Oily Hair Shampoo

What actually causes oily hair and an oily scalp?

Oily hair and an oily scalp come down to your scalp producing too much sebum. Genetics and hormones are usually the main culprits, but stress, diet and the wrong haircare products can all send oil production into overdrive. Living in a warm climate also plays a part, which is why so many people deal with this more than they expect.

Fine hair tends to feel the effects faster than other hair types because sebum travels down thinner strands more quickly, making roots look greasy sooner. That heavy, weighed-down hair feeling is one of the most common concerns our Hairhouse experts hear in store.

Once you know what’s driving oiliness, finding the best shampoo for oily hair that genuinely works for your scalp becomes much easier. That’s exactly what our range is built for.

Why washing more often can make oiliness worse

Washing your hair every day can make greasy hair worse, not better. When you strip the scalp too often, it fights back by producing more sebum to compensate. The oiliness you’re trying to get rid of just keeps coming back.

Giving your scalp a break, even just a day or two between washes, is one of the simplest ways to help it rebalance. Residue from styling products and dry shampoos builds up, too, adding to that grimy, uncomfortable feeling at the scalp.

At Hairhouse, we recommend swapping to a clarifying shampoo two to three times a week and rethinking your haircare routine. Most people notice less oiliness within a week or two of switching up their wash frequency.

What to look for in an oily hair shampoo

The best shampoos for oily hair contain purifying, scalp-balancing ingredients that remove excess oil and product buildup without stripping the scalp's natural moisture. Checking the ingredient list before anything else makes it much easier to find a formula that genuinely works for your scalp. We recommend starting there.

Here’s what to look for:

• Kaolin clay draws out oil buildup directly from the scalp, leaving it feeling genuinely clean after every wash.
• Charcoal works as a cleanser by pulling out excess oil and impurities, so roots stay fresher for longer.
• Salicylic acid exfoliates the scalp and dissolves product buildup that regular shampoos often miss.
• Peppermint oil is naturally antimicrobial and cooling, great for reducing that heavy, grimy scalp feeling between washes.
• Sulphate-free formulas are gentler on the scalp and less likely to trigger rebound oiliness. Worth prioritising if you wash two to three times a week.

Once you know which ingredients to look for, finding the right shampoo becomes a lot more straightforward. At Hairhouse, we stock a range of cleansing shampoos for oily hair from professional brands used in salons across Australia, available online or in-store.

Should you use a clarifying or balancing shampoo?

The short answer is both, just not at the same time. A clarifying shampoo is designed for a periodic deep cleanse and detox of the scalp, pulling out the kind of buildup that sits too deep for a regular wash to shift. Used once or twice a week, it gives your oil control routine a proper reset.

On the other days, a balancing shampoo cleanses regularly without stripping the scalp or triggering more oil production. These formulas are gentle enough to use more frequently and help manage dryness at the ends that can come with an oily scalp.

How to get the most out of your oily hair shampoo

Getting the most out of your oil control shampoo starts with applying it correctly. Massage it into a wet scalp with your fingertips for at least a minute, focusing on the roots where hair products and oil tend to sit. Rinse until the water runs completely clear.

Leftover residue is one of the most common reasons oily hair bounces back faster than expected. If you tend to wear your hair down most days, washing your hair twice in a single session once or twice a week can help keep roots fresher between wash days.

Can you use conditioner on oily hair?

Yes, and skipping it altogether can make things worse. Without conditioner, the lengths and dry ends miss out on the moisture they need, which can lead to frizz and dry hair that is harder to manage. The key is where you apply it. Keep it away from the scalp and work a hydrating or nourishing formula through the mid-lengths and ends only.

Check your conditioner for heavy silicones, too. Some conditioners contain silicones that sit on the hair and can contribute to buildup at the roots over time, which can make your oily scalp worse.

Reach for a lightweight, silicone-free conditioner, and your roots will thank you for it. If your ends need extra moisture between washes, a small amount of leave-in conditioner applied to the lengths only can help without weighing down your roots.

Is sulphate-free shampoo good for oily hair?

Yes, and for most people with oily hair, the switch is well worth it. Sulphates cut through oil quickly, but they often push your scalp to produce even more sebum to make up for what was lost.

A sulphate-free shampoo removes excess oil without stripping your scalp's natural moisture. Give it a few weeks, and you’ll likely notice your scalp producing less oil between washes.

If your oiliness is on the heavier side, pairing your sulphate-free shampoo with a clarifying wash once or twice a week tends to give better results. Parabens are synthetic preservatives that can aggravate an already oily or sensitive scalp, so they’re also worth avoiding.

Where can you buy oily hair shampoo in Australia?

You can shop for oily hair shampoo at Hairhouse, online or in over 125 stores across Australia. Our oily hair shampoo range includes everything from everyday scalp shampoos to deep-cleansing formulas, from brands trusted in salons across Australia, including Kérastase, muk, evo, De Lorenzo and Paul Mitchell.

Not sure where to start? Our FAQs and bestsellers are a good place to begin.

Beyond oily hair, Hairhouse also stocks hair growth treatments, hair oils and serums for damaged hair, anti-dandruff shampoo, volume shampoo for thin hair and cruelty-free formulas for curly hair and every other hair type.

Whether you shop online or visit your nearest Hairhouse store, we’re ready to help you find a product that works. Your scalp will feel the difference!