What to Look for in Shampoo for Oily and Curly Hair

Choosing the right shampoo can help manage oily roots while keeping your curls healthy and defined.

1. Cleansing Strength

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Look for shampoos labeled as clarifying or balancing to effectively remove excess oil from the scalp. However, avoid overly harsh formulas that can strip natural oils and dry out your curls.

2. Moisturizing Ingredients

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Curly hair needs extra hydration, so choose shampoos with moisturizing agents like glycerin, aloe vera, or coconut oil. These ingredients help maintain curl definition and prevent frizz without weighing hair down.

3. Sulfate-Free Formulas

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Sulfates can be too aggressive for curly hair, leading to dryness and breakage. Opt for sulfate-free shampoos to gently cleanse oily roots while protecting your curl pattern.

4. Scalp Health Support

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A healthy scalp is key for managing oil production. Shampoos with ingredients like tea tree oil or salicylic acid can help balance the scalp and prevent buildup without irritating sensitive skin.

  1. 1
    Serene Scalp Oil Control Shampoo
    424 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    Extend the time (and serenity) between washes. 
  2. 2
    Sunday Shampoo

    Bumble and Bumble

    240 REVIEWS
    Our original, fan-favorite, clarifying cleanser.
  3. 3
    No.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo
    5,812 REVIEWS
    A clarifying shampoo to remove damaging impurity buildup from your environment, haircare, and daily life. See volume, softness, shine and color clarity.
  4. 4
    Gold Lust Dry Shampoo
    1,210 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    A textureless, weightless and invisible dry shampoo that leaves hair feeling refreshed.
  5. 5
    Serene Scalp Oil Control Dry Shampoo Powder
    440 REVIEWS
    Ultra-absorbing, talc-free dry shampoo powder.
  6. 6
    Prêt-à-Powder Très Invisible Dry Shampoo
    166 REVIEWS
    UV-protective, 2-in-1 dry shampoo.
  7. 7
    Pret-a-Powder Post Workout Dry Shampoo Hair Mist
    89 REVIEWS
    Sweat Fearlessly. Clean Instantly.
  8. 8
    Refresh Purifying Shampoo
    67 REVIEWS
    A gently lathering, translucent clarifying shampoo with a clean finish.
  9. 9
    Brownish Hair Powder

    Bumble and Bumble

    139 REVIEWS
    Dry shampoo with a bit o’ tint, for dark hair.
  10. 10
    Blondish Hair Powder

    Bumble and Bumble

    100 REVIEWS
    Dry shampoo with a bit o’ tint, for lighter hair.

What to Look for in Shampoo for Oily and Curly Hair

Choosing the right shampoo can help manage oily roots while keeping your curls healthy and defined.

1. Cleansing Strength

Citrus catapult arrow

Look for shampoos labeled as clarifying or balancing to effectively remove excess oil from the scalp. However, avoid overly harsh formulas that can strip natural oils and dry out your curls.

2. Moisturizing Ingredients

Citrus catapult arrow

Curly hair needs extra hydration, so choose shampoos with moisturizing agents like glycerin, aloe vera, or coconut oil. These ingredients help maintain curl definition and prevent frizz without weighing hair down.

3. Sulfate-Free Formulas

Citrus catapult arrow

Sulfates can be too aggressive for curly hair, leading to dryness and breakage. Opt for sulfate-free shampoos to gently cleanse oily roots while protecting your curl pattern.

4. Scalp Health Support

Citrus catapult arrow

A healthy scalp is key for managing oil production. Shampoos with ingredients like tea tree oil or salicylic acid can help balance the scalp and prevent buildup without irritating sensitive skin.