Frequently Asked Questions
What type of shampoo is best for an oily scalp?
Drop the dry shampoo, because it’s a temporary fix that can actually cause more oiliness in the long run (it’s a styling product, not a cleansing product, after all). Instead, look for an oily scalp-friendly shampoo that deeply cleanses without stripping your scalp’s natural moisture. Keep an eye out for clarifying or detoxifying formulas with ingredients like salicylic acid, tea tree oil, or apple cider vinegar, which help break down excess oil and product buildup while keeping the scalp balanced.
If you’re also dealing with flakes or itchiness, you’re not alone. “Dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis can be common in people with an oily scalp,” says Ruth McTighe, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of Waccamaw Dermatology based in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Shampoos with ingredients like ketoconazole (an antifungal), zinc pyrithione (fights bacteria and yeast), selenium sulfide (reduces scalp flaking), salicylic acid (exfoliates and removes buildup), or coal tar (slows skin cell turnover) can be especially helpful in cases like this, says Dr. McTighe.
And no matter which formula you choose, “aim for one that’s sulfate-free and silicone-free to avoid triggering even more oil production,” adds Dr. Chacon. Silicones are a red flag for many dermatologists we spoke to, as they may accumulate on the scalp over time, similarly to the way styling product particles do.”Silicone tends to coat the hair, making it heavy, which counteracts the benefits of the volumizing,” says Chicago-based hairstylist Nick Stenson. What’s more, “continued use of silicones over time can weigh down the hair,” Dr. Zeichner previously told Allure.
Should oily hair types use a conditioner?
According to Dr. Queller, oily hair types absolutely should use a conditioner after shampooing their hair. “Skipping conditioner can actually backfire,” she says. “When the hair shaft is left dry or unprotected, the scalp may compensate by producing more oil, which can worsen the overall greasy appearance.” The key here, says Dr. Queller, is choosing a lightweight, non-comedogenic conditioner and applying it strategically—which we’ll dive into more below.
How do I use a conditioner without a greasy feel afterward?
Instead of lathering it all over your hair haphazardly, Dr. Queller emphasizes that intentional application is key to minimizing any oily feel afterward. “Focus on the mid-lengths and ends rather than the scalp,” she says. “This helps maintain hair health and shine without contributing to excess oil at the roots.”
Additionally, Dr. Queller says to use a light amount of product, look for descriptors like “lightweight,” “volumizing,” or “oil-free,” and to rinse thoroughly, “as residue is a common cause of limp, greasy hair.”
For very oily scalps, Dr. Queller suggests a “reverse wash,” as in, conditioning before shampooing. “This helps hydrate the ends without leaving buildup behind,” she says.
Why is my hair oily?
This question has a nearly-infinite amount of answers, so it’s hard to tell exactly what’s causing your scalp to become oily. That being said, some of the biggest contributors to chronic grease-prone hair include genetics, hormones, stress, and weather. “Some of us naturally produce more oil than others, which can lead to a greasy scalp,” Charlotte Birnbaum, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, previously told Allure. “If you have both an oily face and scalp, it’s likely you are naturally oil-prone.”
However, suppose oiliness is a new concern for you. In that case, New Haven, CT-based board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, says the culprit could be: 1) a switch in your usual hair habits, or 2) developing a condition called seborrheic dermatitis. She says this condition is characterized by “greasy, scaly, dandruff from an overgrowth of a yeast called Malassezia.”
In a twist of irony, dry shampoos are another contributor to oily hair. “When dry shampoo particles build up on the scalp over time, they can clog hair follicles, trap oil, and prevent normal skin cell turnover,” Nancy Samolitis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles previously shared with Allure. It creates something of a domino effect since Dr. Samolitis explained that “this can lead to overgrowth of bacteria and yeast that normally live on the scalp and cause folliculitis, or the inflammation of hair follicles, and dandruff.” Folliculitis can, in turn, lead to red pimples and pustules—sort of like scalp acne.
Can you prevent hair from getting so oily?
You can’t completely stop your scalp from producing oil—a natural and healthy function—but you can manage it so your hair doesn’t get greasy as quickly. “This can also depend on your hair type,” says Dr. McTighe. “If you have fine or straight hair, limiting certain products like oils, conditioners, or serums to the ends can help prevent your scalp from becoming too oily.”
How can I minimize hair oiliness?
First step to success: cleanse with the right shampoo. A traditional liquid shampoo for oily hair can assist with absorbing oil without leaving any residue like a dry shampoo (which, to reiterate, doesn’t actually cleanse), making it one of the best first steps you can take to minimize oiliness.
The best shampoos for oily hair are those that are formulated with clarifying and exfoliating ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acids, which reduce residue, oil, and build-up on the scalp, says Dr. Birnbaum. For a deeper buildup-busting cleanse, she notes to look for a clarifying shampoo, preferably one formulated with salicylic acid.
You should also adjust your washing frequency. “For an oily scalp, I recommend more frequent shampooing, up to once a day,” Dr. Birnbaum said.
All of this really depends on your hair type and texture, though. For example, Dr. Birnbaum explained that those with curly hair might be able to get away with less frequent shampooing—once per week—while folks with finer hair may need to shampoo more often. Everyone is different, so do a test run for a few weeks to see how your hair responds to a new regimen.
Meet the experts
- Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami
- Adam Campbell, a hairstylist in L.A.
- Jenna Queller, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Boca Raton, FL
- Ruth McTighe, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of Waccamaw Dermatology based in Mt. Pleasant, SC
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Charlotte Birnbaum, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist
- Mona Gohara, MD, a New Haven, Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist
- Nancy Samolitis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles
- Nick Stenson, a Chicago-based hairstylist
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