How to Keep Hair From Getting Greasy

Co-authored by Patrick Evan and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: September 16, 2021 References Approved

If you feel like your hair gets greasy faster than normal, you’re not alone—many people deal with oily or greasy hair throughout the day. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can change your washing and styling techniques to keep your hair from getting greasy. Try out some (or all!) of these tips to keep your luscious locks shiny and clean for days to come.

1

Cut down on how often you wash your hair.

Washing your hair every day can actually make it greasier. Instead, try to go 2 to 3 days in between washes for the best results. It might take a few weeks, but your hair will actually stop producing as many natural oils every day, leading to less greasy hair.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Patrick Evan
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 17 January 2019.}
- On days you aren’t washing your hair, wear a shower cap in the shower to keep your hair dry.
- If you sweat a lot, you may have to wash your hair more frequently. Try shampooing more or less often until you find the schedule that works for you.

2

Try a shampoo for oily hair.

These shampoos are milder and cause less buildup in your hair. Look for products that say “for oily hair” “clarifying shampoo” or “less buildup” to find the one that’s right for you. Oily hair shampoos work to gently strip away dirt and grime without irritating your scalp.^{[2]
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- Look for a shampoo with zinc sulfate in it to help cleanse your scalp and control greasy buildup.^{[3]
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- When you wash your hair, try not to scrub your scalp too hard. It won’t make your hair any less greasy, and you could tangle up your luscious locks.
- You don’t need to use a ton of shampoo—a quarter-sized amount is perfect for cleansing your scalp, even if you have super long hair.

3

Use cool or lukewarm water to wash your hair.

Hot water strips your hair of its natural oils. For the best results, keep your shower water as cool as you can, especially when rinsing shampoo and conditioner from your hair. Cool water closes the cuticle of your hair, which will help to keep moisture in.^{[4]
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- Hot water also causes your pores, including the ones on your scalp, to produce more sebum, or thick oil. This thick oil will start traveling down your hair strands from your scalp as soon as you leave your hot shower.

4

Put conditioner on your ends, not your scalp.

Conditioner is very moisturizing, but it can also be greasy. If you already deal with greasy hair, don’t add more to it by putting conditioner on your roots. When you use conditioner after shampooing, apply it starting halfway down your hair and go all the way to your ends.^{[5]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
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- Be sure to always rinse conditioner thoroughly from your hair before getting out of the shower.
- If you have curly or wavy hair, use a leave-in conditioner to hydrate your curls without weighing them down throughout the day. Focus the conditioner on your ends to avoid adding extra grease to your scalp area.

5

Use a dry shampoo in between regular shampoos.

Dry shampoo helps absorb greasy buildup and build volume in your hair. Spray a small amount of dry shampoo near your roots, then use your fingers to rub it into your scalp. It will absorb the natural oils and leave your hair looking cleaner and shinier.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Patrick Evan
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 17 January 2019.}
- If you’re having trouble dispersing the dry shampoo with your fingers, use a hair brush.
- If you have dark hair, be sure to buy invisible dry shampoo so that you avoid getting a greyish tint at your roots from the white powder.

6

Brush your hair once a day.

Over-brushing can actually make your scalp produce more oil. Instead, stick to brushing your hair once before you shower, then using a wide-toothed comb to detangle your hair when it’s wet. Make sure the brush touches your scalp to remove dead skin and make your hair feel clean.^{[7]
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- Be super careful when you comb your hair while it’s damp or wet. Start from the ends and slowly work your way upward to avoid ripping or tearing your hair.
- If you’ve already brushed your hair that day but it gets super messy, don’t worry about giving it a quick brush. Focus on the ends of your hair to smooth them down and make your hair look perfect again.

7

Look for “greaseless” or “oil-free” styling products.

Gels and lotions can actually add grease to your hair. If you use any sort of styling product, make sure you’re not picking the wrong ones. Try to find products that are meant for oily hair to keep them from building up.^{[8]
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- Vegetable glycerin, aloe leaf, and citric acid are common ingredients in oil-free products.^{[9]
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- Heavy styling products can also weigh your hair down and make it look greasier, especially if you have fine or thin hair.
- If you feel like you have a buildup of products in your hair, use a clarifying shampoo to cleanse your scalp.

8

Try not to touch your hair.

The oil from your hands can transfer onto your hair. If you aren’t styling it, try to go hands-free throughout the day. If you need to fix your hair, use a clean brush or comb instead of your fingers.^{[10]
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- If you want to keep your hair in place, try using hairspray or clay so you don’t have to touch it constantly.
- Keep your hair out of your face by using clips or a headband so you don’t have to swipe it out of your eyes.

9

Let your hair air-dry instead of blow drying it.

The heat from the hair dryer can strip your hair of its natural oils. This can cause it to overcompensate, leading to an even greasier scalp. In general, try to let your hair air dry to keep it healthy and grease-free.^{[11]
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- Letting your hair air dry will also keep your hair healthier and reduce your split ends.
- If you do want to heat-dry your hair on occasion, make sure to use a heat protectant spray to avoid potential damage.^{[12]
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  Expert Source
  
  Patrick Evan
  Professional Hair Stylist
  Expert Interview. 17 January 2019.}
- Straightening your hair can also lead to greasy buildup, since it makes your hair lie closer to your scalp.^{[13]
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  Research source} Try to limit your use of heat styling tools to keep your hair and scalp healthy.

10

Clean your styling tools.

Dirty hair brushes or straighteners can redistribute oil onto your hair. If you haven’t cleaned your hair tools in a while (or ever), use a damp cloth with warm water to wipe them down. Let your tools dry thoroughly before you use them again to avoid damaging your hair or your tools.^{[14]
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- You should clean your tools often, especially if you use them every day.

11

Stay away from products for dry or damaged hair.

Products like these can leave a thin film on top of your hair. While this is good for hair that is actually dry or damaged (the thin film makes your hair look shiny and smooth), all it does to hair that’s prone to oiliness is add more weight to the hair and make it look greasier. If you do need to use these products, keep them on the ends of your hair.^{[15]
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- You should also avoid smoothing or glossing products, since those can do the same thing.

12

Take off hats and beanies as soon as possible.

Hats can trap air and heat on your scalp, leading to more grease. If you bundled up in a beanie or a baseball cap, try to take it off as soon as you get home or reach your destination. For the best results, try not to wear a hat unless you plan on washing your hair soon to avoid a grease buildup.^{[16]
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- If you do want to cover your hair, try using a bandana or a scarf instead. The lightweight material will allow airflow and won’t contribute to grease buildup.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you properly use dry shampoo?

Patrick Evan
Professional Hair Stylist
Patrick Evan is the Owner of Patrick Evan Salon, a hair salon in San Francisco, California. He has been a hairstylist for over 25 years and is a Thermal Reconditioning Specialist, dedicated to transforming difficult curls and waves into sleek, straight hair. Patrick Evan Salon was rated the Best Hair Salon in San Francisco by Allure magazine, and Patrick's work has been featured in Woman’s Day, The Examiner, and 7x7.

Patrick Evan

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

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Dry shampoos are a must for the days you are not washing your hair, as they refresh your hair and absorb any excess oils. You just spray them into dry hair, work the product through with your fingers, and then brush it out.
Question

How long should I go without washing my hair if it gets oily after 1 day without washing it?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

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Consider shampooing your hair every other day, and then aim to shampoo it only 2-3 times a week. If needed, you can use dry shampoo in between your regular washes to keep your hair less oily. You could even consider wetting your hair and massaging your scalp as if you were going to shampoo it, minus the use of shampoo.
Question

What shampoo should I use for oily hair?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

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Consider using a clarifying or purifying shampoo. It will strip your hair of any grease and oil that it may have. This only needs to be done once a week, and your ends should be conditioned afterwards.