8 Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos For Oily Hair In 2023
Save your hair from the drying properties of sulfate and try these innovative shampoos instead.
Lindsay LooCosmetologist
Expertise: Coloring
Experience: 10 years
Lindsay Loo is a cosmetologist who has spent 10 years behind the chair in a storied salon in Chelsea. She is a certified Wella Master Color Expert and also has experience backstage at New York Fashion Week. She has a private studio and love... more
Shiboli ChakrabortiCertified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 4 years
Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce edito... more
Arshiya SyedaCertified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Beauty & Lifestyle, Health & Wellness
Experience: 7 years
Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articl... more
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A sulfate-free shampoo for oily hair may seem utopian or even downright ineffective, but it exists and it works. Yes, sulfates are known widely as a prominent ingredient in hair care products, especially those that work as cleansers, like shampoos. And they are extremely effective in removing oil and build-up of hair product remnants from the scalp and the hair, which is exactly what people with oily hair need, right? But, there’s a catch! Sulfates can be too harsh and strip away the natural oils that protect and moisturize your hair follicles, resulting in dry, rough, frizzy, and prone to breakage. They can also (though it may sound unbelievable) contribute to dandruff and acne!
This is why sulfate-free shampoos are on the rise. Read on to know more about the 8 best sulfate-free shampoos for oily hair that can eliminate excess oil and build-up from the scalp but not strip it dry. Some of the shampoos are not tested on animals and are vegan too.
Sulfates tend to strip the hair’s natural oils, leaving them rough, dry and brittle, and more damage-prone. Sulfates can also contribute to dandruff and hairline acne. Keeping this (and the increasing demand) in mind, we have prepared this list of the 8 best sulfate-free shampoos for oily hair.
In This Article
Top 8 Best Sulfate Free Shampoo For Oily Hair In 2023
1. Best For Oily Scalp:Maple Holistics Degrease Moisture Control Shampoo
Image: Maple Holistics On the top of our list is this Maple Holistics clarifying shampoo that rebalances oily hair, provides the required scalp care, and cleanses without stripping off natural moisture. It contains essential oils to promote circulation and growth of thick hair. It revitalizes oily roots with a blend of lemon, cypress, rosemary, and basil oil. This shampoo refreshes your hair by removing dulling impurities, giving you volume and radiance — a dream come true for every oily-haired person.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Refreshing result
- Revitalizing shampoo
- Non-stripping shampoo
- Contains natural ingredients
- Moisturizing and regenerating
- Volumizing formula
- Reduces frizz
- Removes impurities
Cons
- It may not be best suited for colored hair.
Remember2. Best For All Hair Types:Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo
Image: Aveeno This moisturizing shampoo is an all-rounder when it comes to hair care. Ideal for all hair types, this dermatologist-recommended shampoo assists in renewing the health of your hair. This Aveeno sulfate-free shampoo leaves your hair bouncy and full of life after each wash. Instead of sulfates, this scientifically proven formula uses naturally derived cleansers to get rid of impurities without over-stripping the natural oils of your hair. Infused with seaweed extract, this shampoo formula is rich in vitamins, proteins, and minerals. Take a look at this video detailing a tester’s experience of using the product.
Pros
- Dermatologist-recommended
- Adds volume
- Purifying formula
- Ideal for oily hair
- Gentle on color-treated hair
- Gentle and natural cleansing formula
- Makes hair more manageable for styling
Cons
- The scent may be too strong for some.
3. Best Anti-Dandruff:Lemon Sage Oily Hair Shampoo
Image: Honeydewproducts This tea-tree and rosemary-infused formula is specially made for our oily-haired folks. It gets rid of excess oil, helps with hair and scalp detox, and reduces sebum secretion to balance your hair’s natural oiliness. It deeply cleans your pores to make your hair look thicker and adds more volume. The natural ingredients in this formula, namely tea-tree oil, sage, argan oil, and rosemary, collectively soothe an itchy scalp. The shampoo also fights signs of dandruff and strengthens hair strands.
Pros
- Fortifies hair
- Anti-dandruff
- Soothing formula
- Gentle on color-treated hair
- Promotes cell growth
- Plant-based
- Soothes an itchy scalp
Cons
- It may take a long time to show results.
| Best For Oily Scalp | Best For All Hair Types | Best Anti-Dandruff | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Maple Holistics Degrease Moisture Control Shampoo | Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo | Lemon Sage Oily Hair Shampoo |
| Hair Type | Oily | All,Color Treated,Chemically Treated | Oily, Color Treated, Curly, Normal, Damaged |
| Dimensions | 2.4 x 2 x 8.1 inches | 1.94 x 1.94 x 8.6 inches | 7 x 1.7 x 7.25 inches |
| Weight | 1 Pounds | 13.07 Ounces | 8 Ounces |
| Rating* | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.2 |
| Reviews | 3,150 | 2,562 | 620 |
| Price | $21.95 | $11.98 | $12.95 |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
4. Best Vegan:Tree To Tub Soapberry For Hair
Image: Tree To Tub This Tree To Tub product uses nature’s lather machine, the wild soapberry, for a lather filled hair-washing experience, ensuring that a little product goes a long way in achieving desired results. Enriched with peppermint, this product ensures that your hair maintains its natural pH level of 5.5. It also contains creamy coconut cleansers, organic Moroccan argan oil, aloe vera, and so on! Make a list of all the healthy things your grandmother asked you to put in your hair – and this shampoo probably has it all. It is also suitable for greasy hair after a keratin treatment. You may check more about this product in this video detailing a reviewer’s experience of using it.
Pros
- Anti-irritant
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Dermatologist recommended
- Free from toxins, gluten, and fragrance
Cons
- It may not help control extreme dandruff.
5. Best pH-Balanced:TBH Kids Shampoo For Oily Hair
Image: Tbh If kids were in charge of their shopping, they’d buy this product just because of its packaging. No joke! This TBH (which is short for, To Be Honest) product has a gentle formula that cleanses and nourishes your hair with one pump of the dispenser. This shampoo is packed with nourishing ingredients like cedar bar, sage, and nettle that help cleanse the hair and scalp, control sebum production, and maintain the natural pH balance of the scalp. It is free of harsh chemicals and common allergens such as soy, gluten, and nuts.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- pH balanced formula
- BPA-free
- Gluten-free
- Dairy-free
- Suitable for teens
Cons
- It may not be suitable for all hair types.
6. Best Color-Safe:Saragan Activated Charcoal Shampoo
If you haven’t been living under a rock, we are confident that you have heard all the rave about activated charcoal. This unique formula combines premium natural oils such as argan, avocado, jojoba, almond, and coconut oils with activated charcoal allowing it to deep cleanse your hair while giving it a smoothening effect. The charcoal has proven efficacy in getting rid of unwanted oils, chemicals, product build-up, and polluting toxins. The Moroccan oil, botanical keratin, and other natural ingredients in the shampoo soften and strengthen your hair. It is ideal for all hair types and helps in bringing damaged hair back to life.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Provides deep cleansing
- Ideal for all hair types
- Color-safe shampoo for oily hair
- Enriched with natural oils
Cons
- Some users may find the scent to be too strong.
Quick Tip7. Best Nourishing:Nature’s Craft Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
Image: Buywow This apple cider vinegar shampoo helps balance your hair’s pH levels to encourage an ideal and healthy environment for hair growth, volume, softness, and luster. It contains jojoba extracts that moisturize the hair thoroughly. It is vitamin E rich and helps in hydrating and strengthening your precious mane. The patchouli oil in this formula not only boosts your mood but also promotes follicle and overall scalp health. This shampoo is safe for color-treated hair allowing everyone to enjoy its benefits.
Pros
- Ideal for all hair types
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan shampoo for oily hair
- Paraben-free
- Energizes the scalp and nourishes hair
Cons
- Some may find it slightly greasy.
Did You Know?8. Best Lightweight Formula:Privé Amp Up Shampoo
Image: Prive In this beautiful bottle comes a sulfate-free formula that will make your hair look as good as the bottle. This shampoo offers overall fullness and incredible shine control without the oiliness you are desperate to get rid of. Infused with the goodness of guava, passion fruit, and pea extracts, this weightless formula is specially made for fine and thin hair to allow it to regain its body, moisture, shine, and brightness without weighing it down. It also contains a mixture of vital proteins and antioxidants.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Antioxidant-rich
- Weightless formula
- Ideal for thin and fine hair
- Aids in color pigment protection
- Contains vital proteins and antioxidants
Cons
- Slightly expensive
This brings us to the end of our list of the best 8 sulfate-free shampoos for oily hair. You know all the best products out there now, but the big question still remains — how to choose the right sulfate-free shampoo for your oily hair? This buying guide is here to help you with exactly that. While selecting a sulfate-free shampoo from our list, keep the following things in mind.
How To Buy The Right Sulfate-Free Shampoo For Oily Hair
Sebum production
If your primary and only concern is oiliness, look for products that maintain the pH balance of your scalp and hair. Oiliness is caused due to excessive sebum production. Excessive sebum production can be caused due to several reasons, including the stripping of natural oils, which is why it is important to have a moisturizing hair shampoo that cleanses at the same time. Keep an eye out for ‘’sebum control” shampoos.
Allergies
Some people have severe nut or gluten allergies, and if you are one of them, select products that are nut and gluten-free. Also keep an eye out for products that are free of dairy and fragrance. Look for the words “hypoallergenic”, “dermatologist-tested”, and “anti-irritant”.
Lather
Most sulfate-free shampoos will lather less than other traditional shampoos. Thankfully, our list contains products that can naturally develop lather without an issue. Lather allows you to use less product and achieve the same results. This is ideal for our long-haired readers who cannot be expected to use gallon worth of non-lather-forming shampoo during each wash.
Infographic: A Guide To Shampoos: Ingredients To Avoid & Shampooing Tips For Oily Hair
Shampooing oily hair might be tricky! You must know the correct way to shampoo your tresses while keeping your scalp safe from unwanted scratching and scrubbing. Also, not every shampoo has ingredients suitable for your hair. This infographic will guide you about the right shampooing method and ingredients to avoid in a shampoo. Scroll down to check out! Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
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The Bottom Line
Finally, this concludes our list of the 8 best sulfate-free shampoos of 2023. Use the buying guide to decide your requirements and make your selection! Use the product a few times to allow your hair to acclimatize to the new sulfate-free formula, and watch your hair become healthier and happier without toxins! Always read reviews to pick a suitable product! Lindsay Loo, a cosmetologist, says, “The transition from sulfates to sulfate-free shampoo can be painful. Be patient with the process. Allow 30 days for your hair to adjust to your new sulfate-free routine.” Finding the best sulfate-free shampoo for an oily scalp may feel like hard work, but once you find that special magic potion, your hair will thank you every day. The Maple Holistics Degrease Moisture Control Shampoo is a cruelty-free option that stimulates hair growth, while the Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo is ideal for color-treated hair. But if you are looking for a gluten and nut-free option that helps maintain your scalp pH, try the TBH Kids Shampoo For Oily Hair. We hope that we have helped you in your quest to find the best sulfate-free shampoo for oily hair.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Medha Deb, is a hair care enthusiast who actively reviews hair care products. She has carefully browsed through online reviews and considered choosing these sulfate-free shampoos for her readers with oily hair. Not only are these shampoos best in moisturizing your hair, but are also useful in adding volume and reducing frizz.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are sulfate-free shampoos good for oily hair?
A powerful cleansing sulfate-free shampoo is a healthier alternative to shampoos that contain sulfate due to the lack of toxins. However, it is important to keep two things in mind. Firstly, oily hair is more tolerant of the ripping effect of sulfate. Secondly, not all sulfate-free shampoos are free of toxins, they are merely free of one commonly found toxin.
Do sulfate-free shampoos cause hair to become greasy?
Sulfate-free shampoos that contain mild cleansing agents are bound to leave your oily hair grease. However, lucky for you, all the products listed in our list contain strong cleaners and are therefore ideal for our oily-haired readers.
Are sulfate-free shampoos good for an oily scalp?
A sulfate-free shampoo that helps maintain the pH of the scalp or does not over-moisturize or strip the hair’s natural oils is good for the scalp.
How do you use a sulfate-free shampoo to remove oil?
Instead of using sulfate, a chemical detergent cleaner, sulfate-free shampoos use natural or alternative cleansers. Commonly found and used natural cleansers are lime, tea-tree, rosemary, soapberry, and activated charcoal. Do look for a detergent-free shampoo as well.
Why does sulfate-free shampoo make my hair feel like straw?
All shampoos contain cleansers that can remove oil from your strands to some extent. The oil-stripping nature of sulfate-free shampoos is much less severe than that of sulfate-based shampoos. If you still feel your hair is dry, it could be because it’s lacking moisture naturally. Repair your hair dryness using a deep conditioner or hair mask.
Do sulfate-free shampoos cause hair loss for oily hair?
No, sulfate-free shampoos don’t cause hair loss if you have oily hair; instead, it cleans away all the oil, dirt, and grease from your hair and makes it squeaky clean.
What happens when you switch to sulfate-free shampoo?
When you switch to sulfate-free shampoo you will feel your scalp getting cleaner and smoother. However, during a transition period of 3 weeks, you may feel that your scalp is not as clean as you would expect. This is because your hair takes some time to get used to the new routine.
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