Why is my hair so oily? we hear you cry. Well, there can be many reasons for this and we’re here to help you get to the bottom of it.
As you’re probably already aware, healthy hair produces a certain amount of sebum, or oil, as a way to hydrate your scalp and protect your hair.
And the amount of oil you produce varies depending on your hair type, how often you shower and other lifestyle factors like that.
Sometimes this natural oil can collect on your hair, especially at the root - and this can look greasy or oily.
If this sounds familiar, then we’re here to tell you the causes of oily hair, products that can control oil production, and some home remedies for when your hair looks too greasy.
So what’s the cause?
The oil in your hair is part of your body’s defense system for the sensitive hair of your scalp. This oil mixes with sweat and dirt, coating your scalp and sometimes the top of your head, too. This is actually normal, so don’t panic.
Practicing good hygiene by washing your scalp often with a shampoo cleanses the oil and gives your hair a fresh start. But saying that, some hair types (straight hair for one, sorry guys) are prone to oil build-up and certain lifestyle habits, like exercise, over-use of styling products, and being out in the heat or humidity can add to your bad hair day.
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Cause 1: Over-washing
If your hair is oily or greasy one of the causes could be over-washing.
Every time you wash your hair with shampoo, it sends the scalp the signal to produce more sebum. If you’re washing your hair too often, your scalp gets the message that it needs to be in oil production overdrive.
This can result in oily build-up on your scalp - and the greasy look you’re trying to avoid.
Cause 2: Hair type
Straight hair is especially prone to collecting oil because the hair shaft doesn’t have any texture or wave to it, so oil slides straight down the hair shaft and collects all over your head. It also makes oil in your hair more visible when hair hangs straight down.
Photo by freestocks on Unsplash
Cause 3: Products
Another cause of oily hair is the type of styling products you use. Sebum is a type of oil, which means that simply washing it with water doesn’t break it up.
Rinsing your hair with just water or skipping the shampoo step and using only conditioner can allow oil to build up.
While it might not be easy to spot the oil when your hair is drying, it quickly appears oily again only a few hours or so later.
That’s because only certain ingredients, found in most shampoos, can break down the oil that builds up on your hair.