11 Best Natural Shampoos for Oily Hair: Non-Toxic & Sustainable
It’s often difficult to find the right shampoo that ticks all the boxes. If like me you have oily hair and an oily scalp yet you want a natural and non-toxic daily haircare routine you know that there aren’t too many best natural shampoos for oily hair on the market today that really work.
If you’re after a natural shampoo with zero or few parabens, sulfates and chemicals, one that’s sustainable and low waste and suitable for greasy hair, you’ve come to the right place. After years of testing out all the natural shampoos for oily hair that I could get my hands on, this is my list of the best ones based on how well they work and how natural and sustainable they are.
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WHAT MAKES HAIR OILY?
If you do have oily hair then you might be wondering why and what you can do about it. In many cases, it can be reversed or reduced but in other cases not. These are just some reasons why you might have especially oily hair:
- Genes- some of us just have that oily hair gene ( I know I do) and there isn’t much to be done about it)
- Hormones- hormone imbalances can cause the scalp to produce more sebum. There is usually another underlying cause for this so if you suspect a hormone imbalance speak to a medical professional.
- Frequent washing- the more you wash the more you strip the scalp of its natural oils and the more it produces to make up for it. If your hair is especially oily try to use a natural, dry shampoo in between washes and try to not wash your hair every day- especially if you have long hair.
- Unhealthy diet- health is holistic and diet affects absolutely everything not just our weight but how we look on the outside. An unhealthy diet is linked to excessive oil production. The same goes for stress.
- Scalp conditions- If you have psoriasis or dermatitis then you might have oily hair as these conditions are related to excessive sebum production.
TOP TIPS FOR OILY HAIR
If you have oily hair make sure you:
- Don’t overwash your hair. While it might be tempting to wash your hair daily for that clean, weightless feeling every day, it is true what they say. The more often you wash your hair, the greasier it’ll get as this process strips hair of its natural oils. Try to wash your hair every second day at least and if you can try to go longer. You can also use dry shampoo in between washes if you need to.
- Don’t touch your hair. Oftentimes excess grease and oils builds up on our hands and fingertips throughout the day. When you touch your hair these impurities are transferred into your hair potentially making it greasier. Also, the more you touch the scalp, the more you promote the follicles to produce more sebum. It’s best to just leave your hair alone. If you find that it doesn’t stay still and it’s always falling into your eyes, try tying it back or clipping it back away from your face.
- Sometimes using too much shampoo can cause your hair to be greasy. Too much shampoo can cause it to build up over time while not making your hair any cleaner.
- Make sure to fully rinse out the conditioner. Not rinsing your conditioner correctly means that it stays in your hair and that extra product build-up can contribute to oily hair. If you have oily hair try not to use conditioner at the roots and only at the tips. Make sure to rinse it out properly.
It’s also worth noting that if you are transitioning from conventional shampoo to a natural one your hair could be more greasy. Here’s why.
Conventional shampoos contain a lot of sulfates that actually remove the natural oils that protect the scalp. When moving to a natural shampoo your scalp might go through a detoxing phase where it produces more sebum to try to balance out the lack of sulfates. Consider this a detox that will get better with time. It’s probably not the new natural products that are making your hair greasy. With time you’ll find that natural hair products are better for you, your body and the environment.
INGREDIENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
If you have oily hair you’ll want to look out for shampoos with these natural, plant-based botanical ingredients that specifically target oily residue and build up and treat other scalp issues:
- tea tree oil
- lemon peel
- activated charcoal
- rosemary oil
- apple cider vinegar
- aloe vera
- green tea
- coconut oil
- argan oil
- jojoba oil
THE BEST NATURAL SHAMPOOS FOR OILY HAIR
GOOD & ALL Tea Tree Shampoo for Oily Hair
With sustainable ingredients sourced from local Australian farmers, this natural brand is one of the best natural shampoos on the market you simply have to try. Tea tree products are a firm favourite for those with oily scalps due to their ability to de-grease and remove impurities. They also leave hair smelling great. Good & All shampoos also sulfate-free, cruelty-free, vegan and paraben-free.
The lack of sulphates in shampoos can sometimes reduce the amount of lather but this natural formula still lathers great and leaves the scalp feeling clean and fresh. It’s also great for those prone to an itchy scalp or dandruff as the natural formula and tea tree oil help to soothe sensitive scalps.
Pros:
- Contains natural, locally sourced tea-tree oil
- Sulphate and paraben-free
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons:
- A little pricey
AVALON ORGANICS Clarifying Lemon Shampoo
A popular brand in natural personal care and shampoos Avalon Organics has a couple of different organic shampoo options that work for oily hair. This clarifying lemon shampoo uses a certified organic formula made with plant-based botanicals and essential oils that gently work together to clean hair and scalp of dirt, impurities and excess sebum.
This shampoo specifically targets excess oil and dulling build-up while also revitalizing hair and gently cleansing without harsh chemicals- this shampoo is suitable for sensitive scalps too.
It has no synthetic ingredients, colours or fragrances and has no parabens, GMOs and is not tested on animals.
The scalp treatment tea tree shampoo is also a great option for oily hair with a few concerns such as a flaky or itchy scalp.
Pros:
- Natural, organic ingredients with no chemicals or fragrances
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Affordable
- No colours or preservative
- Extremely well-rated on Amazon
Cons:
- Can dry out the scalp
MAPLE HOLISTICS Tea Tree Shampoo for Oily Hair
Another great option with tea tree oil, Maple Holistics is one of the best, most well-known brands in the natural shampoo market. Their ethos is all about natural personal care while also caring for the environment. Their manufacturing processes are also powered by renewable energy.
This effective shampoo contains a mix of tea tree oil, argan oil and rosemary oil to help combat excess oil build-up and a flaky scalp while promoting shine. This shampoo gently removes excess grease and dirt and cleanses the scalp without leaving it dry. It also targets redness, itching and irritation. This is the best shampoo I have recently encountered that I love.
Pros:
- Sulphate, paraben and silicone-free
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- The bottle is recyclable
- No GMOs or BPAs
Cons:
- Can dry out the scalp for some
SARAGAN Pure Activated Charcoal Shampoo for Oily Hair
This luxurious activated charcoal shampoo is full of grease-busting and natural ingredients to promote clean and healthy hair. Acting to renew and revive dull, over-processed and over-treated hair this shampoo works wonders to calm the scalp and transform hair.
With a long list of natural, key ingredients such as keratin for strengthening, almond oil to combat damage, avocado oil to clear blocked hair follicles and jojoba oil to promote volume, this shampoo really is like a daily hair multi-vitamin.
The main ingredient, activated charcoal works well to remove excess oil that builds up on the scalp during the days before washing. This is a great option for both men and women and those with straight, curly and colour treated hair.
Pros:
- Contains all the benefits of activated charcoal and essential oils
- Sulfate and paraben-free
- Perfume-free
- Natural ingredients
- Not too expensive compared to other natural shampoos
Cons:
- Can dry out the scalp if used too frequently
ACURE Daily Workout Watermelon & Blood Orange Shampoo
For a simple daily solution, this daily workout shampoo from Acure is the perfect remedy for sweat-soaked, workout heavy and oily hair.
This gentle, everyday formula helps to combat hair that’s constantly exposed to the elements, daily workouts and sweat and it’s also perfect for those with generally oily hair. Designed to be used daily, this shampoo eliminates dirt, grease and bacteria caused by all those hot yoga classes with the help of watermelon seed and blood orange extract.
It’s also everything you’ll want in a daily shampoo. It’s sulfate-free, mineral oil-free, paraben-free, petrolatum free and formaldehyde-free and it’s 100% vegan and cruelty-free. It’s time to pick up a bottle and get your hair clean, shiny and grease-free.
For another daily shampoo try their clarifying shampoo that’s also great at removing build up.
Pros:
- Contains natural, locally sourced tea-tree oil
- Sulphate and paraben-free
- Vegan and Cruelty-free
- Fairly priced
- Made out of recycled materials and can be recycled
Cons:
- Zero
ETHIQUE Shampoo Bar for Oily Hair
Let’s face it, it’s hard to find 100% plastic and waste-free shampoo but luckily shampoo bars are becoming more and more popular each day.
If you haven’t yet tried a shampoo bar then I’d highly recommend them. They don’t quite lather in the same way regular shampoo does but, due to this they last a lot longer, they are waste-free and in most cases are biodegradable and natural too.
The Ethique Shampoo Bar -make sure to get the St. Clements one, which is specifically designed for oily hair. There are no harsh ‘foaming’ agents in this shampoo bar that strip your scalp of its natural oils and later lead to sebum overproduction. They also use orange and lime essential oils to balance oil production and control sebum.
This shampoo bar is also 100% soap-free, ph balanced, natural and without any sulfates, parabens or silicones, is vegan and cruelty-free and this one small bar is equivalent to 3 bottles of shampoo so imagine how much plastic you’re saving!
Pros:
- soap-free, paraben and sulfate-free
- 100% zero waste product
- vegan and cruelty-free
- Smells amazing
- Effective- left my hair feeling less oily with no residue
- Lathers like normal shampoo
Cons:
- Not travel-friendly as it’s pretty fragile
- Tends to disintegrate into a paste towards the end of the bar
DESERT ESSENCE Lemon Tea Tree Shampoo
This shampoo, specially formulated for oily hair, is one of my favourites for clearing excess build up and oil. Containing tea tree oil and lemon peel extract, it gets to work quickly to clean the scalp effectively, soothe it and strengthen and protect hair. These active ingredients also work at clearing and dissolving all that excess oil without drying out.
This formula also contains maca root which naturally strengthens the hair. After a few days of use, hair becomes soft, smooth with noticeably less oil build up.
Not only that, but Desert Essence are also committed to finding the best natural ingredients nature has to offer and putting them into their personal care products. They are also vegan and against testing on animals.
Pros:
- Paraben, SLS, silicone-free
- No artificial fragrances
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Contains natural ingredients such as lemon peel, tea tree oil and maca root
Cons:
- Pricey
- Can dry out hair and scalp if overused
HONEYDEW Lemon Sage Cleansing Shampoo
I recently found this shampoo while browsing on Amazon and even though they are a newcomer to the natural haircare scene I decided to give them a go. I was pretty impressed by the results, I have to say and this quickly became one of the best natural shampoos for oily hair that I’ve used.
With a unique blend of lemon sage, tea tree oil, rosemary and with active keratin, this shampoo lathers well and actively works to remove build-up. It left my hair feeling cleaner for longer without drying out the scalp.
It’s paraben and sulfate-free, responsibly sourced, vegan and cruelty-free and made locally in the US. Over time this shampoo really worked wonders to improve the look of oily, dull hair.
Pros:
- Contains natural, locally sourced ingredients
- Sulphate and paraben-free
- Vegan and Cruelty-free
- Fairly priced
Cons:
- Bottle doesn’t seem to be recyclable
MAPLE HOLISTICS Degrease Shampoo for Oily Hair Care
Another great option from Maple Holistics, this degrease shampoo is specifically designed for those dealing with greasy hair. Containing tea tree oil, lemon oil, rosemary oil and jojoba oil, this sulfate-free shampoo works wonders at cleansing and clarifying the scalp to leave it oil-free and hair looking clean and soft.
This formula also tackles concerns like dry and flaky scalp and hair loss with natural ingredients that work overtime without drying out and over conditioning hair. It’s also great for those with fine hair as it volumizes super well adding a thicker, bouncy feeling to your shiny hair.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Sulphate, paraben and silicone-free
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- The bottle is recyclable
- No GMOs or BPAs
- Suitable for those with thin hair
Cons:
- Can dry out the scalp for some
Looking for the best, natural, non-toxic deodorants? Check them out here: The Best Non Toxic Deodorants That Really Work
DRUNK ELEPHANT Cocomino Glossing Shampoo
Traditional shampoos often reply on a few harsh sulfates which act as detergents to effectively de-grease the scalp, which is why many conventional shampoos for oily hair have them. Rather than using harsh sulfates, this shampoo from Drunk Elephant uses coconut-based surfactants to remove buildup, dirt and excess oil from the greasy roots of the scalp but leaving plenty of shine, softness and healthy hair growth.
Cocomino Glossing Shampoo also lathers super well compared to some other sulfate-free shampoos I’ve used in the past. I personally love this shampoo and this brand for their other skincare products too.
Pros:
- Uses coconut-based surfactants to remove build-up
- Natural, high-quality ingredients
- Suitable for sensitive skins and scalps
- pH balanced
- Cruelty-free
Cons:
- A bit pricey
- Not vegan
GIRL+HAIR Cleanse Sulfate Free Shampoo
One of the best options for curly, wavy and textured hair as well as coloured hair, this unique formula works at cleaning the hair and reducing excess build-up and oil while regulating sebum production in the hair follicles.
With a unique blend of active botanical ingredients such as tea tree oil and neem oil, it works at reducing build-up while also invigorating and calming the scalp without drying out.
This shampoo is specially made for those with curly or coily hair types and frizzy hair. This product leaves hair with elasticity, bounce as well as no frizz through its deep moisturising, organic shea butter.
To boot, it’s also natural and cruelty-free, paraben and sulfate-free and cruelty-free. This company is female-owned too and based in the US.
Pros:
- A great product for curly or textured hair
- Uses natural, botanical ingredients
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Paraben and sulfate-free
- Small female-owned business
Cons:
- May not be the best option for those with straight or thin hair
The overall verdict? Choosing a shampoo that’s right for you is a really personal decision as we all have different hair, different scalps and different issues. As someone with oily hair and the occasional scalp issue the best natural shampoos for oily hair are MAPLE HOLISTICS Degrease Shampoo for Oily Hair Care and GOOD & ALL Tea Tree Shampoo for Oily Hair.
I’m still getting used to shampoo bars and I’m currently using ETHIQUE Shampoo Bar for Oily Hair as I try to make my way towards an at least 80% waste-free personal care routine. I highly recommend this shampoo bar if you want to do the same.
Which best natural shampoo for oily hair do you like the most? Let me know in the comments below.
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