Best Products for Greasy Hair and Skin in South Africa, 2025

Best Products for Greasy Hair and Skin in South Africa, 2024

Greasy hair and shiny skin aren’t the look anyone wants. Fortunately, there are hair and skin products that are formulated to cut grease without dehydrating the scalp or irritating the skin.

Changing your daily cleansing routine and learning which ingredients to seek out – and which to avoid – can make all the difference.

The key is to only use products that are specifically designed to eliminate excess oils while maintaining optimal hydration, pH balance and overall health.

Here’s a selection of quality hair care and skin products in South Africa that are formulated to detoxify, clarify, cleanse and beautify oily hair and skin.

Best shampoos for oily hair

Gentle shampoos that cleanse at scalp level are the most effective at removing oily residue and product build up.

When products are formulated with natural plant-based botanicals with astringent, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, they are safe, eco-friendly and effective.

Best overall hair shampoo for limp, greasy hair

Dalon’s uniquely formulated shampoo gets our thumbs up as the number one grease buster in South Africa. The high-performance cleansing solution contains micelles, the on-trend elixir for oily hair.

These tiny molecules actually attract and trap excess oil and impurities, making it easier to simply rinse away.

A host of other nutrient-dense ingredients, including sage extract and cider vinegar, help balance the scalp, improve the hair’s body and texture, and leave it light, fresh and squeaky clean.

Pros:

  • prebiotics to maintain optimal moisture balance
  • effective and affordable
  • suitable for all hair types
  • dermatologically tested
  • cleans, nourishes and hydrates.

Best rebalancing shampoo for oily hair

Made in Italy and formulated to treat the scalp, this rebalancing shampoo attacks sebum at the source.

It contains piroctone olamine to regulate oil production, nettle extract to eliminate grease, and beech bark extract to calm, soothe and hydrate the scalp.

As both a cleanser and purifier, this shampoo is effective at removing dirt, product build-up and oil, reducing dandruff, and leaving the scalp balanced and moisturised.

Pros:

  • works at scalp level
  • free of sulphates, paraben and colourants
  • actively inhibits sebum production
  • great for sensitive scalps
  • soothes and moisturises.

Best clarifying shampoo for over-treated and greasy hair

Gentle enough for everyday use but packing a punch in terms of eliminating oil – and all the other nasty stuff that makes hair limp and greasy – this is not so much a shampoo as a complete treatment for greasy hair.

Active ingredients include jojoba, wheat germ, rosemary and tea tree oils, each of which plays a dedicated role in cleaning, revitalising and refreshing the hair and scalp.

This gentle, detoxifying shampoo is developed by the UK’s leading hair care brand. In our humble opinion, OSMO Scalp Therapy is a winner.

Pros:

  • detoxifies as it cleans
  • conditions and softens
  • suitable for sensitive scalps
  • doesn’t irritate or dry out the scalp
  • quality value-for-money product.

Best conditioners for greasy hair

Our recommended conditioners are not specifically formulated for oily hair. What they are is lightweight and effective at keeping the hair soft and the scalp soothed, healthy and moisturised.

Best hydrating conditioner for oily hair

A nourishing, refreshing everyday conditioner from the UK’s number one hair care brand.

It contains basil oil to calm the scalp and stimulate the hair follicles, mandarin oil to help balance sebum production and restore the hair’s natural shine, and thyme extract to clarify hair.

OSMO has come up with a deep conditioning solution for oily tresses that are exposed to heat and colour treatments and environmental pollutants.

Pros:

  • moisturises without weighing down
  • adds softness and shine
  • free of sulphates and parabens
  • eco-friendly
  • suitable for everyday use.

Best volumising conditioner for oily hair

With a delicious citrus fragrance and full-on volumising effect, this product from the LOMA stable is an all-in-one conditioner that adds body and bounce to limp, greasy hair.

It contains fennel seed to maintain optimal pH balance, sunflower seed oil to deeply nourish, and quinoa protein to lock in moisture and protect the hair against treatments and heating tools.

The conditioning and moisturising effects can last for several days, eliminating the need for daily use – a factor that can help regulate natural oil production.

Pros:

  • great for all hair types
  • volumises, shines and detangles
  • excellent thermal protection
  • suitable for colour-treated hair
  • free of parabens.

Best products for greasy skin

Shiny, greasy skin that’s prone to acne deserves special care. The best skincare products are light, gentle, easily absorbed and packed with oil-eliminating ingredients.

Best cleansing bar for oily skin

This is a gentle, high-foam cleansing bar that regulates sebum production, helps reduce uneven skin tone, and leaves the skin smooth, soft and hydrated.

Key ingredients are botanicals that contain powerful antioxidants to curb the effects of free radical damage.

Ginseng root extract invigorates and brightens the skin while tackling excess oil. Shea butter, vitamin E and chamomile add a silky smoothness to the face and neck. Colloidal oatmeal gently hydrates.

Pros:

  • low pH 
  • high lather
  • deep cleans without drying
  • packed with plant-based antioxidants.

Best rebalancing cleanser for oily skin

With a light, creamy formulation that cleans, purifies and softens the skin, this luxurious cleanser is ideal for use on oily and combination skins.

Among the plant-based ingredients is witch hazel, a natural astringent that’s effective at removing excess sebum, reducing blemishes, and soothing irritations.

Mallow softens, hydrates and revitalises, while cucumber tightens the pores, regulates sebum production, and helps rebalance the skin.

Pros:

  • light and creamy   
  • astringent and anti-inflammatory properties
  • removes make-up and impurities
  • gentle on the skin
  • softens and hydrates.

Best toner for greasy skin

Containing ginger and witch hazel to balance and regulate sebum production, and orange blossom to heal and restore skin, this gentle but hard-working toner is ideal for greasy complexions.

The US-manufactured product is effective at lifting and removing impurities without drying out delicate or sensitive skin.

It is one of a range of Skintruth Equalising products specially formulated for oily and combination skins.

Pros:

  • tones, refreshes and restores
  • helps regulate oil production
  • gentle and effective
  • free of sulphates, parabens and mineral oil.

Best cream for blemished or oily skin

A light, gentle daily moisturiser for oily, blemished complexions.

It has a non-greasy formulation, and contains mattifying healing earth that can help reduce sebum secretion, reduce inflammation and clarify the skin.

As the plant-based ingredients boast antibacterial, hydrating and smoothing properties, this moisturiser is specifically recommended for oily, pimply and acne-prone skin.

Pros:

  • developed for oily skins
  • gentle yet effective
  • natural active ingredients
  • clarifies and soothes
  • no parabens or mineral oils.

Oily hair and skin FAQs: asked and answered

A range of factors, including stress, hormonal fluctuations, age, diet, genetics and incorrect hair and skin-care routines, contribute to greasy hair and skin.

Stylists recommend using products formulated with natural ingredients that can help reduce and regulate sebum secretion and remove excess oil – tea tree oil, witch hazel, ginseng root extract, ginger and green tea.

Over- and under-washing your hair can exacerbate the problem. Daily conditioning is not recommended, especially if you have fine hair.

A general rule is to wash greasy hair every day but less so if your hair is chemically treated. With textured or tightly coiled hair, one wash a week, or even every two weeks, is recommended.

Yes, micelles are effective at stripping the hair of excess oil, product build-up and other impurities, leaving it clean, light and full of body and bounce.

Use products that are specifically formulated for oily hair and skin and contain natural nutrient-dense plant-based active ingredients. Light and gentle shampoos, moisturisers, toners and cleansers that have clarifying, purifying, rebalancing and regulating on the label are typically the most effective solutions.

Hair and skincare products containing harsh ingredients like synthetic fragrances, sulphates, parabens, formaldehyde, mineral oils and petroleum jelly are a no-no. They form a protective barrier that locks-in excess oil and prevents it from being removed from the hair and skin.   

Yes, diets rich in saturated fats and refined carbohydrates can boost sebum secretion. Fried and fast foods are the main culprits, and should ideally be replaced by fresh fruits, leafy greens and foods high in zinc and vitamins B2 and B6.

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