8 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Oily Hair

We know washing our hair too often can lead to dullness and damage but what should you do when you’ve got an oily scalp and hair? It’s even worse when hair shows these signs soon after washing. There are various common causes of oily hair, but how do you fix it? 

If you’re wondering how to get rid of greasy hair for good, you’re in the right place. Some common DIY ways to get rid of oily hair include baby powder, lemon juice, tea tree oil, baking soda, or apple cider vinegar, but adjusting your hair routine is a much better (and more effective) solution. All it takes is a bit of tinkering with your routine and the right hair-care products, and you’ll be well on your way to having healthy hair and maintaining healthy hair growth.

Our hair experts will help you learn how to get rid of oily hair and oily roots with these tips so you can say goodbye to grease and find the right hair products online for you. 

If you want to learn how to treat oily hair, you need to commit to a long game. Kissing grease goodbye for good is, unfortunately, not something that can be done overnight. But with a little time and attention, you can experience less greasy hair in the long run. Here are a few habits that will help you kick oily hair to the curb. 

#1 Establish a Washing Routine

…and stick to it. How often you wash your hair is directly correlated to how greasy it is. Wash it too often and you’ll trigger your scalp to overproduce natural oil and cause oily roots. On the other hand, wash it too infrequently and dirt, sweat, and product will build up on the roots, causing it to become greasy. 

Typically, the finer the hair, the more often it needs to be washed, but only you work with your hair on a daily basis—so you know it best. Play around with different lengths of time between washing to determine what might be ideal for you. Stick to a pattern for a few weeks to see how your hair adjusts and then adapt to washing more or less frequently. While it may sound simple, establishing a consistent washing routine that works for your hair is the easiest way to ensure less oily hair more often.

#2 Detox Your Scalp

Still wondering how to get rid of greasy hair fast? Part of your washing routine should include using a clarifying detox shampoo or clarifying shampoo product once a week, or, if you wash your hair less often, every few weeks. What’s so great about a detox shampoo? It provides a deeper clean that gets rid of buildup from the product, pollution, dandruff, and hard water. When it comes to getting rid of greasy hair, the buildup is the enemy.

If you style your hair often using styling products, your regular shampoo may not be able to wash them away fully, since some styling products feature heavy ingredients like silicone and glue-like resins that are difficult to get rid of. They sit on top of the hair and leave behind a greasy residue. Fix it with our Clarifying Detox Shampoo and reveal a fresh, clean, revitalized scalp.

#3 Use The Right Shampoo

Another staple you should have in your shower to fight grease is shampoo, but not just any shampoo—a oily hair shampoo free from ingredients such as silicones, sulfates, and parabens. 

Say No to Silicones

Why not silicones? Silicones can create shine in the short term, but in the long term, they build up on the surface of the hair and cause a thick, heavy, and greasy residue. That’s because they aren’t water-soluble, so they don’t easily rinse away in the shower. Plus, they actually attract dirt. 

Skip the Sulfates

Why not sulfates? Sulfates are powerful cleansing agents, which is why they’re commonly found in shampoos, but they can work a little too well, stripping your hair of natural oil and causing it to overproduce oils. There are plenty of effective cleansing agents that don’t have this negative result and are safer to use too.  

Pass on the Parabens

Why shouldn’t you use parabens in shampoo? They often can dry out your hair. From there, an irritated or itchy scalp can lead to dryness, which can cause the scalp to produce excess sebum, causing a greasy scalp. 

If you want your healthiest hair, reach for a silicone-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free shampoo. When you switch to a formula such as this, you may not see immediate results. Like any good thing, it takes time to detox your hair from bad ingredients and see results, but after just five washes with the best shampoo for oily hair, you’ll begin to see an improvement.

#4 Detox Your Shelf

If you’re experiencing greasy hair regularly,go beyond just your shampoo and take a look at the hair products you use regularly. Stylers can also contain silicones and parabens that could be causing oil production. Swap them for stylers and leave-in conditioners that are better suited for oil-prone hair without these ingredients. 

It’s also important to use products suitable for your hair type. If you’re using a thick leave-in conditioner on fine hair, these more fragile strands won’t be able to handle it. That’s why we carefully create products for every hair type. Whether you’ve got loose waves or tight curls, or battle frizz or flatness, there’s a silicone-free, paraben-free treatment designed specifically for your hair type and concern. This way, you can take down more than just oil.

#5 Reach for Dry Shampoo

When you have no time to shower, or just deal with greasy roots every now and then, you need a solution that’s easy, quick, and effective. Here’s how to get rid of greasy hair fast.

Anyone who says dry shampoo isn’t a solution for oily hair hasn’t met our Perfect Hair Day™ Dry Shampoo. When you’ve got a formula that actually cleans your hair by absorbing oils and odors, you don’t have to dunk your head to make a difference. Seriously. Just shake the can and spray. 

For best results, section dry hair thoroughly and apply the hair product in a sweeping motion to oily areas, holding the canister about 6-10″ away. Wait 30 seconds for the powders to activate and cleanse. Then remove the white powder residue by massaging your scalp and shaking the hair roots with your fingers or reach for a hairbrush and brush through. You can continue to apply the product as needed without worrying about creating build-up, because the powders soak up oil and sweat to actually leave hair clean—no water necessary.

Don’t just reach for dry shampoo when oil is already showing, though. You can use dry shampoo proactively before a workout or as part of your morning styling routine to prevent sweat or the day’s dirt from dampening your style. 

#6 Blow-dry Your Roots

A blow-dry session is not as fast as dry shampoo, but still a good way to quickly get rid of a bit of grease without getting into the shower. Just lift your roots with a round brush and blow-dry them to breathe a bit of new life, including volume and shine, into your hair. 

#7 Blot It

When you’re not at home with all of these tools to combat greasy roots, you can still get rid of a bit of oil in a pinch with blotting paper. That’s right: Those little squares you stash in your purse to address oily skin can be used on your hair too. Use them along your part close to the root to soak up a bit of oil. It’s a simple solution to get rid of grease on the go. 

#8 Hide It With Accessories

When all else fails, the quickest fix for oily hair is to slap on a great accessory. Take advantage of stylish hats, or reach for a fun headband or scarf to cover up greasy roots. Sometimes, a little oil can even help your hairstyle stick. Top knots, french braids, and a slicked-back bun, for instance, are a few easy styles that play especially well with third- or fourth-day hair. Plus, they’re gentle on your strands, so you’ll save your hair from the potential damage of not only washing, but styling too.