How To Get Rid of Oily Hair

Is your hair oily no matter what you do? If so, you’re in a position that many find themselves in. Before you can fix your oily hair problem, you’ll have to first identify the cause of the oiliness; only then will you be able to remedy the problem. In this article, we’ll share some oily hair causes and remedies, in addition to product recommendations to keep the oiliness at bay. 

Causes of Oily Hair

In case you weren’t aware, oily hair can be caused by a myriad of things. But, in most cases, it’s caused by one of the below culprits: 

• Hormone fluctuations. Your hormones - specifically androgens - are responsible for the amount of sebum that your body produces. When androgen activity is high, your scalp will produce more sebum. This is most likely to happen during ovulation, pregnancy, or puberty.

• Lack of adequate hair hygiene. Everyone’s scalp produces sebum. If you don’t wash it away regularly, it’ll start to accumulate, and you’ll end up with oily hair. 

• Overwashing the hair. When you shampoo your hair too often, your scalp will eventually get too dry, prompting your sebaceous glands to go into overdrive and produce too much oil. This type of oiliness is usually situated at your roots but can travel down the strands as well.

• Washing your hair improperly. Improper hair washing can take many forms, from applying too little shampoo to too much conditioner. Not rinsing your hair thoroughly or using water that’s too hot could also prove to be a problem. All of these things can lead to oily hair. 

• Product overapplication. When moisturizing or styling your hair, you might go a little overboard with your oil, serum, or leave-in conditioner. This can lead to excess oiliess wherever you apply the product. 

• Dandruff. Though the most widely known symptom of dandruff is large flakes on the scalp, it can also cause excess scalp oiliness and oily hair.  

Remedies to Get Rid of Oily Hair 

By this point, you may already have an idea of why your hair is oily. Based on the culprit you have in mind, you can make a simple change or two to get rid of the scalp oiliness fast. Here are a few remedies to get rid of oily hair. 

• Wash your hair at least once a week but avoid washing it every day. The exact hair washing frequency you should implement in your hair care routine will depend on your hair type, styling routine, how much free time you have, and more. Experiment to find the best wash frequency for you. 

• Rinse your hair thoroughly after shampooing and conditioning. Don’t rinse your hair for a few seconds and move on. Take a minute or two to ensure your hair is free of product each time. 

• Don’t use hot water to rinse. Use lukewarm water for rinsing to avoid drying out your hair and scalp. 

• Treat dandruff. Untreated dandruff can make your hair greasier than an oil slick. To remedy the condition, use a dandruff shampoo or scalp treatment. And if neither works after a week or so, go to a dermatologist for a prescription. 

• Be conservative when applying products. Start with a quarter-sized amount - or less - of product (moisturizer, conditioner, serum, etc.) and add more only if needed. 

• Use the right products. Clarifying shampoo (once per month), a lightweight conditioner, a water-based leave-in conditioner, and dry shampoo can all reduce your hair’s oiliness.  

So, there you have it - everything you need to know about how to get rid of oily hair. We hope you found this article to be helpful and we wish you the best as you get your oily hair under control.

Author: Andrea Reyes

Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.