

      Best value for money shampoo

      TRESemmé Deep Cleansing Shampoo and Cleanse and Replenish Conditioner

      5

      Best shampoo for anti-dandruff

      Head & Shoulders Citrus Fresh Anti Dandruff Shampoo

      6

      Best shampoo for detoxing

      Bumble and bumble Sunday Shampoo

      7

      Best eco-friendly shampoo

      Lush Jumping Juniper Shampoo Bar

      8

      Best shampoo for colour-treated hair

      Bio Balance Organic Citrus Shampoo

      9

      Best for irritated scalps

      Oribe Serene Scalp Balancing Shampoo

      10

      Best for dry hair

      Kevin Murphy Balancing Wash Shampoo

      11

      Best for a gentle cleanse

      Virtue Purifying Shampoo

      12

      Best for long-lasting oil control

      Aussie Shampoo Mega For Everyday Cleaning

      13

      Best for adding volume

      Christophe Robin Purifying Shampoo with Thermal Mud & Purifying Conditioner

      14

      Best for pre-styling

      Davines SOLU Shampoo

      15

      Best budget buy shampoo

      Aldi Lacura Apple Shampoo

      16

      Best shampoo for combination hair

      L'Oréal Elvive Extraordinary Clay Re-Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner

      17

      Best shampoo for softer hair

      L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Pure Resource Shampoo

      18

      Best vegan shampoo

      The Body Shop Tea Tree Purifying & Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner

      19

      Best for curly hair

      Pattern Cleansing Shampoo

      Charlotte Bitmead Charlotte is a beauty and grooming writer, covering product reviews on everything from hair dryers to moisturisers. She has previously written for ELLE’s print magazine and The Sunday Times Style, writing in-depth features that challenge people’s perceptions of the beauty industry, by drawing from topics ranging from politics to sustainability to inclusivity, as well as conducting celeb interviews and tapping into zeitgeist trends.

      Which shampoo is best for oily scalp dry ends?

      Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo. Amazon. $29. ... .
      SheaMoisture Curl & Shine Coconut Shampoo. Amazon. ... .
      Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo. ... .
      Pureology Hydrate Sheer Shampoo. Amazon. ... .
      Love Beauty And Planet Delightful Detox Daily Clarifying Sulfate-Free Shampoo. Amazon. ... .
      Pacifica Rosemary Purify Invigorating Shampoo. Amazon..

      How do you fix greasy roots and dry ends?

      Here is one trick you can start applying to maintain your hair healthiness level: apply shampoo to your roots and really work it in to the areas where the most grease and product build-up accumulates. Then, work your way down through the mid-lengths and ends before rinsing.

      Why is my scalp oily and ends dry?

      If your hair often feels oily at the scalp but your ends feel dry and brittle, you probably have a combination hair type. Many people with oily and color-treated hair are especially susceptible because the bleach strips the hair shaft of natural oils which help keep it soft and hydrated.

      What is best shampoo for oily hair sulfate

      Top 8 Best Sulfate Free Shampoo For Oily Hair In 2022.
      Best For Oily Scalp:Maple Holistics Degrease Moisture Control Shampoo. ... .
      Best For All Hair Types:Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo. ... .
      Best Anti-Dandruff:Lemon Sage Oily Hair Shampoo. ... .
      Best Vegan:Tree To Tub Soapberry For Hair. ... .
      Best pH-Balanced:TBH Kids Shampoo For Oily Hair..