Top 6 Best Drugstore Shampoo for Oily Hair This Summer 2020

Oily and greasy hair is never attractive. To add up to the issue of waxy build-up are those nasty fatty flakes clumping together, often accompanied by an irritated scalp and worse, hair loss. What’s more? Sweaty hair could give off a distinct foul smell much like a B.0. Yıkes!

Certainly, you don’t want to give off the impression that you are not washing your hair regularly. But with the overproduction of sebum in your scalp, it’s just hard to maintain fresh locks no matter how you frequently wash hair. With summer just around the corner, the humidıty and dust could make your hair stringy, slick and heavy even more.

If oily hair is your concern you will need a special formula that combats the heavy accumulation of oil in hair but without parching hair of natural oil. Yes, your hair still needs that moisture to keep your hair from drying and breaking. The aim is to keep the overzealous oil glands under control.  Most of these hair care shampoos can be found in the beauty aisle of your local drugstore. The good news is, you don’t have to make an effort going to the actual store because here at Kalista, everything is just one click away. Behold, the best drugstore shampoo for oily hair!

6 Best Drugstore Shampoo for Oily Hair Review

1.   L’Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Rebalancing Shampoo

For longer-lasting freshness, best budget

Recommended for curly hair

Tired of washing your hair only to find it buttery with the slightest sign of humidity? If so then you’ll love this drugstore formula from top brand L’oreal Paris. Much like a clay face mask, it absorbs excess oil out of your pores whilst purifying strands. And it is not just your average-joe clay that’s included in the formula, but a combination of three refined clays that additionally hydrates dry ends. This works great for our curly-haired frıends who have oily roots but wilted frayed ends.

What makes this clay shampoo stand out from other brands in the provision of salicylic acid which mainly works to purify the scalp and hair even more. It is teamed up with the amplifying effects of sodium Laureth sulfate to enhance the efficacy of the formula and strip away any residue left.

Overall, the perfect combination of degreasing ingredients helps you get through between washes, 48 hours of freshness from root-to-tip to be exact so you can break the vicious cycle of everyday shampooing. With all of these powerful oil-fighting actions you can harbor from this shampoo, it’s surprisingly priced affordably. Having this said, this shampoo is yours to keep.

2.   Maple Hollistic Degrease Shampoo

Best all-natural oily hair shampoo

Recommended for fine and thin hair

You can never go wrong from choosing a hair care product from Maple Hollistics. Living up to its name, the brand already gained a wholesome reputation in producing a line of holistic all-natural shampoos. Their Degrease Shampoo boasts of carefully selected premium natural oils, sky-high in vitamin, minerals, and antioxidants which tackle the issue of oily hair and other hair woes associated.

The only thing you’ll probably notice about this plant-based shampoo is that it does not lather up as regular shampoos. This is primarily because of the absence of foaming agents. But this does not mean it’s not getting your hair clean, nonetheless. Lemon extract as the main ingredient thoroughly breaks up oil and residue buildup on both hair and pores while fresh cypress and basil control the overproduction of oil. Also infused with rosemary essential oil to enhance blood circulation and stimulate hair growth, muchly appreciated if you’re suffering from hair loss due to oily scalp.

Got an itchy scalp? The inclusion of Peach Kernel Oil and Jojoba Oil help soothe scalp irritation. Pro-Vitamin and Keratin conclude the plant-powered formula, leaving hair follicles more resilient and volumized.

3.   Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo-Scalp Build-Up Control

With the oil-zapping power of salicylic acid

Recommended for dandruff-prone hair 

Salicylic acid is the star player in this drugstore formula shampoo from Neutrogena. This topical drug has been used in skin care treatment to reduce excessive amounts of oil. In the same manner, the salicylic acid in T/Sal shampoo will counteract oily glands while simultaneously acting as a peeling agent to gently exfoliate those pesky dead skin cells a.k.a dandruff.

The salicylic is in a 3 percent formula which is strong enough to remove the heavy accumulation of skin cells in people suffering from scalp psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, therefore giving maximum relief in affliction that comes with these chronic skin conditions. T/Sal is free from the use of fragrance, sulfate, and other harsh ingredients that some may find irritating to the skin. It is in fact dermatologist recommended and the well-reviewed salicylic shampoos out there.

It is worth restating that this is a medicated shampoo and not for everyday usage. Neutrogena directs its users to use it on a weekly basis, preferably once or twice a week or as directed by a physician.

4.   BIOLAGE Cooling Mint Scalpsync Shampoo

Inspired by the soothing and refreshing properties of mint

Recommended for itchy scalp

Isn’t it nice to have a shampoo that does not only clean but also gives you the feeling of cleaning sensation? Or perhaps one that can get you through this season’s humidity and extreme heat? This Cooling Mint Scalpsync Shampoo from BIOLAGE will be your summer favorite. The mint in this shampoo energizes the scalp and strands, leaving you and your hair feeling refreshed.

Of course, it would not make it to our list of best drugstore shampoo for oily hair without its degreasing power. More to the mint is its antibacterial property that does not only remove oil particles in your hair but also inhibits the growth of fungi-causing dandruff.  As you might have already known, mint is also itchy scalp’s best friend because of its anti-inflammatory soothing properties that calm down skin irritation. Above all, it imparts hair and awakens your senses to the energizing scent of mint!

This cooling shampoo is part of the BIOLAGE line of Scalpsync products for ultimate scalp care. In particular, BIOLAGE Cooling Mint Scalpsync Shampoo is formulated exclusively for oily hair, so rest assured your grimy hair in good hands.

5.   OGX Hydrating + Tea Tree Mint Shampoo

For oily hair that needed TLC

Recommended for coarse and unmanageable hair

OGX Hydrating + Tea Tree Mint Shampoo strikes the perfect balance of hydrating and cleansing ingredients to shower distressed scalps with some goodness. The shampoo takes pride in its Australian tea tree oil which is known for antifungal and antibacterial properties. This is especially helpful in combating fungi that cause the skin to flake, all while unclogging trapped oil in the pores.

The addition of peppermint amps up the shampoo’s dandruff-fighting ability even more as it gently sloshes away extra skin cells. We also know peppermint through its invigorating properties that impart skin but there’s a far more catch. The tingly sensation it leaves on the scalp helps with the circulation to rebalance the equilibrium and promote healthier hair growth and thereby warding off hair loss.

Another of its notable ingredients are the hydrolyzed milk protein and natural skin conditioner called Panthenol, working together to quench your tresses but without the added weight (because even oily hair needs a little conditioning too). You’ll also appreciate that the formula is made without sulfate and utilizes only gentler surfactants so it’s definitely scalp and hair friendly. Of course, that’s one thing to expect from down-to-earth simple and natural ingredients.

6.   Aveeno Scalp Soothing Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo

Formulated with oily hair in mind

Recommended for color-treated hair

From detoxifying to clarifying, the apple cider vinegar in this formula is exactly what you need to dissolve whatever kind of buildup sitting atop of your hair and scalp. For a refresher, apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid which beyond having well-researched antimicrobial properties is also good in getting rid of build-up whilst balancing the scalp.

If you have color-treated hair, the thought of vinegar being acidic might throw you off but don’t scratch this shampoo off your list yet. While being acidic, the apple cider is safe to use for all hair types including chemically processed hair. It contains only enough acid to balance the pH of your hair without stripping hair color. In fact, you’ll appreciate that the formula is free of harsh color fading ingredients like sulfates, artificial dyes, and paraben.

Another interesting ingredient included is oatmeal which has the ability to additionally reduces excess sebum. Plus, oats are also known for their moisturizing properties beneficial in soothing the irritated and itchy scalp while nourishing strands and adding volume.

Why Drugstore Shampoos?

One may wonder, what makes drugstore shampoos special? How is it different from regular shampoos? Every shampoo has its own chemistry and integral ingredients alongside its primary function.  As much as salon brands of shampoos cleanse hair, the great concentration of emollients and conditioning agents present will only weigh down oily hair. These cosmetic shampoos are better left off with damaged and dry hair that needs moisturization.

While the best drugstore shampoo for oily hair may still contain conditioning agents, it is only in small amounts. The majority of ingredients are cleansing and detoxifying agents that clear hair of impurities and excess grime, making them effective sweat-proof shampoos for oily hair.

Check also: 5 best natural dandruff shampoo

What to look for when buying the best drugstore shampoo for oily hair

You could wash and shampoo greasy hair to your heart’s content but the wrong choice of products may be the only one that is standing between you and having that highly-coveted luxurious locks. It’s important to find the right type of shampoo alongside the right combination of ingredients to unlock the magic box. However, with tons of varieties to choose from in the market, finding one that suits your hair needs can be daunting of a task. The following are some tips for choosing the best drugstore shampoo for oily hair.

Clarifying shampoo is your new best friend

They work in the same fashion as conventional shampoos but they clean hair and scalp better and deeper. These deep-cleansing shampoos commonly take advantage of the power of sulfates to clear crusty and oily scalp. However, because sulfates are considered a strong abrasive, the recommended usage is once or twice a month.

Botanical ingredients can help balance the overproduction of sebum

Fruit and herbal extracts such as citrus, peppermint, and tea tree oil, in particular, are natural astringents that help regulate oil production in addition to cutting through oil buildup and dirt.

Consider your options for clay and oat shampoos to slough away excess sebum and dandruff

Shampoos that are based on clay mud and oatmeal do not have a lathering effect as mainstream shampoos but what they do is absorb oil-causing dandruff to make your tresses squeaky clean but without disturbing your hair’s pH balance.  In addition, oats contain vitamin B which is essential in strengthening hair and preventing hair loss associated with an excess amount of oil trapped in the scalp.

Dry shampoos are the holy grail refreshers

It may sound counterintuitive but washing oily hair more frequently than you should have more setbacks than benefits. Washing hair on a daily basis strips hair of natural oil and sebaceous glands which in return produce more sebum to replenish lost moisture. As a result, you are going to end with more sebum-filled strands. Dry shampoos are great in those days that you don’t wash hair but still need cleaning. They absorb oil and combat hair greasiness without the use of water.

Don’t shy away from natural oils

You might discard the idea of including plant-based oils in your ingredient list considering your hair is already filled with such. But even oily hair needs some TLC. Essential and carrier oils work wonders in hair; they contain vitamins and essential nutrients needed for healthier hair growth and anti-inflammatory properties that calms itching discomfort in the scalp. The key is to look for the right balance of cleansing and conditioning agents that work best for your hair.

Don’t miss out on antibacterial shampoos

Look for natural ingredients like tea tree oil and green tea have great antifungal properties that eradicate foul-odor-emitting yeast that feeds on sweat and triggers dandruff.

Going for scented shampoos doesn’t always hurt

Another benefit of essential oils in hair care products, they impart hair with great-smelling aroma (and they make showering experience more exciting by oozing therapeutic smell that lingers in the air). Scented shampoos are particularly helpful with masking sweat odor in challenging hot weather conditions.

Read also: Best shampoo for bleached hair

Our Top Pick

L’Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Rebalancing Shampoo doesn’t kid around when it comes to tackling the issue of overly greasy hair. Contained in the bottle are the three refined clay and salicylic acid working together to draw out oil off your hair while purifying and rebalancing the scalp for healthier hair from tip to tip.

This perfect team-up keeps your hair fresh for up to 48 hours so you can now refrain from overwashing your hair. No more worrying about your hair greasing, nor the nasty smell,  those embarrassing white flakes, or the uncomfortable itchiness that’s attributed to having oily hair. All of these benefits in a price that won’t dent your beauty budget.