If your hair looks perpetually greasy, it may be because you have oily hair. Though you can keep oily hair in check with styling products that soak up oil, good care for oily hair starts when you choose your shampoo. The right shampoo can help make the most of your hair's natural shine without weighing it down.
Identification
If you have an oily scalp, it's because the hair follicles on your scalp produce too much sebum. Sebum plays an important role in your hair's health. Like a natural conditioner, it helps keep hair hydrated and shiny. If you have too little sebum, your hair is dry and brittle. Too much sebum on your scalp, and your hair can look greasy and flat. The best shampoos for oily hair absorb excess sebum without stripping it completely from your hair.
Types
If you have an oily scalp, look for a gentle, detergent-based shampoo, recommends Mitchell Barnes, co-owner of Carter-Barnes Hair Artisans in Atlanta, on CNN.com. Once a week, use a clarifying shampoo designed to remove product build-up and other impurities from your hair. In addition, dry shampoo or shampoo powder can be a quick way to soak up oil between showers.
Considerations
If your scalp is smelly as well as oily, don't panic. It's a common occurrence when harmless bacteria living on your skin realize that your scalp's excess oil is a good source of nutrients. The bacteria's feeding causes a distinct odor, explains New York City dermatologist Jules Abadi in "Cosmopolitan" magazine. If you're dealing with a smelly scalp, Abadi recommends choosing a shampoo with an oil- and odor-absorbing ingredient like sulfur, zinc or tar.
Misconceptions
Many people with an oily scalp think conditioner will only make their hair more oily, but if you're shampooing every day to deal with excess oil, it's important to replace the moisture that you're stripping from your hair, says Barnes on CNN.com. Barnes suggests using a lightweight conditioner on the ends of your hair every time you shampoo and applying only as far up as you need to.
Expert Insight
The way you shampoo your hair may be just as important as which shampoo you use, says New Orleans dermatologist Mary P. Lupo in "Allure" magazine. If you have an oily scalp, Lupo recommends making sure your hair is completely saturated with water before you add any shampoo and then using only a small amount mainly on the scalp, where your hair is oily. This will keep your hair feeling clean without causing damage from over-washing.
