CHOOSE 2 GIFTS ON ORDERS OVER £70 WITH CODE: FREEGIFTS
UK
Stores
Toggle Nav
Basket
Switch Country

Balancing Shampoos
for Oily & Greasy Hair

Displaying: 9 Items
FILTER BY
Hair Type
Hair Length
Hair Profile
SORT BY
Relevance
Lowest price
Highest price
per page
  1. Moisture Balancing Combination Shampoo

    Moisture Balancing
    Combination Shampoo

    Re-balances medium hair, and longer processed hair
    £12.50 - £76.00
  4. Flaky/Itchy Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

    Flaky/Itchy Scalp
    Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

    Refreshes, soothes and comforts the scalp
    £14.50 - £84.00

An oily scalp is a sebaceous gland issue. The sebaceous glands sit at the root of every hair follicle and produce sebum, which keeps the scalp and hair naturally moisturised and protected. When these glands are overactive, sebum accumulates faster than it can distribute along the hair shaft, leaving roots greasy while ends may remain dry.

Genetics is the primary driver of sebum production, but hormonal fluctuations, stress, diet, and climate can all increase output. Over-washing strips the scalp, which responds by increasing sebum production in compensation, so the more often you wash with a harsh formula, the greasier it gets. The goal is to find a frequency and formula that cleanses effectively without triggering that compensatory response.

The Moisture Balancing Combination Shampoo was developed specifically for combination hair, an oily scalp with drier mid-lengths and ends,  one of the most common hair types our Trichologists treat. It controls oil at the scalp through thorough but gentle cleansing, while conditioning agents protect the lengths from drying out. The result is hair that feels fresh at the roots and healthy throughout, rather than the squeaky-clean brittleness that harsh shampoos produce.

Technique matters as much as formula. Apply shampoo directly to the scalp rather than the lengths, massage with fingertips not nails, and rinse thoroughly, product residue on the scalp stimulates further sebum production. Conditioning products should go on from the mid-lengths down, never at the roots.

For scalps that are oily with concurrent flaking, seborrhoeic dermatitis, a common, manageable condition, is a likely cause. The Flaky/Itchy Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo addresses both the excess sebum and the fungal component that drives flaking. A Trichologist consultation can help identify whether an underlying hormonal or nutritional factor is contributing to persistent oiliness.

 

Why does my hair get oily so quickly after washing?

Rapid oiliness usually means the sebaceous glands are overactive, often compounded by shampoos that strip the scalp's natural oils. The scalp responds to over-stripping by producing more sebum. A gentle, balancing shampoo used consistently will help regulate production over four to six weeks.

Should I wash oily hair every day?

Daily washing can manage oil short-term, but it can sustain the oil-strip cycle. With a balancing shampoo used correctly, most people find they can extend wash frequency over time. If daily washing is necessary, a gentle formula minimises the stripping effect.

What is combination hair?

Combination hair means an oily scalp with drier or normal lengths and ends, a very common pattern. Sebum is produced at the root and takes time to travel along the hair shaft; for longer hair, it may never reach the ends. Our Moisture Balancing Combination Shampoo is formulated precisely for this hair type.

Can stress cause oily hair?

Yes. Stress triggers the release of hormones including androgens, which increase sebum production. Managing stress alongside using a balancing shampoo can help reduce the frequency and severity of oiliness.

© 2026 Philip Kingsley Products Ltd. All rights reserved.