How Can I Prevent Greasy Hair?

An oil slick is never a welcome situation—especially when it’s in your hair. So how can you prevent your hair from inspiring strangers to sing songs from Grease? Here's how to assemble an ever-ready clean-up crew. The strategy might surprise you!

Use a Clarifying Shampoo, but Don’t Overdo It

Excessive oil production is often the result of an unbalanced scalp pH and an impaired lipid barrier. Using a clarifying shampoo can help, but not if you use it every day! When you strip your scalp’s natural oils, your scalp overcompensates by pumping out more oil than you need.

A clarifying shampoo like Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo will work wonders, but reach for it only 3 or 4 times a week. Any more than that is overdoing it.

Use a Dry Shampoo to Control Oil Between Washes or On Oilier Days

Dry shampoo is an absolute treasure for those who are looking to clear up an oily scalp but not strip it. With dry shampoo, you can sop up the excess oil in your hair and go longer between washes comfortably. Sachajuan Volume Powder is a great product that gives you lift, gentle cleansing, and a fresh feel.

When You Do Wash, Condition Your Scalp

If you have oily skin or hair, you probably tend to avoid hydration like the plague for fear it will increase an oily look and feel. Therefore, the truth may seem counterintuitive.

When you’re washing and conditioning your hair, don’t be afraid to get some conditioner on your scalp. It’s actually a clever way to balance the oils on your scalp and encourage healthy hair growth. A great lightweight conditioner that you won't hesitate to apply to your scalp is Shu Uemura Muroto Volume Pure Lightness Conditioner.

Luckily, it’s pretty simple to control oily hair. You just need to be willing to step out of your comfort zone and into a new routine! It may feel strange at first, but once you’re able to normalise your scalp, the results will feel lovely and not greasy at all. Check out our oily haircare section for more fantastic solutions.