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
    422 REVIEWS
    Extend the time (and serenity) between washes. 
  2. 2
    No.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo
    5,810 REVIEWS
    A clarifying shampoo to remove damaging impurity buildup from your environment, haircare, and daily life. See volume, softness, shine and color clarity.
  3. 3
    Sunday Shampoo

    Bumble and Bumble

    240 REVIEWS
    Our original, fan-favorite, clarifying cleanser.
  4. 4
    Dry Shampoo With Nettle
    140 REVIEWS
    Ideal for oily hair, this fast-absorbing Dry shampoo rids hair and scalp of oil, in 25 seconds allowing more time between washes. Hair is clean, refreshed and feels light and bouncy. Invisible finish with no chalky residue.
  5. 5
    Gold Lust Dry Shampoo
    1,199 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    A textureless, weightless and invisible dry shampoo that leaves hair feeling refreshed.
  6. 6
    Serene Scalp Oil Control Dry Shampoo Powder
    437 REVIEWS
    Ultra-absorbing, talc-free dry shampoo powder.
  7. 7
    Scalp Revival Charcoal and Biotin Dry Shampoo
    249 REVIEWS
    A non-aerosol dry shampoo that refreshes hair and supports a healthy scalp.
  8. 8
    Prêt-à-Powder Très Invisible Dry Shampoo
    166 REVIEWS
    UV-protective, 2-in-1 dry shampoo.
  9. 9
    Farewell Frizz Smoothing Shampoo
    137 REVIEWS
    Cleanse hair of excess oil and impurities while smoothing strands and adding shine.
  10. 10
    Pret-a-Powder Post Workout Dry Shampoo Mist
    89 REVIEWS
    Sweat Fearlessly. Clean Instantly.

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.