Being someone who has extremely oily hair, I get how annoying it is to decide what can and cannot be applied to the hair. Since my hair produces so much oil by itself, I question whether I need additional products to nourish it. It’s common to have issues with oily hair and even complain about it once in a while, but that doesn’t mean you should not take proper care of it. Let me help you find the appropriate hair mask for oily hair and the best ways to handle the greasiness that comes along with it.

Table of Contents:

• What causes oily hair and scalp?
• How do you treat an oily scalp?
• Can we apply a hair mask on greasy hair?
• The bottom line

What causes oily hair and scalp?

If you find the need to wash your hair every day because otherwise it gets greasy, you probably have an oily hair type. Having oily hair and scalp is not a condition that you need to treat; instead, it is just a hair type. However, if you find that the excessive oiliness is causing you troubles like itching, it is wiser to handle them. To deal with oily hair, let us first understand the cause behind it:

• One of the common reasons for your hair becoming abnormally greasy and oily might shock you; it’s because you are washing it too frequently. Yes, you heard that right! Excessive washing can strip the natural (good) oils from your scalp, and it may also make your scalp produce more oil to compensate for it. The result? Oily, greasy scalp.

• Another reason for your hair to become greasy is your hair products. Overuse of hair styling products and/or not using the right shampoo and conditioner can lead to product build-up. The build-up, along with greasy-looking hair, can also result in hair loss due to congested follicles.
  
  

• Hot and humid weather can also be the reason behind your excessive oily hair. If you wear tight hats or are out in the sun all day, your hair may become greasy faster.

• Your lifestyle plays a significant role in the changes that occur in your body. Poor diet, stress, poor sleep, certain medications, all of these can cause oily hair.

How do you treat an oily scalp?

Here are a few tips that have worked like a charm for me:

Using the right products + a good washing routine

Your shampoo should remove excess oil from your scalp hair without disturbing the sebaceous glands. So, are you using the right one? Let your shampoo do its work of removing debris/build-up, and let your conditioner do its job of moisturizing your strands. Here is a shampoo and conditioner combo that particularly effective for oily hair:

Because it is free from sulfates, parabens and other harsh chemicals, the ACV shampoo gently, but effectively dissolves and removes buildup, without disturbing your sebaceous glands and pushing them into overdrive. 

Also, avoid washing your hair every day. Don’t overdo/underdo it; find a routine that can help balance your scalp’s oil production.

Take a break from hot styling tools

We all love our hairdryers and straighteners, but you should know that they can be your hair’s worst enemies, as they can cause serious damage to your hair and disrupt normal sebum production. 

Say no to silicones!

Silicones can add shine and that slip on our hair that you love, but they also add to the greasiness. Or at least they can create the impression that your hair is greasy and weighed down. Silicones can also cause scalp and hair build-up and can ultimately clog your hair follicles, leading to hair loss. 

If you feel that your regular conditioner is too heavy for you and makes your hair oily, try using a leave-in conditioner instead, every now and then, but do not give up on regular conditioner entirely. 

Little things matter

You don’t even know what might aggravate your oily hair. So here are a few additional tips:

• Make sure to clean your hairbrushes regularly.
  
  
• Change your pillow case more often.
• Leave your hair untied. Certain hairstyles, such as ponytails, can make your hair flat at the top and greasy very quickly.

Can we apply a hair mask on greasy hair?

Yes, you can, but be very careful not to let it touch your scalp. If you have greasy hair, there is probably already a layer of build-up on your scalp, so you do not want to add to that. So only apply the hair masks starting 5-10 inches from your scalp and down to your ends. Secondly, use a clarifying shampoo first, to remove all that excess oil and prep your hair for the nourishing ingredients in the hair mask. Finally, hair masks for oily hair should be chosen carefully. Even when doing a DIY hair mask you should choose the ingredients wisely.

When looking for hair masks for oily hair, always check the ingredients. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is one of my most favorite ingredients. This ACV hair mask from WOW works amazingly well for my oily hair. 

I also use an apple cider vinegar rinse when I don’t have the time to apply a hair mask. I use eight parts (400ml) of water and one part (50ml) of ACV, mix them and use them as rinse-out water at the end. This DIY hair remedy helps balance the scalp’s pH, calms it, reduces frizz, and removes build-up, ultimately leading to healthy hair growth.

You don’t, of course, need to apply an ACV mask just because it has worked for me. Take a look at these deep conditioning hair masks and pick one that suits your hair type.

The bottom line

If you think that having an oily hair type is annoying, you should know the struggles of dry hair. The point is, oily hair, dry hair, these are just hair types and not a serious condition that you can eliminate or even worry too much over. As I have discovered from my personal experience, a few minor changes in my hair care routine + a little pampering can come a long way!