Caring for Oily Hair

Oily hair can be caused by so many things. A flaky, congested scalp, hormonal imbalances, environmental aggressions, a reaction to a hair product… the list is endless. With such a wide range of instigating factors, it can be hard to negotiate the root cause of your oiliness. Don’t fret though, there are many ways to regulate your overly greasy hair without having to eliminate every possible source of oil. Take a few tips from us, and manage your oily hair more effectively every day…

Try a Decongesting Shampoo
A shampoo packed full of cleansing essential oils will really get to work on your scalp, refreshing, soothing and balancing the delicate equilibrium of the area. Stimulating Citruses, Mint, Tea Tree, and Aloe Vera are ingredients to look out for; mild natural astringents to counteract excessive oil and gently cleanse hair without exacerbating the scalp.

Your choice of shampoo should aim to rid the scalp of excess dry skin, promoting better circulation whilst lifting flakes away effectively. Sometimes, there really is no better ingredient for healthy hair than an oil extract; although this may seem counterproductive, don’t shy away from formulations that include botanical extracts such as Jojoba Oil. When used in light doses your scalp will be moisturised and balanced.

Use a Light Conditioner
Even though it may be tempting to forgo conditioner when you have oily roots, the rest of your hair still needs effective nourishment. Use a light formulation that won’t weigh your hair down, but will still intensely hydrate your locks. Like your shampoo, light doses of Jojoba Oil are brilliant for imparting moisture without overburdening the hair shaft, as are Aloe Vera, Rosemary and Citrus Fruit extracts.

Smooth the formulation from the mid-lengths of your hair through to the ends, leave on for 5-10 minutes and make sure every trace is then rinsed out. While your roots are prone to oiliness, the very tips of your hair are probably prone to dryness, so make sure they’re well protected.

Don’t Overdo It with the Products
It’s a nightmare trying to create some decent volume when you have oily hair. If you don’t use the right cleansing and moisturising products, your hair will feel heavy and flat before you even begin to add supplementary styling products. As you apply most volumising products to the roots, this can be a recipe for disaster in oily hair. Instead, consider mattifying volumisers that work by absorbing excess moisture to create definition and texture. Remember, though – too much and you’ll clog your scalp up with oils and product.

Stay Fresh
When your hair is oily, keeping it looking and feeling fresh is a tricky business. If you wash your hair every day, you run the risk of stripping it of its natural oils. If you leave it for longer than a day, your hair is excessively oily and very uncomfortable. A good compromise is investing in a good, regulating dry shampoo. When sprayed onto the roots, the powder absorbs excess oil and makes hair feel much lighter in a matter of minutes. Spray on, wait for a couple of minutes for the powder to soak up the oils, and then brush out.