How To Find the Right Shampoo and Conditioner for Oily Hair

Primarily, the same culprit behind oily skin on the face is what causes an oily scalp and hair: Oil glands producing too much sebum.² But what’s triggering that? Well, there could be a few factors at play:³

• Hormones: Many things can cause hormone fluctuations, which can contribute to an overproduction of oil. These span from spikes during puberty, menstruation, and the use of certain birth control medications to high levels of the hormone testosterone or even increased stress.⁸
• Genetics: An oily scalp and hair may have been programmed into your genes since birth, leading to a higher number of sebaceous (oil) glands and/or a naturally higher level of oil production.⁹
• Environmental factors: If you’ve noticed that your hair gets greasier in the warmer months, you may have humidity to blame, a leading cause of oily-feeling hair.¹⁰
• Oil-based hair products: This one should come as no surprise, but you may want to check the labels on your hair products to see if there are any sources of oil in them.¹¹ If so, toss them or give them away to less oil-prone acquaintances and, instead, keep up your search for a shampoo and conditioner for oily hair.

Just as you would seek out the best skincare products to use for oily skin on your face, look for a lightweight, gentle shampoo for an oily scalp. If you struggle with an oily scalp, you might be among those who choose to avoid conditioner, because you are afraid that will weigh down your hair or cause buildup. But not all formulas are the same and there are ones especially designed for this type of hair. So, you get all the benefits of a conditioner without sacrificing the look of your mane.

A good place to start is with a balancing shampoo and conditioner (balancing as in not leaving your scalp too oily or to dry), which can help purify your scalp. Also look for those with Ceramides⁴, that help repair and maintain you skin barrier. In the meantime, while you wait to get a shampoo and conditioner for oily hair, if you have some dry shampoo handy, you can spritz a bit on to help absorb oil and reduce the appearance of greasy strands and texture.³

Fortunately, you will not have to wait long to get your hands on a shampoo and conditioner for oily hair. We have a balancing shampoo and conditioner duo developed with dermatologists that fits the bill. CeraVe Oil Control Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner are formulated with zinc PCA and niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and 3 essential ceramides. Both are pH-balanced, non-comedogenic, sulfate-free, paraben free. and suitable for all hair and scalp, color-treated hair, all curl types, and ages 13+.

Together, they help remove excess oil, purify your scalp, and provide a hydrating cleanse and condition, leaving your hair fresh, soft, and not weighed down—all without disrupting the scalp barrier. Plus, they’re free of potentially irritating ingredients like fragrances, sulfates and parabens.

Of course, if your scalp and hair are prone to oiliness—as with any other skincare—consistency is key. You’ll also want to keep the following in mind in addition to finding a shampoo and conditioner for oily hair:^2,3

• Shampoo frequently: Aim to suds up those locks either daily or every other day to help keep excess oil at bay.³
• Wash and rinse thoroughly: Be sure to rinse your hair well after a good lather to remove any buildup of other hair products.³
• Condition carefully: After a proper, gentle cleanser for an oily scalp the skin will feel refreshed, and your skin moisture barrier won’t be disrupted. Apply conditioner only on the ends or length of your hair. There’s no need to condition your all your scalp. This could be counterproductive and actually add buildup back to where you just washed it off.³
• Gently dry and style: To avoid stimulating excess oil production, keep your hairdryer on low to help avoid scalp irritation. Also, try to limit how much, how hard, and how often you touch your scalp. This includes not being overly aggressive when you’re toweling off or over-brushing your hair, and resisting the urge to touch your head throughout the day.³

At CeraVe, we’re committed to listening to the pros. That includes developing all of our skincare and haircare products with dermatologists and following the facts, like the science of ceramides. That is why all our formulas are developed with dermatologists. So, you can be sure, proper knowledge of hair, skin and the proper ingredients to care for them are part of CeraVe formula.