13 Best Shampoo for Oily and Thin Hair
We’ll let you in on a little secret: You could wash your fine, oily hair as often as humanly possible, but if you aren’t using a shampoo that’s specially designed for oily hair, it will still look oily. After all, good thickening shampoos not only give your hair body and volume but also take it to serious heights — quite literally! The options for the best shampoo for oily and thin hair not only gently cleanse the hair to remove product buildup, but also plump the hair shaft and leave it full-bodied, without adding weight. So, the scalp is not only free from all the excess grime but also deep cleaned, leaving the hair looking grease-free, voluminous, and fresh for days on end, which is what we wanted. To that end, here are the best shampoos for fine and oily hair.
Also read: The Best Scalp Massagers For Hair Re-Growth.
L’Oreal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Pure Purifying Shampoo
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We begin with the L’Oreal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Pure Purifying Shampoo, which is the perfect first step towards investing in shampoos formulated specifically for oily hair. This wallet-friendly option, which cost us just USD 9.5 for a 28 fl. oz bottle, proved that we didn’t have to spend an arm and a leg to get the clean, soft hair of our dreams. The formula in this shampoo kept our hair hydrated and fresh for as long as 72 hours, having removed excess buildup and oil like a pro. What’s more, her hair felt lighter, as though the shampoo had washed off all traces of any product we had applied throughout the week. Moreover, we were fans of the fruity, floral scent, which was delightful and yet strong. What more could we ask for?
Pros
- We love that this shampoo didn’t strip our hair of its moisture.
- It removed 100% of all residue that we had applied as products to our hair during the week.
- We could go 72 hours without washing our hair after using this shampoo.
Cons
- It doesn’t do anything to improve the overall health of the hair.
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DAE Hair Desert Detox Clarifying Shampoo
12
As someone with straighter, thinner, and oilier strands, the DAE Hair Desert Detox Clarifying Shampoo has been a blessed addition to our haircare routine. Let’s face it: Sometimes oily hair requires a reset, and this shampoo does just that. This color-safe product removed scalp buildup gently but effectively and could be used whenever our hair required a boost, i.e., whenever our tresses had lost their luster or required an extra bit of shine. What’s more, we loved the formula for leaving our hair feeling extra clean but never stripped of moisture. We even enjoyed the sparkly pink formula, as it was very gentle on our scalp and felt nice to apply while adding a luxurious touch to our shower routine. Last but not least, we noticed how voluminous this shampoo made our hair after drying it, as it didn’t feel covered in product or heavy.
Pros
- It adds volume without weighing the hair down.
- The shampoo added luster to our hair.
- We were able to extend the time period between our shower routines.
Cons
- Though our tester didn’t feel like her hair was stripped from this formula, she did think it could have used a boost of extra moisture
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Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo
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Are your strands oily and fine? Then you need the Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo in your life. Its clarifying formula is designed to be used every week and features sage leaf extract, rosemary leaf extract, and Panax ginseng root to strengthen the hair shaft while stimulating the scalp. In fact, this shampoo has been our “deep clean go-to” for our oily scalp, leaving our hair cleaner for longer and even allowing us to stretch our wash routines by a bit. What’s more, we loved the subtle scent, which had a whisper of mint and smelled as refreshing as it felt clean. And right from the get-go, our hair felt lighter, softer, and noticeably bouncier, being freed from product buildup instantly.
Pros
- It worked on all hair types, but it worked even better for fine, oily strands.
- The formula smelled nice and fresh.
- It’s vegan and free from sulfates, parabens, and phthalates.
Cons
- It’s not designed for color-treated hair.
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Kristin Ess Clarifying Shampoo
10
Can you get a salon-worthy shampoo at your local drugstore? Yes, you can! Behold the Kristin Ess Clarifying Shampoo, which gave us serious bang for our buck. Firstly, this shampoo did exactly what it promised — it removed product buildup and dirt both very effectively, purifying our scalp and fully cleansing our hair. We particularly loved how squeaky clean our hair felt after using this shampoo, taming our usual frizzy mane and making it silky and smooth. Finally, this shampoo didn’t cause any irritation or flare-ups either, despite us having a sensitive scalp.
Pros
- It was perfect for our sensitive scalp.
- Despite being very gentle, it provided a deep clean.
- It didn’t irritate or flare up our scalp.
Cons
- It didn’t bubble up in the shower, but don’t worry; it’s still very efficient rinsed away excess oil.
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SHAZ & KIKS Balancing Clay Hair Cleanser
9
There are many things we love about the SHAZ & KIKS Balancing Clay Hair Cleanser, but its crock of natural ingredients makes it stand out from the rest. It prominently features moringa oil and the antioxidant-rich jamon berries, which flush out toxins from the scalp and treat bacterial conditions. When they come together, the two work to repair and cleanse the scalp, resulting in noticeably less dandruff than earlier. We even tried this shampoo on our shoulder-length, thick curls, and we immediately noticed the gorgeous bounce it gave our ringlets, which was a result of the hydrating, nourishing formula. Finally, we were delighted by the fragrance that floated in when we massaged the product into our hair — it was a little earthy, a little sweet, and a little spicy, and that too without smelling artificial.
Pros
- Our post-shower look revealed defined and soft curls.
- This shampoo even addressed the dandruff issue.
- It’s scented and for all hair types.
Cons
- It would have been better with a squeeze top.
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Redken Hair Cleansing Cream Clarifying Shampoo
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We went an extra-long three days without washing our hair, and yet the Redken Hair Cleansing Cream Clarifying Shampoo successfully removed every trace of our dry shampoo, product build-up, and oil from our tresses. This shampoo sufficiently cleansed our hair to the point that we were able to stretch our two-day time period between showers by a day. What’s more, the lathering process was extra enjoyable, as the shampoo lathered up just enough to make us feel like we were getting a good wash in. It was due to the formula of sugarcane, apple, lemon, and camelia leaf extracts that all the gunk came off our scalp in a single scrub and didn’t require a second wash.
Pros
- This shampoo is perfect if you’re short on time.
- We had a head of bouncy, healthy hair with just a quick rinse.
- We loved how clean and soft our hair felt after washes.
Cons
- Besides deep cleaning the scalp and hair, it didn’t have any extra benefits.
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Monday Haircare Volume Shampoo
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The cutely packaged Monday Haircare Volume Shampoo from the New Zealand-born brand was everything we wanted in a fine hair shampoo, and that too at an affordable price of just USD 7 for a 12 oz. fl bottle! There were many things we loved about this shampoo, starting with its volumizing formula. Featuring a coconut oil-, vitamin E, and ginger extract-infused formula, the shampoo added shine and body to limp, oily hair. Not just that, but it also gave our hair body that added the volume we were after without weighing it down. We especially loved the handy pump bottle, which we could recycle once it ran out. Since the shampoo could be slightly drying, we recommend that you follow it up with a deep conditioner on your hair ends after a wash.
Pros
- It improved our hair’s manageability.
- It gave our limp hair a boost.
- The shampoo is sulfate-free.
Cons
- Sometimes, hair might feel stiff after use in the shower.
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Kerastase Gloss Absolu Bain Hydra-Glaze Hydra-Illuminating Shampoo
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Focusing on hydration to fight an oily scalp and frizzy hair doesn’t mean that we need to weigh our hair down, as the Kerastase Gloss Absolu Bain Hydra-Glaze Hydra-Illuminating Shampoo proved. Packed with a number of hydrating powerhouses, including wild rose oil, glycolic acid, and hyaluronic acid, it basically had everything our frizzy, oily, and thin hair needed. This formula employed mild surfactants, helping reduce static and lock in moisture. We loved the gentle, low-lather formula, which meant that it was gentler and better at preserving hydration. So, we could go longer between washes, and even our hair looked more vibrant after incorporating this shampoo into our routine. What’s more, our hair felt clean for more than three days, the texture felt smoother, and our blowouts lasted longer.
Pros
- We liked the citrus-y, grapefruit fragrance.
- It didn’t weigh the hair down after a double cleanse.
- It targeted hydration, thus reducing frizz.
Cons
- It didn’t improve manageability.
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AG Care Balance Apple Cider Vinegar Sulfate-Free Shampoo
5
If you’re looking for a sustainable, plant-based shampoo to work on your fine, oily hair, then look no further than the AG Care Balance Apple Cider Vinegar Sulfate-Free Shampoo. This 98% plant-based shampoo features nourishing superfoods, argan oil, and apple cider vinegar that simultaneously hydrate and cleanse oily, fine hair like ours. Right from the very first use, our hair looked shiny and fresh after a shower. In fact, even when we use this shampoo during the dry winter months, the shampoo brought are dull and lifeless hair back to life and shine. If that wasn’t enough, it struck the perfect balance between controlling oil by also adding volume and shine for thin hair. Do you like subtle scents? Even people who are sensitive to aromas and fragrances will love this delightful shampoo, whose scent only adds to the experience.
Pros
- This shampoo reduced our oiliness and cleansed our hair and scalp right away.
- It struck the perfect balance between controlling oil while adding shine and volume.
- We loved the subtle scent.
Cons
- Since it has a thinner consistency, be careful while dispensing the shampoo, as one pump should be more than enough.
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Virtue Full Hair Care Shampoo
4
Best for volume. If you want to maximize your hair volumizing results during showering, the thickening Virtue Full Hair Care Shampoo is a must-try. We loved the rich leather the shampoo created, which was also highly concentrated. So, despite being slightly pricier for its size, the fact is that even a small amount of the shampoo went a long way, cleaning our hair thoroughly without leaving any residue. In fact, we’ve been hard-pressed to find a shampoo that gives us such a rich lather without stripping moisture from our hair. Besides the additional hydration its formula provides, this shampoo even left our hair looking noticeably fuller, silky smooth, voluminous, and more hydrated when we air-dried it after a few washes.
Pros
- It deep cleansed our hair.
- We loved the fruity, clean scent that lingered in our hair after a wash.
- It added volume and definition to our hair.
Cons
- If you struggle with fine, dry hair, this might not be the best solution.
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OUAI Fine Hair Shampoo
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Best for fine hair. The ingredients of the OUAI Fine Hair Shampoo, hydrolyzed silk, niacinamide, and biotin, are amongst the best ingredients for fine hair. It’s biotin-rich formula nourished are damaged, brittle, and fine strands from the roots to the tips. After we added this shampoo to our routine, we saw that our hair stayed fresh for longer between washes, and was also full and voluminous. If that wasn’t enough, it even held up great after using heating and styling tools, giving it a more lifted, voluminous look.
“We loved how the formula cleansed our hair without stripping it of its natural moisture, no matter how frequently or non frequently we washed it.”
Dizzzi
Pros
- This shampoo improved our hair’s natural volume.
- It was excellent at removing product buildup.
- It contains biotin, which supports damaged hair.
Cons
- The bottle cap might squirt out lots of product at once.
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L’Oreal Paris Ever-Pure Sulfate-Free Thickening Shampoo
2
Most affordable. Costing us less than USD 10, the L’Oreal Paris Ever-Pure Sulfate-Free Thickening Shampoo was one of the most affordable, effective shampoos for our fine, oily hair on this list. However, the affordable price wasn’t the only thing we loved about this shampoo. For one, we loved the boost in volume that this shampoo provided us with just one wash; it was truly transformative. What’s more, the thickening formula worked very effectively on our fine hair, rendering it full and soft after a wash. If that wasn’t enough, a bonus was that it even helped repair our hair breakage, leaving our strands healthier and stronger over a period of time.
Pros
- We love the neutral, pleasant scent.
- The shampoo instantly improved the hair’s fullness.
- We loved that it was one of the best sulfate-free formulas available for less than USD 10.
Cons
- One needs to note that this is specifically classified as a thickening shampoo.
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Living Proof Full Shampoo
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Most gentle. Sitting at the top of the list is the Full Shampoo from Living Proof, one of the gentlest sulfate-free formulas for fine and oily hair. We loved the fact that a quarter-sized dollop was more than enough to cover our whole head. What’s more, it foamed up in a moderately lathered way, which delivered the same softness and slip without any buildup. In fact, after the first use, my thin, frizzy hair looked silky smooth and refreshed.
Moreover, the advantages lasted even after we used heat tools, such as a straightener, curling iron, or hair dryer. What we also loved about the shampoo was that it felt like it was deep cleansing our scalp, rinsing away every trace of buildup and oil. The best bit? It left our hair looking fresh for at least two days after we washed it, with some of us even going an extra day without washing. What more could we ask for?
Pros
- This shampoo enhances volume.
- It’s silicone- and sulfate-free.
- It reduces frizz and soothes an itchy scalp.
Cons
- None, really.
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Our Verdict!
While we loved all the shampoos on this list, here’s a specialized list that’s sure to help you zero in on one choice.
- Most gentle: Living Proof Full Shampoo
- Most affordable: L’Oreal Paris Ever-Pure Sulfate-Free Thickening Shampoo
- Best for fine hair: OUAI Fine Hair Shampoo
- Best for volume: Virtue Full Hair Care Shampoo
How To Choose The Best Shampoos For Oily And Thin Hair?
Choose: Volume-Boosting Ingredients
There are many key ingredients to look for in shampoos when you have fine hair, so as to add volume. Usually, a formula that contains botanicals such as ginger and ginseng, hyaluronic acid, biotin, polymers, and vitamin B5 is a good choice. These ingredients help break down the oils, excess sebum, and product buildup, dissolving them and washing them away. What’s more, some of these ingredients are drying while the others are hydrating, which is what makes them a good, balanced formula. For instance, apple cider vinegar clarifies, detangles, and reduces hair fade, while glycerine helps soften and smooth hair down the hair cuticles, rendering the hair more lustrous and shinier.
Avoid: Build-up Causing Ingredients
Since every hair texture, including fine, oily ones, has its own set of needs, it’s important to see what’s left out of the formula, just as important as the ingredients it contains. Generally, people with fine and oily hair should avoid silicones as they could contribute to the buildup. Additionally, you need to pay attention to the amount of lather your shampoo, and how the hair feels once it air dries, i.e., dry, stiff, or hard to brush. This is an indication that the shampoo might not be gentle on your fine strands.
Fragrance
Finally, we have to address the elephant in the room: the scent of the shampoo. More often than not, shampoos are scented, and while we all love perfume-like fragrances that make our strands smell incredible, not everyone likes that. Also, remember that scents could end up irritating the scalp, making it difficult for already fine and thin hair to grow.
How often should you wash fine, Oily hair?
There’s no one hair wash schedule that’s suitable for everyone. While natural oil conditioners are here, it’s time to give it a good wash when it begins to show a lot of grease on the head. Generally, thin and fine hair can be washed every one to two days.
What causes greasy hair in the first place?
A lot of factors make hair greasy, such as touching it frequently, genetics, hormonal changes, and even certain skin conditions.
How do you wash oily hair correctly?
Begin by wetting your hair with warm water that will open up the cuticles. Next, massage the scalp with a small amount of shampoo using your fingertips to lift excess dirt and oil and rinse it thoroughly, following it up with a lightweight, oil-free conditioner applied only to the ends.