Shiny, healthy hair is something we all aspire to have, but there's a not-so-fine line between that and the oily, greasy mess that many of us deal with on the reg. Greasy hair is not cute, and it's not fun. But, the good news is it's also not impossible to fix!
We already hit you with some tips for dealing with oily, greasy hair. But we're back in action with a step-by-step guide to waving bye-bye to that slick style nobody loves being stuck with. Read on to learn exactly what you can do to get a new lease on a grease-free life.
First things first: what causes oily hair?
Annoyingly, there's a fairly long list of things that can cause your hair to look oily and greasy. It includes:
- How much product you put in your hair (and how good you are at getting it out)
- What you eat (the siren song of takeaway is LOUD)
- Your biology (ugh, we never liked science)
- How often you wash your hair (sometimes less is more)
- The wrong pillowcase (a good night's sleep for you doesn't necessarily mean the same for your hair)
5 quick lifestyle changes to help get rid of greasy hair...
Here are some things you can start doing right now that can make a huge difference in slowing the slick.
Rush to a new brush. Combs and brushes are an indispensable part of everyday life, but it's time to start putting a bit more thought into what you're pulling through your hair. Get your hands on a boar brush, which has softer bristles that help disperse natural oils throughout your whole head of hair, causing less buildup.
Keep your hands to yourself. Whether it's a nervy habit or you just love the feel of your follicles, touching your hair can harm it. Much in the way that touching your face can cause acne, oils from your hands can end up in your hair, adding to that unwanted kind of shine.
Redo your diet. As we said above, what we put on our plates plays a huge role in how our hair looks. Try to slow your roll when it comes to fried foods full of saturated fats and instead get some omega-3 fats into you via food like fish and walnuts.
Watch where you rest your head. Secure some silk sleeping surfaces, stat! There are plenty of silk pillowcase benefits, including less absorption of your body's natural oils – which means less need for your body to keep pumping out sebum. It might seem a bit bougie, but trust us, you're worth it. Shhh Silk has you covered with some of the best silk sleeping products on the market.
See ur GP. Another one of the most common oily hair causes is hormonal imbalance. A visit to your GP can help you determine if this is the issue, or if you perhaps have a vitamin deficiency, and if so what you can do to remedy these problems.
...and 5 steps to include in your haircare routine to get rid of oily hair
Making those lifestyle changes is a great first step in overcoming greasy hair hangups. But if you really want to get to the root of your oily hair issues, you've got to get your haircare routine under control. And here's how.
Clarifying shampoo is non-negotiable. There are some things in the haircare game that are nice to have – and then there are some absolute essentials. When it comes to greasy hair, clarifying shampoo falls firmly into that second category. Probably the best shampoo for oily hair out there, clarifying shampoo is like normal shampoo that's powered up to be even more effective. It cuts through product buildup big time – which can help make grease a goner. Joico K-Pak Clarifying shampoo delivers a deep clean while still providing nourishment, making it a great choice for all hair types, even fine hair.
Dry shampoo, too. To help extend your time in-between washes, you'll want to take a good long look at using dry shampoo products. They actually absorb excess sebum, which means less oily residue floating around your head. Evo Water Killer Dry Shampoo does an epic job of removing excess oil without leaving a yucky residue on your hair. But remember, less is more when it comes to dry shampoo. Overdoing it can lead to product build-up which can leave your hair looking worse. Here's everything else you need to know about dry shampoo.
Set up your schedule. Knowing how often you should wash your hair is also important. You may be tempted to wash your hair every day if it gets oily fast, but try to resist the temptation and wash it no more than once every 3 days. Using oily hair shampoo too frequently can dry your hair and scalp out which can lead to excess oil production. Clarifying shampoos should be used even less frequently, as their deep-cleansing nature means that they can strip away some of the healthy nutrients and shine in your hair if overused. Use these products as directed so you don't do more harm than good.
Just the tips. When you have oily hair, shampoo and conditioner can be your best friends, but the latter can be a big part of product build-up. Let conditioner work its magic on the tips of your hair only, so it doesn't weigh down the hair atop your head.
Give it all out. One of the easiest ways to switch up your haircare routine and stamp out one of the most common oily hair causes is by making sure you get your shampoo and conditioner out each and every time you shower. This can help you avoid product build-up. Just remember to still be water conscious, ok? No one’s hair is more important than the planet!
Here's a slick idea: stop fretting and start fixing your oily hair problems. With a few quick changes in your everyday behaviour, the right haircare products from your pals here at Oz Hair & Beauty, and a levelled-up routine, you can keep the grease from stopping your shine.
