Waking up with hair that looks like you slept in a deep fryer certainly doesn’t make for a great morning.
Oily hair is actually caused by a dry scalp, where the oil glands on the dry scalp produce excess oil and it is transferred to the hair, causing the hair to become oily.
An excessively oily scalp can lead to unpleasant itching and seborrheic dermatitis. It can even provide a feast for the fungus that causes dandruff.
However, you don’t want to remove all the fat. Your natural oils protect your hair and are vital for a healthy scalp and shiny hair.
In the rest of the article, read tips on how to get rid of greasy hair naturally, without damaging or irritating the scalp.
Natural ways to get rid of greasy hair
1. Wash your hair more often
People with really oily hair may need to shampoo up to once a day, according to European Dermatology Standards.
Shampoo helps to remove excess oil as well as hair product residue from your scalp.
2. Wash your hair less often
This may confuse you now. But if you already wash your hair once a day and it’s greasy by the end of the day, it might be worth considering how often you wash your hair.
Excessive washing can strip the natural oils from your scalp. This can cause the scalp to produce more oil for rehydration.
If you tend to have dry skin or a dry, itchy scalp with oily hair, taking a break between washes may help balance your scalp’s oil production.
3. Shampoo your hair properly
It doesn’t seem like rocket science, but yes, you can wash your hair incorrectly and end up with an oily scalp and damaged hair.
To wash your hair properly, gently work a small amount of shampoo into the roots and scalp. Avoid using your nails or creating unnecessary friction on the strands. Aggressive scrubbing can irritate your scalp and cause it to produce more oil.
Focus on the scalp, where the oil is, not the length of the hair. Do not apply shampoo directly to the ends of the hair or scrub them. Instead, simply let the shampoo run through the ends as you rinse.
4. Be careful with the conditioner
Conditioner can make your hair greasier and cause oil to build up more quickly. Treat only the ends of the hair and make sure to wash them thoroughly.
5. Dry your hair naturally
Blow dryers and hair straighteners can give you a sleek, smooth finish. But they can also make your hair greasier faster.
Let your hair air dry and embrace its natural texture. It will stay clean for longer and you will avoid heat damage.
6. Use products formulated for oily hair
A lot of research goes into making sure hair care products live up to their promises.
If your shampoo doesn’t remove oil, try a custom shampoo that has stronger detergents. It can help you lift oil and get rid of greasy hair.
However, if you have sweaty workouts or find you need to wash daily, a mild baby shampoo may be less irritating and more suitable for frequent use.
7. Clean the hair brush/comb
A dirty brush has no place with freshly washed hair. Your brush can be full of styling products and oils that can stain your hair immediately after washing.
Clean combing tools with a little shampoo or mild soap to remove build-up. Also, clean any loose hair after each brushing to keep your brush free of oil and dirt.
8. Deep cleansing with Aloe Vera
This home remedy does not only come into play in the summer months.
Aloe makes an excellent hair and scalp mask as it removes excess oil, fights product build-up, soothes the scalp and protects strands. You will be left with soft, healthy hair.
9. Avoid products with silicone
Many products, including shampoos, conditioners, creams and styling products, are made with silicones to help smooth hair and add shine.
Besides adding extra shine that can look an awful lot like grease, silicones can build up on hair and make it look dirty, greasy and weighed down. The most common silicones you’ll find in hair products include:
Silicones can also prevent beneficial moisture from entering the hair shaft. Do your roots a favor and skip all products with ingredients ending in “-kon”.
10. Be gentle on the scalp
Whether you’re washing, brushing, styling or scratching your head, it’s important to be extremely gentle.
Irritating your scalp can actually overstimulate it and cause your oil glands to produce even more oil.
11. Rinse your hair thoroughly
Take an extra minute or two to make sure all the shampoo and conditioner is washed out of your hair. It can make a big difference in how your hair looks and feels.
If products are not washed out properly they can coat the hair, making it look dirty and itchy.
12. Avoid touching your hair
Twirling your hair, scratching your head, running your fingers through your hair – the more you play with your hair, the worse it will look.
Frequent brushing and touching of the hair can stimulate the oil glands. You can work your scalp oil into your strands and add extra oil from your hands.
13. Try dry shampoo
Dry shampoo can be a savior in short. It can’t replace a foamy wet wash, but it can help dry out grease and give your hair a cleaner look. Many dry shampoos also add a hint of fragrance to freshen them up.
The downside is that dry shampoos add residue that can leave your hair and scalp feeling brittle and dirty.
It also dries out your hair, so it’s best to use it every now and then and wash it off completely the next day to avoid irritation and damage.
14. To moisturize or not to moisturize?
If you have oily hair, you may want to consider adding a light conditioner.
A lightweight conditioner can replenish and balance your scalp’s moisture without sending it into overproduction mode.
Maybe you should try conditioning first and then shampooing to remove any excess residue, or just ditch your traditional conditioner and try a conditioning spray (ends only).
15. Use a DIY dry shampoo
Don’t have dry shampoo and need some?
Cornstarch or baby powder are classic DIY substitutes. Adding cocoa powder can make it disappear in darker hair.
16. Use a coconut oil treatment
Don’t skip the scalp next time you apply coconut oil.
This treatment can help remove oil from the scalp and roots, while adding much-appreciated deep natural hydration.
17. Rinse with apple cider vinegar
List the benefits of apple cider vinegar.
When properly diluted, an apple cider vinegar rinse can help remove product build-up, balance the scalp’s pH, and reduce oiliness.
18. Shampoo with tea tree oil
Studies reveal that antibacterial tea tree oil improves the fight against dandruff, reduces itching and improves oiliness.
Look for a shampoo that includes tea tree oil as one of the active ingredients to get the full effect.
19. Apply green tea
This powerful drink is also good for your hair.
Green tea extract has been proven to be a reliable source of sebum reduction and skin care when applied topically. Make it easy on yourself and buy a shampoo that includes it.
20. Apply witch hazel
This potion is surprisingly convenient for oily hair.
Witch hazel can relieve itching, close oil-producing pores, and reduce inflammation caused by dandruff, pH imbalance, or other scalp disorders. It is also gentle enough to use on sensitive scalps.
21. Plan to wash after training
It probably goes without saying, but sweating spreads oils and can leave your hair looking less than fresh.
Try to stagger your shampooing around your most vigorous workouts to get the most out of each wash.
22. Wash your hair after wearing a hat or helmet
Hats, helmets, scarves and headbands can spread grease and trap heat.
After wearing, be sure to wash your hair or use a head liner to extend the time of the next wash.
A natural solution for oily hair
Greasy hair can be the result of a bad day. The good news is that there are a lot of natural remedies that will help you get rid of it.
It’s also important to note that the amount of oil you produce changes over time and generally declines as you age. The overly greasy hair of your youth won’t haunt you forever.