Best Shampoo for Oily Hair in India: How to Choose the Right Shampoo for an Oily Scalp

Does your hair get oily again just a few hours after a hair wash? If yes, it means you have an oily scalp or hair type. Normally, hair should look fresh for 2 or 3 days after shampooing, but if it is oily again by the evening, maybe you are not using the right shampoo.

Oily or greasy hair roots make your hair look flat, thin, and lifeless. Many people experience an oily scalp with other problems like itching, dandruff, product build-up and so forth.

In this blog, we will help you decide what shampoo is best for an oily scalp, why you need it and tips on how you can keep your scalp oil-free.

Which Shampoo Is Best for Oily Hair and Oily Scalp?

If you have oily hair, the best thing you can do is to look for shampoos with sebum-controlling ingredients such as salicylic acid or niacinamide. 

Also, the shampoo should be able to address any other issues that usually come with an oily scalp. This way, you can find the best shampoo for an oily scalp in India.

Why Does Your Scalp Get Oily So Quickly?

Besides naturally having an oily scalp due to excess sebum production, some external factors can also lead to faster greasing of hair. 

• Hot and humid weather
• Sweating
• Overwashing or underwashing hair
• Frequent touching or wearing helmets
• Hair oils and styling products
• Product buildup

Types of Shampoo for Oily Hair

Based on the active ingredient and how they work, four different types of shampoos are commonly recommended for oily hair. 

These shampoos target different concerns, so choose accordingly.

Also read: Salicylic Acid for Hair and Scalp

What Ingredients Should You Look for in a Shampoo for Oily Scalp?

For managing an oily scalp, you need to look for a shampoo with gentle clarifying and balancing ingredients that reduce or balance out sebum production. 

In the following table, we have filtered some effective ingredients that may reduce scalp oiliness.

How to Choose the Best Shampoo for Oily Scalp?

Choosing the best shampoo for your oily scalp will help you prevent typical problems such as dandruff or product buildup that commonly arise due to it. 

Here are some simple ways to pick the right product:

• Look for suitable ingredients that are comfortable for your scalp.
• Check the condition of your scalp and choose ingredients wisely.
• Choose lightweight formulas that won’t make hair greasier.

Best Shampoo for Oily Scalp Based on Your Hair Problem

An oily scalp often brings additional hair problems with it. You might experience dandruff/flaking, thin hair, or dry ends. 

For healthy hair, you need to pick a shampoo that manages both an oily scalp and your hair problem.

Best Shampoo for Very Oily Scalp

If your hair gets oily just a day after washing, your scalp is naturally too oily. Using a clarifying shampoo that reduces and balances sebum production can be helpful.

• Recommended ingredients: Salicylic acid or tea tree oil
• Tips: Focus shampoo only on the scalp and avoid scrubbing lengths to prevent dryness. 

Best Shampoo for Oily Scalp and Dandruff

An oily scalp often causes dandruff that requires appropriate active ingredients to treat it. But remember, many of these ingredients should be used after consulting a medical specialist.

• Recommended ingredients: Ketoconazole, selenium sulphide, and salicylic acid.
• Tips: Leave the shampoo on the scalp for 2–5 minutes before rinsing for better effectiveness. 

Also read - Ketoconazole Shampoo: Benefits, Uses, How to Use & Side Effects

Best Shampoo for Oily Roots and Dry Ends

Have oily hair roots, but the ends are still dry? That’s very common for people. To fix that, you can try “Zone Washing”, where you use shampoo only on the scalp and let the lather rinse through the lengths of your hair.

• Recommended ingredients: Mild cleansing ingredients like glycerin or panthenol 
• Tips: Use a conditioner from the mid-lengths to ends for locking in moisture.

Best Shampoo for Oily and Fine/Thin Hair

Choose a light shampoo that cleanses the scalp without weighing it down. Do not use rich conditioners, oils and styling products at the roots, as this will make fine hair look flatter and greasier.

• Recommended ingredients: Volumising cleansers, niacinamide, lightweight botanical extracts 
• Tips: Wash more frequently if needed, but always avoid heavy product buildup at the scalp. 

Top Shampoo Recommendations for Oily Hair and Oily Scalp by Zeelab Pharmacy

If you have oily roots or a greasy scalp, choosing the right shampoo can help remove excess oil, sweat, and buildup while keeping your hair clean and manageable. 

Here are some Zeelab Pharmacy shampoo options to consider based on your scalp and hair-care needs.

Zeelab Sebum Regulating Anti Hair Fall Shampoo

Zeelab Sebum Regulating Anti Hair Fall Shampoo 240ml

Zeelab Sebum Regulating Shampoo cleanses excess oil and helps maintain a balanced scalp, making it suitable for oily hair.

• Composition: Aloe Vera + D-Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) + Vitamin B6 + Milk Protein + Calendula Extract + Sage Leaf Extract + Wheat Germ Oil + Biotin (Vitamin B7) + Almond Oil + Coconut Oil + Olive Oil
• Benefits: Helps cleanse excess oil and supports a cleaner, balanced scalp for oily hair.
• How it works: Cleansing ingredients remove excess oil and buildup, while sage, aloe vera and panthenol support scalp care.

Zeelab Red Onion Shampoo With Vitamin B5

Zeelab Red Onion Shampoo With Vitamin B5

Zeelab Red Onion Shampoo gently cleanses oil and dirt while conditioning the scalp and hair, suitable for oily hair.

• Composition: Onion Extract + Vitamin B5 + Activated Dimethicone + Glycerine + Cocamidopropyl Betaine + Sodium Laureth Sulphate + Aqua
• Benefits: Helps remove excess oil and dirt while keeping the scalp and hair clean and manageable.
• How it works: Cleansing agents remove oil and buildup, while glycerine, Vitamin B5 and conditioning ingredients help maintain hair moisture.

How to Wash Oily Hair the Right Way?

A good washing technique can make your shampoo more effective without unnecessarily drying your hair.

• Wet hair and scalp well with lukewarm or cool water. 
• Take the right amount of shampoo, not too much or too little. 
• Rub shampoo in your hands to make lather and apply it to the scalp only. 
• Massage gently with fingertips to spread the shampoo. 
• Rinse well with water so no residue is left on the scalp. 
• Shampoo twice if the first wash does not remove oil from hair.
• Use a conditioner on the mid-lengths and ends to protect it from dryness. 

How Often Should You Shampoo Oily Hair?

There’s no magic number of washes for everyone. If you have a very oily scalp, you may need to wash more often. Others may not need to wash as often. 

Adjust your routine according to oiliness, sweating, product buildup and scalp comfort.

Common Mistakes That Can Make Oily Hair Worse

Some habits of our daily life can worsen scalp oiliness; being aware of such mistakes and avoiding them can help in better management of scalp and hair health.

• Using a shampoo that is too harsh for the scalp
• Applying conditioner to oily roots
• Using too much hair oil or styling product
• Scrubbing the scalp aggressively
• Ignoring persistent dandruff or scalp irritation

When Should You See a Dermatologist?

Usually, oily hair may be controlled with a simple hair care routine. But if scalp oiliness or issues persist for a long time or you notice the following signs, do consult a hair specialist or dermatologist.

• Persistent dandruff
• Severe itching or rash
• Painful lumps on scalp
• Sudden or significant hair fall
• Thick scales or crusting
• No change with proper shampoo use

Conclusion

The best shampoo for oily hair and scalp is chosen by considering how severe the condition is and what other problems come with it, such as dandruff, itching, dry hair ends, or thinning.

You need to choose a shampoo that can help reduce oiliness without causing additional damage or stripping the hair’s natural oils. 

If you are looking for an affordable yet effective shampoo that can help you with the above issues, explore Zeelab Pharmacy’s Sebum Regulating Anti-Hair-Fall Shampoo and Red Onion Shampoo With Vitamin B. These are gentle on the scalp and help to balance sebum production of the scalp.