Why do I have oily hair?
If you have oily hair, it is most often because your scalp produces too much sebum, due to a genetic predisposition, a hormonal imbalance or diet. Unsuitable products and certain everyday habits can also leave hair that gets greasy quickly and looks dirty the very next day. Here are the main causes of oily hair and the solutions to fix it, without irritating your scalp.
Why does my hair look dirty so quickly?
Oily hair tends to look dull, flat, sometimes sticky, and is often hard to style. Yet sebum is useful: it protects and lubricates the hair. It is the excess that causes problems. When too much is produced, it slides along the roots, weighs hair down and gives that dirty-hair look shortly after shampooing.
What causes oily hair?
1. Excess sebum production
This is the main cause. It can be linked to:
- a genetic predisposition;
- a hormonal imbalance;
- a poor diet.
To help regulate sebum, choose a shampoo suited to oily hair, used in moderation. Wash your hair regularly, but not excessively, so as not to stimulate sebum production further.
2. Unsuitable hair products, or too many of them
Styling products such as mousses, gels and hairsprays can clog the pores of the scalp and lead to excess sebum production. Choose products designed for oily hair and use them sparingly.
3. Environment and sweat
Pollution, humidity or heavy sweating can also make hair greasy. Wash it after sport or after sweating a lot, and protect it from pollution with a hat or scarf. We go into more detail in sweaty scalp and hair that gets greasy again.
Oily hair: which shampoo should you choose?
Go for a gentle shampoo, free from sulfates, parabens and silicones, that purifies without stripping. A shampoo that is too harsh irritates the scalp and can prompt it to produce even more sebum. Our purifying solid shampoo is formulated with rhassoul, a clay that helps regulate excess sebum, for roots that stay lighter for longer.
On the other hand, avoid baby or children's shampoos: even though they are very gentle, they can be too rich for teenagers and adults.
Good habits when you have oily hair
- Massage your scalp lightly and quickly before shampooing, to stimulate microcirculation.
- Use a purifying shampoo with a gentle formula.
- Finish with a cold rinse, which tones hair and makes it shine without making it greasy.
- Apply conditioner to the ends only, never to the roots.
- Squeeze excess water out of your hair by pressing it in a terry towel.
- Avoid the hairdryer, or use it on a low setting, about 15 cm from your hair, without staying more than 15 seconds in one spot.
Habits to avoid
- Scrubbing your scalp hard with your nails while shampooing: it is counterproductive.
- Washing twice in a row: the second wash strips and irritates.
- Washing your hair with water that is too hot.
- Drying your hair by rubbing it with a towel.
- Using a hairdryer that is too hot close to the roots. Choose one with several temperature settings, to stop hair getting greasy again quickly.
- Using shampoos that are too harsh on the scalp.
If your roots are oily but your lengths are dry, read our routine for oily roots and dry ends.
Frequently asked questions
Should you wash oily hair less often?
Not necessarily. Spacing out washes does not retrain the sebaceous glands. What matters is using a gentle shampoo, as often as needed. We explain this in washing your hair less often: a good idea?
Why does my hair get greasy again the very next day?
Most often because of excess sebum, sometimes kept going by a shampoo that strips too harshly, water that is too hot or too many styling products. Correcting these habits already helps a lot.
When should you see a professional?
If your oily hair comes with persistent itching, redness or dandruff, see a dermatologist. To take stock of your scalp, you can also take our hair diagnosis.
In summary: identify the cause of your oily hair, drop the habits that keep it going and adopt a gentler routine. By caring for your scalp, you will get back light, shiny hair.