Oily hair is a nuisance, no matter how you swing it. If you’re prone to oily locks, it may seem like conditioning your hair would be the last step to take – but conditioning your hair is important in order to ensure maximum moisture and add extra nourishment. It’s all about the conditioner you use, which is why we’ve selected the 12 best conditioners for oily hair.
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What Causes Oily Hair?
You actually need a certain amount of oil in your hair. That is what keeps your scalp healthy, moisturized, and free from itchiness or dandruff.
However, excess oil can cause your scalp to become itchy and greasy. It can also lead to skin conditions that may be hard to get rid of.
Here are a few of the reasons why your hair may be oily:
Excess Sebum Production
If your scalp produces too much sebum, you’ll end up with excess oil. There can be many reasons why you overproduce sebum – it could be hereditary, or down to medications you’re taking.
You Work Out A Lot
If you hit the gym regularly, you’ll be sweating a lot. The more sweat sits in your hair, the oilier it will become.
Over-washing
Over-washing your hair won’t help to reduce oil build-up – in fact, it might even cause your scalp to produce more oil.
That’s why you need to be using a conditioner that’s best for oily hair so that you maintain healthy levels of oil without stripping your scalp.
Environmental Or Personal Factors
Feeling super stressed or hormonal? Has the season changed, or have you moved from an area with hard water to soft (or vice versa)? All of these factors can contribute to greasy hair.
Also Read: How To Use Castor Oil For Protein Sensitive Hair
12 Best Conditioners For Oily Hair
OGX Hydrating+ Tea Tree Mint Conditioner
Australian tea tree oil, milk protein, and peppermint oil blend in this paraben- and sulfate-free conditioner that’s perfect for oily hair.
The conditioner will moisturize and strengthen your hair without adding weight, leaving it feeling silky soft.
We love the tea tree and peppermint smell too, especially in the morning when it adds an extra wake-up call to your morning caffeine shot. It’s refreshing, nourishing, and has minimal chemicals. What’s not to love?
Why We Like It: A budget-friendly conditioner that smells delicious
Aveda Rosemary Mint Weightless Conditioner
This conditioner has organic rosemary, peppermint, and spearmint to deeply cleanse your locks whilst adding a refreshing scent to your showering experience.
Ingredients are 97% natural and vegan and will leave hair feeling weightless but nourished, helping your locks to detangle and generally feel more manageable.
This is also a great shampoo for individuals who suffer from itchy or sensitive scalps.
Use the matching shampoo to double the goodness.
Why We Like It: Refreshing, energizing smell and a weightless formula
L’Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Rebalancing Conditioner
Clay? In a conditioner? No, it won’t leave your locks feeling like cement – in fact, the clay works to deeply refine and rebalance any oil that you may have in your hair.
Your ends will feel nourished and hydrated, and your scalp and roots will look and feel lighter as they benefit from the clay’s purifying action.
There’s also salicylic and citric acid in here that will cleanse your strands of any oil. The formula is silicone-free, the packaging is sustainable, and it’s a budget-friendly conditioner.
There’s also a conditioning mask if you want to get really into your scalp – you can use both products together should your locks need some intense oil purification.
Why We Like It: A formula that smells freshly floral but is still intensely purifying
The Seaweed Bath Co. Detox Conditioner
Vegan, paraben- and sulfate-free, organic, and sustainably harvested ingredients combine in this oil-busting conditioner to naturally detoxify, cleanse, and protect.
Bladderwrack seaweed (from Maine’s coastline, no less) boosts your hair’s mineral content and apple cider vinegar restores pH balance and moisture levels.
The French green clay purifies both your scalp and strands to wash toxins and impurities away.
Tea tree oil also adds a delicious scent and removes any product or other build-up, ensuring your locks are clarified and protected.
Did we mention the formula is also vegan, cruelty-free, and appropriate for all sensitivities? And that all of the bottles are 100% post-consumer recycled plastic?
Why We Like It: All-natural sustainable formula that nourishes and refines
Sachajuan Normalizing Conditioner
The ‘normalizing’ in the title of this conditioner is the focus of the formula, which aims to calm and soothe your scalp, thereby helping to maintain healthy levels of oil.
Ocean silk technology moisturizes and detangles strands without stripping them of moisture, whilst salicylic acid dissolves dead cells, thereby minimizing any build-up or residue.
Rosemary oil and menthol combine to make a refreshing, spine-tingling scent that also restores balance to your scalp and strands.
Your hair should feel nourished and moisturized, without ever feeling straw-like or frazzled. There’s a matching shampoo if you’re keen to double up.
Why We Like It: Can be used on a regular basis, and has seriously sophisticated technology that clarifies oily locks without leading to sensitivities
Sukin Oil Balancing Conditioner
The clue is in the name of this one – it’s a conditioner designed to balance and refine your oil levels whilst still ensuring weightless hydration.
Jojoba oil will nourish dry ends without weighing down your roots, and all other ingredients are 98.8% naturally derived.
The formula is vegan and cruelty-free too, with no phthalates, sulfates, parabens, silicones, or any other nasties, and it’s carbon neutral.
Why We Like It: Natural formula that smells delicious whilst hydrating and clarifying hair
Maple Holistics Tea Tree Conditioner
Maple Holistics are committed to naturally-derived haircare that stimulates, strengthens, and adds shine to your locks.
In this conditioner, rosemary, lavender, and tea tree oil combine to soothe itchy scalps and rebalance oil levels on your scalp and strands.
Your hair should feel and look bouncier, stronger, and healthier – and the formula is great for all hair types. It’s also cruelty-free.
Why We Like It: Cruelty-free formula that refines and boosts moisture
Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying Conditioner
Avalon Organics’ other products tend to be more popular than this lemon conditioner. Their volumizing rosemary or strengthening peppermint has a real following, but for oily hair, this conditioner is really best.
Natural ingredients like chamomile, aloe, and quinoa protein combine with lemon to clarify and cleanse product build-up without adding weight.
The result? Stronger, shinier hair that looks and feels both healthier and has more body.
The formula is also paraben-, phthalate- and sulfate-free, and it’s vegan, with no synthetic colors or fragrances added.
Why We Like It: Smells delicious, and is an all-natural and chemical-free formula
Phillip Adam Fragrance Free Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioner
This natural formula contains no parabens, dyes, silicones, sulfates, or nasty preservatives – and it’s cruelty-free and vegan.
It will also work to minimize frizz and fly-aways, thereby helping to reduce static – without stripping your hair of any moisture.
The formula is lightweight but also helps to balance your pH levels, ensuring your scalp and strands stay oil-free for as long as possible.
It’s safe for all hair types and will boost your hair’s bounce and moisture without weighing it down.
There’s also an apple cider vinegar conditioner with a light apple scent if you’d prefer a fragranced option.
Why We Like It: Natural ingredients combine to cleanse and balance your hair’s oil
Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue Conditioner
Vitamins B5, C, and E combine in this formula to boost your hair’s mineral levels and add serious nourishment without weighing down your strands.
Designed to be used by all hair types, tea tree, lavender, rosemary, and geranium essential oils all combine to ensure your scalp and hair is as healthy as possible.
The formula is also great for those who suffer from itchy or sensitive scalps, and hydrolyzed soy protein will add a glossy finish to your strands whilst strengthening them.
This formula is also free of many chemical nasties like silicones and parabens and is also cruelty-free.
Why We Like It: Offers relief for sensitive scalps whilst purifying strands
Truss Equilibrium Conditioner
This conditioner is designed to refine and rebalance oily hair, restoring softness and strength without adding weight.
Say goodbye to excess oil at your roots and healthy, smoothed ends as this conditioner hydrates and balances your natural pH.
Argan and avocado oil moisturize whilst proteins like keratin help to strengthen your cuticles, restoring nutrients to your hair without adding any grease.
Why We Like It: Smells delicious and is great for daily use
Oribe Serene Scalp Balancing Conditioner
Yes, it’s on the pricier side, but if you’re after one of the best, most luxurious conditioners for oily hair, this has to top the list.
It will calm and soothe your scalp, nourishing your strands and helping make tangles and frizz more manageable.
Your locks will feel quenched and silky smooth thanks to the nourishing shea butter.
Acacia tree extract works to balance your scalp’s moisture levels, and biotin and quinoa add protein to strengthen your hair.
The smell is delicious, and it’s formulated without sulfates and is cruelty free.
Why We Like It: A luxurious conditioner to add nourishment without weight
Benefits Of Using Conditioner For Oily Hair
Scalp Moisture And Health
As discussed, sebum is essential to the overall balance and health of your scalp and strands.
It adds a necessary barrier between your skin and environmental hazards or harsh products, helping to prevent infection and maintain moisture.
Reduces Risk Of Dandruff
If you have oily hair, you’re actually more likely to suffer from dandruff than someone with dryer strands. Why?
Excess sebum production will disrupt the acid mantle of your scalp. This will allow microorganisms to grow, which might in turn result in dandruff.
Hair Health And Shine
There’s a reason conditioner is so important in a haircare routine: it will keep your locks looking their best.
Conditioner is designed to deeply nourish, balance, and hydrate hair, sealing its cuticles and maximizing its strength, elasticity, and bounce.
Why would you ever want to deny your strands that?
How Often Should You Condition Oily Hair?
You know best how quickly your hair becomes greasy. If you work out a lot, it’ll get oilier faster; if you’re going through a hormonal fluctuation, it may also get greasy sooner.
You are therefore the best person to gauge how often to condition oily hair.
Generally speaking, you should condition oily hair a few times a week. Whether that’s twice or four times is up to you – and your hair.
Disclaimer: This site is not intended to provide professional or medical advice. All of the content on LovedByCurls.com is for informational purposes only. All advice should be followed at your own discretion. Ingredients may change at any time so always check the product label before using. Check our full disclaimer policy here.
