13 Ways Get Rid of Oily Hair, According to Experts

Reduce Stress

Stressing about work deadlines? Woke up with oily hair? Stressed about work deadlines and your oily hair? We face stress and anxiety every day, but trying to balance a heavy load of stress can do more damage than that extra cup of coffee. When we are stressed, the body releases a hormone called cortisol. When our cortisol levels rise, it may cause the sebaceous glands in our scalp to be stressed as well, sending them into overdrive, producing and releasing more sebum, and causing oil buildup.

Hormone imbalance also occurs when you are overly stressed or anxious, and before or during that time of the month. When the level of androgens (hormones) increases, which happens when you’re experiencing a hormone imbalance, this puts your body in a slightly stressed state, making the glands in your scalp produce more oil.

Brush to Redistribute Oils

Brushing your hair is incredibly important, especially if you have oily hair. "Brushing your hair can decrease the look of oily hair as it distributes the oils down your strands. As with any oil, your natural oils can protect your hair but that doesn’t change the fact that your roots are still greasy looking and most likely clogging your follicle openings," explains trichologist Shab Reslan.

However, board-certified dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi advises that you shouldn't over brush your hair, "Avoid over brushing. Brushing too frequently can distribute oil from the scalp to the rest of your hair, making it appear greasier. Instead,
limit brushing to when necessary and use a boar bristle brush, which
helps to distribute natural oils evenly throughout the hair."

Avoid Refined Sugars and Dairy

Your diet can also influence how much oil your scalp produces, and some foods can make it produce more. Rob Peetoom advanced stylist Michael Bowman says, "A diet rich in sugars, dairy products, and red meats can make the scalp produce more oil." This means consuming high amounts of these foods can wreak havoc on your scalp. The hormones in dairy products are believed to break down into androgens (hormones) after consumption resulting in an overproduction of sebum. 

Consider Your Wash Schedule

Switch up your usual routine to avoid washing your hair every day."Try to wash your hair twice a week with a clarifying shampoo or use the Davines Solu Sea Salt Scrub Cleanser, which is crafted from all-natural ingredients, and provides a deep yet delicate cleanse removing all impurities and build-up," suggests de Zeeuw. "And use a dry shampoo in between washings to make your hair look fresh."

However, Reslan adds, "Oily hair stems from an oily scalp and occurs when the scalp itself is not sufficiently cleansed over time, causing the sebum to run down the hair shaft. Infrequent shampooing and single shampoos per shower can lead to improper cleansing of the scalp." She also recommends avoiding natural shampoos "which tend to use super gentle cleansing ingredients that make it very difficult to sufficiently cleanse oily roots and hair." You can determine which shampoo method works best for you and your hair.

Take Your Vitamins

A hard-to-control oily scalp may be in your genes, but supplements can potentially help this condition. Certain diseases and medical issues, like polycystic ovary syndrome, liver congestion, and Sjögren’s syndrome (a long-term autoimmune disease), can cause an overproduction of oil. Bowman suggests zinc-based supplements to help increase immune defenses and betacarotene to help skin repair more quickly. "Choosing foods with whole grains, fish, and rich in vitamin E will help with oil production," he adds.

Remember Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids are a key component of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Making sure you eat enough of these may help combat excess sebum on the scalp and tame those oily strands. EFAs are found in nuts, seeds, fatty fish, and unrefined whole grains, so stock up on those almonds.

Avoid Sulfates

Sulfates are the ingredients in shampoos that make them suds up, and they can wreak havoc on your scalp by stripping it of its natural oils. In turn, your scalp will produce more oil, trying to make up for what was lost. There are lots of sulfate-free shampoos available, and they're worth a try. You may initially find the lack of suds to be a bit odd, but trust us: Your hair is getting just as clean, and it may be less oily because you aren't stripping the needed oils from you scalp.

Put Down the Dry Shampoo

While dry shampoo is great in a pinch, Bowman warns that people can sometimes use too much, which leads to even more buildup and clogged pores between washings. So be sure not to overload with the dry shampoo on oily days. "I recommend avoiding the use of hard-to-rinse products like dry shampoo and hair oils that can build up on the hair and become difficult to wash out," explains Reslan.

For a DIY buildup busting option, de Zeeuw shared a recipe for an apple cider vinegar solution to help reset your scalp's pH. Create a mixture of one part apple cider vinegar and eight parts water. Put the solution in your hair, let it soak for a few minutes, and rinse it out with clean water.

Incorporate a Scalp Scrub

Exfoliating your scalp is likely not part of your haircare routine, but oily scalps can benefit from a good scrub. There are tons to choose from, or you can even make your own with simple pantry ingredients including coconut oil and sugar. If your oily scalp or hair is being caused by product buildup, a good scrub is the perfect way to start fresh. It will remove any old, accumulated product that's been there too long, and leave your scalp extra clean. Similar to a hair mask, scalp scrubs are best for occasional use, up to once a week.

Consider Nizoral Shampoo

Nizoral shampoo is typically used to treat dandruff, but it can also be an effective treatment for oily hair and scalp. As board-certified dermatologist Blair Murphy-Rose explains, "Nizoral shampoo contains ketoconazole, which we use in dermatology as an anti-dandruff shampoo. But, it has anti-androgen properties in the scalp which can help decrease sebaceous gland production over time. It comes in a 1% OTC preparation or can be prescribed at 2%."

Style Accordingly

Extra oil can also mean your hair has a hard time holding a style. Bowman suggests using lightweight products that won't weigh down your hair even more. "Try to blow dry as often as you can (to bring your natural oils down the hair). Apply a shine spray or definition mist to a brush or hands and brush the hair. Don’t apply it straight on the hair," he says. You can try the Bumble and bumble Spray de Mode flexible hairspray.

If your hair is still giving you trouble, opt for a style that will stay in place. "For those with long hair, it's easiest to make a ponytail, bun, or braid to keep the hair in place," de Zeeuw says. "If you have short hair, you can use a hair powder on the roots to absorb excess oil while adding instant volume." We recommend trying Davines This is a Texturizing Dust.

Start Using Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid isn't just for your wonder treatment for your acne, it's also a great ingredient for taming oily hair. Shirazi tells us, "Salicylic acid is your scalp’s best friend. Look for this key ingredient in your haircare products, as it helps regulate oil production, exfoliates, and removes excess oil and build up. I favor the One Spray with 2% salicylic acid sprayed on the scalp 3 x a week."

Try a Clarifying Shampoo

Clarifying shampoos are great for getting rid of dirt and excess oil. And if you have an oily scalp, a clarifying shampoo is an essential tool to help combat oily hair. "Oily hair is caused by oily scalp. The oils are produced from sebaceous glands in the scalp, and some people produce more than others. The oils transfer to the hairs so we the greasy appearance. Some people with oily scalp may have dry ends, so finding the right balance is key," explains Blair Murphy-Rose.