How to Get Rid of Oily Hair
Quick summary
Key Takeaways
- Wash oily hair with a gentle, pH-balanced or clarifying shampoo and avoid scrubbing the scalp aggressively.
- Apply conditioner only from mid-lengths to ends to prevent weighing down the roots.
- Choose scalp-friendly ingredients like salicylic acid, tea tree oil, or clay instead of heavy silicones near the roots.
- Change pillowcases regularly and avoid sleeping with damp hair to reduce overnight oil transfer.
So, How to Get Rid of Oily Hair ? Human beauty is considered to be the most important aspect in social interactions. In old times, there were limited possibilities to enhance one’s beauty and looking attractive was a born trait rather than subject to beauty products.
As trend of society is changing, we are all using some sort of beauty enhancing products or processes to beautify ourselves. Most of the humans especially women keep focusing on enhancing physical beauty. This trend is steadily increasing and the companies that produce these products have seen a tremendous increase in their sales.

How to Get Rid of Oily Hair
Physical appearance of a person includes his skin beauty and hair styling that he/ she keeps. Most of us keep focusing on skin care and forget to care about hair.
This article focuses on hair care; in particular to get rid of oil and greasy hair.
Different types of hair products have been introduced in the market for hair styling. The regular use of these products can change the texture and appearance of hair resulting in loss of hair, various hair and scalp infections and different types of disorders causing itching and scaling. Before going into the detail of reasons and remedy of hair problems, one must know different categories of hair types.
Hair can be classified into following types:
- Normal hair
- Oily or greasy hair
- Dry hair
- Mixture of oily and dry hair
People with oily or greasy hair type usually have more hair and scalp problems as compared to people with normal hair type. But proper medication and care can reduce or even remove these problem.
Skin is considered to be the most delicate organ in human body. The pores of our skin and hair scalp contain sebaceous glands (also known as oil glands). Sebum (oil) is produced by these glands which is mainly responsible for maintaining hydration levels. This sebum makes our skin and scalp healthy and shiny.
Problem arises when these sebaceous glands start producing excessive amount of oil in our scalp resulting in greasy or oily hair. It is commonly observed that a person having oily skin will have more chances to have oily hair. Other factors including thick and curly hair can make your hair oily because of excessive secretion of sebum in the scalp.
Increased amount of hormones during puberty is also one of the major reasons why a human body starts producing excessive sebum in skin and scalp that mainly become the reason for making hair oily. Birth control pills and pregnancy period can also lead to this problem.
So, we need to analyze our hair care methods that are affecting our hair. Most of us are not acquainted with the mistakes we do in taking care of our hair. Before adopting any hair care, we must know the method to find the type of our hair.
Method to find hair type and texture
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- First of all, wash your hair by using regular shampoo and conditioner.
- Rinse your hair with plenty of water.
- Let your hair dry naturally. Towel can also be used for this but avoid to rub your scalp hardly.
Note: Avoid using hair dryer for this because this can change the texture of your hair.
Avoid using any hair product.
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- Leave your hair and scalp to dry for several hours i.e. 8 to 10 hours. It will help in producing sebum naturally in hair.
- Take a tissue in hand and press it on your scalp gently at the crown of your hair.
- Again press it on the scalp near your ear.
Now observe the amount of sebum on tissue and find the texture and conditioning of your hair.
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- Normal hair: presence of tiny spots of sebum
- Oily or greasy hair: presence of small amount of sebum
- Dry hair: absence of sebum
- Mixture of oily and dry hair: presence of sebum on one part of scalp while absence of sebum on the other part.
Remedies for oily hair
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- Drinking plenty of water
It is very fruitful to make habit of drinking plenty of water. It keeps your skin shiny and scalp moisturized internally.
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- Balanced diet
A balance diet is necessary for your skin and hair. A balance diet consists of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals. Excessive use of junk and greasy foods increases sebum problem in hair. Nuts, butter, oils and certain fish lie in the category of greasy foods. So, a good solution is to have controlled use of these types of food.
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- Selection of shampoo and conditioner
It is commonly observed that most dandruff and hair controlled shampoo become the reason of producing sebum in hair. Hair shampoos with high PH values(alkaline) are a good choice. Use of clarifying shampoo once in a month to reduce secretion of oil is recommended. Hair conditioner can also keep your hair look healthy and shiny but don’t apply it in the scalp of your hair.
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- Washing and combing of hair
Washing plays vital role in keeping hair oil free. It is recommended that washing of hair should be on alternate days as daily washing can make your hair dry. Always rub the skin of your scalp gently while washing and combing your hair.
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- Hair massage
Hair massage can get rid of oily hair problem. Oil massaging should be done with finger gently. Massaging products can also help in reducing hair oil problems, so choose the products wisely.
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- Avoid contacting of hair
The skin on our fingers and hands produces oil that can be easily transferred to our hair resulting in greasy hair. So, avoid touching the hair often with your hands.
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- Proper hair care
Hair style reflects the beauty of a man. Different types of products such as: mousses, gels and hairsprays are used in hair styling which makes hair well-styled and shiny on temporary basis. In fact, these are major source of producing oily hair.
In short, proper hair treatment, regular washing and trimming of hair, can make your hair longer, healthy and shiny. The suggestions presented in this article serve as normal cures for oily hair. Consult your dermatologist if you are having severe hair problem.
Read Also Coconut Oil Hair Treatment
Common mistakes that worsen oily hair
Many everyday habits quietly undo your efforts to control oil. Scrubbing the scalp aggressively with fingernails during shampooing signals the sebaceous glands to produce more oil as a protective response. Over-washing is another trap: while daily rinsing feels refreshing, it strips natural oils and triggers rebound sebum production. Using the same rich conditioner from roots to ends, sleeping on unwashed pillowcases, and brushing hair repeatedly throughout the day can also transfer oils and bacteria back onto freshly washed strands.
Ingredients that help balance a greasy scalp
Choosing the right shampoo ingredients matters more than the brand name. Salicylic acid gently exfoliates dead skin cells and dissolves excess sebum that clogs follicles. Tea tree oil offers light antimicrobial properties, while witch hazel and apple cider vinegar can help restore scalp pH without heavy residue. For frequent washers, a gentle micellar or clay-based cleanser removes oil without over-drying the scalp. Avoid silicone-heavy conditioners and thick hair masks near the roots, since these can weigh hair down and make oiliness more visible.
Adjusting your wash schedule to your oil level
There is no single perfect washing frequency for everyone. If your scalp becomes oily within hours of washing, rinsing daily with a mild shampoo may be necessary. For moderate oiliness, every other day usually keeps the scalp balanced. People with combination scalps-oily at the crown and dry at the ends-can focus shampoo on the roots and apply conditioner only from mid-lengths to ends. Pay attention to how your hair responds after two weeks and adjust rather than switching products too quickly.
Overnight habits for fresher morning hair
What happens while you sleep affects how greasy your hair looks the next day. Change pillowcases at least twice a week, since they collect oil, sweat, and product residue. Avoid going to bed with damp hair, which creates a humid environment where scalp microbes thrive. If you have long hair, loose braids or a silk bonnet can reduce friction and limit the spread of scalp oils along the hair shaft. Keeping bedtime products minimal also prevents buildup near the roots.
For related advice, see [Best Hairstyles for Every Hair Type](/best-hairstyles-for-every-hair-type), [Causes of Hair Loss in Women](/causes-of-hair-loss-in-women) and [Coconut Oil Hair Treatment](/coconut-oil-hair-treatment).
Dermatologists commonly recommend treating oily hair as a scalp issue rather than just a cosmetic inconvenience. They advise patients to avoid over-washing with harsh detergents, to select non-comedogenic hair products, and to address sudden changes in oiliness with a professional evaluation, since hormonal shifts, stress, and scalp conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis can all influence sebum production.
Conclusion
Oily hair is rarely a sign of poor hygiene; it usually reflects genetics, hormones, and everyday hair-care habits that disturb the scalp's natural balance. By identifying your hair type, choosing clarifying or pH-balanced products, and avoiding overwashing and heavy styling products, you can gradually reduce excess sebum without damaging your strands.
Consistency matters more than any single miracle product. Small adjustments-such as applying conditioner only to the ends, sleeping on clean pillowcases, and using scalp-friendly ingredients-add up over time. If oiliness is sudden, severe, or accompanied by itching, flaking, or hair loss, consult a dermatologist to rule out an underlying scalp condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed dermatologist or healthcare provider before starting any new treatment.
Beauty & Hair Care Editor
Amanda Gurton is a beauty editor and researcher with a focus on translating dermatology and trichology insights into clear, actionable advice. She covers skincare routines, hair health, ingredient science, and everyday beauty habits.
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