Does your hair look greasy at the end of the day? Your head produces oil to keep your scalp and hair healthy, but if your hair looks like it needs another wash a few hours after shampooing, then the oil production on your head may be out of balance. Learn how to deal with oily hair by starting a new hair wash routine, using the right products and a few secret tricks.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Washing Hair and Applying Hair Products
Step 1. Determine a shampooing schedule
Shampoo can remove oil, but it can strip away too much of the protective oil from your hair, leaving your hair dry and prone to breakage. If your hair breaks or splits easily, you may be shampooing your hair too often. Look for a wash schedule that leaves your hair healthy and silky, so you can get rid of the oil without damaging your hair.
- You can wash your hair daily if your hair is very fine, live in a humid area, or if you exercise every day and sweat a lot. For some people, washing hair every 2-4 days is recommended. You will need to wash your hair less frequently if you have very frizzy African hair, or if your hair has been treated with keratin.
- Your hair will produce the same amount of oil, regardless of how often you wash it.
Step 2. Choose a shampoo
Look for a shampoo specifically designed for oily hair. The examples of the most effective shampoos tend to contain sulfates, which are known in some circles for causing damage to skin and hair. Try a shampoo like this, but switch to a sulfate-free product if it irritates your skin or changes your hair so much that it becomes dry and damaged.
- If you can't find an effective and safe shampoo, you can replace your shampoo with one of the homemade concoctions below.
- Avoid products that promote “extra shine,” which is caused by oily ingredients.
Step 3. Use dry shampoo
Dry shampoo is a scented powder that is applied to the hair and absorbs oil, without stripping the hair of its protective oils. Hold the shampoo can at a distance of 15 cm from the hair, and spray lightly on the roots and the middle part of the hair on the oily areas. Leave it on for two minutes, then massage the shampoo with clean hands into your hair. Apply whenever your hair feels oily, about 1-3 times between washes.
- Too much dry shampoo can cause a build-up of white shampoo powder. Apply a thin layer and only on the oily areas (especially the layer of hair closest to the scalp.)
- Dry shampoo is available in powder and spray form. Choose this type if you are sensitive to fragrances or aerosols.
- Baking soda, talcum powder, and other powdered ingredients are also effective at absorbing oil.
Step 4. Carefully apply conditioner
Conditioner is designed to leave hair soft and silky, which is a quick way to tackle oil. Use conditioner immediately after shampooing with shampoo, when hair is at its driest, and apply only the size of a small coin. Rub only on the ends of the hair, because the roots of the hair is quite slippery.
- To reduce the amount of conditioner, apply a thin layer of leave-in conditioner or spray conditioner.
- Unexpectedly, co-washing or shampooing with conditioner (using conditioner instead of shampoo) can actually remove oil, although not as much as shampoo. However, co-wash is especially beneficial for dry hair. Shampoo is a safer option for someone with oily hair problems.
Step 5. Reduce the use of hair products
It's no surprise that gels and mousses don't help with oil. Use only light products, such as texturizing spray. If you want to use mousse for special occasions, be sure to wash your hair at the end of the day.
Step 6. Choose a clarifying shampoo if necessary
Clarifying shampoo is a very powerful product to remove the buildup of shampoo products in the hair. Since this shampoo is harsh enough to damage your hair, use it once every second to fourth wash.
Don't use a clarifying shampoo on color-treated hair, which can make your hair color fade and make it more prone to breakage
Step 7. Treat dandruff
Many people who have dandruff often think that the problem is dry skin. Actually, dandruff can be triggered by excessive sebum production or scalp oil. If you have dandruff, treat it with a dandruff shampoo according to the label instructions.
There are several types of dandruff shampoo. If dandruff doesn't go away after a few uses, switch to a shampoo with a different active ingredient, or see a doctor for a prescription for a stronger treatment
Method 2 of 3: Reducing Oil with a Homemade Concoction
Step 1. Wash your hair with oatmeal (oats)
Pour about 1 tablespoon of dry oatmeal into 120 ml of water. Boil for two minutes, cool, then strain the oatmeal. The remaining water contains natural soap, which can remove oil like shampoo from the hair. Try this water instead of shampoo for a few uses to see if you can save money and avoid harsh chemicals.
Step 2. Apply the clay hair mask
Look for clay sold as beauty products and mix it in water to form a paste. Doing a small amount on the hair, lightly coat damp hair with clay. Wrap the hair in plastic wrap or a plastic bag and rinse after 5-30 minutes.
Try a bentonite clay mask or a rhassoul clay mask
Step 3. Try apple cider vinegar and baking soda
Many people use apple cider vinegar to remove product buildup, which is hair that is too susceptible to exposure to clarifying shampoos. This is suitable for some people, and not suitable for others at all. You can go one step further and join the “no shampoo” movement, by substituting all washing products for this formula:
- Prepare a bottle containing half baking soda and half water. Make a second bottle of half apple cider vinegar and half water.
- Shake the bottle of baking soda and apply a small amount to your hair. Rinse.
- Empty the bottle of vinegar and apply a small amount to your hair. Rinse.
- Repeat this step once a week or whenever oil builds up in your hair. If your hair still feels greasy, let the vinegar sit for ten minutes before rinsing it off.
Step 4. Apply citrus fruits
Lemon juice is a popular home remedy for oily hair. Try this concoction by dissolving the juice of one or two lemons in 240 ml of water. Rub this mixture on your scalp and hair, then rinse after five minutes.
For a quick application of citrus fruits, make a citrus fruit hair spray
Method 3 of 3: Managing Hair in Different Ways
Step 1. Keep your fingers away from your hair
If you keep twisting your hair or combing your hair back with your fingers, you may be wiping the oil off the skin of your hands. Pin or tie your hair back so it doesn't cover your eyes. Check out the article on how to keep your hands away from your face.
Step 2. Choose a hairstyle
Try buns, braids, and other hairstyles that will make your hair tight and blended. Keeping the strands of hair together and not falling apart will reduce the impression of oily hair.
Step 3. Determine the shampoo cycle
If you have to attend a big event, you will need to wash your hair on the same day as the event to make sure your hair is as fresh as possible. Set a shampooing cycle so you don't wash your hair a few days before the event. Hair should be oil free throughout the day.
Step 4. Consider a haircut
Long and oily hair requires expensive maintenance. On the other hand, most of the oil tends to build up near the roots of the hair, so a haircut doesn't make any difference. Follow your personal preferences and experience with hair when deciding on the right hair length.
