E! illustration/Getty Images, Ceremonia, Matriz, Paul Mitchell, & AveenoGetting our hair wash routine right can be a real struggle—especially when shampoos can be so expensive. With so many products in the haircare aisle (and on the Amazon Prime Day search results), the real question isn’t when I should wash my hair; it’s how often.
E! connected with Lead Scalp Health Expert and Board-Certified Trichologist at Nutrire, Nelida D’Alessandro, to answer all our questions about how to get the perfect hair washing routine for us, how often to cleanse our locks, and how to keep it from getting greasy in between.
And lucky for us all, De'Alessandro's expert advice can be combined with amazing Prime Day haircare deals. For a limited time, get up to 47% off scalp treatments and shampoos for oily and dry scalps.
- Best Oily Scalp Shampoo Prime Day Deal: 47% Off Neutrogena Healthy Scalp Pink Grapefruit Shampoo
- Best Dry Scalp Shampoo Prime Day Deal: 30% Off Biolage Scalp Sync Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
- Best Scalp Exfoliating Product Prime Day Deal: 30% Off NatureLab.TOKYO Perfect Clean Scalp Scrub & Clarifying Shampoo
How often should I wash my hair?
Naturally, it’s complicated. “The honest answer is that there's no universal rule,” admits D’Alessandro.
While frequency depends on many factors, she says most people do well washing their hair two to three times per week, based on her expertise.
However, scalp type, lifestyle, and product usage can play a huge role in how often people should wash their hair.
In terms of scalp type, “An oilier scalp will need more frequent cleansing, while a drier scalp benefits from less,” notes D’Alessandro.
Similarly, “Hair texture is also relevant, as finer hair tends to show oil more quickly, while coarser or curlier textures can go longer between washes.”
If you’re very active (aka regularly breaking a sweat at the gym) or use a lot of heavy styling products, you’ll likely experience more buildup and therefore, need to wash more often.
Ultimately, “The goal is to keep the scalp clean and balanced without stripping it,” says D’Alessandro.
How do I keep my hair from getting greasy?
The key to preventing oily strands is ensuring that all buildup is removed when washing your hair.
“A clarifying or balancing shampoo used consistently is the most effective tool” in balancing and regulating oil production, according to D’Alessandro.
“For more significant buildup, incorporating a scalp exfoliant periodically can help,particularly if you sweat a lot or use heavy hair products daily.
Can I over wash my hair?
The short answer is yes. “Over washing can also lead to dryness, irritation, and a compromised scalp barrier over time,” says D’Alessandro.
Washing too frequently, especially with harsh formulas, can strip the scalp of its natural oils. When that happens, the scalp often overcorrects by producing even more oil, which creates a frustrating cycle,” she explains.
Now that you know how often you should wash your hair, it’s time to upgrade your hair wash routine with these expert-approved products.
What are the best shampoo for oily scalps?
Aveda Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo
Best for oily hair and especially effective for fine to medium hair types, this purifying shampoo deeply cleanses and clarifies your locks with naturally derived ingredients and a rosemary mint scent.
Neutrogena Healthy Scalp Pink Grapefruit Shampoo
This drugstore clarifying, pH-balanced shampoo promises to help remove product residue, buildup, and excess oils while preserving color and leaving your hair soft.
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo
Especially formulated for oily scalps, this shampoo is infused with 100% Australian tea tree, alongside the brand's signature blend of peppermint and lavender. It leaves your scalp clean, invigorated, and cooling.
OUAI Detox Clarifying Shampoo
Perfect for all hair types, this shampoo is infused with apple cider vinegar for removing buildup and hydrolyzed keratin to strengthen, it leaves your hair shiny and smooth while balancing your scalp's pH.
Nutrire S.3 Balance
D’Alessandro calls this shampoo "a good option for oilier scalps dealing with buildup." It utilizes lactic acid to balance and regulate oil production.
OGX ProGrowth + Peptide Clarifying Shampoo
This shampoo is formulated with powerful peptides that reinforce each strand and promote hair growth. Meanwhile mandelic acid gently exfoliates and rids your scalp of stubborn buildup.
What are the best shampoos for dry scalps?
Aveeno Farm-Fresh Oat Milk Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Formulated with colloidal oatmeal and almond milk, this hydrating shampoo delivers a balanced cleanse that nourishes and soothes the scalp while leaving your locks moisturized.
Biolage Scalp Sync Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Have dandruff, but don't want to make your hair even drier? The Biolage Scalp Sync Shampoo promises to control the appearance of flakes and soothe scalp irritation while leaving hair clean and comfortable.
MATRIX Food For Soft Shampoo
Formulated with avocado oil and hyaluronic acid, this shampoo moisturizes and cleanses your hair while leaving it with a soft finish and extra shine.
Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo
The moisture-balancing formula of this fan-favorite shampoo provides a gentle cleanse while boosting overall shine. Plus, it smells amazing.
L'Oreal Paris Elvive Hyaluron Plump Hydrating Shampoo
Achieve bouncier, fuller hair with this budget-friendly shampoo that individually plumps and hydrates each strand of hair thanks to a hyaluronic acid-rich formula.
BondiBoost Heavenly Hydration Shampoo
This aloe based shampoo intensely hydrates dry, damaged hair while also taming frizz and balancing the scalps pH levels.
CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo
Smooth and hydrate hair with this pH-balancing shampoo. It contains hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and niacinamide to calm inflammation and strengthen the skin barrier.
What are the best products for scalp exfoliation?
Ceremonia Papaya Scalp Scrub Exfoliating Shampoo
This scalp scrub shampoo is a luxurious experience, with its whipped texture and formula that includes Bolivian pink salt, papaya enzymes, and prickly pear extracts that easily foams, cleanses, and exfoliates your scalp without stripping it.
Nizoral Pre-Shampoo Scalp Build-Up Remover
Micro-exfoliating technology makes this an effective pre-shampoo treatment. It's designed to effortlessly remove scalp buildup and prep the scalp for thorough washing.
NatureLab.TOKYO Perfect Clean Scalp Scrub & Clarifying Shampoo
This scalp scrub and clarifying shampoo use sugar crystals to gently exfoliate and wash away buildup, excess oil, and product residue, leaving your hair healthier-looking with no dryness or irritation.
R+Co Bleu Scalp Therapy Pre-Shampoo Exfoliating Scrub
Whenever I've applied tons of styling products to my hair, I use pre-shampoo scrub to help dissolve oil, dirt, and product buildup. It combines physical (sugar crystals) and chemical (AHAs) exfoliants for a double duty detox.
The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment
Minimize excess oil production and exfoliate dead skin cells with this salicylic acid-infused pre-wash that's particularly effective if you're struggling with a flaky, itchy scalp.
goop Beauty Scalp Scrub Shampoo
Especially formulated for oily scalps, the goop scalp scrub shampoo is infused with Himalayan pink salt, cold-pressed moringa oil, and rose hip oil to detox, purify, and nourish your hair.
Pacifica Scalp Detox Tonic
Prior to shampooing, go in with this detoxifying hair rinse. A blend of clarifying apple cider vinegar, anti-inflammatory rosemary oil, and exfoliating acids target congested hair follicles to loosen clogged pores to remove oil and product buildup.
L'Oreal Paris EverPure Exfoliating Scalp Care + Detox Scrub
This sulfate-free scrub will give your scalp the detox it's been needing. Apricot seed and menthol effortlessly purify and clear your scalp of excess oil, product buildup, and more impurities to prep hair for washing.
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