How to Make Your Hair Less Oily

Co-authored by Shun Pittman

Last Updated: December 29, 2021

Oily hair happens when the sebaceous glands on the scalp become overactive, producing oil in your hair. Science aside, greasy or oily hair is often a result of your hair type and grooming habits. While you can’t change the type of hair you have, there are a variety of ways to make your hair less oily in the short and long term.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Temporarily Reducing Oil

1
Shampoo your hair. Choosing the correct shampoo for your hair type and texture will remove oils and dirt from your hair, effectively stripping away oil to clean your head. The quickest, most fool-proof way to instantly remove oily hair is simply a good shower.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.}
- Shower with lukewarm or cool water, as hot water promotes oil creation.
2
Apply conditioner near the ends of your hair. Conditioner is made to return oils to your hair, which you may not need if your scalp produces a lot of oil. The ends of your hair still need to be nourished, though, so apply your conditioner from mid-length to the ends of your hair strands.^{[2]
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3
Use a vinegar bath as a clarifying treatment. This old-fashioned home remedy relies on vinegar’s properties as an astringent, which constricts or closes oil glands. Mix in 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of vinegar with 1 cup water and massage the mixture into your scalp, removing oils and dirt.^{[3]
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- Never use straight vinegar, as the acidity can damage your skin.
- This can be harsh on your hair, so only use this treatment every 3-4 months.
4
Try a mixture of aloe vera and lemon to fight greasy hair. Mix in a teaspoon of fresh aloe vera (pulled off of a plant) and 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of lemon juice in with your normal shampoo and then use it in the shower. Leave the shampoo on your hair for 3-5 minutes after applying so that it soaks in.
- Lemon juice may lighten your hair, so limit the use of this treatment.
- If you'll be going outdoors in the sunlight the same day you use this treatment, cover your hair with a cap. Otherwise, the sun will activate the lemon and lighten your hair.
5
Use dry shampoo for an instant fix. Dry shampoo bonds with the oil on your hair to prevent it from looking too greasy. Simply use your fingers to spread dry shampoo powder along your scalp and shake out any excess.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.}
- In a pinch, some people swear by baby powder, talc, and cornstarch to quickly get rid of oily hair.
6
Establish your own routine. Some experts believe the best way to deal with oily hair is to wash it every morning with an oil-controlling hair product. Others say that washing your hair every day will over-stimulate the sebaceous glands. Try both methods to figure out what works for you.^{[5]
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7
Wash your hair properly.
- Shampoo with lukewarm or cool water.
- Apply shampoo to the scalp.
- If you like to use conditioner, use a clear colored type, and only apply it only to the ends of your hair.
- To help cut down oil production, finish with a cold water rinse.
8
Brush less. Excessive brushing will stimulate the sebaceous glands and increase oil production.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making your Hair Less Oily

1
Pick the right shampoo. Don’t just look for a shampoo that says “for oily hair." Instead, look for the words “clarifying” and “oil reducing." Many companies make specific formulas that for people that have oily hair.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.}
2
Don’t use shampoo every day. Shampoo does remove oil from your hair. However, using shampoo every day strips your hair of natural oils, and if often produces extra oil to compensate. Try shampooing every other day and note the results after 1-2 weeks.^{[7]
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3
Limit mousse, gel, and other hair products. Most hair products trap oil near your scalp, causing build-up that results in oily, greasy hair. Stay away from these products whenever possible.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.}
4
Brush your hair regularly. Regular brushing spreads oil throughout your hair, which prevents shiny or greasy build-up. Aim to brush your hair once a day.
- Excessive brushing, however, can cause your hair to produce more oil, so limit yourself to 1-2 daily.^{[9]
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5
Stay away from heat. Hot showers, blow-dryers and excessive sunlight all tell your body to produce more oil to protect your hair. Whenever possible, take cold showers and use the cool setting on your blow-dryers to prevent your hair from building up new oils.
6
Avoid touching your hair. Your hands and face secrete oils as well, so constantly running your fingers through your hair deposits those oils on your head. Cutting this habit can keep your hair from becoming oily throughout the day.^{[10]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Why is dry shampoo good for oily hair?

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".

Shun Pittman

Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Answer

It absorbs a lot of the oils. You can't use this stuff every day since it will eventually dry your hair out way too much, but it's good if you need to remedy super oily hair every now and then.
Question

Why is my hair so oily?

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".

Shun Pittman

Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Answer

There are normally two reasons for this. Some people have an overactive sebaceous gland, which excretes too much FIBA. Since FIBA is a natural lubricant, you end up with a greasy or oily scalp. The other way this occurs is when people just use too much product. There are a lot of serums and creams that weigh the hair down and cause it to absorb the stuff you're putting in your hair.
Question

How do I figure out why my hair is oily?

Community Answer

Ask your hairdresser to take a look, as they usually are trained in that field. He/she will look at your scalp, ask about your routine/hobbies (as they may have something to do with it), as well as potentially offer you a solution.