As a lifelong member of the oily hair club, I know how tough it is to find a conditioner that nourishes your locks without making them limp or greasy.
After lots of trial and error (and money down the drain), I’ve finally found the best conditioners for oily hair. Here are my top picks!
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At a glance
- Best Overall: Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioner
- Best for Fine Hair: Monday Hair Care Volume Conditioner
- Best for Frizz & Color-Treated Hair: GK Hair Balancing Conditioner
- Best for Itchy Scalp: Maple Holistics Tea Tree Oil Conditioner
- Best Conditioner Bar: Ethique Conditioner Bar
- Best for Stressed Hair: Acure Daily Workout Conditioner
- Best Bang for Buck: ecoLove Conditioner
1. Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioner
Best Overall
One look at the star ingredients of this Aveeno Conditioner and I was sold! Apple cider vinegar is known to cut through product buildup and rebalance your scalp’s pH.
To be honest, I was expecting some pungent vinegar smell. Instead, it had this crisp, refreshing whiff of apples. Not what I anticipated, but in the best way possible!
It detangles hair without leaving behind any icky residue. Despite being super nourishing, it never once felt heavy or greasy on my fine, oily tresses. It absorbs right in and rinses out easily.
Pros:
- Gentle on scalp
- pH-balanced
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Dye-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons:
- Couldn’t find any!
2. Monday Hair Care Volume Conditioner
Best for Fine Hair
Say hello to an affordable luxury that makes my fine hair happy every day of the week!
I love how the Monday Hair Care Volume Conditioner smooths the knots while bringing my flat hair to vivacious volume and bounce.
And I have to give Monday props for being cruelty-free (certified by PETA, no less!) and using those cute, recyclable pink bottles.
And the ginger and vitamin blend? A dream for oily-haired babes!
Pros:
- Volumizing
- Lightweight
- All-natural ingredients
- Dermatologically-tested
- Recyclable packaging
Cons:
- Does little to damaged or dyed hair
3. GK Hair Balancing Conditioner
Best for Frizz and Color-Treated Hair
I’ve tried my fair share of conditioners that promise to tame frizz and add shine but end up weighing down my strands. But not this one!
I also love that the GK Hair Balancing Conditioner is safe for color-treated and keratin-treated hair. The high-quality, sulfate-free formula definitely protects your highlights.
Even after heat styling, my hair maintains that just-blown-out softness instead of reverting to a frizzy mess. A little goes a long way, so one bottle lasts me months.
Pros:
- Nourishing
- Frizz-taming
- Color-protecting
- Anti-aging
- pH balance-restoring
Cons:
- A bit pricey
4. Maple Holistics Tea Tree Oil Conditioner
Best for Itchy Scalp
Dealing with itchiness, irritation, or dandruff? I can’t recommend this Maple Holistics Tea Tree Oil Conditioner enough!
It fights tangles, adds shine, and calms my angry scalp like nothing else I’ve tried. Plus, that invigorating minty scent is pure bliss!
I also appreciate that this is formulated with great care using natural, botanical ingredients. No harsh chemicals stripping my hair!
The only downside is I seem to go through it a little quicker than expected. But for finally finding relief from my scalp issues, it’s all worth it!
Pros:
- Clarifying
- Hydrating
- Minty smell
- No fillers or additives
- Hypoallergenic
Cons:
- Not for color-treated hair
5. Ethique Conditioner Bar
Best Conditioner Bar
This compact solid conditioner from Ethique packs some serious nourishing power.
But beyond the performance, Ethique uses ethically sourced ingredients that are also vegan and cruelty-free.
And the fact that this bar is completely plastic-free and compostable? A winner all around!
The creamy, coconut-scented lather it makes is divine. It’s a pleasant, subtle fragrance compared to most liquid conditioners, not cloying at all!
It lasts forever too – seriously, one bar goes as far as multiple bottles of regular conditioner! An easy 5-star product for me.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Long-lasting
- Compostable packaging
- Certified vegan
- Eco-friendly
Cons:
- Not for curly hair – instead, discover the best deep conditioners for curly hair
6. Acure Daily Workout Conditioner
Best for Stressed Hair
I thought I’d never find a good conditioner that could keep up with my active lifestyle. Alas, my quest bore fruit, literally. Presenting Acure Daily Workout Watermelon Conditioner!
First off, the watermelon and blood orange scent is like a mini tropical vacation for my sweaty post-workout hair. The best part? It’s perfect for oily roots, too!
The formula is so gentle and lightweight yet so hardworking. It nourishes the hair while providing enough slip to work through tangles.
If you’re mindful about using clean ingredients, Acure has none of those questionable additives.
Pros:
- Hydrating
- Gentle formula
- Sulfate-free
- 100% vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons:
- Contains alcohol
7. ecoLove Conditioner
Best Bang for Your Buck
This ecoLove Conditioner stays true to its name; it checks all the ethical boxes! The 95% naturally derived formula with essential oils and Dead Sea minerals feels pure and nourishing.
But what really won me over was how insanely soft, smooth, and manageable this conditioner left my hair feeling. My locks felt healthier but still had beautiful movement and body.
It has such a pure, natural scent that lingers ever-so-lightly in my hair after rinsing.
Pros:
- Moisturizing
- Organic
- Compact packaging
- No SLS and parabens
- Cruelty-free
Cons:
- Scent can be overpowering
Final Thoughts
That wraps up my best conditioners for oily hair! I hope you find a new holy grail from this list! Let me know any of your favorites in the comments.