Stocksy / Design by Camden Dechert
An oily hair and scalp are the biggest threats to any precious new do. Even more annoyingly, excess oil production can be caused by a variety of factors, from how youre feeling to what youre eating.
According to Rob Peetoom master stylist Linda de Zeeuw, "Greasy hair is the result of overactive sebaceous glands when they are producing too much sebum. Although sebum is good for the hair, too much can make your hair look slick and greasy. Common causes of oily hair are unhealthy eating habits, medications, improper hair care, stress, hormonal fluctuations, and change in weather."
So how exactly does one combat the grease when it can come from just about anything? We spoke to the experts for their tips to get rid of oily hair and scalp and prevent it from making a comeback no one asked for.
Meet the Expert
Shab Reslan is a trichologist and HairClub hair health expert.
Read on for the expert-recommended ways to combat oily hair.
of 10
Reduce Stress
Stressing about work deadlines? Woke up with oily hair? Stressed about work deadlines and your oily hair? We face stress and anxiety every day, but trying to balance a heavy load of stress can do more damage than that extra cup of coffee. When we are stressed, the body releases a hormone called cortisol. When our cortisol levels rise, it may cause the sebaceous glands in our scalp to be stressed as well, sending them into overdrive, producing and releasing more sebum, and causing oil buildup.1
Hormone imbalance also occurs when you are overly stressed or anxious, and before or during that time of the month. When the level of androgens (hormones) increases, which happens when you’re experiencing a hormone imbalance, this puts your body in a slightly stressed state, making the glands in your scalp produce more oil.2
of 10
Brush to Redistribute Oils
Brushing your hair is incredibly important, especially if you have oily hair. "Brushing your hair can decrease the look of oily hair as it distributes the oils down your strands. As with any oil, your natural oils can protect your hair but that doesn’t change the fact that your roots are still greasy looking and most likely clogging your follicle openings," explains trichologist Shab Reslan.
of 10
Avoid Refined Sugars and Dairy
Your diet can also influence how much oil your scalp produces, and some foods can make it produce more. Rob Peetoom advanced stylist Michael Bowman says, "A diet rich in sugars, dairy products, and red meats can make the scalp produce more oil." This means consuming high amounts of these foods can wreak havoc on your scalp. The hormones in dairy products are believed to break down into androgens (hormones) after consumption resulting in an overproduction of sebum.3
of 10
Consider Your Wash Schedule
Switch up your usual routine to avoid washing your hair every day."Try to wash your hair twice a week with a clarifying shampoo or use the Davines Solu Sea Salt Scrub Cleanser ($48), which is crafted from all-natural ingredients, and provides a deep yet delicate cleanse removing all impurities and build-up," suggests de Zeeuw. "And use a dry shampoo in between washings to make your hair look fresh."
However, Reslan adds, "Oily hair stems from an oily scalp and occurs when the scalp itself is not sufficiently cleansed over time, causing the sebum to run down the hair shaft. Infrequent shampooing and single shampoos per shower can lead to improper cleansing of the scalp." She also recommends avoiding natural shampoos "which tend to use super gentle cleansing ingredients that make it very difficult to sufficiently cleanse oily roots and hair." You can determine which shampoo method works best for you and your hair.
of 10
Take Your Vitamins
A hard-to-control oily scalp may be in your genes, but supplements can potentially help this condition. Certain diseases and medical issues, like polycystic ovary syndrome, liver congestion, and Sjögren’s syndrome (a long-term autoimmune disease), can cause an overproduction of oil. Bowman suggests zinc-based supplements to help increase immune defenses and betacarotene to help skin repair more quickly. "Choosing foods with whole grains, fish, and rich in vitamin E will help with oil production," he adds.
Taking supplements with vitamin B6 or essential fatty acids might help to control deficiencies and get your body’s balance back on track.
of 10
Remember Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids are a key component of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Making sure you eat enough of these may help combat excess sebum on the scalp and tame those oily strands. EFAs are found in nuts, seeds, fatty fish, and unrefined whole grains, so stock up on those almonds.
of 10
Avoid Sulfates
Sulfates are the ingredients in shampoos that make them suds up, and they can wreak havoc on your scalp by stripping it of its natural oils. In turn, your scalp will produce more oil, trying to make up for what was lost. There are lots of sulfate-free shampoos available, and theyre worth a try. You may initially find the lack of suds to be a bit odd, but trust us: Your hair is getting just as clean, and it may be less oily because you arent stripping the needed oils from you scalp.
of 10
Put Down the Dry Shampoo
While dry shampoo is great in a pinch, Bowman warns that people can sometimes use too much, which leads to even more buildup and clogged pores between washings. So be sure not to overload with the dry shampoo on oily days. "I recommend avoiding the use of hard-to-rinse products like dry shampoo and hair oils that can build up on the hair and become difficult to wash out," explains Reslan.
For a DIY buildup busting option, de Zeeuw shared a recipe for an apple cider vinegar solution to help reset your scalps pH. Create a mixture of one part apple cider vinegar and eight parts water. Put the solution in your hair, let it soak for a few minutes, and rinse it out with clean water.
of 10
Incorporate a Scalp Scrub
Exfoliating your scalp is likely not part of your haircare routine, but oily scalps can benefit from a good scrub. There are tons to choose from, or you can even make your own with simple pantry ingredients including coconut oil and sugar. If your oily scalp or hair is being caused by product buildup, a good scrub is the perfect way to start fresh. It will remove any old, accumulated product thats been there too long, and leave your scalp extra clean. Similar to a hair mask, scalp scrubs are best for occasional use, up to once a week.
of 10
Style Accordingly
Extra oil can also mean your hair has a hard time holding a style. Bowman suggests using lightweight products that wont weigh down your hair even more. "Try to blow dry as often as you can (to bring your natural oils down the hair). Apply a shine spray or definition mist to a brush or hands and brush the hair. Don’t apply it straight on the hair," he says. You can try the Bumble and bumble Spray de Mode flexible hairspray ($34).
If your hair is still giving you trouble, opt for a style that will stay in place. "For those with long hair, its easiest to make a ponytail, bun, or braid to keep the hair in place," de Zeeuw says. "If you have short hair, you can use a hair powder on the roots to absorb excess oil while adding instant volume." We recommend trying Davines This is a Texturizing Dust ($29).
What causes oily hair?
Oily hair can happen for a number of reasons. Sometimes, its related to hormones, the styling products you use, or a dry scalp, which makes your scalp produce more oil.
How can I tame oily hair?
You can decrease oily hair by using clarifying shampoos (sparingly), limiting your intake of processed foods, and skipping out on heavy conditioners and styling products.
Is dry shampoo good for oily hair?
Dry shampoo is designed to help absorb oil in your scalp, which is a good, temporary fix. However, it can buildup if used too often and if your scalp is too dry, your hair can start overproducing oil.
Chen Y, Lyga J. Brain-skin connection: stress, inflammation and skin aging. Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets. 2014;13(3):177-190. doi:10.2174/1871528113666140522104422
Makrantonaki E, Ganceviciene R, Zouboulis C. An update on the role of the sebaceous gland in the pathogenesis of acne. Dermatoendocrinol. 2011;3(1):41-49. doi:10.4161/derm.3.1.13900
Kucharska A, Szmurło A, Sińska B. Significance of diet in treated and untreated acne vulgaris. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2016;33(2):81-86. doi:10.5114/ada.2016.59146
-->