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While there are many causes of an oily scalp, including genetics, stress, and styling habits, there are simple ways to manage it. Start by finding the right product. It’s easy to grab the first bottle you see in the bath aisle, but remember that some products contain harsh ingredients like sulfates and silicones that can make the problem worse. Luckily, my team has already covered the best shampoos for oily hair, so now it’s time to focus on conditioners. Whether you’re looking for the best-smelling formula, like Briogeo Superfood Control & Balancing Conditioner, or the best overall, like Paul Mitchell Special Tea Tree Conditioner, we’ve rounded up 11 of the best conditioners for oily hair.
A glance at the best conditioners for oily hair
Meet Our Experts
How to Choose the Best Conditioner for Oily Hair
We asked PureWow editors to tell us their favorite conditioners for oily hair. We also consulted hair stylists and scalp experts to share the top products their clients use consistently. From there, we dug deep into each product’s key ingredients, scents, and reviews. Our main goal was to find conditioners that reduce sebum production, strengthen hair, and prevent oily hair. Read on to find out which ones we chose.
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Ulta Beauty
Highly praised by reviewers and experts alike, this is my overall pick for the best conditioner for oily skin. Here’s why: Oily skin can lead to irritation, dandruff, and greasy hair, and this Paul Mitchell conditioner tackles all of these issues in one bottle. Ingredients like tea tree, peppermint, and lavender oil instantly refresh and cool your scalp, while the botanical blend helps detangle, smooth, and soften hair.
$20 at Ulta
$27, $24 on iherb
Super Zero
If you’re looking for a more sustainable product, check out this conditioner bar. According to the brand, one bar is the equivalent of two bottles of liquid conditioner, so you can save money and time before you need to refill. It’s formulated with vegan keratin and plant-derived hemisqualane to boost shine, smoothness, and tame frizz. It also contains caffeine extract to increase circulation and prevent hair loss, and bond-strengthening technology to strengthen hair and reduce breakage. For Associate SEO Editor Marissa Wu, this conditioner is a daily must-have. “I love that the brand is clean, and the packaging is minimal and recyclable. Both the shampoo bar and conditioner bar were very effective and I found them to be just as good as regular liquid conditioners. You definitely have to get used to the solid version, but the conditioner is easy to apply, especially for fine, thin hair.”
$28 at Sephora
$28 for revolve
Sephora
Vegamour is a PW favorite, and this revitalizing conditioner tops the list. Thanks to its nutrient-rich formula, this conditioner is perfect for fine, thin hair. It contains Calamatin, a vegan keratin alternative known for repairing hair cuticles and adding shine to silky, smooth locks. The formula also contains red clover and mung bean to nourish the scalp and thicken hair, as well as an oil blend for extra moisture. Fashion editor Abby Hepworth says, “I love Vegamour. My hair is very fine and gets oily very quickly. Other conditioners definitely seem to speed up the process, but Vegamour doesn’t. It leaves my hair feeling hydrated and healthy without weighing it down.”
$48 at Sephora
$48 at vegamour
Sephora
I don’t know about you, but finding a conditioner that smells heavenly and keeps my hair hydrated while reducing sebum production is a godsend for me. Packed with vitamins and minerals from papaya enzymes, mango extract, and cherry extract, the formula aims to keep hair healthy, hydrated, and oily. But according to assistant editor Delia Curtis, it’s the fruity scent that’s best for shower time. “My hair is really thick and tends to get oily really quickly, especially when I sweat. It also doesn’t help that I have a bad habit of always running my hands through my hair (which I’m working on improving!) But with Briogeo, I’ve noticed that it helps delay my hair getting oily in between washes. With a thick texture, it returns my hair to a happy neutral color without any excess oil, leaving it feeling balanced, refreshed, and super healthy. It also smells amazing, like nothing I’ve ever smelled before. “The mango and cherry combination is unexpected and so unique,” they say.
$30 at Sephora
$30 at Ulta
Quik
This conditioner has one purpose: to remove excess oils and improve the look of your hair without the need for shampoo. This co-wash works to cleanse the scalp and condition it at the same time. Nourishing ingredients like bamboo water, honey, aloe vera, and coconut oil target damaged areas and combat an oily scalp. Wu wholeheartedly recommends this conditioner, saying, “It’s so rich and creamy that it’s great for dry or color-damaged ends. It’s a cleansing conditioner, so no shampoo is needed. I like to apply it to the mid-sections and ends of my hair, especially when I want to restore moisture after heat styling.”
$58, $46 at QVC
target
Function of Beauty is known for customizing your routine for every hair type and texture, so it’s no surprise that their conditioner is an editor favorite. “It’s one of the best pre-made customized conditioners out there; it’s affordable and you can throw in a ton of mix-ins to address different hair goals,” says Wu. The conditioner is formulated with avocado oil, which locks in moisture and maintains oil secretion. As mentioned above, the brand recommends making the conditioner your own by adding booster shots like “The Shine Queen,” which boosts natural shine, and “The Frizz Genius,” which tame frizz and flyaways.
$10 at Target
$10 at Function of Beauty
Derm Store
Founder Philip B. recommends the conditioner to combat oily hair. If you suffer from an itchy scalp caused by oil buildup, this blend has a cooling, tingling sensation that soothes and calms the scalp. He says, “My clients with oily scalps love using both the shampoo and conditioner, as the peppermint oil and menthol in the formula cleanse the scalp and reduce oiliness.” It also contains botanical extracts (like safflower oleosomes) for conditioning, and vitamin E to add bounce to flat hair. He recommends gently massaging the product into your hair and leaving it on for three to five minutes before rinsing.
$42 at Dermstore
$48 at Philip B
Amazon
Salon owner Carvacante recommends the Truss Equilibrium Conditioner to all his clients with oily or damaged hair. “This conditioner deeply conditions hair and repairs damage while controlling oil. The formula is suitable for those with a variety of hair concerns as it restores scalp balance and improves hair health,” he says. Moisturizing ingredients (like amino acids and proteins) restore hair softness, repair split ends, and target damaged hair, while ingredients (like keratin and citric acid) fight an oily scalp. For best results, apply after shampooing and leave on for two minutes.
$31 on Amazon
$30, $25 at Walmart
Amazon
Carvacante also recommends this nourishing conditioner to reduce greasiness and bring back volume to flat hair. The formula is infused with guar extract, a hair ingredient commonly used to detangle and soften hair. It also contains green tea and lime extracts for added volume and volume. “This vegan conditioner focuses on adding volume while keeping oil at bay. It’s lightly moisturizing without weighing hair down. Plus, it’s effective at adding volume to thin, oily hair and maintaining a fresh, non-greasy look,” adds Carvacante.
$31 on Amazon
Amazon
Dr. Doshi recommends this affordable product that’s effective and under $10. The silicone-free formula is praised for its ability to balance oily scalps. It’s infused with three types of refined clays that clear up oily roots and hydrate ends between shampoos. One reviewer shares how this product completely changed her shampooing habits: “I wish I’d found this years ago! My hair is so oily I can’t go more than a day without washing it. But after using this product for the first time, my hair is noticeably less oily! I’ve used it a couple of times and I’m still seeing great results. Very happy!”
$10 on Amazon
$8 at Walmart
Sephora
If you’re familiar with Living Proof’s dry shampoo, you’ll love adding this conditioner to your hair washing routine. Hairstylist Mitchell Ramazon chose this Perfect Hair Day pick for its light weight and ability to balance oil production. Key ingredients include hemisqualane, which seals the cuticle; sugar beet derivatives, which moisturize hair and reduce frizz; and esters (a combination of carboxylic acids and alcohols), which promise to detangle and increase shine over time.
$34 at Sephora
$34 at Ulta
How to Choose the Right Conditioner for Oily Hair
What causes oily hair?
We asked experts about some of the most common reasons why we struggle with oily hair, and here’s what they had to say:
12 best shampoos for oily hair, carefully selected by stylists
Why you should trust us
PureWow editors and writers have been shopping online for over a decade, scouring sales, and thoroughly vetting home, beauty, and health products — all to help you determine what’s worth your hard-earned money. From our PureWow100 series (which ranks items out of 100) to curated lists for fashion, beauty, cooking, home, and family, you can trust that our picks are thoroughly vetted for function, beauty, and innovation. Whether you’re looking for a travel-sized hair dryer to take on the go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
