How to Make Your Hair Not Look Greasy in 5 Minutes After the Gym

Take it from me, greasy hair is TOTALLY the worst thing ever! No one wants to suffer through flat, greased-up hair, and trust me, I get it. It's even worse after crushing a workout.

So if you find yourself racking your brain post-workout thinking, "How do I get rid of greasy hair fast?” you might want to listen up. I’m Briana Dunning, a celebrity hair stylist and co-founder of Unsubscribe. I see clients ALL the time, with all different hair types and textures, who are desperate to know why their hair is so greasy after a workout and how they can fix it.

Here’s the lowdown: sweat triggers your sebaceous glands (those tiny oil factories on your scalp), and they go into OVERDRIVE. That’s why, after an intense gym session, your roots can sometimes look like you dipped your head in a fry basket. The heat from your workout and that tight ponytail only make it so much worse.

Don't panic just yet. I’ll give you all the tips you need to refresh your hair in 5 minutes tops, and banish that sweaty, post-workout hair, even after leg day.

How to Make Your Hair Not Look Greasy in 5 Minutes

Now that you know your oily hair is a result of sweat, excess sebum, heat, and product choices, the good news is you can FIX IT FAST! These quick hacks will absorb oil, mask shine, and get rid of that greasy hair post-gym, so you can go from sweaty to styled in minutes.

1. Use an Oil Absorbing Spray

Dry shampoo is the classic fix, but let me be real…

It’s time to ditch it.

So many of my clients reach for the dry shampoo post-gym session, desperate to get rid of that sweaty, greasy feel and make their hair look somewhat presentable. But if you’ve used dry shampoo before, you KNOW that it comes with a cost. I’m talking about that powdery, cakey residue and brittle feeling. Dry shampoo does what its name implies – it dries out your hair.

Skip Day, our go-to alternative for dry shampoo for fine hair, will absorb oil WITHOUT giving you that cakey feeling and white residue, leaving your roots fresh and full of volume.

It works wonders when you use it to refresh your greasy mess post-workout.

HOW It Works:

1. Shake the bottle well
2. Apply Skip Day to your roots – spray a good amount from 4 inches away
3. Massage the product into your hair
4. Use a natural bristle round brush to blow dry it out (or leave your hair to air dry, if that’s more your vibe)

This will give you volume and texture WITHOUT buildup or residue. Wanna see it in action? Check out our Skip Day video guide here.

Why It Works:

• Soaks Up Oil Fast: Our formula soaks up excess oil without leaving behind dry hair.
• Gives You a Natural Finish: It’s not mattifying like dry shampoo, which means your hair will look nourished and natural.
• Gives You Sky-High Volume: Especially perfect for fine or flat hair, Skip Day revives your style and adds body.
• No Build-Up or White Cast: You can spray and go, with no weird residue left behind. And because of this, you can use it multiple days in a row.

2. Spray Apple Cider Vinegar Mix

Hear me out. People have been using apple cider vinegar to co-wash their hair for years, and it works. It’s best if you have an empty spray bottle for this one.

• Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar (or even lemon juice) with 3 parts water
• Spray on the scalp post-workout to cut through product buildup and oil

Bonus: It balances your scalp’s pH and keeps oil production in check.

Caution: DON’T OVERDO IT! Once or twice a week max, and avoid it if you have dry skin, an itchy scalp, or broken skin.

3. Cool Blow Dry with Brush Flip

When you’re out of product or just want to go product-free, this zero-supply hack gives your oily hair new life in under five minutes. It’s all about lifting the roots and spreading oil more evenly. This quick fix redistributes oil from greasy roots down the strands, making it look more like shine and less like you skipped a wash.

What to Do:

• Flip your head upside down to shift your roots away from the scalp.
• Use the cool setting on your blow dryer to blast the roots. This keeps things frizz-free and prevents excess oil production.
• While drying, brush upwards with a round brush to create volume and lift around the crown.

4. Style It Smart: Knots, Braids, and Slick Buns

Some days, you just don’t have the time or energy to fix the oil. That’s when styling becomes your best weapon. These go-to looks will hide shine and make your oily hair look like a choice rather than a problem.

Go-To Styles That Work With Grease:

• Top knots lift hair at the crown and mask oily roots while adding volume and definition.
• Slick buns take advantage of that natural oil to give you a polished, sleek finish that actually holds better.
• Braided hair tucks away greasy sections and creates structure. There's no need for volume or fluff.

These styles transition perfectly from gym to errands, work to drinks, with no wash needed. When you do it right, no one will even know your hair hasn’t seen shampoo in days.

Long-Term Tips To Make Your Hair Less Greasy

Quick fixes are lifesavers, but let’s be real, nobody wants to fight with their roots every single day. If your hair feels oily most of the time (NOT just post-workout), it’s time to look at your routine. If you want to reduce oil production and make your hair less greasy, try these:

1. Train Your Scalp with Less Frequent Washing

If you wash your hair daily, your scalp might be stuck in overproduction mode, pumping out more oil to replace what’s constantly being stripped away.

Try spacing out your wash sessions gradually. Start with daily, then move to every other day, and finally to every three days if your scalp allows. The first few weeks might be greasy, but over time, your oil production should level out.

Our Sweaty Hair Refresher is the best product to support curly or wavy hair – especially after those workout sessions where you might find it harder to skip the shampoo. It refreshes and restyles your hair without water. It also contains deodorizing enzymes, which neutralize smells, and green tea and chamomile, which soothe the scalp and reduce inflammation.

2. Stop Conditioning Your Roots (I Mean It!)

One of the biggest reasons my clients’ hair gets greasy quickly is that they’re working conditioner too close to their scalp. Always apply conditioner from mid-length to ends only. Your scalp produces its own oils; it doesn’t need any help.

When conditioner coats the roots, it traps sweat and dirt, making your strands feel heavy and dirty faster. Instead, focus that moisture on your ends where you actually need it.

3. Ditch Moisturizing Shampoo on Virgin Hair

This one’s for the product loyalists. If your hair isn’t color-treated, bleached, super textured, or otherwise damaged, you probably don’t need that ultra-hydrating shampoo in your shower.

Moisturizing shampoos are amazing for dry or damaged hair, but if your hair is virgin and healthy, those formulas can overload your scalp and cause extra oil.

Instead, go for lightweight or balancing formulas that cleanse without leaving behind a residue.

4. Use a Tea Tree Oil or Clarifying Shampoo Weekly

Your scalp needs a reset button if you're dealing with buildup from styling products, sweat, or dirt. Look for a clarifying shampoo or one that includes tea tree oil, which is naturally antimicrobial and helps clear excess oil while soothing irritated skin.

Use ONCE a week max. These types of shampoos can be drying if you overuse them, but they’re great for a deep clean that doesn’t strip your hair completely.

One Viral Hack from TikTok that Works Like a Charm

When dry shampoo’s not cutting it (or you’re out), TikTok has some surprisingly genius tricks. These hacks are actually useful, especially when you need a hair refresh without committing to a full wash.

One standout hack is the “half-wash” method made famous by @raxhellam. It’s perfect for those moments when your roots look greasy, but the rest of your hair is fine-ish.

Here’s how it works:

• Part your oily hair down the middle.
• Section off only the front pieces of your hair on both sides of the part. You’re aiming for the visible crown area. Don’t include anything near your ears or the back of your head.
• Tie the rest of your hair (the greasy back, sides, and underneath) into a bun or ponytail to keep it dry.
• At the shower or sink, wash only the front section using a volumizing shampoo and a touch of lightweight conditioner, focusing on the ends.
• Gently pat dry with a microfiber towel. Avoid rubbing to protect your strands and reduce frizz.
• Blow-dry the front pieces, flip your head for extra lift, and style to blend with the rest of your hair.

This trick adds volume, freshens your crown, and gives the illusion of a full wash, without actually washing your hair fully. Don't beat it till you try it! It works FAST.

I recommend spraying a little Sweaty Hair Refresher onto the unwashed parts to deodorize and revive them without water. Then fluff it all together and go. To level up the hack, use a curling iron on just the front strands. When the back’s slick or a little oily, a bouncy curl in the front makes the whole style look intentional.

Why Your Hair Looks Greasy After The Gym

Greasy hair after a workout isn’t random. How much oil your scalp produces depends on things like your hair type, skin type, and how often you wash those gorgeous locks. There’s actual BIOLOGY behind why your roots look greasy. Here’s what’s happening:

• Sebum Production from Oil Glands: When you sweat, your scalp gets hot. That sweat sends a sneaky little signal to your sebaceous glands to produce natural oils, which protect the scalp. Sounds helpful, right? In theory, totally. But for most of us, this leads to excess oil and a straight-up shine party at the roots.
• Friction and Heat Speed Up How Fast Oil Spreads: Toss in the heat from your body and friction from those tight ponytails, headbands, or hats, and that oil moves fast, spreading from your scalp to hair shafts in record time.
• Wrong Hair Products Make It Worse: If you’re using the wrong shampoo (like one that’s overly moisturizing) or you’re applying conditioner to your roots, you’re basically inviting dirt, sweat, and product buildup to your scalp.
• Your Hair Type Plays a Part: Fine hair and pin-straight textures make oily strands way more visible than curls or waves. If you have oily skin, your scalp probably follows suit. That means more oil, greasy roots, and a shorter gap between wash days.
• You Have a Scalp Condition: Let’s get science-y here. If you're dealing with persistent oiliness and flaking, it could be a sign of seborrheic dermatitis, a scalp condition that mimics greasy buildup. (This actually needs targeted treatment from a dermatologist. I’m not a miracle worker.)

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Make My Hair Not Look Greasy Fast?

If you want to make your oily hair look less greasy, focus on the roots. Use a dry shampoo alternative like Skip Day, then hit your oily roots with a brush and a quick blow-dry on the cool setting.

If you're in a real pinch, tie up your hair in a top knot or a slick bun. Both styles hide shine and require zero wash.

How Can I Hide My Greasy Hair Without Dry Shampoo?

Try:

• Baby powder for light hair
• Cocoa powder for brunettes
• The TikTok half-wash trick (just wash the front and style to cover the back)

Also, braid it, bun it, or slick it down. Some strategic styling and a bit of shine serum on the ends can make it not look greasy in just 5 minutes.

How Can I Hide the Appearance of Greasy Hair?

• Add texture with a healthy hair care product like Skip Day
• Use a round brush and blow-dry to lift oily areas
• Finish with a part switch or hair flip
• Tie it up in a braided crown or slick bun

How Do I Fix Greasy Hair Without Washing?

Refresh your scalp, not your entire head. Use a no-rinse product, like the Sweaty Hair Refresher, flip your head, and blow-dry the roots for a lift. A quick spot wash on the front sections can also give a clean appearance without doing a full wash day.

Does Hot Water Remove Oil from Hair?

Hot water can melt excess oil, but it also strips away natural oils, which can backfire by signaling your scalp to produce even more oil. Use lukewarm water and avoid over-cleansing.

Why Is My Hair So Oily All the Time?

Here are a few possible reasons for oily hair that I see with my clients:

• Over-washing (your scalp overcompensates)
• Using heavy styling products near the roots
• Hormones or a hormonal imbalance
• Genetics (if you have oily skin, your scalp is likely oily too)

Fixes include switching to the right shampoo, spacing out washes, and avoiding applying leave-in conditioner to the roots.

What’s the Best Product for Greasy Hair?

For oil-prone hair, a dry shampoo alternative or oil-absorbing spray like Skip Day is a winner. It gets rid of excess oil, gives you sky-high volume, and won’t leave behind chalky residue like traditional dry shampoos.

If you have textured or curly hair, try the Sweaty Hair Refresher to refresh and restyle post-workouts without drying out your strands.

Final Thoughts: Make Your Hair Not Look Greasy in 5 Minutes

With the right quick fixes, you can refresh, revive, and restyle your hair in under 5 minutes. From dry shampoo alternatives like Skip Day, to that genius front-section-only wash I mentioned, there are fast ways to get rid of greasy hair and get on with your day.

Try one of the tips above, and when it works (because it will), tag Unsubscribe in your post-workout refresh. We’re here for your sweaty, real-life hair moments, and we’re here to make them way easier to deal with.