Best hair products for teens

July 24, 2019 8:49 PM

My teen has below shoulder-length straight thick hair. No matter what we’ve tried, it’s greasy on top and bone dry at the ends. Showering everyday is a must due to sports. She would love to have shiny smooth hair. What should we try that’s available at a US drugstore or Ulta? I would say $20 for shampoo is my max.
posted by gryphonlover to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (46 answers total)

Showering everyday is a must due to sports

Sure, but washing hair daily with shampoo isn’t a ‘must’.

Try simply shampooing less often, with good hot water rinses on the off days. This is especially viable with straight thick hair.
posted by SaltySalticid at 8:56 PM on July 24, 2019 [14 favorites]

Head and shoulders oil control helped me with similar problems, makes my hair feel moisturized but not greasy at all and it stays okay for longer.
posted by gaybobbie at 9:00 PM on July 24, 2019

Is she brushing with a natural-bristled hair brush to coax the oil from the scalp to the hair shaft?
posted by batter_my_heart at 9:07 PM on July 24, 2019 [7 favorites]

She should be washing at the scalp but not lower down, and conditioning the ends but not the crown.
posted by DarlingBri at 9:14 PM on July 24, 2019 [39 favorites]

Try technique - only shampoo the hair close to your scalp, give your scalp a good scrub while you do this, then rinse. Then condition all the hair that does not directly touch your scalp (i.e. condition everything up to an inch or so away from your scalp), let the conditioner stay in your hair the rest of the time you're in the shower, then rinse it out at the very end.

You might also want to try experimenting with what she puts in her hair after showering. I use OGX Coconut Milk Serum (or similar products, I've used others in the past) after washing my hair - I do a pump or two, and smooth it through all my hair that doesn't directly touch my scalp while my hair is still wet, it's easy and it helps.

Also agree that it can feel a little counter-intuitive when you've got greasy hair, but not shampooing every day is definitely something to try out and can be a help.
posted by warble at 9:15 PM on July 24, 2019 [3 favorites]

I don't have any good shampoo suggestions but I agree with focusing on washing the roots, not the ends and then conditioning only the ends.

After washing/drying with a big round brush, a straight iron (or curling iron) can go a long way towards helping with shine by smoothing the cuticle. Make sure to use some sort of hair serum on the ends to avoid further drying - I find them all to be very similar and shop on price and smell. I start pretty close to roots and do a quick all- over iron.
posted by Tandem Affinity at 9:25 PM on July 24, 2019

Response by poster: She is very diligent about washing techniques as suggested, I would like product recommendations, please.
posted by gryphonlover at 9:33 PM on July 24, 2019

Switching to sulfate-free shampoo changed my hair so much for the better. It looks and feels healthier and less dried out.

My favorite shampoo right now is Raw Sugar - The Bounce Back shampoo. There's a matching conditioner, and they have a fun scent that's fruity and clean but not overpowering. A big bottle is about $10 at Target and a little goes a long way.

Sulfate-free shampoos can be clear or cream-based, and I prefer the clear ones like the Raw Sugar one I mentioned here. I have fine, straight hair and some of the cream-based shampoos sometimes leave my hair feeling too slick/greasy by the end of the day.
posted by mochapickle at 10:02 PM on July 24, 2019 [1 favorite]

This really does not sound like a problem that has a product solution. I’d use a sulfate-free shampoo as others mentioned and then maybe do a vinegar rinse. I don’t think conditioner is doing her any favors. And then a good brush as previously suggested.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 10:28 PM on July 24, 2019 [1 favorite]

Her hair sounds similar to my husbands - straight, thick, and he complains of grease at the roots. He also washes his hair every day. He really likes OGX shampoos and conditioners. They have a more gentle surfactant so they don't dry out his hair too much but they still get his scalp clean. I think his most preferred one is the purple bottle with biotin and collagen, but he also gets the Coconut Milk one in a white bottle or argan oil in a blue bottle. He also uses Aussie 3 minute miracle deep conditioner.
posted by muddgirl at 10:29 PM on July 24, 2019 [1 favorite]

Showering daily doesn't have to mean washing hair daily. I suggest trying to cut hair washing down to every second or third day. Use a shower cap to avoid getting hair wet on the days where hair is not being washed. My experience is that if you have greasy hair and then get it wet but don't wash with shampoo, that it will become even greasier.

Use a dry shampoo to manage some of the oil during this transition period - spray onto hair around the roots before bed, go to sleep, brush out in the morning. But try to cut back on washing and dry shampooing, and eventually the scalp will not produce so much oil.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 10:35 PM on July 24, 2019 [5 favorites]

I put coconut oil on the ends of my towel dried hair from my ears down and that helps with my dry ends.

For oily scalp, you might check out Lush shampoos. I’ve had decent luck with this one in the past. But it might be worth stopping by a store for guidance if there’s one near you.
posted by Maeve at 10:38 PM on July 24, 2019 [2 favorites]

Fine, then what is she currently using and what has she tried? And yeah, unless her sport is swimming (in which case you may get a whole load of different advice), brush every day but wash every 2-3.

+1 to clear sulfate-free shampoos. When I use a sulfate-free shampoo, my hair feels so soft that it feels like I've conditioned even though I really haven't. Creamy sulfate-free shampoos make me feel greasy too.

If the non-foaming is just too weird, Dove Nutritive Solutions works well for me.
posted by batter_my_heart at 10:56 PM on July 24, 2019

I have been on a haircare spree lately. Some things I’d recommend - warning that some of these are outside your price range. I’ve tried coconut oil, Argan oil, way too many drugstore brands, they’re all meh. The oils always weigh down my hair and makes me want to wash it again. I have similar hair texture and these items have been proven to make my hair shiny, soft, and less dry. I color treat my hair as well and still get compliments from my stylist.

Olaplex shampoo - my hair doesn’t feel stripped of moisture when I need to shampoo frequently. Smells wonderful too
The bond strengthener (pre-shampoo) treatment is supposed to be good but not sure I see any effects yet (have only used it for 3 weeks.

Pureology superfood hydrate treatment - ok I know you set a price range but I’ve used this as a normal conditioner every time I shampoos (every 2-3 days). It lasts a long time as I only apply to the ends. Not only is it very moisturizing but it also reduces the tangles immediately. Worth the splurge if she reduces her shampoo/conditioner frequency.

alterna caviar hair replenishing moisture cc cream; 10 in 1 complete - this is the best after shampoo/conditioning cream. Smells wonderful and leaves my hair pliant and smooth - I got a sample at Sephora and was hooked

If you read the reviews on these products, it may give you an idea to give it a shot, or find similar products with these ingredients
posted by hampanda at 11:55 PM on July 24, 2019 [1 favorite]

Counter-intuitively, my hair with similar problems gets better with oil treatment (an hour before washing, once or twice a week). I use Dabur Amla, but any plant oil works including olive. If it's warm, all the better.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 12:16 AM on July 25, 2019

Some scalps are just oily in the same way as some of us have oily faces. I am blessed with both. So whenever I grow my hair beyond chin length I find that it makes very little difference what shampoo I use, that I do need a good conditioner and absolutely dry shampoo is the way to go.

I am the sort of person who uses hotel shampoo and conditioner if there is any but always have to carry conditioner in case there isn’t. So I tend not to rely on a specific brand. I normally use a conditioner marketed for coloured or damaged hair, apply that through the ends only smoothing the tiniest amount through the lengths but stopping way before my scalp. I notice that conditioners for ‘normal’ hair seems to result in less smooth hair although they still reduce frizz and result in somewhat shiny and manageable hair.

For dry shampoo I am firmly of the opinion that not all dry shampoos are created equal and I like Colab best. What I like about it is that it doesn’t leave a lot of visible residue and that it is so fine that it doesn’t make the hair feel rough. The key is to use it before you think you need it, to let it do its thing for a couple of minutes before brushing through.
posted by koahiatamadl at 12:57 AM on July 25, 2019 [5 favorites]

I have been battling this too with my hair being damaged from being up in a bun so much!

My approach is the same technique of washing that your daughter is using. I use a standard shampoo like Pantene for my crown and the using a hair moisturizing mask on the ends of my hair when I shower.

I vacillate between using Avazallia hair conditioning mask and Haeyo Mayo Hair which is a shea butter conditioner. I have had good success with both.

Another option is to use Argan oil on the ends of her hair after she showers to help smooth it out. I have used Arvazallia Hair oil, but generally I prefer the hair masks since it’s harder to accidentally overdue and make the hair look both dry and greasy and stingy at the same time.


The Haeyo Mayo fixes hair after a few washes - the arvazallia has instant results, but shouldn’t be used on a daily basis (two to three times a week has been my magic sweet spot).

Hope this helps!
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 3:45 AM on July 25, 2019

For the dry ends, Aussie 3 Minute Miracle is cheap, widely available, and effective.

Also very effective and fairly cheap but only usually available in specific beauty stores and possibly too conceptually icky: Hask Henna 'N' Placenta.

For the greasy roots, try dry shampoo. I loved it before I got rid of my long hair.
posted by showbiz_liz at 4:31 AM on July 25, 2019 [1 favorite]

When I had hair like this as a teen, using clarifying shampoo with Apple cider vinegar base (Fekkai) instead of my usual shampoo once a week helped. Now, skipping days and using dry shampoo every other day does the trick for me. I use Batiste brand.
posted by thirdletter at 4:38 AM on July 25, 2019 [2 favorites]

Definitely dry shampoo! I actually switched to shampooing in the shower every 2-3 days, and dry shampooing the other days -- even when I work out -- due to dry ends. But I found that as I did this, my scalp got naturally more "balanced". A good dry shampoo (I use DryBar but this is probably higher priced than you're looking to pay) will really absorb all the oil. I lift my hair in sections and spray front to back 4-6" from my scalp, to get full head coverage.
posted by DoubleLune at 5:21 AM on July 25, 2019

I really like the Shea Moisture leave in detangler. I have curly hair so it gets pretty dry. Perhaps a strategic application. It is not super pricey.
posted by PistachioRoux at 5:44 AM on July 25, 2019

It sounds like maybe she's just doing shampoo and conditioner? You didn't mention conditioner, actually, and if she's not using a high-moisture conditioner, that'd be the first step. Beyond that: Who cuts her hair? Does it look like this even when a professional stylist is done with it? If she doesn't go to a decent mid-range salon, I'd book something like that once, and then buy either what they put in her hair or Google cheaper alternatives for whatever they used. My thick hair looks terrible with just shampoo and conditioner, no matter what shampoo and conditioner I use; it needs product to look good. My hair is curly and the brand I use is kind of expensive anyway, but if you wanted to experiment without a professional, I'd be looking for things described as a smoothing or styling cream that actually says something about shine on it.

But really, the best thing I ever did for my hair was starting to go to a better salon and asking questions of the stylist who was actually able to make my hair look good.
posted by Sequence at 5:48 AM on July 25, 2019 [6 favorites]

Double down on Sequence above. A good, professional stylist; the ones that are making their mortgage etc doing hair - they aren't flakes and idiots by and large; and they are the ones that can give you the consult you seek.
posted by Afghan Stan at 6:12 AM on July 25, 2019

As I Am Coconut Cowash, it leaves my hair soft and clean and untangled for almost exactly 24 hours. I put it on my straight hair with it every night after shampoo and conditioner, it’s my favorite product. I think it’s under $12 at my drugstore and my container has last my long hair for over 4 months.
posted by lepus at 6:13 AM on July 25, 2019

She is very diligent about washing techniques as suggested, I would like product recommendations, please.

Okay, sorry -- there was no way of knowing from your question if this was the case, and no recommendation will make a difference with retrograde technique.

So my actual answer to your actual question is: any sulphate-free shampoo. She should also try a dry shampoo for the crown of her head to reduce washing. Here's a good guide and some product recommendations; I like the Bumble & Bumble one.

A sulphate free shampoo, conditioner and dry shampoo can all be done for less than $20"
posted by DarlingBri at 6:17 AM on July 25, 2019

What is her post shower rountine? Does she use a hair dryer? apply product? If she does not currently use a hair dryer, i might try using a leave in conditioner on the ends and drying the hair at the roots instead of letting it air dry.. even at my age my hair looks greasier if i let it air dry.

I have been using a Marc Anthony coconut leave in i get at Walgreens. It's a 10 leavein is also good. But again i would keep it off the roots and dry the roots with some heat.
posted by domino at 6:29 AM on July 25, 2019 [1 favorite]

The best inexpensive drugstore hair mask I’ve used for my dry hair is Fructis Smoothing Treat 1 Minute Mask with Avocado. Heck, it’s easily as good as some of the expensive salon ones I’ve tried. It really did what it said it would—made my dry hair smooth and silky. The only thing I’d caution her about is the scent—it is extremely strong and it lingered a long time after rinsing it out. I’ve never used a hair product that smelled that strong for that long. If she has scent sensitivities or her school is a scent free environment, I’d skip it. However, if she’s okay with that, I’d give it a try.

Some user reviews say they use a little bit as a leave in conditioner, so she could also try using a little bit as a leave-in on her ends.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 6:44 AM on July 25, 2019

Use a clarifying shampoo at least once a week, to rid herself of the products she IS using. This could be a contributer to the greasy roots. I use Neutrogena Clarifying. Then follow that up with a hair mask to re-add the moisture you just stripped from your hair. Basically any mask will do. I use the hair mask from Trader Joes. The rest of the time I use a gentle sulfate-free shampoo on my bangs (otherwise they will just get greasy against my forehead), and a sulfate-free conditioner halfway down my strands to the end. I do give myself a scalp massage while the conditioner sets in, just to break up any oil or whatever.

And the rest of the time, yeah, dry shampoo for touch ups during the day. I'll use any brand so long as I like the way it smells. I like this one.
posted by greta simone at 6:51 AM on July 25, 2019 [1 favorite]

Sulfate-free shampoo and silicone-free conditioner/styling products. Also check the shampoo label for any silicones that might have snuck in. Silicones can gunk up hair easily, and sulfate-free shampoos don’t always get them out. Silicones are super common in hair products, and the good silicone-free drugstore products seem to get discontinued or reformulated frustratingly often. SheaMoisture likely has several silicone-free products, and the super-cheap Suave and VO5 conditioners are silicone-free, though they’re on the thin side and I need to use a lot of them. Here’s a list of ingredients to watch out for.
posted by Metroid Baby at 6:51 AM on July 25, 2019

I LOVE Moroccan oil

It seems pricey but it lasts years. Wash hair as usual and towel dry. Then you rub one small pump of the oil between your palms and apply to wet hair. I usually avoid the scalp and focus on the ends.

You can dry and style your hair as usual, but it will be sleek and shiny with no more dryness. It really is FAB and yes, it's $40 for the oil, but like I said, one jar lasted me years because you use so little in any given time.

No other product keeps my hair looking so shiny, and I actually found Argan Oil shampoos to be too heavy for me.
posted by JenThePro at 7:08 AM on July 25, 2019 [2 favorites]

She needs protein treatment to fill in the gaps where the hair cuticle has frayed in order to get smooth shiny hair, in addition to a moisturizing conditioner.

Two products I use and love for this that I would recommend for her are Olaplex 3 and Olaplex 6.

Olaplex 3 is a once-weekly treatment - dampen dirty hair, slather the hair with the product, and then leave it as long as possible before jumping in the shower to wash and condition as usual. I often try to leave it on for hours (while I’m puttering around the house doing chores), but even 20 minutes will help. It’s about $30/bottle, which should be enough for 4-5 weekly treatments.

Olaplex 6 is a leave in cream used before heat styling hair (ie, before blow drying). It’s also about $30/bottle, but a tiny bit goes a looooooong way.
posted by amelioration at 7:37 AM on July 25, 2019

I think some of the replies here might be forgetting that being a teenager can mean a lot of changing hormones and different levels of sweatiness and oiliness. Personally, I couldn't skip a day of washing my hair (yes, I tried just rinsing it) until in my late twenties.

I nth the suggestion for using a clarifying shampoo once a week and trying a sulfate-free shampoo the rest of the days. I'd also try a leave-in conditioner for the ends, maybe in addition to whatever she's conditioning with in the shower. I was going to recommend this one but it's been discontinued. :(

Dry shampoo is a great option to have on hand, even if just as a touch-up when she's feeling especially greasy. If she hates scents, this powder works great as a dry shampoo.
posted by purple_bird at 8:52 AM on July 25, 2019

I’d suggest going to Ulta or the drugstore and picking up a few sample sizes of different dry shampoos. She can shower and rinse her hair and even scrub her scalp with her hands, but skip the shampoo and conditioner (or I suppose she could condition the very ends only or get a basic leave in conditioner, but I’d skip that first). Then she can dry her hair (air drying is fine) and then apply dry shampoo to the roots.

She might also skip wetting her hair once in a while (put it in a bun for her shower) and trying the same thing.

I have very straight, not super thick hair, and I wish I had figured out this routine much sooner.

This also means my hair is much cleaner and shinier when I do wash it.
posted by bluedaisy at 8:57 AM on July 25, 2019

Response by poster: Thanks everyone, keep them coming! She is a soccer and basketball player who is completely drenched in sweat after practice and games. Not washing her hair is not an option :)
posted by gryphonlover at 9:46 AM on July 25, 2019

My scalp has always been super greasy. I don't really get dandruff per se, but things can get sorta crusty if not managed. I use several different dandruff shampoos, rotating every 3-4 days. For OTC products, I like Head and Shoulders and Neutrogena T-Sal. I also have an RX called Cicloporox. I also occasionally use Selsun Blue or Nizorol, but they have very strong scents that I don't like.
posted by radioamy at 9:59 AM on July 25, 2019

Nthing that dry shampoos will help with the symptom of greasy roots. I have thick (dark) hair, but mine is wavy. I feel like I've tried every dry shampoo out there. I haven't found one I completely love, but definitely some I didn't like. I think the suggestion to try a few trial sizes is a good one. I use the spray kind sometimes, but I think the non-aerosol dry shampoo options might be worth a try.

I use this one by Klorane currently. The whiteness rubs in easily and doesn't bother me (some of the sprays seem to be harder to rub in if white powder on dark hair is a problem). I also like the non-aerosol kinds because you aren't adding wetness to your greasy hair.

Bumble and Bumble also makes a powder.

One tip my hair stylist gave me was to actually apply the dry shampoo on clean hair (like day 1) to prevent some of the oil rather than only using it to try to absorb the oil that is already formed by day 2 or 3. This may be moot if your daughter must shampoo every day.

To fight dryness, I like a leave in cream. The one I really like is the Redken All Soft. I don't typically spend money for salon brands, but this one was particularly good for me. I apply to ends in the shower.
posted by kochenta at 10:06 AM on July 25, 2019

Is she only showering and washing her hair after games and practice? Or is she also doing this routine in the morning? If she's showering and washing her hair more than once a day, then I'd skip the wash and use dry shampoo for the showers that don't follow sports.

I hear you that she's playing sports and getting sweaty. Think about if you were sweaty and didn't have soap. You could still get pretty clean with a washcloth/scrubber and water. So, I say to buy one sample size of some dry shampoo and suggest she try skipping the regular shampoo on a day when she's less worried about how her hair looks afterwards. What's the worst case scenario, a bit of sweat in her hair? She can still wash her face, neck, etc. Does she have practice and games every single day? Maybe she could try it on a day when she's not playing her sports. Skipping even one regular shampoo a week can really help.

Has she trimmed her hair recently? Getting those dry ends off might help a bit. And if you have a stylist you like, ask them for ideas, not necessarily products, but approaches.

Is she blow drying her hair or letting it air dry? If she's blow drying, she should definitely be using some sort of conditioning spray on the ends. And maybe think about letting it air dry when that's an option. There's also sunscreen spray for hair she could spray on the ends for days with outside practice.
posted by bluedaisy at 10:15 AM on July 25, 2019 [1 favorite]

As a person with the same kind of hair and the same level of activity at that same age, what worked for me was 2 separate things:

01) either keeping my hair shorter, washing it as often as necessary (sometimes 2x a day) and letting it air-dry OR

02) keeping it long with frequent trimming of dry ends combined with only blowdrying the hair closest to the scalp using a huge round hollow brush

It didn't make much difference what shampoo or conditioner I used, the main culprit to the crispy ends was always the blowdrying (and also the chlorine for half of the year). The heavy greasy level of grossness always made it super tempting to use Mega Grease Buster shampoos but I found that using gentler stuff worked out better for me in the long run. I only used cheap drugstore brands back then because I was using so much that my mom refused to buy me any products so it was all coming out of my allowance. Idk if any of those brands exist anymore other than the pantene pro-v 2-in-1 but that was a lifesaver.
posted by poffin boffin at 10:27 AM on July 25, 2019

shiny smooth hair. I have quite long, wavy/ curly/ frizzy hair. I use styling gel, the cheapest & strongest, and silicone shine spray, cheap is fine, Aussie or Fructis are reliable brands. She may want to use product more on the ends. The silicone makes it shiny and less tangled, and both reduce frizz.
posted by theora55 at 11:34 AM on July 25, 2019

I have this exact problem, as do many. I use two different shampoos at each wash:
Garnier fructis on top roots (only shampoo)
Bio silk shampoo and conditioner on the bottom

Any nice hydrator or oil on damp hair afterwards, others have made good suggestions above.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 12:05 PM on July 25, 2019

Apply oil to non-greasy parts of hair before showering (a jar of coconut oil from the grocery store will last forever). Then only shampoo the roots. Just rinsing shampoo off will clean the rest of the hair just fine.

Oddly enough, using a milder shampoo will lead to less greasy roots. Stay away from clarifying shampoos, especially if washing hair daily.

If she blow-dries or uses any heated styling equipment, then make sure she's using something to protect the hair from high heat.
posted by Neekee at 12:07 PM on July 25, 2019

She is a soccer and basketball player who is completely drenched in sweat after practice and games. Not washing her hair is not an option :)

I wash my hair every time I shower, but I alternate washing with shampoo+conditioner and washing with just conditioner. I still scrub my scalp and finger-comb my hair and all that. For my hair it makes a huge, positive difference. It's worth a shot! (I also readily acknowledge that everyone's hair is different and ymmv.)
posted by showbiz_liz at 12:13 PM on July 25, 2019 [1 favorite]

When I stopped washing my hair so often it transformed into my dream hair. It took a few weeks of being miserable, and then like magic it was easier to manage and looks healthier. I think the overall standards of hair cleanliness are to promote product purchases. I am at about 1-2 times a week now and it's amazing. I use dry shampoo (organic and natural, blah blah blah) when I am in a bind. Truly I feel free!!! Also, I do run, and I don't feel gross or greasy, because my hair isn't covered in product so it brushes out with a natural bristle brush. Bodies are not mean to be stripped of all oils and covered in chemicals.
posted by lextex at 1:27 PM on July 25, 2019

Sulfate free! I have been using Aveda "Shampure" for a few months now and find it has nixed the flaking and greasy scalp. My hair has never looked or felt better. I go 2-3 days between washings, but it is a shampoo designed to be mild for daily use. (I do usually follow washing and conditioning - also Shampure - with a few drops of Beauty Protector "Protect and Oil" on the length only.)
posted by AliceBlue at 2:14 PM on July 25, 2019 [1 favorite]

She is a soccer and basketball player who is completely drenched in sweat after practice and games. Not washing her hair is not an option :)

I wash my hair every time I shower, but I alternate washing with shampoo+conditioner and washing with just conditioner.

My hair is dry but looks horrendous and greasy if I don’t wash it, and I can only use dry shampoo sparingly because it dries out my hair even more, even when only used on the roots. So I do this (wash with conditioner) when I shower twice a day because of sweat inducing exercise, and it works well to keep my hair feeling clean but not too dry. Make sure the conditioner is silicone free.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 8:28 AM on July 26, 2019

my (similarly greasy, thick-haired adolescent) kid and I (also tending towards greasy) have recently been experimenting with the "conditioner-as-shampoo" method and here's what's worked. Get hair thoroughly wet in shower. Dump a fair amount of cheap conditioner (cheap because we're using a lot) onto head and - crucially - SCRUB scalp thoroughly with fingertips. Really scrub. Add more if it feels like any area of scalp isn't conditioner-y. From above for the crown, from underneath for the area around the nape, from sides for areas behind ears. Scrub, scrub, scrub. Loosen every bit of sweat and crud. Now rinse well.

I do this maybe two out of three showers. She does it every other shower. (Whatever regular shampoo for the other times.) We've both found this to be paradoxically clean and good on both hair and scalp.

edit: if you're just looking for a great shampoo, Aveda Shampure is a fabulous product as noted above.
posted by fingersandtoes at 10:47 AM on August 16, 2019