How To Get Rid Of Oily Hair Smell

Everyone's scalp produces sebum--the oil that moisturizes hair--but some people produce more than others. Hormone levels, birth control and stress can increase sebum production. Oily hair not only makes hair appear weighted down and lifeless, it has a distinct odor that some people find unpleasant. With routine hair care using the right types of products and a few tricks, you can have clean, fresh-smelling hair every day.

Step 1

Wash your hair every day with a shampoo marketed for oily hair. Massage the shampoo into your scalp gently to remove dirt and sebum. MedlinePlus suggests "leaving the shampoo on your head for at least 5 minutes before rinsing" to give the suds more time to break down excess sebum so that it can be rinsed away.

Step 2

Use oil-free hair styling products and use them sparingly on the scalp.

Step 3

Minimize hair brushing to keep your hair from looking greasy. Brushing pulls sebum from the scalp and distributes it throughout your hair.

Step 4

Treat midday oiliness by massaging a small amount of baby powder or cornstarch onto your scalp to soak up sebum. Run a soft-bristled brush through your mane to distribute the baby powder throughout your hair, giving it a fresh scent.

Step 5

Spritz a little of your favorite perfume or cologne on a soft-bristled brush before brushing your hair to mask the smell of sebum. Most perfumes and colognes contain alcohol, so stay away from open flames until the products dry in your hair.