Oily hair is caused by the overproduction of sebum by the sebaceous glands in the scalp. Sebum is necessary for keeping hair supple, soft and water-proof, but too much can leave hair looking lanky, stringy and greasy-looking. Oily hair is more common in people with very fine hair, and can also result from overuse of heavy hair products. Oily hair and skin are also related to hormonal changes during young adulthood. By choosing the right hair products, you can keep hair oiliness under control.
Shampoo
Look for shampoos with the words "oil reducing" or "clarifying" in their description, such as Pantene Purity Clarifying Shampoo. If only your scalp but not your hair is oily, concentrate on cleaning the scalp and roots to avoid drying out the rest of your hair. Biolage Normalizing Shampoo is intended to thoroughly clean hair while keeping it soft. If hair is oily due to product build-up, use a shampoo such as Neutrogena's Anti-Residue Shampoo to remove styling product residue.
Dry Shampoo
Use of a commercial dry shampoo in between regular washings can help control oiliness. You can even make your own dry shampoo by using corn starch or corn meal to blot up excess oil. However, do not use talc or baby powder for this purpose, since they contain chemicals that may harm the lungs, states HairBoutique.com.
Conditioner
Choose a conditioner such as Herbal Essences Drama Clean Refreshing Condition that doesn't contain lots of oils. Apply it to your hair in sections to avoid rubbing it into your scalp, which may increase oiliness. You might want to skip conditioner and instead use a spray-on detangler such as Pantene Pro-V Detangling Light Conditioning Mist after shampooing.
Styling
Avoid heavy styling products such as gels and pomades. The TotalBeauty.com website recommends the use of a hair powder such as Aveda's Pure Abundance Hair Potion to reduce oiliness while adding volume. A spray wax like Paul Mitchell Spray Wax or a light mousse such as John Frieda Luxurious Volume Thickening Hair Mousse are better styling alternatives than a heavy pomade.
Natural Products
You can make your own rinses from household products to help control oil on the hair. The Daily Glow website recommends a diluted apple-cider vinegar rinse following your usual shampoo and conditioning regimen. You can also dilute witch hazel with water and apply to your scalp with an eye dropper or cotton ball, leaving it in your hair following shampoo and conditioner. A similar treatment consisting of one part mouthwash to nine parts water helps control odor-causing bacteria on a greasy scalp. Use an eyedropper or cotton ball to apply the solution after shampooing and conditioning; leave in.
Products To Avoid
Avoid the use of moisture-enhancing shampoos on your scalp. If the middle and ends of your hair require extra conditioning, use a moisturizing conditioner on that part of the hair only. Don't use serums or glossing products, as they can coat the hair causing it to look limp and greasy.
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