Oily roots and dry ends: How do I maintain my hair?

Oily roots and dry ends? The routine is simpler than it seems: a purifying shampoo on the scalp only, then a conditioner on the lengths and ends. You treat each area according to its needs, without piling on products.

Why do you get oily roots and dry ends?

The scalp is living skin that produces sebum. This sebum naturally protects the hair, but it does not travel well down the lengths, especially on medium-length or long hair. The result: the roots get greasy quickly, while the ends, which are older and more exposed, lack nourishment.

Several habits make this imbalance worse:

• a shampoo that strips too harshly or washing too often, which pushes the scalp to produce more sebum;
• rinsing with water that is too hot;
• heat from hairdryers and styling tools on the ends;
• sun, sea, chlorine and colouring, which dry out the lengths.

To better understand excess sebum, read our article Why is my hair greasy?

Which shampoo for oily roots and dry ends?

You choose your shampoo for your scalp, not for your lengths. If your roots are oily, use a shampoo for oily hair, and nourish the ends separately.

Step 1: purify the roots

It all starts with the scalp. That is what you wash, not the lengths.

Our purifying solid shampoo is therefore applied to the roots. It absorbs excess sebum and cleanses the scalp without irritating it. Its formula with rhassoul, a clay of volcanic origin, regulates sebum, helps limit dandruff, adds volume and strengthens the fibre with every wash.

• Wet your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water.
• Rub the solid shampoo over the roots, then massage with your fingertips.
• Simply let the lather run down the lengths as you rinse: that is enough to clean them.

Step 2: nourish the lengths and ends

Finish with the solid conditioner, on the lengths and ends only. The lengths do not need washing, they need nourishing.

Formulated with shea butter, coconut butter and avocado oil, it makes detangling easier and restores shine and suppleness to hair. Always avoid the roots so as not to weigh them down.

Both products are available as a purifying shampoo and conditioner duo.

How many times a week should you wash oily roots?

There is no single rule. Wash your hair when your scalp needs it, with a gentle shampoo. With the right routine, many people gradually manage to space out their washes. Our advice is detailed in Washing your hair less often: miracle or mirage?

Good everyday habits

• Rinse with lukewarm rather than hot water.
• Avoid touching your roots during the day.
• Turn down the hairdryer temperature on the ends.
• Have damaged ends trimmed regularly.

Not sure what your scalp type is? Take our online hair diagnosis.

In short

• Sebum does not travel well down the hair: oily roots, dry ends.
• Purifying shampoo on the roots only.
• Conditioner on the lengths and ends, never on the scalp.
• Two products are enough: one for the scalp, one for the hair itself.