6 Ingredients in Hair Shampoos that Help Prevent Oily Hair

Last Updated on December 16, 2022 by Gaga

How Do We Get Greasy Hair?

Greasy hair looks unattractive and can be extremely difficult to style. The condition is hard to hide and could be frustrating for people who are affected. You may ask where that unwanted oil comes from.

Sebaceous glands, which are located surrounding the hair follicles, produce an oily, waxy substance called sebum. Sebum keeps your scalp properly moisturized and protects hair shafts from excessive dryness. If sebum production is poor, hair strands can become inelastic and prone to damage.

If sebaceous glands are overactive, they produce more sebum than is needed. When the warmth of the scalp melts sebum, the excess oil passes from the scalp onto the hair shaft, making the hair look dirty despite regular washing.

a beautiful sleeping woman with oily hair

Oily hair can become a persistent condition that is hard to get rid of. Sebum buildup can clog the follicles and cause more serious scalp conditions, including greasy dandruff, and excessive hair loss.

To get rid of oily hair, you need to de-grease your scalp, because an oily scalp inevitably leads to oily hair. However, it is important to properly reduce oil secretion without over-drying the scalp.

Importance of Choosing the Right Shampoo

Most ordinary shampoos use sulfate-based cleansing agents. Sulfates are inexpensive, yet powerful synthetic cleansers. They effectively remove oil and dirt from hair and create a rich lather. However, those grease-cutting detergents are quite harsh on the hair and scalp. Sulfate-based shampoos can strip the scalp of its necessary natural oils, making the problem even worse. When used frequently, harsh shampoos can actually encourage the oil glands to produce more sebum to compensate for the loss.

Oily hair requires frequent washing but must be gently treated. If you suffer from oily hair, make sure to choose a sulfate-free shampoo with mild, naturally derived cleansers. These shampoos will remove excess sebum and impurities without unwanted adverse effects.

Sulfate-free shampoos also help balance the pH level of your scalp and hair. A proper pH balance of the scalp is essential for managing oily hair. Synthetic cleansing agents used in commercial shampoos can disrupt the natural pH balance of the scalp and hair.

How to Wash Oily Hair?

If your hair is on the oily side, excessive shampooing may worsen rather than improve your condition. This happens because frequent washing encourages sebaceous glands to increase oil production to make up for the loss. To stay on the safe side, it’s advisable to wash your hair no more than three or four times a week.

Using the appropriate shampoo and applying it the right way can help maintain a healthy scalp and hair. Use a mild, natural shampoo that is designed specifically for oily hair. Select a shampoo that is translucent when held to the light and avoid creamy formulas.

Apply shampoo directly onto the scalp and leave it on for an extra minute or two before rinsing. Gently massage the scalp while shampooing. Rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water to make sure there is no shampoo residue left behind. These residues tend to collect dirt and oil and add weight to your hair.

Use a clarifying shampoo once a month to give your hair a fresh start.

Ingredients that Help Control Sebum Production

Before buying shampoo for oily hair, you should read the ingredient list on the bottle carefully. There are several essential oils known for their effectiveness in controlling the glandular production of oil. These essential oils include tea tree, lavender, rosemary, lemongrass, peppermint, basil, and ylang-ylang.

1. Rosemary Oil is effective for cleansing excess oils from the scalp and hair and may also provide relief to people with dandruff and scalp itchiness.

2. Lavender Oil helps balance natural scalp oils.  Shampoo containing lavender oil helps your hair stay clean longer. Lavender oil also calms the scalp, supports hair growth, helps control dandruff, and keeps hair shiny.

3. Tea Tree Oil gently works to remove excess oil, balances sebum production, and helps reduce dandruff.

4. Peppermint Oil normalizes sebum production, balances pH levels, and stimulates blood flow to the scalp, which helps promote hair growth.

5. Lemongrass Oil supports the function of the sebaceous glands and helps soothe scalp inflammation.

6. Ylang Ylang Oil slows down sebum production, detoxifies the scalp, helps control dandruff, and promotes healthy hair growth.

Use Conditioners Properly

a young woman nourishing her oily hair

If your hair is very oily, you might not need a conditioner. If you do use a conditioner, keep it away from your roots, as it can weigh down your hair. Most conditioners contain oils and silicones that will weigh oily hair down and make it look flatter. A conditioner is meant to nourish your ends, which can still be dry and brittle. Make sure to rinse the product out of your hair thoroughly. Look for a lightweight, oil-free, and silicone-free conditioner, and make sure that you use it properly.

Avoid using too many styling products because most of those products tend to attract dirt and can make your hair look greasier.

Dry Shampoos for Oily Hair

a woman applying dry shampoo powder to the hair

Dry shampoos are very useful for concealing your greasy roots between hair washes. Those products contain a substance that soaks up oils from your scalp and hair, making your style look fresh. These products also add volume to flat hair and lift your strands away from the scalp. Dry shampoos are great time savers because they can make your hair look clean and bouncy without a full shower.

Dry shampoos come in aerosol formulas or the form of a powder. These products continue to grow in popularity since they are inexpensive and easy to use. Although being a great tool to keep hair clean between wet shampoos they are not meant to completely replace regular shampoos.

If you suffer from greasy hair and scalp, talk to your dermatologist. Your dermatologist can give you a proper diagnosis and discuss all the available treatment options.

a beautiful brunette with clean smooth hair

About the author

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Gaga is a blogger and founder of the Softer Hair website. She often says that insomnia is to blame for her first blogging attempts. Being the night owl, she hated the morning alarm. She left her office job and returned to what she loved most - writing.

 

1 thought on “6 Ingredients in Hair Shampoos that Help Prevent Oily Hair”

  1. your post is very interesting to read.it’s very informative and helpful.
    Usually, I never comment on blogs but your article is so convincing that I never stop myself to say something about it. You’re doing a great job, Keep it up.

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