ARE YOU OVERWHELMED BY YOUR GREASY HAIR? WHAT ARE THE BEST ‘SLICK FIXES’ TO HOLD EXCESS OIL AT BAY?
Sebum isn’t always a negative thing. It moisturizes the scalp and prevents hair from becoming brittle and falling out. However, too much of it can trigger a number of hair issues, including limp roots, lanky lengths, and dandruff.
Excessive development can be caused by a number of causes, ranging from hormonal changes to lifestyle and styling errors. The good news is that it can be repaired. Here’s what you might be struggling with if your hair has been greasier than normal.
You might be having greasy hair if…
You are extremely stressed
Stress can manifest itself on our heads in the same way as it can manifest itself on our faces (breakouts, dark circles, y’know, the good stuff). Changes in hormone levels can cause increased oil output on the scalp, which can cause this. If your hair is greasier than normal, it could be a warning that you need to take it easy.
You’re cleaning it too much
Our first instinct is to wash our hair more often as it becomes greasy easily. However, in the long run, this may be detrimental. Hair stylist and Rahua founder Fabian Lliguin says, “Over-shampooing depletes essential moisturising elements from the scalp and hair.” “As a result, the sebaceous glands in the scalp develop more oils, resulting in a greasy scalp.”
Swap washing it every day for two to three times a week to reduce the chance of exacerbating the problem.
You are using the wrong shampoo
If you note that your hair becomes greasy quickly after washing it, the shampoo you’re using may be to blame. Opt for gentler, rebalancing alternatives that include a thorough cleanse without stripping hair of its natural oils instead of highly hydrating and rich formulations. Tropic’s Nourishing Hair Cleanser, £18, a certified vegan non-foaming sulphate-free shampoo formulated to help control sebum output and which you leave in for three to five minutes, has been a new one I’ve been trying recently and my greasy roots and dry ends have been especially receptive to. It also smells amazing, thanks to a combination of coconut extracts and essential oils like peppermint, bergamot, and lime. If you need a root boost, the GTG team recommends Rahua’s Voluminous Shampoo, £32, which uses gentle cleansers made from coconut oil to eliminate impurities. It may take some time for hair to adapt to a new cleanser, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t see a difference right away. “Be mindful that it will take two to three weeks for the scalp to recover its balance and generate the proper amount of oils for healthy hair,” Fabian says.
If you have a greasy scalp with dandruff (a popular problem), I suggest Philip Kingsley’s Flaky/Itchy Shampoo, £24, which effectively absorbs excess oil while also relaxing scalps thanks to its antibacterial and gentle yet effective ingredients.
You are using excess amount of conditioner
If you’re susceptible to greasiness, limit the use of conditioners to the bottom parts of your hair (the ends and mid-lengths) and play with various textures to find the right one for you. Pantene’s Foam Conditioners, £3, and Micellar Cleanse & Nourish Conditioner, £3, are both excellent in this regard, especially for fine hair types.
You are adding an unnecessary amount of serum
The same can be said for serums and oils. Start small (it’s easier to add more than to eliminate excess) and work your way up from the ends, avoiding the roots at all costs. To ensure more even distribution, spread a drop of your styling product on the fronts and backs of your hands before applying it, rather than only using your palms, as Jamie Stevens suggests.
Your hairbrush is not clean
To be honest, I don’t clean my makeup brushes very much, and my hairbrush even less often. But thinking about how much hair, grease, dead skin, dust, and product it must contain has made me want to rethink my habits. To remove any build-up and prevent it from spreading onto your hair, give it a thorough cleanse twice a month (and clean out the strands with a comb once a week).
You have a product build-up
Hair can become dull and lifeless over time as a result of a build-up of shampoo (due to improper washing) or dry shampoo (a common go-to for the greasiness-prone). Using a clarifying shampoo twice a month, on the other hand, will help remove the debris.
If you’re searching for a deeper cleanse that won’t strip your hair, try Tropic’s latest Clarifying Hair Wash, £16, which uses coconut-derived cleansers instead of sulphates and is non-drying thanks to aloe vera juice and babassu extract.
Try Avalon’s £5.99 Clarifying Lemon Shampoo, which is vegan and synthetic fragrance-free and uses plant-derived cleansers including lemon essential oil to eliminate excess oil and chemical build-up. Tresemme’s Cleanse & Refresh Deep Cleaning Shampoo, £5.49, is a budget-friendly but powerful alternative that steams through even the toughest grease (sorry to sound like a Cillit Bang ad there).
You are touching it too much
I twiddle with my hair while I’m nervous. It’s nonstop. However, this allows oil to move from my hands to my hair, making my lengths even slicker. It’s conceivable that buying a stress ball will be preferable…
You are on your period
Yes, greasy hair is another thing we have to deal with while we’re on our cycles, along with cramps and bloating – and hormones are to blame. Progesterone levels rise in the week before, increasing sebum production on the scalp and face. Then, once we start bleeding, testosterone levels rise, starting the process all over again. The good news is that it should subside within a few days. If you want a fast remedy, time your bi-monthly clarifying hair wash to coincide with your cycle to make those five to eight days a little bit easier to bear.