Ever asked yourself, “Why does my hair get so oily?” If so, you’re not alone—greasy hair is a very common problem. Still, it can be annoying to deal with. It can make styling your hair difficult and decrease your confidence.
Here’s everything you need to know about the top causes of oily hair, why your hair tends to get greasy so fat, how to get rid of greasy hair, and some of the best products to try.
Why Is My Hair So Oily?
First things first: Why is your hair so oily, anyway? Paul Labrecque, creative director and stylist at Paul Labrecque Salon, says some people are simply born with a more oily scalp—but other factors can contribute, too.
What Causes Oily Hair?
Beyond simply being predisposed to it, your oily hair and scalp can be caused by various external factors, which include:
Washing your hair every day. If you constantly find yourself with an oily scalp and you’re someone who washes their hair every day, consider washing it less often—even every other day can lead to an improvement.
Hormones. Any time we see a shift in hormones, whether that’s after pregnancy, birth, puberty, menopause, or some other time in life, it can lead to a change in hair, sometimes making it more oily.
Using a shampoo that doesn’t work well for your hair type. If you’re using a moisturizing shampoo and constantly dealing with an oily scalp, it may be time to scrap the shampoo—it could be making your oily hair situation worse.
Is Oily Hair Healthy?
Everyone gets an oily scalp from time to time, and our scalps naturally produce oil (also known as sebum). But an abnormally oily scalp can be a sign of skin conditions like dermatitis, so if you’re concerned about your scalp, talk to a dermatologist.
Why Does My Hair Get Greasy So Fast?
According to Labrecque, the answer to this question really depends on the person. “Sometimes you can have oily roots and very dry ends,” Labrecque says. “Those with thin, fine hair can show oil the worst and most prominently.”
How to Get Rid of Greasy Hair
Now that we’ve covered why you might have greasy hair or an oily scalp, here are some areas to look at and ways to address these concerns.
How Do I Stop My Hair From Getting Oily?
If you want to stop your hair from getting oily, there are a few key steps you can take that include:
- Wash your hair more (or less) often
Shampoo helps remove oil and debris from the scalp, so if you’re someone with a very oily scalp, you may benefit from washing it more often. For some people, however, washing your hair more only increases the problem and you should aim for every other day, or even less. Trial and error will help you figure out what works best for your hair.
- Don’t shy away from conditioner
While it may not be the best idea to use a shampoo that promotes moisture, don’t skimp on the conditioner—if your hair dries out, it may signal to your scalp that you should produce excess moisture.
- Go easy on the heat styling tools
Sometimes, heat styling tools can make your hair look greasier than it is—like if you straighten it, for example. So from a purely aesthetic standpoint, if you struggle with greasy hair, start by letting your hair go all natural.
Oily Hair Treatment
If oily hair is a common occurrence for you, it’s important to use products that are formulated specifically for oily hair, which will (hopefully!) help you achieve your goal of reducing the oil in your hair. And good news is there are great haircare options out there to address these concerns.
Best Products to Treat Oily Hair
So, what are the best products to treat oily hair? What hair product will soak up excess oil and balance the scalp? What is a good shampoo for oily hair? Here are some options to try!
Volume+ Regimen
The 3-step Volume+ Regimen helps improve scalp health while replenishing and repairing thin, flat strands for thicker, more voluminous-looking hair instantly and over time.
Volume+ Shampoo
Volume+ Shampoo, the first step in the Regimen, is a gentle, sulfate-free, color-protecting shampoo that cleanses as it helps maintain a healthy scalp.
Volume+ Conditioner
After shampooing, use the Volume+ Conditioner that visibly boosts fullness instantly, while supporting scalp and hair health over time.
Densifying+ Treatment
As the third step of the Regimen, the Densifying+ Treatment is a lightweight, fast-absorbing treatment that replenishes and nourishes as it helps maintain a healthy scalp.
Refresh+ Dry Shampoo
Using a dry shampoo is the perfect option for those who opt to wash their hair less often. Refresh+ Dry Shampoo balances the scalp and absorbs excess oil, sweat and odor. This dry shampoo is lightweight and makes hair look, feel and smell clean without leaving any residue, and adds volume and fullness.
While oily hair can be a pain to deal with, there are tons of products out there that can help keep it under control. And if your oily hair issues persist, make sure to see a dermatologist to make sure there’s not another underlying issue that needs treatment.
