Oily hair is something many people — women AND men — can struggle with. Embarrassing and frustrating, the condition can contribute to self-esteem issues.
Oily hair can make you feel like your hair is dirty and stringy, even after you’ve just washed it!
Greasy hair was a fad in the 80s but that era with its questionable fashion and hairstyles (scrunchies, anyone?) is long gone. We’re here to help you get rid of oily hair and feel confident from your head to your shoulder!
What causes oily hair?
There are several reasons for oily hair. The causes are either due to natural occurrences or poor habits. The natural causes are things that are out of your control and may be more difficult to remedy than simple bad habits.
Natural Causes
Excessive sebum production – The roots of hair secrete an oily substance called sebum. Everyone has these glands that secrete oil. Some oil is good for the hair. However, excessive production of sebum is one cause of oily hair. It is a hereditary condition.
Change of Seasons/Climate – Winter and Summer are two seasons that can cause hair to be more oily than usual. Surprisingly, it’s for the same reason — sweating. Bundling up in the cold winter months can lead to the same amount of sweat as a hot summer day. Warmth can cause an increase in sebum production.
Other Causes
Unhealthy Eating Habits – We all know that unhealthy eating habits can cause obesity and diseases but it can cause oily hair, too. If you eat fast foods full of grease, it can cause oil production in your scalp to increase.
Improper Haircare – Believe it or not, washing your hair TOO much is a common cause of oily hair. Overusing products and heat-based instruments, such as hair dryers, are another possible cause of oily hair.
Stress – Stress takes on many symptoms in the body and greasy hair can be one of them. Stress can also cause hair loss, so try and find a way to reduce excess stresses.
Medications – Medications often come with unwanted side effects. Some medications can cause an increase in oily hair.
Best products for oily hair
Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-Powder
Photo Credit: Bumble and Bumble
This dry powder shampoo absorbs the excess oil, leaving you with clean hair — to the look AND the touch. The company sells bigger size bottles, but the 0.5-ounce lets you use the product on a trial basis.
Experts recommend washing your hair LESS to get rid of oily hair, so this is a great compromise that lets you at least dry shampoo your hair.
Bonus – Bumble and Bumble is a cruelty-free company that doesn’t test its products on animals.
Head and Shoulders Instant Oil Control Shampoo
Photo Credit: Head and Shoulders
Head and Shoulders products deeply clean and rinse out excess oil and dirt from your hair. Your hair will be shiny and fresh after each use.
A brand renowned for its anti-dandruff shampoos, Head and Shoulders is an expert in combating problematic hair issues.
Majestic Pure Argan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner
Photo Credit: Amazon
Ingredients include tea tree oil and coconut oil. Both all-natural oils help dissolve built-up oil. This shampoo also helps regulate oil production.
Moroccan argan oil is a rare oil used for centuries in beauty routines. It gives hair a luxurious, healthy vibrancy.
Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo
Photo Credit: Skinsafe
This shampoo only needs to be used once a week, which fits the opinion of experts that oily hair should be washed less than normal hair. Oily residue is washed away instantly with this product.
Neutrogena’s Anti-Residue Shampoo removes 90% of the build-up from other shampoos and products in your hair. It also gives your hair a boost in volume.
Redken Clean Maniac Micellar Clean Touch Shampoo & Conditioner
Photo Credit: Sleek Hair
Free from sulfate and silicone, Redken’s shampoo and conditioner gently cleans oily hair, leaving it silky and gleaming.
While removing oils, this shampoo also lightly moistures your hair and scalp. Good for all hair types, you will find your hair bouncy and fresh after using the product.
All-Natural Oil Hair Remedies
Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar
Photo Credit: Swanson Vitamins
Mixing pure apple cider vinegar with water can help ease oily hair. The apple cider vinegar helps regulate the pH balance of your scalp, controlling excess oil production.
Fish Oil
Photo Credit: Amazon
Fish oil is an Omega 3 oil known for helping to regulate oil control. A hormone called prostaglandins produced by Omega 3 fatty acids tells your body to stop producing too much sebum.
Tea Tree Oil
Photo Credit: Amazon
Tea tree oil can be used to stimulate more hair growth in your scalp. You’d think more hair equals more oil, but by increasing the health of your scalp, the tea tree oil manages to reduce oil production.
Witch Hazel
Photo Credit: Dickinson's
Witch Hazel is used as astringent. It can close the oil-producing pores in the scalp. It’s been known to ease the itching and inflammation that excess oil can cause.
Home remedies for oily hair
Egg Yolk Hair Mask – eat yolks beat with honey or olive oil
Recipe here: (https://draxe.com/how-to-get-rid-of-greasy-hair/)
DIY Dry Shampoo – ¼ cup arrowroot and cornstarch
Recipe here: (https://www.purefiji.com/blog/hair-less-greasy-more-fabulous/)
Black Tea Rinse – Boil black tea leaves, strain out leaves, rinse into hair
Recipe here: (https://www.purefiji.com/blog/hair-less-greasy-more-fabulous/)
Oily hair care tips
Wash Pillow Covers
It seems like an obvious step, but washing your pillow covers frequently can help control oily hair. When you sleep, oil from your scalp and hair can transfer to your pillow cover. The next time you sleep on the unwashed pillow cover, that oil transfers back to your scalp. And the cycle repeats.
Routinely washing your pillow covers reduces the amount of oil transferred to your hair.
Don’t touch your hair
Women particularly have a subconscious need to touch their hair. When they’re bored (or flirting – take note, guys!), girls twirl their locks around their fingers. Fingers that have been touching other oily surfaces — like your face.
Keep that in mind the next time you find yourself mindlessly braiding your loose hair.
Wash less
It seems contradictory, right? Washing your hair more often to get rid of oil makes more sense, but many experts agree that washing your hair less is the better way.
Consider using dry shampoos if you really can’t go a day without washing your hair.
Change Diet
Poor dietary choices are a cause of oily hair. If you eat foods high in saturated fats and carbohydrates, they can cause your body to produce more oil.
Replace unhealthy foods in your diet with more fish and vegetables.
Use Less Product
Using hair products — hairspray, gel, mousse — can contribute to oily hair. Sticking with a messy bun while you resolve the oily hair issue is a great solution. Messy buns never go out of style.
Air-Dry
Heat causes your scalp to produce more oil. Turn off the blow dryer and let your hair air dry as much as you can.
Other hair accessories, such as straighteners and curling irons, are also bad to use with oily hair due to their high heat.
Clean Your Brush
A hairbrush holds so much oil and dirt between uses. Routinely washing your hair brushes or purchasing new ones cuts down on the old oil that can transfer to your hair.
Brushing your hair too much can also stimulate oil secretion, making your hair greasy. That old adage of 100 brush stroke per day is a bit much.
Wash Your Hair After Sweating
Sweating causes your glands to produce more oil, giving your hair an oily feel and look. Going to the gym, the beach in the summer or wearing hats in cold weather can all cause you to sweat.
Wash your hair after any of these activities or plan your showering after your workout at the gym.
Only Condition the Ends
Adding conditioner to your entire head can weight down your hair, causing increased oil production. It’s better to apply conditioner only to the tips of your hair.
Avoid using conditioner that is too thick or heavy for your hair type.
Skip the Shine Serums
Using products that claim to give your hair a healthy shine can actually contribute to the greasy hair problem. The ingredients in shine serums adds more oil to your hair than you need.
Instead of a rub-in shine serum, try a misting spray instead.
Say Goodbye to Greasy Hair
Getting rid of oily hair won’t happen overnight. If you follow some of these tips and tricks for fighting greasy hair, you should see an improvement in a few weeks.
Once you’ve gotten the oily hair under control, you can be more confident in how people see you. No one likes to be wrongly thought of as unsanitary or dirty. With these solutions, you (and your hair) will feel as clean as new!
References
https://draxe.com/how-to-get-rid-of-greasy-hair/
http://www.schwarzkopf.com/en/hair-care/oily-hair/fatty-hair.html
https://www.purefiji.com/blog/hair-less-greasy-more-fabulous/
Dry Shampoo Usage