Oily hair can quickly make you look unkempt and simply make you feel less comfortable. But what's the best way to solve this problem, both quickly and in the long term? Here you'll find helpful and practical tips on how to fix the problem with a few tricks or even home remedies. Plus, our expert Lucie shares her secrets for combating oily hair.
What Causes Oily Hair?
Like everywhere else on our body, our scalp also has sebaceous glands through which it secretes sebum. This sebum protects the skin from damage and drying out . In dry or very oily skin, this function is impaired – it produces too little or too much sebum, respectively.
This becomes visible on the face, for example, through the typical oily shine, and on the scalp through greasy-looking and stringy hair. This can quickly make one look unkempt and "unwashed" — even though it's completely normal and, above all, not at all bad to have greasy hair occasionally.
It's only a real problem when it becomes a permanent condition and the hair looks greasy even immediately after washing.
Causes of Oily Hair
Oily hair can have various causes, some of which are:
- genetic predisposition
- hormonal changes (pregnancy, puberty, etc.)
- sun and sweating in summer
- temperature change or a change of seasons
- lifestyle (unhealthy diet, stress)
- certain medications
- Wearing lots of hats or caps
- drying hair care
Most people first notice their greasy hair during puberty, says Lucie, hair and makeup artist social media manager at PURISH. "As a child, you don't have any problems with it, and then suddenly! you have to wash your hair every day," she describes what many of us have gone through. It's simply hormones that are to blame.
However, many adults also experience problems with oily hair, which can have various causes. With a few styling and care tips, this can usually be resolved quickly.
Does Frequent Washing Make Hair Greasy Faster?
No, frequent washing doesn't make hair look greasy faster. That's an old myth.
It really depends on how you use it – if you use drying hair care products, the scalp may try to counteract the dryness with excessive sebum production, quickly making the hair look greasy.
Regular hair washing is important and should be done even if you have oily hair. Otherwise, fungal infections can develop, which can then lead to itchy eczema.
Tips for Dealing With Oily Hair
With a few tips, you can quickly get oily hair under control – though not everything can solve the problem 100%. Ultimately, it also depends on your individual circumstances and the exact causes of your oily hair.
- Mild shampoo: Use a pH-neutral shampoo that won't irritate your scalp or dry it out further. This is especially important if you wash your hair daily.
- Wash thoroughly: Make sure to always rinse all products out very carefully. Regular use of a clarifying shampoo can also be a good idea to remove product residue and deeply cleanse the scalp.
- Proper care: Apply conditioner only to the lengths and ends – the moisture boost is not suitable for the scalp! Avoid excessive heat: Avoid styling with excessive heat and blow-dry your hair only on a low or medium heat setting. The same applies to water temperature: lukewarm water is the best choice.
- Blow-drying is a must: Lucie emphasizes that, contrary to popular belief, blow-drying is actually beneficial. Wet scalps and hair not only become greasy faster due to the trapped moisture, but in this sensitive state, hair is also more prone to damage.
- Clean pillow: Change your pillowcase regularly to avoid transferring oily residue back onto your scalp. “Changing the cover once a week is a must! This applies to both oily hair and acne,” adds Lucie.
- Clean it!: Clean brushes and styling tools regularly – ideally once a week.
- Scalp exfoliation: A chemical peel can remove product buildup from your scalp. "It can help restore balance to the scalp and regulate sebum production," explains Lucie. She recommends liquid peels containing salicylic or glycolic acid, which are commonly used in facial care.
Product Recommendations for Oily Hair
Minimalist – Glycolic Acid 08% Exfoliating Liquid
Hairburst – Shampoo for Oily Hair
16,90 €
with the code
-0%
Latest lowest price: 16,89 €
(Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping)
Hairburst – Conditioner for Oily Hair
16,90 €
with the code
-0%
Latest lowest price: 16,89 €
(Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping)
skinlick – Root Cause Sebum Balance Shampoo
10,90 €
with the code
-0%
Latest lowest price: 10,90 €
(Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping)
Transparent Lab – Anti-Dandruff Scalp Treatment
18,90 €
with the code
-0%
Latest lowest price: 18,89 €
(Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping)
Maria Nila – Stimulating Scalp Brush
15,90 €
with the code
-0%
Latest lowest price: 15,90 €
(Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping)
Color Wow – Youth Juice Collagen Scalp Treatment
54,90 €
with the code
-0%
Latest lowest price: 54,90 €
(Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping)
Home Remedies for Oily Hair
You can also treat greasy hair and a slightly oily scalp with just a few home remedies.
- Rinse with apple cider vinegar or lemon juice: Dilute lemon juice or apple cider vinegar with water and apply to the scalp. Leave on briefly and then rinse.
- Tea rinse: Boil three tea bags (nettle, chamomile, or black tea) in half a liter of water, let it steep for 15 minutes, and then cool to lukewarm. Apply to the head and finally rinse with water.
What To Do About Oily Hair? Helpful Styling Tips
Oily hair offers advantages, especially for certain styles. After all, freshly washed, clean hair is often too soft and lacks grip.
- Sleek braid/bun: One of my favorite hairstyles is the sleek braid or bun. The day before washing my hair, you'll usually see me with a sleek hairstyle – simply tie my hair tightly into a braid or bun. If desired, apply a small amount of wax or gel to your hair to catch even the wisps of baby hair. My favorite twist is then to loosely tie my hair into a messy bun.
- Sleek Half-up: The same principle applies to a sleek braid – here, however, you only gather the top section of your hair and tie it at the back with a hair tie. This keeps your hair out of your face, but you're still wearing it down. Remember to create a short parting for an elevated look.
Immediate relief for oily hair
Not in the mood for a sleek look but still want your hair to look fresh? Then dry shampoo is the perfect solution – it absorbs excess oil, minimizes odors and makes hair look instantly fresher.
Dry shampoo is the perfect quick fix for a clean feeling in between washes. However, it can't completely replace regular shampooing – you should only use it once at most and wash your hair normally the next day at the latest. This will prevent product buildup and dry scalp.
My favorite dry shampoos
HAIRtamin – Peptide Dry Shampoo
34,90 €
with the code
-0%
Latest lowest price: 34,90 €
(Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping)
Olaplex – N° 4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo
ab
12,53 €
16,90 €
with the code
-26%
Latest lowest price: 16,89 €
(Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping)
Alternatively, you can use baby powder if you don't have dry shampoo at home. Unfortunately, it will have that typical smell – so be sure not to apply too much and to brush it out well to avoid leaving any white residue.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post and found my tips helpful. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions or comments!
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