How to Fix Oily Hair

If you’re struggling with oily hair, you're not alone—many factors can contribute to an oily scalp, from lifestyle and environmental factors to the natural oil production that helps protect your hair. Plus, learning how to fix oily hair can be tricky.

The key to addressing oily hair is finding the right balance in your wash day routine.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to care for oily hair, from adjusting your washing routine to incorporating targeted products that cleanse and nourish without compromising your hair’s health.

Understanding the causes of oily hair is the key to finding the right balance in your hair care habits, helping you keep your hair feeling fresh and healthy. 

Sebum is the natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands on your scalp. Its primary role is to protect and hydrate both your hair and scalp, keeping them healthy and moisturized. This oil acts as a barrier, preventing dryness and protecting hair from environmental damage. 

However, when the scalp produces excess sebum, it can lead to oily hair. Several factors influence how much sebum your scalp produces:

Your genetic makeup plays a significant role in how much oil your scalp produces. This means that if your parents had oily hair, you're more likely to experience the same.

Hormonal changes, such as those experienced during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, can trigger an increase in sebum production. Androgens—types of hormones present in people of all sexes—are particularly influential in oil production.

Stress and environmental factors can also impact oil production. High levels of stress and exposure to pollutants can all contribute to an oily scalp.

Your diet can influence how oily your scalp gets. Eating too many high-fat foods, especially those with saturated or trans fats, might make your hair greasier. On the flip side, adding omega-3-rich foods like fish, nuts, and seeds to your meals can help balance oil production and keep your scalp healthy. Staying hydrated and eating plenty of vitamins and antioxidant-packed foods also play a big role in keeping your hair looking fresh and clean.

Certain habits and environmental factors can trigger your scalp to produce excess oil. For instance, overwashing your hair strips away natural oils, prompting your scalp to compensate by producing even more sebum. 

Similarly, frequent heat styling can dry out the scalp, leading it to overproduce oil in an attempt to hydrate and protect itself. Environmental factors, such as humidity and pollution, along with a diet high in fats or sugars, can also contribute to greasy hair by affecting oil balance.

Knowing how to fix oily hair doesn’t require drastic changes—small adjustments to your routine can make a significant impact on keeping oil production balanced and your hair feeling fresh. Consider these practical strategies to help you control oil and maintain healthy, clean hair.

While it may seem counterintuitive, washing your hair too often can actually increase oil production. Stripping the scalp of natural oils causes it to overcompensate by producing more sebum. 

Consider reducing washes to every other day, or even a few times a week, to allow your scalp to maintain its natural balance.

Dry shampoo is a game-changer when it comes to managing oily hair between washes. It has a few key functions:

• Absorbing excess oil

• Adding volume

• Giving hair a fresh, clean feel without the need for a full wash

Try Virtue Labs Refresh Dry Shampoo for an oil-absorbing solution that keeps your hair looking and feeling great throughout the day.

To prevent excess oil buildup at the scalp, focus your conditioner on the ends of your hair, where moisture is needed most. Avoid applying it directly to your roots, as this can make the scalp feel greasy and weighed down. By keeping conditioner off your roots, you’ll give your hair the hydration it needs while maintaining a fresh look.

When it comes to managing oily hair, choosing the right products can make all the difference. Here’s what to look for when selecting products from a hair care collection for oily hair:

To keep your scalp fresh and free of buildup, consider incorporating a clarifying or detoxifying shampoo into your routine once a week.

If you're wondering what detoxifying shampoo is, these shampoos provide a deep clean, removing residues from styling products, environmental pollutants, and excess oils that can accumulate over time. Try Virtue Labs’ Scalp Remedy Shampoo, which gently removes buildup while maintaining scalp health and balance.

Heavy styling products, particularly those containing silicones or heavy oils, can weigh down your hair and contribute to a greasy appearance. These ingredients tend to build up on the scalp and hair, weighing hair down and making it more prone to oil buildup.

Instead, look for products designed to add body and movement while keeping hair light and airy.

Incorporating scalp treatments like a scalp scrub or exfoliant into your routine can provide long-term benefits for oily hair. Regular exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, product buildup, and excess oils, preventing clogged follicles and promoting healthier hair growth.

Use a gentle scrub or exfoliating treatment, like Virtue Labs detoxifying scalp treatment, once a week to keep your scalp clean and rejuvenated. This formula is designed to purify the scalp, stimulate circulation, and support long-term hair health.

If oily hair continues to be a challenge, consulting a dermatologist can be a great next step. Dermatologists are experts in skin and hair health, and they can help identify any underlying causes, like seborrheic dermatitis or hormonal imbalances, that may be contributing to excess oil. They may recommend specialized treatments, such as prescription shampoos, or offer advice on adjusting your diet to better manage oil production. Their expertise can help you find the best solutions to keep your hair healthy and balanced.

Achieving and maintaining a balance between oil control and hair health requires consistency in your hair care routine. By incorporating the right products and adjusting your habits, you can keep your scalp refreshed and your hair looking its best. 

With Virtue Labs' range of targeted treatments and products, you’ll find everything you need to maintain radiant, healthy hair. Explore our full product line and hair treatment collection to find the perfect solutions for your oily hair needs.

Sources: 

Cleveland Clinic. Sebaceous Glands. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24538-sebaceous-glands 

Healthline. What Is Sebum and Why Does It Build Up On My Skin and Hair? https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/sebum

HelloClue. Skin and the cycle: how hormones affect your skin. https://helloclue.com/articles/cycle-a-z/skin-and-the-cycle-how-hormones-affect-your-skin#:~:text=These%20androgens%20increase%20the%20production,change%20throughout%20the%20menstrual%20cycle.