11 Ways To Fix Greasy Hair

Our hair will become oily or greasy from time to time, even if we shampoo continually. This is because sebum, a natural hair protectant and emollient, causes hair to become oily. So, you might want to know how to fix greasy hair, do not you? If your hair is extremely oily, even after shampooing it every day and not using any oil, it is possible that your hair generates too much oil, causing the scalp to become greasy. It is also important to understand what is causing it. This could be your hormones, what you eat, or how you take care of your hair. Your treatment methods can be more effective and you can prevent excessive greasiness from recurring by fixing underlying issues. If you’re wondering how to get rid of greasy hair, keep reading to learn a few simple remedies to help you deal with it. Scroll down now! .

11 Natural Ways To Fix Oily Hair

1. Tea Tree Oil

Dandruff sometimes makes the hair greasy. The anti-fungal properties of tea tree oil help fight dandruff and control the greasiness (1).

Mix 15 drops of tea tree oil with 30 ml of any carrier oil (like coconut or jojoba oils) and apply to your scalp. Spread it evenly through the length of your hair. Leave it on for at least an hour before washing it off. You can also apply tea tree oil directly to your scalp if you are not sensitive to it. You can use this mix 2 to 3 times a week.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is acidic in nature. Rinsing your hair with ACV may control excess sebum. However, research is limited in this aspect.

You can mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of ACV with 1 cup of water. After washing your tresses with a mild hair clarifying shampoo, cleanse the hair with the diluted apple cider vinegar. Leave it on for a few minutes and rinse off with cold water. You can do it 2 to 3 times a week.

3. Coconut Oil

Applying coconut oil before shampooing is a great way to condition your hair without making it greasy. Virgin coconut oil is light and has a lower molecular weightⁱ  The mass of the molecules of an oil that, if lower, makes the oil thinner and, if higher, makes it thicker. compared to many other oils and gives your hair the required shine (2). Thus, it may help prevent excess sebum production.

Apply some virgin coconut oil to your scalp and hair tips. Massage it in a circular motion. Leave it on for an hour and wash it off with a mild cleanser. You can apply the oil once a week.

A study conducted between October 2016 and October 2017 indicated that out of the 1899 participants, 327 (17.2%) reported trying the standardized scalp massages. The participants who engaged in scalp massages reported spending a median of 11-20 minutes on daily massage and continued the practice for 7-6 months. Among them, 68.9% reported either stabilization of hair loss or regrowth.

4. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera exhibits significant astringent and nourishing properties due to its nutrient-rich composition (3). It may also help support hair oil control.

Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of aloe vera juice with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Mix this with a cup of water. Use this mixture to rinse your hair after shampooing. You can incorporate it once a week into your hair care routine.

5. Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is a rich source of magnesium. Magnesium ions can easily penetrate the hair follicles (4). Some anecdotal evidence suggests that magnesium may help reduce scalp inflammation. It also may absorb the excess sebum secreted by your scalp.

Mix two to three teaspoons of Epsom salt with your shampoo and wash your hair with this mix. Let it remain on your hair for 2 to 3 minutes before washing. You can do this twice a week for better results.

6. Baking Soda

Baking soda works great as a dry shampoo as well as a rinse for oily hair. Anecdotal evidence suggests that its alkaline nature may help balance the pH of your scalp and absorb the excess oil.

Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda with water and make a thick paste. Apply this to your scalp and hair. Leave it on for about 5 minutes and rinse it off with cold water. As this is mixture is very drying, do not use it frequently. Exercise caution if you are allergic to baking soda or if you have any cuts, wounds, or rashes – as it may cause a mild burning sensation.

7. Green Tea

Green tea is loaded with polyphenolsⁱ  Plant micronutrients that cause the proliferation of specialized hair follicle cells to stimulate hair growth and prevent hair fall. that promote scalp health. It plays a significant role in controlling sebum secretion (5).

Add green tea powder to boiling water and strain the water. Let it cool down completely and apply it to the scalp and hair. Leave it on for 30 to 40 minutes and rinse it off. You can do it once a week.

Quick Tip

You can also use a shampoo that contains green tea extract as an ingredient in the formulation to reap the benefits of green tea for hair and scalp.

8. Argan Oil

Massaging argan oil into your scalp and hair can redistribute the sebum to your hair shafts and keep them moisturized (6). It may also regulate the secretion of sebum and stimulate blood circulation. However, there is limited data on how it benefits oily hair.

Apply pure argan oil from the scalp to the hair tips and wrap a warm wet towel around your hair. Leave it for on 60 minutes and rinse with a mild cleanser. You can do this 1 to 2 times a week.

9. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice contains citric acid. A study conducted on hamsters found that citrus flavonoidsⁱ  Antioxidant and soothing compounds that are linked with rapid hair growth and the regeneration of pigmented hair. (similar to found in lemon juice) may inhibit sebum secretion(7).

Take 4 to 5 tablespoons of lemon juice and mix in 2 cups of distilled water. Refrigerate the mixture. After a hair wash, pat dry your hair and apply this mixture. Leave it on for about 10 mins and rinse with cold water. This mixture can be applied whenever your hair feels too oily.

Caution: Do not sit under the sun after applying lemon juice to your hair as it can bleach your hair upon exposure to sunlight.

10. Egg Yolk

Egg yolks may tighten the hair follicles and reduce the secretion of sebum. However, more information is warranted in this aspect.

Mix 1 or 2 egg yolks in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and apply this to your washed hair. Leave it on for 30 to 40 minutes and rinse with cold water thoroughly to avoid the smell of eggs. You can use it once a week.

11. Witch Hazel

Witch hazel has natural astringent properties that may help close the oil pores on your scalp and slow down excess sebum production (8). However, more research is warranted in this regard.

Pour 3 tablespoons of alcohol-free witch hazel into a 100 ml glass spray bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water. Add 8-10 drops of lavender, peppermint, or tea tree essential oil to it. Skip this step if you are allergic to any of these oils. Close the lid of the bottle and shake it gently to mix. Spritz this spray all over your roots to refresh your hair in between washes.

In addition to the above-mentioned natural remedies, you can also make note of these tips that help prevent your scalp/hair from going greasy.

Prevention Tips

• Understand your hair type and shampoo accordingly. Shampoo once daily if you feel your hair has become too oily or greasy. If your hair feels greasy despite daily shampooing, it means your hair is producing more oils to rehydrate itself. Hence, shampoo on alternate days.

Sunny, a beauty blogger, shared how finding the right shampooing frequency helped her manage her greasy hair. She said, “Nowadays, I shampoo twice a week, and my scalp no longer greases up like crazy after a day or two (i).”

• Wash your hair with only the required amount of shampoo. Do not put it in excess, as it may wipe off the natural oils and your hair will produce more oil to compensate for the loss – resulting in greasier hair.
• Try to only use products made for oily hair.
• Do not use conditioners in excess after shampooing. They may also leave hair greasy.
• Try on some fruit packs made of banana or papaya or rely on spinach or carrot packs to enhance scalp health.
• Clean all your hairbrushes/straighteners/hair accessories regularly to avoid any hair infections, which may also make hair greasier.
• Wash your hair after your workouts.
• Reduce sun exposure. Wear a wide-brimmed cap or scarf to protect your hair.
• Do not over brush or massage your hair as it may overstimulate the oil glands and lead to excess oil production.
• Do not depend too much on flat irons or chemical treatments for your hair. These may aggravate hair and scalp greasiness.

If your hair is still greasy after trying these tips, consider seeing a dermatologist or trichologist. They can give you customized advice and help you figure out if there is anything else going on with your scalp that needs to be treated.

Quick Tip

Use dry shampoo, or natural dry shampoo alternatives like baby powder or cornstarch, to soak up excess oil from the hair if you do not want to shampoo very frequently.

Why Does Your Hair Become Oily?

Although hair turns oily due to excess production of sebum and dandruff, other external factors may also play a role. These include the following:

• If the weather around you is humid, chances are high that you will be left with oily hair even after shampooing.
• Touching your hair too much can transfer the oil from your hands to your hair, making it oilier.
• The use of certain hair serums can also make your scalp oily.
• Using excess conditioner.
• Deficiency of B vitamins.
• Hormonal imbalances.
• Shampooing too much may strip your hair of its natural oils, thus making your scalp produce more oil.
• Untreated dandruff.
• Fine textured hair appears oilier since there is less hair to absorb the scalp oils.
• Using the wrong or unsuitable hair products can make your hair greasier. Choose products that are specially made for oily hair. These products are usually lighter and keep greasiness in check.

Infographic: 4 Simple Ways To Make Your Hair Grease-Free

Hair looking greasy and limp? No amount of dry shampoo working anymore? Fret not! We will help you get it fixed in no time. The infographic below lists a few simple hair care tips that can help you cut through the grime and restore your hair health. Trust us; these tricks will work wonders on your hair. Check them out!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my hair greasy after 1 day?

Inadequate rinsing, excess sebum production, scalp buildup, overuse of conditioner and use of hair products with harsh chemicals are some possible reasons why your hair is greasy one day after washing.

How can I make my hair look less greasy instantly?

You can use a dry shampoo, baking powder or baby powder or a blotting paper to make your hair look less greasy instantly.

Is greasy hair healthy?

No. While a little grease in your hair is healthy as it indicates normal sebum production, overly greasy hair or hair that feels greasy all the time may indicate poor hair care or underlying issues with sebum production.

How often should I wash my greasy hair?

You should wash your oily or greasy hair every 1 to 2 days.

Should I wash my hair everyday if I have an oily scalp?

Yes, you can wash your hair everyday if you have an oily scalp. However, using too many hair products or products with harsh chemicals may dry out your scalp excessively and increase sebum production. Be sure to use products formulated for oily scalp and hair.

Learn two easy home remedies to get rid of greasy hair! Dive into the video to make your hair look fresh and clean again!

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Tiffany YoungCertified Trichology Practitioner

     

Tiffany Young is the CEO and founder of ThinHairThick and a certified trichology practitioner with 6 years of experience. She is also a recognized expert in the hair and beauty industry with celebrity clientele. Her own personal struggles with hair loss created an opportunity for her to deep-dive into learning all things related to medical conditions and external factors that contribute to hair loss.

Read full bio of Tiffany Young

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

 

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.

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