Best Shampoos for an Oily Scalp and Dry Ends (UK)

Experiencing the frustrating combination of greasy roots, but dry ends? You're definitely not alone. The best shampoo for an oily scalp and dry ends is a gentle, sulphate-free formula that you use on your scalp only, followed by conditioner on your mid-lengths and ends only. Our pick is the Cliphair Deep Moisture Shampoo, which gently removes product build-up and excess sebum (natural oil) while adding moisture. Below, you'll find four shampoos worth trying, plus the simple wash routine that stops you fixing one problem by making the other worse.

Why Is My Scalp Oily but My Ends Dry?

What "combination hair" means

Combination hair is oily at the roots but dry through the mid-lengths and ends. If you’re finding you’ve got an oily scalp with dry ends, have greasy roots with dry ends or your roots need a wash by day two while your ends feel rough or frizzy, then you’ve got combination hair. It's really common, especially on longer hair, and it's easy to manage once you know why it happens.

Why the oil never reaches your ends

Your scalp makes a natural oil called sebum to protect your hair, but it travels slowly down each strand. On long, curly, coloured, or heat-styled hair, it rarely makes it all the way down. So, if the biggest question on your mind is why is my scalp oily but my ends dry? It’s because your roots get greasy while your ends dry out, and that's why a greasy roots, dry ends combo is so common.

Habits that make both problems worse

A few everyday habits can make your roots oilier and your ends drier at the same time:

• Harsh shampoo all over your head. It strips the ends, and your scalp can respond by making more oil.
• Conditioner or oils at the roots. They weigh roots down and make them look greasy faster.
• Very hot water. It dries out your ends and can leave your scalp feeling oilier.
• Heavy styling products near the scalp. They build up and make roots look flat and greasy.
• Touching your hair a lot. Your fingers move oil and dirt straight onto your roots.
• Lots of heat on your ends. Straighteners and tongs dry out lengths that are already thirsty.

For more on the root side, read our guide on how to stop your hair from getting greasy.

What to Look For in a Shampoo for Oily Roots and Dry Ends

A gentle, sulphate-free cleanser

Strong sulphates are great at cleaning an oily scalp, but they also strip your lengths, which makes dry ends even drier. A gentle sulphate-free shampoo for an oily scalp cleans your roots without leaving your ends rough. Not sure what that means on a label? Our guide What Is Sulphate Free Shampoo? explains it.

Balancing ingredients for the scalp

Some shampoos made for oily scalps include ingredients such as clay, tea tree or nettle, which are used to soak up or balance excess oil. They can be a nice extra, but the most important thing is still a gentle formula and the right washing technique.

Light moisture, not heavy oils

You want a little hydration, so your ends don't suffer, but nothing so rich that it coats your roots. Heavy oils and waxes in a shampoo can leave greasy roots looking worse by the next morning.

What to skip

• Two-in-one shampoos. They put conditioner right where you don't want it, on your scalp.
• Very rich "repair" shampoos on your roots. Save the richness for your ends.
• Strong clarifying shampoo every wash. Clarifying is fine now and then, about once every few weeks, to clear build-up. Any more often and your ends will feel it. Want a gentler option? Try our recipe to make your own clarifying shampoo.

Best Shampoos for an Oily Scalp and Dry Ends (UK)

Here's a quick look at our four picks before we get into the details.

Best for extension wearers: Cliphair Deep Moisture Shampoo

Our Deep Moisture Shampoo is made for both human hair extensions and natural hair, which makes it our pick for the best shampoo for an oily scalp and dry ends in the UK. It's sulphate-free, gently removes product build-up and excess sebum, and adds moisture with shea butter, baobab seed oil and rice proteins, so your ends aren't left dry. It's 100% extension safe and works on every type of extension.

Good to know: pair it with the lightweight Deep Moisture Conditioner on your ends. Want to try before you commit? It also comes in a 15ml sachet. Shop the full Quench The Thirst range.

Best high-street pick: L'Oréal Elvive Extraordinary Clay Re-Balancing Shampoo

If you want the best shampoo for greasy roots and dry ends that you can grab with your weekly shop, this is a solid choice. The Elvive Extraordinary Clay Re-Balancing Shampoo is made specifically for oily roots and dry ends, using three refined clays in a silicone-free formula. It's easy to find in UK supermarkets and chemists, and it pairs with a matching conditioner from the same range.

Good to know: it isn't sulphate-free, so it's better suited to your own hair than to bonded or tape-in extensions. Always check the label for the latest ingredients.

Best salon pick: Kérastase Spécifique Bain Divalent

A long-standing salon favourite, Kérastase Spécifique Bain Divalent is designed to help oily roots stay fresher for longer while looking after sensitised lengths and ends. It's a good shout if you fancy treating yourself, and it's one of the best shampoos for oily roots and dry ends if you like a professional brand.

Good to know: its ingredients list includes sulphates, so check the label and talk to your specialist before using it on extensions.

Best for a gentle, plant-based option: Apivita Oily Roots & Dry Ends Shampoo

The name says it all. Apivita's Oily Roots & Dry Ends Shampoo is made for exactly this hair type, with nettle and propolis extracts to cleanse and balance the roots, plus honey and wheat protein to hydrate the ends. The brand describes it as ideal for long hair with oily roots, so it's worth a look if you prefer a more natural-leaning formula.

Good to know: UK stock can be patchy, so check stockists before you buy. Check the label too before using it on extensions.

How to Wash Greasy Roots and Condition Dry Ends

The right shampoo helps, but how you wash matters just as much. Here's how to wash oily roots and dry ends in three steps.

Step 1: Shampoo your scalp, not your ends

Work a small amount of shampoo into your scalp with your fingertips. When you rinse, let the suds run through your lengths, which is enough to clean them. If your roots are very oily, shampoo your scalp twice: the first wash lifts the oil, and the second actually cleans.

Step 2: Condition from mid-lengths to ends only

Squeeze out the excess water, then apply conditioner from about ear level down. Keep it off your scalp. Leave it on for a couple of minutes before rinsing. A lightweight option like our Deep Moisture Conditioner is ideal as a conditioner for dry ends and an oily scalp, because it hydrates without weighing hair down.

Step 3: Rinse well with lukewarm water

Very hot water can make your scalp produce more oil and dry out your ends. Rinse with lukewarm water until there's no slippy feel left near your roots, because leftover product makes roots look greasy faster.

Try reverse washing

Reverse washing means conditioner on your ends first, then shampoo on your scalp. It protects dry ends from the shampoo and stops heavy conditioner weighing your roots down. Our reverse shampoo guide walks you through it.

How often should you wash combination hair?

For most people, every two to three days works well. Washing every day with a harsh shampoo can make your scalp oilier and your ends drier. On the days in between, a little dry shampoo on your roots will keep you going.

How to Look After Dry Ends Between Washes

Use a hair mask on the ends once a week

Once a week, swap your conditioner for a mask. Our Deep Moisture Hair Mask goes on your mid-lengths and ends only, never your roots.

A light leave-in on the lengths only

A few sprays of our Moisturising Silky Hairspray on your lengths and ends adds shine and softness. It’s made to keep away from the roots, which makes it a perfect fit for combination hair.

Brush gently to spread the oil

Gentle brushing helps move a little natural oil from your roots down towards your ends. Start at the ends to detangle, then work your way up. A Detangling Hairbrush makes this easier. Just don't over-brush, or your roots will get greasier.

Keep your ends trimmed

Dry ends split more easily, and no shampoo can fix a split end. A regular trim or a hair dusting keeps them tidy. Find out more in Split Ends: Everything You Need To Know.

Dry shampoo on the roots, not the lengths

Dry shampoo for greasy roots is a handy fix between washes. Spray it at the roots only, leave it for a minute, then brush through. It's a quick refresh, not a swap for washing.

Oily Scalp and Dry Ends With Hair Extensions

Why this matters more with extensions

Oil and product build-up at the roots can make bonds and tapes slip. On top of that, extension hair doesn't get any natural oil from your scalp, so it can dry out even faster than your own ends. That's why the best shampoo for an oily scalp with extensions is a gentle, extension-safe one, used alongside a conditioner on the lengths. After more than 19 years of working with 100% Remy human hair, it's advice we give often.

Clip-ins and halos

With clip-in hair extensions and halos, take them out before you wash your own hair, so you can treat your scalp however it needs. Wash the extensions separately, only when they need it, using a gentle sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner. Our guide on how to wash clip in hair extensions takes you through it step by step.

Tape-ins, nano rings and other professional extensions

With professional hair extensions, shampoo your scalp gently between the bonds, keep conditioner, masks and oils well away from the bonds and tapes, and rinse thoroughly. About twice a week is a good rhythm for most people. Your hair extension specialist can advise on products and will handle any refits. For more, see how often you should wash hair extensions.

When to get advice

If your scalp is flaky, itchy, red or sore, or you notice your hair falling out, speak to a pharmacist or GP before switching shampoos. If your extensions keep slipping, book in with your specialist so they can take a look.

Conclusion

Combination hair is all about treating your roots and ends differently: gentle shampoo up top, moisture on the lengths, and a little patience in between. If greasy roots are your main worry, take a look at our Best Shampoos for Greasy Hair. And when you're ready to build your routine, shop our full hair care range.