Stuck in a rut with greasy hair that literally weighs your strands – and you – down? Greasy hair can prevent you from looking and feeling your best, and can be especially frustrating if you don’t know the cause. Sounds hair-rific, right?
It’s time we find out what could be causing greasy hair to recur. We’ll teach you how to get grease under control with natural hair products, and tame those oily tresses once and for all!
What’s Causing Your Greasy Hair?
There’s nothing more discouraging than having to wash your hair every day because it’s greasy. Then you go through the whole shampoo-condition-dry-style process only to end up with limp, clumpy, oily, or heavy strands. Now you’ve got a hair-tastrophe on your hands!
To get to the root of greasy hair, it’s important to look at your hair care routine. You should know that regular shampooing isn’t all that’s standing between you and fresh-looking hair. There are also pesky, grease-enhancing ingredients and surprising daily habits that may be the culprit to your oily tresses.
Time to take charge against oily residue and uncooperative strands, by shining light on these all-important hair care behaviors!
1. You’re using the wrong shampoo and conditioner
Just like skin types, everyone’s hair is different and requires a unique balance of products. Using the wrong shampoo and conditioner for your hair type can cause a buildup of product on the scalp and strands, causing irregular itching and a dingy appearance. This buildup of product at your roots can also trap oil and make for heavy, greasy hair.
To help prevent product buildup, look for shampoos that are lightweight and absorb thoroughly into the hair. Steer clear of store-bought shampoos and conditioners that are loaded with oils, polymers, and silicones: all of which can leave residue behind and a buildup that’s difficult to rinse out. Using natural hair products with a balance of clean ingredients can enhance natural shine – without hair-hindering buildup.
2. You’re waxing on (too much) – or should be waxing OFF
Hair wax is great for adding texture and shape to your strands. While some waxes work well on thick and medium-textured hair, these can be too heavy for thin or fine hair types – especially those with longer strands.
Waxes tend to leave residue and buildup on finer hair types and can result in drab, limp locks. Plus, if not washed out properly, waxes could make your greasy hair even greasier – no thanks!
Opt for natural hair products with a light gel hold or light pomades, which can give you a flexible hair-hold instead of a hair-flop. Remember: if you’re going the wax route, a little goes a long way. Using too much of certain waxes can weigh your hair down and make it both oily and unmanageable.
3. The products you’re using contain harsh, hair-dulling ingredients
Greasy hair is a beauty affliction that we all have to overcome at some point. There are many store-bought hair products that not only enhance your greasy hair problem, they leave you with dull and lifeless strands. One BIG hair culprit: sulfates. After hearing more, you won’t want to let these infamous ingredients determine the sul-fate of your beautiful tresses.
These harsh surfactants can be the leading cause of greasy hair woes. Though these chemical detergents create a sudsy feeling when you work up a lather, sulfates create a vicious cycle of aggressively stripped hair that then leads your scalp to overproducing oil – the leading cause of greasy hair, Instead, swap these with sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner formulas for natural shine, without extra grease.
4. Your hair might need some clarity
If your daily hair routine involves sprays, serums, pomades, or other styling products, you better make sure that your conventional shampoo is effectively removing all that product buildup. As we learned earlier, this same buildup will leave your hair feeling heavy, greasy, and stringy.
Enter the almighty hair clarifying shampoo! Maybe you rely on dry shampoo on the days between washes, and you need a deep cleanse to remove any product buildup on your hair and scalp. Whatever the case, using natural hair products for clarifying your hair might be all that’s necessary to kick the gunk to the curb and get your hair back to its normal self.
5. You’re using the wrong oils for your hair
We know – it sounds confusing and counterproductive for oily hair! But there’s evidence that putting oil on your hair can help prevent the appearance of a greasy scalp. The reasons this theory works: once you strip your hair of its natural oils, the scalp goes into oil production overload, undoing everything you’re trying to combat. Sigh.
Although, it should be noted that certain store-bought hair oils might not be best for your already oily scalp. There are many options within natural hair products that utilize oils aimed to add gloss – not grease – to your hair. Look for natural hair products with cosmetic or virgin grade oils, and NO fillers. Or, expand your hair care repertoire with hair serums formulated from natural ingredients.
6. Your products contain hair-loathing ingredients
Navigating the market of hair care products can be daunting, especially if you’re committed to the lifestyle of natural beauty. It’s a minefield loaded with parabens, alcohol, toxic dyes, synthetic chemicals, silicones, and fragrances.
We’d recommend avoiding any alcohol-based hair products (SD Alcohol 40, Ethanol, Propyl, or Isopropyl), and let’s not forget sulfates (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, or SLS). PEGs (polyethylene glycols) are petroleum-based compounds widely used in products, and should also be avoided for epithelial absorption risks.
Each of these synthetic ingredients has the potential to dry out scalp and hair, contribute to dullness, strip strands of protective lipids, and disrupt the natural moisture balance that keeps hair looking shiny and bouncy.
7. Try exfoliating your scalp
Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. As we do with our skin, it’s important to consider the role of scalp exfoliation. On the scalp, dead skin and sebum can build up. If skin cells in this area are not exfoliated regularly, this buildup of sebum can lead to clogged hair follicles and damage to hair length, fullness, and growth. When we exfoliate our scalp, we remove any product buildup that wasn’t cleaned off in our normal hair washing session.
Exfoliating is also an essential method for bringing oxygen into the scalp, and preparing it for maximum absorption of any hair treatments you apply. You can check out our guide to scalp exfoliation for a full breakdown!
With these tips, hopefully you can send greasy hair to the sidelines, and happily take your hair game all the way to the finish line. Choosing the right natural hair products is the key to a happy, healthy head of hair – especially since they come with clean ingredients that keep us feeling confident in our hair care efforts. Now that’s a win-win for mind and mane!
Frequently Asked Questions About Greasy Hair
How can I choose the right shampoo and conditioner for oily hair?
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Look for Clarifying Shampoos: These shampoos are designed to remove excess oil and product buildup. They contain ingredients like sulfates that can help clean the scalp more effectively.
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Opt for Lightweight Conditioners: Heavy, moisturizing conditioners can weigh down your hair and make it look greasier. Choose lightweight, volumizing conditioners and apply them only to the ends of your hair.
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Ingredients to Look For: Tea tree oil, salicylic acid, and witch hazel are effective for oily hair as they help balance the scalp’s oil production.
What ingredients should I avoid in hair products to prevent greasiness?
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Silicones: Ingredients like dimethicone can build up on the hair and scalp, making it look greasy.
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Heavy Oils and Butters: Coconut oil, shea butter, and other heavy oils can weigh down hair and contribute to greasiness.
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Sulfates: While sulfates can help cleanse the scalp, they can also strip too much natural oil, causing your scalp to overcompensate and produce more oil.
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Alcohol: Some alcohols, particularly short-chain alcohols (like isopropyl alcohol), can dry out the scalp, leading to increased oil production.
What natural oils are suitable for oily hair?
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Jojoba Oil: It closely resembles the natural oils of the scalp, making it effective in balancing oil production.
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Tea Tree Oil: Known for its antibacterial properties, tea tree oil can help keep the scalp clean and reduce oiliness.
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Peppermint Oil: This oil has a cooling effect and can help control oil production while invigorating the scalp.
How can scalp exfoliation help reduce greasiness?
Scalp exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, excess oil, and product buildup that can clog hair follicles and contribute to an oily scalp. By exfoliating regularly (once a week), you can maintain a clean and healthy scalp environment. Use gentle exfoliating scrubs or brushes specifically designed for the scalp.
How can I prevent product buildup in my hair?
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Use Clarifying Shampoos: Incorporate a clarifying shampoo into your routine once a week to remove buildup.
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Rinse Thoroughly: Make sure to rinse your hair thoroughly after washing to ensure all product is removed.
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Limit Use of Heavy Products: Avoid using too many styling products, especially those that contain silicones and heavy oils.
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Rotate Products: Switching up your hair products regularly can prevent any one product from causing buildup.
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Use Apple Cider Vinegar Rinses: An occasional rinse with diluted apple cider vinegar can help clear product buildup and balance scalp pH. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water and rinse your hair with it after shampooing.
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