The Best Conditioners for Oily Hair

There are many factors that contribute to an oily scalp (genetics and hormones to name a couple), but there’s no denying that it can be a nightmare to treat. If you have hair that tends to verge on greasy, look for hair products with clarifying ingredients like clay, apple cider vinegar, and peppermint oil, which help to cut through the build-up. Avoid formulas that are rich and heavy, as these will only weigh you down! And remember, scalps tend to be oilier than the rest of the hair, so apply shampoo directly to your roots and slather conditioner only on the ends of your hair. These are our conditioner recommendations for oily hair types to get you started.

Having an oily scalp can result in more hair tangles, and conditioner is great for helping loosen these and make your hair easier to brush, especially after giving it a thorough wash in the shower. This conditioner is super light, making it great for fine hair which is prone to both oil and tangling, and it won't weigh down your hair at all, making it an even better choice for the girls out there with a lot of texture or curls.

Though this is the most expensive conditioner on the list, it delivers on its promise. The OUAI Fine Hair Conditioner is perfect for fine, flat, and oily hair. Fine hair is prone to being weighed down by product residue, so the lightweight formula of this OUAI product works to prevent build-up while leaving hair looking full of life. It’s safe to use on colored hair, and nourishes even the finest strands with biotin, keratin, and chia seed oil.

Another pricy yet effective option is the Briogeo Superfoods Mango + Cherry Oil Control & Balancing Conditioner for combatting oily hair. The formula is packed with natural vitamins and minerals such as papaya enzymes, mango extracts, and cherry extracts – it sounds good enough to eat! Your hair will be left hydrated, healthy, and grease-free. Briogeo has also gone all-in with the packaging, which looks like a real smoothie bottle (and is 100% recyclable).

MONDAY Haircare’s Volume Conditioner is an excellent affordable option for those with thin, fine, and oily hair. It aims to provide weightless conditioning, leaving hair feeling salon-fresh and fuller, with natural ingredients like ginger root extract and vitamin E.  The award-winning formula is vegan and cruelty-free, while the bottle is 100% recyclable.

Cilantro, in a conditioner? Don't be too surprised - it's actually a bit of a super ingredient. It has a calming effect, soothing your scalp from any irritation or itchiness, which is perfect if it gets irritated by its own oil production. Shea butter is another key ingredient in this product, moisturizing your ends and helping them stay soft without causing them to be heavy and dragging down your 'do.

If you’re on a budget, an excellent option is the L’oréal Paris Extraordinary Clay Conditioner. This conditioner contains three different types of refined clay to help balance and clarify oily hair. The formula is also silicone-free, which is important for greasy hair types. Silicones are non-water soluble, meaning that they can easily build up and contribute to a greasy appearance on oily hair types. This top-rated product also keeps the ends of your hair hydrated until your next wash.

The Hairburst Conditioner for Oily Scalp and Roots is indeed bursting with hair-nourishing ingredients that are suitable for oily hair. Hydrolysed wheat protein works to protect and smooth the hairs, while zinc PCA helps to mitigate the appearance of excess sebum. With 95% natural ingredients, this vegan formula is gentle yet effective, controlling oily hair while providing hydration and shine.

The most important thing when it comes to conditioners for oily hair is that, even though they all serve the same purpose, they're not made the same - some will work better for you than others. Don't be afraid to try out a few to find the one that suits your hair type the best.