Why Is My Hair Always Greasy?
Updated: Aug 22, 2022
If you seem to have oily hair no matter what you do, here are some pro tips.
First and foremost, make sure you are using a shampoo and conditioner that is specifically formulated to combat an overabundance of sebum on your scalp. Sebum is a waxy, oily substance that comes from your sebaceous glands. While sebum itself is necessary, an overabundance of production can result in oily, greasy hair, clogged pores, and acne. Our Oil Control Shampoo and Oil Control Conditioner fight clogged pores by removing dirt and grime that builds up at the base of the hair follicle. Our Oil Control Shampoo and Oil Control Conditioner are both infused with activated charcoal powder (derived from coconut shells) to absorb impurities and remove product build-up without stripping or drying out hair.
Next, make sure you are cleaning your scalp correctly. As mentioned in our previous blog post, oftentimes two shampoos are all you need! If you feel that after two shampoos with the proper products, you still have old, wet product build-up on your scalp, it may be time to introduce a Clarifying Shampoo into your wash rotation. Our Clarifying Shampoo revitalizes the scalp and hair and promotes a healthy scalp environment by removing the buildup of oils, styling products, and dry shampoo while adding shine to dull hair. It is safe for all hair types, however, it should NOT be overused. Use once per week or as needed.
Did you fully rinse out the conditioner?
If you've taken all the necessary steps above but still feel like you have an oily scalp immediately after you shampoo, you might be dealing with conditioner residue. Here is a tip on how to know if conditioner residue is the problem.
You won't be able to properly blow dry your hair. Your hair will look wet, and greasy and will separate no matter how many times you go over it with a blow dryer and round brush.
If this happens, save yourself time and frustration and give your hair another good long rinse. Rinse in sections if your hair is thick. You must rinse out your conditioner fully unless you are using a leave-in conditioner. When rinsing out your conditioner make sure to rinse until the water runs clear.
Additional Pro Tips on How to Manage Greasy Hair:
As mentioned in our previous blog post, focus on cleaning your scalp and less on cleaning the ends of your hair.
Do NOT let your hair air dry fully, unless you have naturally curly hair, that you are wearing naturally curly. Airdrying fully can often make your hair feel flat which will lead to it feeling greasy. Instead, allow your hair to air dry about 80% and then use a round brush and blowdryer to blow-dry your roots, up and away from your scalp.
Use products like volumizers, texturizers, and root lifts. The further your hair is from your scalp, (where the oils are coming from), the less oily your hair will be!
Use dry shampoo. Choose your favorite dry shampoo and spray it on your roots per the manufacturer's directions, then brush it through your hair. Do NOT use your fingers to brush through your hair. Using your fingers will distribute the oil from your fingers onto your hair. Use a clean brush that does NOT have hair in it. Brushing your hair with a brush that has hair in it can make your hair greasy.
Try not to touch or flip your hair too much. Oils from hands=oils on hair.
Your scalp produces oils as needed, every time you wash your hair you are taking your natural oils out. Your scalp will continue to produce oils to replace the oils that have been taken out. This is why it's so important to train your hair and not wash it every day.
Do a final cold rinse at the end of your shower. The colder the water, the better for your hair. Cold water closes down the cuticle, making the hair shaft smoother and it helps seal in moisture. It also closes the pores on your scalp which helps control the overproduction of oil, which helps prevent oily hair.
Did you know?
It takes four weeks to train your hair. Start off small, wash every other day, then every two days, every third day, etc. In four weeks your hair should find a balance and become adjusted to your new wash schedule, slowing down the production of oils. If you absolutely cannot go a day without shampooing, be sure to invest in a shampoo and conditioner that is safe for daily use, like our Daily Shampoo and Daily Conditioner, specifically formulated for daily use.
FAQ
Why does my hair always feel greasy?
There are a number of reasons why your hair always feels greasy. Your scalp may produce an overabundance of sebum. Sebum is necessary, but an overabundance will cause oily, greasy hair, clogged pores and acne. Make sure you are using the correct shampoo and conditioner, specifically formulated to combat an oily scalp. Don't over shampoo. Over shampooing will strip your hair of it natural oils, causing your scalp to produce more sebum than is necessary. When you do shampoo, be sure to clean your scalp thoroughly, often two to three shampoos are necessary, especially if you are using a sulfate-free shampoo. Completely rinse out your conditioner until the water runs clear. Conditioner residue to make your hair look and feel greasy immediately after washing. Always do a final cold rinse to close down the pores on your scalp. This will help stop the overproduction of oils. Use the right styling products for an oily scalp and hair, volumizers, texturizers and root lifts are the best. Don't touch your hair too much. When you touch your hair, oils from your hands will transfer to your hair, making your hair look and feel greasy.
What are the best natural shampoo ingredients for oily hair?
When looking for the best shampoo for oily hair, it's important to read the label! Here are some of the top ingredients to look for when selecting the right shampoo for an oily scalp or greasy hair! Aloe Vera, Charcoal, Algae, Honey and Green Tea. The following is a list of oils, which may seem counterproductive to use oil to get rid of oils, but trust us, these are some of the best ingredients to look for in a shampoo when trying to get rid of scalp oils, naturally. Rosemary Oil, Coconut Oil, Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, Geranium Oil, and Bergamot Oil all offer amazing benefits to the scalp and help control the oils in your hair. When selecting a shampoo, make sure it is sulfate-free, paraben-free and phthalate-free.
Should I use conditioner if I have oily hair?
If you have oily hair, yes you should definitely use conditioner and here's why. Conditioner is necessary for the health of your hair. It provides hydration, nourishment and protection that your shampoo does not. If you feel like conditioner makes your hair greasy or flat, you haven't found the right conditioner for you! Finding the best conditioner for your hair type means reading labels! When looking for the best conditioner for an oily scalp and greasy hair, look for Aloe Vera, Charcoal, and Pro Vitamin B5. The following oils are also hugely beneficial and are the best conditioner oils for oily hair: Coconut Oil, Argan Oil, Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil and Geranium Oil. Always thoroughly rinse out your conditioner to avoid any conditioner residue and make sure your conditioner is free of sulfates, parabens and phthalates.