Thin hair can be a challenge to work with, especially if it is quick to build up oil. On the bright side, almost any shampoo can remove oil from your hair. However, the crucial drawback is that many shampoos clean even the needed oil from your hair and can’t support a healthy balance.

The best shampoos can clean your hair and revitalize it. Fortunately, once you know what to look for in a shampoo, you can find one that properly supports your hair and scalp without drying it out or weighing it down.

Table of Contents:

• How Can I Tell If My Hair Is Oily and Thin
• What Causes Oily Hair?
• What To Look for in a Shampoo for Oily Thin Hair
• Natural Ingredients
• Hydrating Properties
• Scalp Protection
• What Shampoos Should I Use?
• WOW Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
• WOW Green Tea and Tea Tree Shampoo
• WOW Himalayan Rose Shampoo

How Can I Tell If My Hair Is Oily and Thin

If you are unsure if your hair would be classified as oily or thin, there are a few tendencies and signs to look for that will help you determine whether this information is for you.

You can tell you have oily hair if you notice that your hair is extra shiny or a bit greasy just a day or two after washing it. Oily hair typically has a natural shine, which can look nice, but when it is too much, your hair may look a bit unclean. Oily hair is also noticeable to the touch, your hair will feel slippery and, well, oily.

If your hair gets oily quickly, it may also be a sign that your hair is thin. Hair normally has a more difficult time moving through thick hair because there are more strands to coat. Consequently, it is going to take longer before your hair starts to appear greasy.

To figure out whether or not your hair would be considered thin, you can do a quick and simple test. Take a strand of your hair and place it next to a piece of sewing thread. If your strand of hair is thinner than the thread, your hair falls into the thin category.

What Causes Oily Hair?

Oily hair is the result of oil from the scalp, called sebum, moving through the strands of your hair. Everyone’s scalp produces sebum, but it is not always as noticeable, depending on your hair type. Sebum is important for keeping the hair strong, flexible, and hydrated. Your scalp tends to produce more oil if your hair is frequently dry.

For example, individuals with curly hair are less likely to have oily hair because it is more difficult for the oils to travel through it. However, for thin, especially straight, hair types, oil moves down the hair shaft much more easily, making your hair more likely to be oily.

Although anyone’s hair can be oily if not washed regularly, the following factors can contribute more to oily hair.  

• Genetics
• Overwashing
• Dry scalp
• Underwashing

What To Look for in a Shampoo for Oily Thin Hair

The largest upside of oily thin hair is that you do not have to worry too much about drying out your hair. Even after a wash with a shampoo, thin and oily hair is quick to replenish the sebum that is washed away. However, that doesn’t mean you should just pick any shampoo. To manage your thin and oily hair, you should be sure to look for the following.

• Natural Ingredients

Harsh ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and other chemicals can completely dry out your hair or irritate your scalp. When this happens, your hair starts to produce extra oil to compensate for the dryness.

By using all-natural ingredients, you can avoid unnecessary harshness on your hair and provide your hair with important vitamins and nutrients that you can’t find in artificial cleansers. Natural ingredients can also help strengthen your hair just as much as they clean it, giving your thin hair extra reinforcement.

• Hydrating Properties

Since dry hair and scalp can lead to excessive oil production, keeping your hair hydrated plays a key part in preventing overly oily hair. Shampoo usually strips the oil from your hair completely, even though your hair needs a healthy balance.

When you are constantly stripping your hair of its oils or using ingredients that dry it out, it is important to choose a shampoo that also helps support a balance of oil. Ingredients like coconut milk, argan oil and onion oil help to keep the scalp hydrated and seal in moisture.

• Scalp Protection

Since oily hair can be a symptom of a dry or irritated scalp or even a skin condition, it is a good idea to be proactive about choosing a product that protects and nourishes the scalp. Some shampoos can be harsh on a sensitive scalp, so you should try to find one that can soothe irritation. Look for shampoos with ingredients like aloe vera or tea tree oil, which help to relieve dryness, itching, and irritation.

With thin hair, your scalp can also be more vulnerable to UV damage and dry out more easily. By hydrating and nourishing your scalp, you can protect it against the elements and keep your hair and scalp feeling hydrated and strong.

What Shampoos Should I Use?

Although one of the solutions to oily hair is to shampoo your hair, washing your hair too often and using harsh products can make your oily hair worse. It can be a challenge to find a shampoo that balances the importance of cleansing your hair with the importance of protecting it. Fortunately, you do have several great options in your search.  

• WOW Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

WOW’s Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo helps you take your hair care to the next level. Apple cider vinegar has many benefits help to restore the pH of your skin, provide vital antioxidants, and dig deep into your hair follicles to remove dirt, oil, and other pollutants.

With only natural cleansers, this shampoo is great at nourishing your hair without doing damage and offers incredible moisturizing capability as well. This clarifying shampoo can be quite powerful, so it is a good idea to keep your usage to about once a week.

• WOW Green Tea and Tea Tree Shampoo

WOW’s Green Tea and Tea Tree Shampoo provides about all you can ask for in a shampoo for thin and oily hair. With green tea, tea tree oil, and almond oil, this gentle formula works to hydrate and soothe your scalp. This combination improves the health of your scalp by improving circulation and keeping dandruff under control. At the same time, this light formula won’t weigh down your thin hair.

• WOW Himalayan Rose Shampoo

Using the power of rose hydrosol, WOW’s Himalayan Rose Shampoo moisturizes your hair while infusing it with flavonoids and antioxidants. This formula also includes coconut oil and sweet almond oil to strengthen and repair your hair strands. This formula is great on thin hair while it soothes the scalp and supports a healthy balance of oils in your hair.

Although oily and thin hair can be difficult to work with, being mindful about the products you choose can go a long way toward giving it a healthy balance. As you look for a shampoo that cleanses oily hair, WOW Skin Science has your back, with a great selection of 100% plant-based formulas.

Check out our Red Onion Black Seed Oil Shampoo and Conditioner combo for a clarified, soft and shiny hair.

To find more products that nourish your thin and oily hair, explore our complete collection of haircare products and see the results.