· By Briana Dunning
Why Does My Hair Get Greasy So Fast? 5 Reasons & Easy Fixes
Greasy hair can ruin your whole day, and I'm not being dramatic. Although you may be tempted to wash your hair every day (something I do NOT recommend), the answer to this problem might be simpler than you think. I'm a hair stylist with almost 30 years of experience, which means I see a whole range of hair types, from straight, thick hair to those 3C curls. There are SO many reasons why your hair looks like a hot, oily mess. Here are some of the most common greasy hair causes and fixes that actually WORK.
What Is Greasy Hair?
In an ideal world, we'd all have perfect, grease-free hair. But the truth is, a little grease is actually natural. You get greasy hair thanks to the oil (sebum) that the sebaceous glands in your scalp produce. Sebum production is SUPER normal. We all need it to keep our hair healthy and moisturized, from the root right down the hair shaft.
But too much oil will leave you with hair strands that look oily, slick, limp, and weighed down. I KNOW you don't want that. You want beautiful, bouncy locks.
But what causes greasy hair? Why does your hair look like you've dipped it in oil after just a few hours? Is it a sign your scalp's oil production isn't working as it should? Is there anything you can do? Luckily, there is! Here are a few common causes of a greasy scalp and hair.
Why Is My Hair So Greasy?
1. Your Shampoo Is Too Heavy
One of the biggest mistakes my clients make is using the wrong shampoo. They don't even realize this is what's making their hair greasy! The thing is, you can't pick any old shampoo up off the shelves and hope for the best. If you use a shampoo that's too heavy for your hair type, you end up over-moisturizing your scalp, which naturally leads to greasy hair.
REMEMBER: Your scalp is already moisturized, thanks to your NATURAL oil production. The majority of us don't need any more moisture!
Your conditioner is what will give your hair the moisture it needs, but you only need to apply it to the ends! I'll get into that more in the next bit.
2. You’re Applying Conditioner on Your Roots
Many people don't realize that you shouldn't apply your conditioner to the roots. They treat it like a shampoo, slathering it from the hair roots to ends in an attempt to lock in moisture. But this is a cardinal sin that will give you greasy and oily hair! Like I said, your scalp doesn't need that extra moisture. It produces its own oils naturally, and adding conditioner to your roots will cause an oil overload.
You want to apply conditioner only to the ends of your hair! Think about when you put your hair in a ponytail – that's where you should be applying your conditioner.
3. You're Slathering Heavy Leave-In Conditioners at the Roots
The power of a good leave-in conditioner can't be overstated.
The purpose of leave-in conditioner is to equalize the porosity on the ends of the hair that have been processed with color, heat styling, or have environmental damage. But if you apply a heavy leave-in conditioner at your roots, you're going to end up with an oily scalp. The hair near your scalp can’t absorb the conditioner, so it'll just sit on top, mixing with your scalp’s natural oils, making your hair greasy SUPER quickly.
Only apply leave-in conditioner only to the ends of your hair.
4. Exercise and Sweating
Nothing beats a good workout when your body is glowing with that post-exercise high. But greasy hair can soon make you want to hide. When you sweat, your scalp produces extra moisture, which can mix with the natural oils and make your hair look oily. It's natural, but that doesn't mean you have to put up with it.
If you want to go longer between wash days WITHOUT impacting your gym routine, you need the best dry shampoo for wavy hair. The Sweaty Hair Refresher is all that and MORE.
- It contains amino acids that make your hair stronger
- It deodorizes your hair, neutralising smells
- Green tea and chamomile soothe the scalp and calm irritation
- You can use it to restyle your hair, unlike a dry shampoo
KEEP IN MIND: The Sweaty Hair Refresher will give you definition between wash days. It won't make your hair look less greasy, but it WILL ensure you slay on those gym days!
When you wash your hair after working out, use a clarifying but gentle shampoo to get rid of all the excess oil, sweat, and dead skin cells that will have built up since your last wash day.
5. You’re Using Heavy Styling Products
Overloading your hair with too much product is a one-way ticket to grease central. I'm talking about all the creams, custards, jellies, mousses, gels, and more. Sure, they may promise to give you higher volume, more texture, and a better hold, but what are they doing for your hair health? Thanks to all that product buildup, they might be weighing it down and making it look greasy.
Again, it's all about choosing what works for your hair. You don't NEED that 24-hour intense hydration cream if you have fine, straight hair. I recommend swapping out any heavy styling products for lighter alternatives.
How to Get Rid of Greasy Hair
If you're sick of washing your hair every day or tired of the slicked-back hairstyle you use to hide your oily roots, here's how to tackle the problem of an oily scalp and greasy hair head-on:
Stay Away from Dry Shampoo
Yep, I mean it. Dry shampoo promises a convenient, quick little fix, but it's NOT a good solution for your hair or your scalp health. In fact, it'll just cause bigger problems. Dry shampoos are full of starches and powders that can clog pores on your scalp, causing scalp issues like acne and dandruff.
Use a Dry Shampoo Alternative
Traditional dry shampoos will clog your pores and give you scalp issues. But dry shampoo alternatives can soak up the oil in your hair WITHOUT causing all the other issues, too. If you're looking for the best dry shampoo for blonde hair or fine hair, you need Skip Day. It's great because:
- It keeps volume in the hair over time
- You can use it multiple days in a row without feeling heavy
- You can still run your hands through your hair without the feeling of product
- You won't have any residue that makes the hair feel brittle
- It doesn't cause damage or breakage
- It's not an aerosol, so you don’t breathe it in
Use the Right Shampoo and Conditioner for Your Hair
You need to choose a shampoo and conditioner that works with your hair type. If you have color-treated or damaged hair, you'll find that a heavier leave-in conditioner is ESSENTIAL for you. If you have finer hair, your conditioner needs to be more lightweight. Choose a gentle, clarifying shampoo that will cleanse your scalp without stripping away essential moisture.
Apply Conditioner and Products Properly
I can’t stress this enough: you need to make sure you're applying your shampoo and conditioner properly. Always make sure to ONLY apply your conditioner on the ends of your hair (remember, like a ponytail).
You also only want to apply styling products (like leave-in conditioners, creams, or gels) to the mid-length and ends, too. Do NOT go slathering them on your roots, unless the instructions tell you to.
FAQs
Is Your Hair Healthy if It Gets Greasy Fast?
Greasy hair doesn’t mean your hair is unhealthy, but it might be a sign that your scalp is producing too much oil, or that you need to change up your routine.
Should I Wash My Hair Every Day to Prevent Grease?
NO! The last thing you want to do is wash your hair every day. You might love that freshly washed feeling, but washing your hair frequently can actually do more harm than good. It strips out the natural moisture. I recommend washing your hair 1 - 2 times a week to remove any product and oil buildup and keep your strands and scalp healthy. See my full breakdown on how often you should wash your hair.
Is Greasy Hair a Symptom of Anything?
There can be other reasons for oily hair, such as hormonal imbalances or changes, stress, or a diet packed with processed foods. Washing your hair too much can also throw off your scalp's oil balance and trigger it to start producing more oil to compensate for dryness.
If you've tried all my tips or you're concerned about your hair health, I recommend speaking to a dermatologist for advice.
Does Baby Powder Help With Greasy Hair?
Sure, baby powder can act as a quick fix for greasy hair, but that doesn't mean you should use it! Baby powder will build up, which can clog your hair follicles, causing scalp acne and a whole range of other issues. Trust me – this is NOT something you want!
Conclusion
Greasy hair is super common, but it doesn't have to ruin your day. If you're wondering, "why does my hair get greasy so fast?" there are LOADS of different reasons. The good news is this means there are easy fixes, too. If you're just not applying your conditioner properly, or you're using the wrong shampoo, this could be why. Try my tips above, and get your hands on one of my dry shampoo alternatives, and you'll get back to having shiny, beautiful, healthy hair.
UNSUBSCRIBE® is your go-to for Active Beauty!