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How to Make the Best Shampoo for Oily Hair
February 2, 2026
Oily hair, or excess sebum production, is frustrating and embarrassing because it can cause hair to look unwashed and dirty, not to mention limp and lifeless. Luckily, there are natural ways to eliminate oily hair, and it may be easier than you think. The ingredients for the right shampoo for oily hair to keep your scalp clean may be sitting right in your cupboard!
What causes oily hair in the first place? Oily hair can be due to overactive oil glands, unbalanced hormones or even your diet.
Additionally, excessive scrubbing can cause the scalp to be irritated and create more oil production. Too many washes can do the same.
It’s best to get the oil production under control, as it can cause psoriasis and dandruff.
While you don’t want to leave your hair sweaty after a workout, try to plan so that you wash your hair no more than once a day. For some, trying an apple cider vinegar for hair rinse could be useful in keeping the hair pH balanced and assist in managing those oil glands.
In any case, it’s best to use a shampoo for oily hair that is free of harsh chemicals and preservatives. This DIY shampoo for oily hair may be the perfect blend of effective, natural ingredients that can give you fuller, oil-free hair and allow you to wash less frequently.
Key ingredients
Here are the main players in this homemade shampoo for oil hair recipe:
Green clay
Green clay, also known as French green clay, is a type of mineral clay that contains highly absorbent properties, which is why it is great for eliminating oily hair problems. It’s a bio-mineral, composed of both decomposed plant material and trace minerals, such as calcium, aluminum, magnesium, silica, phosphorus, copper and zinc.
Green tea
Green tea is amazing because of the antioxidants it contains. It is great for controlling dandruff and psoriasis and contains beneficial vitamins, such as vitamins C, D, E and B5.
Green tea also stimulates hair follicles and thus can aid in hair growth and possibly reduce hair loss.
Castile soap
Castile soap is great because it’s plant-based, all-natural and chemical-free. This gives it the ability to provide healing qualities.
It can be beneficial for oily hair because it’s a gentle, plant-based cleanser that effectively removes excess oil, buildup and product residue without harsh synthetic detergents. Made from natural oils like olive oil, it helps cleanse the scalp while maintaining a healthier balance so hair feels clean and refreshed, not overly stripped, which can otherwise trigger even more oil production.
Honey
Honey is a natural humectant. It helps make the hair soft and shiny and fights off bacteria at the same time.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) provides useful pH balancing effects. Meanwhile, the acids and enzymes found in ACV can also kill oil-making bacteria.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is amazing for many reasons, but specifically for hair it helps unclog sebum that may block the hair follicles. This essential oil also helps fight bacterial and fungal infections that may occur, and it can help remove excess oil and dirt particles.
How to make shampoo for oily hair
Let’s start preparing this shampoo for oily hair recipe!
In a small bowl, combine the green clay and green tea, and blend well.
Next, add the Castile soap. Once you have added the Castile soap, mix thoroughly with the clay and green tea.
Now, let’s add the honey and apple cider vinegar. Make sure to blend all the ingredients.
Once blended, add the water, and mix well. Make sure to use pure water to avoid any bacteria and chemicals.
Lastly, blend the tea tree oil into your mixture.
Once all ingredients have been blended, it’s best to use a food-grade BPA-free plastic bottle or a dark glass bottle or jar with a tight-fitting lid to keep light from affecting its beneficial properties. To apply, simply shampoo as normal and rinse.
Though you may not need it, you can make this homemade conditioner recipe to use as well.
To store, you may want to keep it in the fridge since there are not any preservatives.
More DIY hair care recipes
In addition to this homemade shampoo for oil hair, along with the homemade hair conditioner and ACV for hair rinse recipes mentioned already, here are some more DIY recipes to use on your hair:
- Baking soda shampoo
- Lavender and rosemary hair detangler
- Honey citrus shampoo
- Lavender and rosemary hair spray
How to Make the Best Shampoo for Oily Hair
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: 6 uses 1x
Description
The ingredients for the right shampoo for oily hair to keep your scalp clean may be sitting right in your cupboard! Try this homemade recipe today.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon green clay
- 6 teaspoons strongly brewed organic green tea, cooled
- 2 tablespoon liquid Castile soap
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 2 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
- 10 to 12 drops tea tree essential oil
- 4 ounces pure water
Instructions
- Combine the green clay and green tea and blend well.
- Add the Castile soap and blend again.
- Now, add the honey and apple cider vinegar and continue blending until well mixed. The mixture will likely be a bit thick at this point.
- Add the pure water and the tea tree essential oil. Blend until all ingredients are mixed and smooth.
- Place in a BPA-free bottle or glass container for storage.
- Store in the fridge up to 3 weeks.
- Category: Hair Care
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