As a rule, coping with greasy hair can really feel like a vicious cycle. In case you wash hair an excessive amount of, that may set off an overproduction of oil. In case you wait a number of days in between washes, you may wind up coping with a greasy scalp. And in case you use dry shampoo, it could assist scale back the oily look quickly, however that very same dry shampoo may wind up clogging your hair follicles and in flip, set off much more oil. In case you’ve handled greasy hair, you are in all probability properly conscious of all of this and extra.
Fortunately, although, there are greater than a handful of the way to coach your scalp to be much less greasy. For probably the most half, it is only a matter of being constant and working towards endurance till you discover the tactic that works for you. Moreover, relying in your way of life, there are issues you are able to do to stop your hair from being uncovered to exterior elements that may make your hair look greasier.
We tapped two skilled hairstylists and an authorized trichologist to share their skilled ideas for treating and stopping greasy hair. From rubbing a well-liked important oil into your scalp and altering your linens incessantly to alternating shampoo formulation and taking dietary supplements, discover the 28 greatest ideas, beneath.
Meet the Professional
- Laura Polko is a Los Angeles-based movie star hairstylist whose purchasers embrace Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Chrissy Teigen, Candice Swanepoel, and Adriana Lima
- Allison Friedman is a New Jersey-based senior stylist on the Warren-Tricomi Salon.
- Sophia Emmanuel, an IAT-certified trichologist and licensed cosmetologist in New York
- Lauren Thompson, a stylist at Nunzio Saviano Salon in New York Metropolis
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Wash Your Hair With a Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Most shampoos include sudsy detergents referred to as sulfates that may over-cleanse and dry out your scalp. For the primary few makes use of of a sulfate shampoo, your hair may really feel squeaky clear, however over time, your scalp could begin to overproduce oil to make up for the dryness. So to maintain the greasiness at a minimal, go for light, sulfate-free shampoo formulation that can cleanse your strands with out stripping your scalp or hair of the oils it wants to remain robust and wholesome.
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Use Dry Shampoo Between Washes
In case you’re somebody who cannot fathom going a single day with out washing your hair as a result of your strands accumulate approach an excessive amount of oil– you are not going to love this, however– combat the urge and skip your each day hair wash. It’d sound counterintuitive, however the much less you wash your hair, the higher off it will be. If it’s essential to stretch your wash, spritz a few of Dove’s Quantity & Fullness Dry Shampoo ($14) onto your roots to maintain hair wanting clear (even when it is not). In case your standard method entails an aimless spray of dry shampoo, do that method as an alternative: Half your hair in small sections from ear to ear, and spray the product on the roots to make sure your complete head is roofed.
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Attempt a Texture Spray
As superior as dry shampoo could also be, it might probably do extra hurt than good for sure hair varieties. “In case your hair is continually oily, keep away from over dry-shampooing,” says Laura Polko, a Los Angeles-based movie star hairstylist whose purchasers embrace Gigi Hadid, Chrissy Teigen, and Candice Swanepoel. As an alternative, she recommends making use of a texture mist like Bumble & bumble’s Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray ($36). “It is nice at reviving day two or three hair,” says Polko.
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Put on Your Hair Up
Relying in your hair sort, your roots may begin wanting a bit soiled round day three, however that is OK. The wonder is you could capitalize on the grease for don’t-care ‘dos. These types are stylish however purposefully messy, which means a little bit grease and grit from the dry shampoo or texture spray will solely make them higher. We love a low, free chignon you could both tie up with a hair tie or clip in place with a claw clip.
Byrdie Tip
Finger-to-hair contact conjures up oils, so pulling your hair again is particularly necessary as a result of it eliminates the potential for having the ability to run your fingers by it.
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Rinse Hair With Apple Cider Vinegar
On day 4 or so, we’ll allow you to cheat a bit and do an apple cider vinegar rinse in heat (not sizzling) water—sizzling water could also be too drying. Many individuals imagine that uncooked, natural apple cider vinegar, like Fekkai’s Apple Cider Detox Rinse ($28.50), is acidic sufficient to revive the pH steadiness of your hair and rid the scalp of buildup, but delicate sufficient that it does not strip your strands of important vitamins. And, in keeping with Lauren Thompson, a stylist at Nunzio Saviano Salon in New York Metropolis, it is also light sufficient to make use of on color-treated hair.
In case you use pure apple cider vinegar, one of the simplest ways to use it’s to pour a combination of it into your hair whereas within the bathe, work it by your roots, and rinse it out. Not solely will it take away the oily buildup, however it would additionally depart your hair unbelievably mushy and glossy. Win-win. For the ACV combination, you may wish to combine about two to a few tablespoons of pure apple cider vinegar right into a bottle of water to assist steadiness the acidity.
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Restrict the Use of Styling Merchandise
A great deal of hairspray and lotions could trigger buildup on the scalp, which then results in extra grease, so it is best to skip them in case you can.
Allison Friedman, a senior stylist on the Warren-Tricomi Salon in New Jersey suggests making use of only one styling product to the scalp and solely when you have flat hair that wants a lift of quantity. “The one product you ever wish to put in your roots when your hair is damp is a mousse or a root lifter earlier than blow-drying.” We just like the Residing Proof Full Thickening Mousse ($30) as a result of it offers the hair nice maintain with out coating the strands with a sticky residue or weighing them down over time.
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Alternate Between Shampoo Formulation
Although it is best to restrict your product use when “coaching” your hair to provide much less oil, in case you really feel such as you’re experiencing buildup over time, use a clarifying shampoo now and again to reset your scalp when needed. Light shampoos are higher for normal use, however a clarifying shampoo works to deep clear your scalp, roots, and strands when your hair begins feeling heavy or slowed down. It is sensible to alternate the formulation you are utilizing on the whole anyway– even when it is to not use a clarifying shampoo– as a result of in case you stick to 1 for too lengthy, you might discover that your hair is not getting as clear because it as soon as was.
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Exfoliate Your Scalp
Scrubs not solely really feel superb on a greasy, irritated scalp, however they’re additionally nice for retaining the hair and pores and skin in your head wanting wholesome and clear. Polko likes utilizing scalp scrubs to take away any extra product buildup and oil, corresponding to Ceremonia’s Papaya Scalp Scrub ($29). The lathering method makes use of pink salt and papaya enzymes to exfoliate and steadiness the scalp’s pure oils whereas guava leaf and prickly pear cactus moisturize it.
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Let Your Hair Air-Dry
Imagine it or not, “blow-drying an excessive amount of may also trigger your hair to provide extra grease, so attempt letting your hair air-dry as an alternative,” says Polko. Certain, air-drying could be time-consuming, however there are methods to hurry up the method. “After washing, I like to recommend utilizing a leave-in-conditioner in your ends quite than an oil as a result of it retains your hair wanting recent whereas lowering your dry time.” Touching your hair an excessive amount of earlier than it is dry could create frizz, particularly on wavy or curly textures, so attempt making use of your merchandise and letting your hair sit till it is dry. We love JVN’s Full Hydrating Air Dry Hair Styling Cream ($26) because it boosts shine whereas eliminating frizz.
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Take a Complement
“Your hair, pores and skin, and nails are a direct reflection of what you set into your physique. Dietary supplements are an effective way to attain shinier, more healthy hair,” says Polko. We should always add that hair dietary supplements are usually not regulated by the FDA, which implies you must take their claims with a grain of salt. Nonetheless, some folks expertise good outcomes from taking hair dietary supplements, so in case you’re eager about giving them a go, attempt one designed to handle a greasy scalp. Polko is a fan of Nutrafol ($88), which is “wealthy in omega-3s and B nutritional vitamins” and may also help to encourage wholesome hair progress. All the time seek the advice of your physician earlier than including any complement to your weight loss program.
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Pay Consideration to Your pH
It is very important observe that if you’re attempting to stop stripping your hair whereas utilizing shampoo (with or with out sulfates), you must take note of the product’s pH. “Ensure the shampoo has a pH of 5.5 or much less,” says Sophia Emmanuel, an IAT-certified trichologist and licensed cosmetologist primarily based in New York. “This manner, the hair shouldn’t be as dry as soon as the shampoo is rinsed out and the scalp won’t overproduce oil to make up for what was misplaced. “
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Search for the Phrase, ‘Clarifying’
“Something clarifying will assist management oil and prolong your wash,” says Polko. This MoroccanOil Clarifying Shampoo ($26) nourishes and restores the hair with components like Argan and avocado oils and keratin whereas it removes buildup on the hair strands with out the usage of sulfates.
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Double-Up On Shampoo
In case your roots get additional greasy, nevertheless, Friedman says the trick is to apply dry shampoo instantly after you’ve got washed your hair. “I apply some dry shampoo on to my roots in order that because the hours go on and your scalp begins to provide oil, the dry shampoo will begin working instantly to fight that oil. And you may reapply as a lot as wanted all through the subsequent days to maintain the oil at bay and your blowout as recent as potential.”
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Change Your Linens
Take into account how a lot time you spend resting your head in your pillow and now assume how typically you alter your pillowcase. Each evening, it absorbs the oil and dirt from the day earlier than, and in case you’re not incessantly washing your linens, all of that finally ends up rubbing in your scalp. So, you might be doing all the things else proper in your hair care routine, but when your pillowcase is soiled, all these efforts might be in vein.
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Use a Sweatband
What in case you work out? After all, having a sweat sesh on the health club means your hair will get oily sooner (and can want some freshening up). On this occasion, Thompson suggests utilizing a sweatband to soak up sweat and oil on the hairline to stop it from reaching your hair.
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Take Steps to Prolong a Blowout
At evening, spray hair with dry shampoo to assist take in any oil all through the evening, and clip your hair up in a bun on the highest of your head, says Thompson. “I only in the near past began doing this and it helps prolong the lifetime of a blowout.” In case your hair is in determined want of a rinse, soak it within the bathe with simply water, and use dry shampoo as soon as dry.
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Experiment With a Moist Look
Moderately than pulling your hair up, attempt working with the grease as an alternative of towards it. Attempt a slicked-back moist look on the final day earlier than a wash. To take action, mix equal elements gel and cream to create a styling balm that permits for mushy, touchable maintain, and use your fingers to rake the product by the size of your hair. Nobody will realize it wasn’t clear, to start with.
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Delay the Time Between Washes…
How lengthy you may go between washes depends upon your hair sort and texture, however attempt to extend the time between washes so long as you may (anyplace from each different day to as soon as per week). And bear in mind two key issues afterward: Contact it as sparingly as potential, and do not overuse styling merchandise or dry shampoo. “By doing so, you overwork your scalp, rising oil manufacturing,” says Polko.
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…Or Wash Extra Ceaselessly
On the flip facet, possibly your hair does should be washed day-after-day. Individuals with very oily pores and skin and/or very lively life could profit extra from a each day wash routine quite than stretching out the time in between washes.
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Enhance Your Washing Approach
Utilizing the appropriate method is crucial to diminishing the looks of greasy roots. Since oil begins on the scalp, you wish to be sure you’re working your shampoo and scrubs into the roots and taking time to therapeutic massage them in. It will break up any buildup and assist to clear clogged hair follicles. Moreover, be sure you’re listening to your complete head versus simply the hairline—even the again of your head wants TLC.
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Apply Conditioner Sparingly
As with many styling merchandise, conditioners can overwhelm the hair. To maintain your roots voluminous, focus conditioner solely on the ends of the hair, staying away from the roots (which have a tendency to soak up probably the most oil).
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Clear Your Hair Instruments
A grimy hairbrush, comb, or sizzling instruments (straightener, curling iron, and many others.) can distribute oil and dirt all through the hair. To make sure that you narrow by oily residue and buildup and are not depositing it again onto your clear hair, wash your brush and comb a minimum of as soon as per 30 days.
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Attempt a Scalp Masks
Attempt a product formulated particularly for shiny hair, like Briogeo’s Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Cooling Hydration Masks ($34) which makes use of balancing and hydrating components corresponding to aloe, hyaluronic acid, and charcoal to reset the scalp.
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Flip to Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is not only for breakouts, it might probably assist with oil regulation, too. Search for scalp and hair merchandise with the pure ingredient in them, or attempt including a number of drops to your scalp and rubbing it in earlier than shampooing for additional cleaning.
Tea tree oil retains your scalp wholesome because it reduces itchiness and flakiness whereas combating extra buildup on the scalp that results in a greasy look.
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Examine the Components
Some components generally present in hair care merchandise—silicone, as an illustration—can result in extra oil manufacturing. Whereas this is perhaps helpful to these with dry scalps, for these with oily hair varieties, it is largely seemingly undesirable. Search for components like cyclomethicone and amodimethicone, that are silicones by one other title.
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Completely Rinse Out Your Merchandise
Extra product can weigh hair down, inflicting it to create extra oil and to have a number of buildup. Take the time to rinse your shampoo, conditioner, or masks out of your hair utterly to keep away from this drawback.
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Wash and Model Hair Gently
Watch out if you wash, dry, and elegance the hair, as being too aggressive could cause hair to generate extra oil. Simply as you may wish to use light merchandise, you may additionally wish to deal with your hair and scalp gently.
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Search Skilled Assist
The excellent news is that most individuals discover that as they become older, their hair will change into much less oily. It’s because the physique produces much less of the androgen hormone as folks age, which is chargeable for oil manufacturing from head to toe. Nevertheless, in case you really feel like your hair is getting extra oily or not bettering with any of the ideas above, you might wish to see a health care provider to assist decide the trigger.
Seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff might be the perpetrator if you’re additionally experiencing an itchy scalp and flakes. A physician can prescribe a medicated shampoo that comprises zinc pyrithione or ketoconazole to assist get your scalp wholesome.
A hormonal imbalance may also trigger extra oil in your hair. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal dysfunction that may trigger greasy hair, in addition to zits and hair loss.
FAQ
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What causes greasy hair?
Your hair follicles include oil glands that produce an oily substance referred to as sebum that helps hold your hair and scalp wholesome and moisturized. Hormones referred to as androgens, which begin to improve throughout puberty, could cause an excessive amount of sebum to be produced, which leads to an oily scalp and hair. Some folks simply naturally produce extra sebum than others.
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Is it OK to clean your hair day-after-day whether it is oily?
Specialists say it’s superb to clean your hair each day when you have greasy hair—particularly in case you train day-after-day or simply really feel brisker with a each day wash. Use a mild shampoo for shiny hair, specializing in the scalp, and use conditioner solely on the ends. See how your hair responds—if washing it day-after-day appears to make it greasier, then attempt skipping a number of days in between.
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Are there any advantages to greasy hair?
The oil in your hair, aka sebum, has a great goal. It helps to moisturize your scalp and hair, retaining your hair shiny and wholesome and stopping it from drying out. Following the ideas above will assist you discover the appropriate steadiness of sebum manufacturing so your hair is shiny, not greasy.
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What’s the greatest brush for greasy hair?
A boar-bristle brush will assist to evenly distribute the oil so it does not settle at your roots. Be sure you do not overbrush, nevertheless, as this may make your hair extra greasy.
27 Hairstyles to Put on With Soiled Hair (As a result of Washing Is not All the time an Choice)
Article Sources
Byrdie takes each alternative to make use of high-quality sources, together with peer-reviewed research, to help the details inside our articles. Learn our editorial tips to be taught extra about how we hold our content material correct, dependable and reliable.
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Gavazzoni Dias MFR. Professional and contra of cleaning conditioners. Pores and skin Appendage Disord. 2019;5(3):131-134. doi:10.1159/000493588
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Cleveland Clinic. The Soiled Fact About Washing Your Hair. Up to date August 2018.
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Cleveland Clinic. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. November 2014.
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American Academy of Dermatology Affiliation. Ideas for Wholesome Hair.
