How to Keep Hair From Getting Greasy

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

If you feel like your hair gets greasy faster than normal, you’re not alone—many people deal with oily or greasy hair throughout the day. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can change your washing and styling techniques to keep your hair from getting greasy. Try out some (or all!) of these tips to keep your luscious locks shiny and clean for days to come.

1

Cut down on how often you wash your hair.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Instead, try to go 2 to 3 days in between washes for the best results. It might take a few weeks, but your hair will actually stop producing as many natural oils every day, leading to less greasy hair. [1]
    • On days you aren’t washing your hair, wear a shower cap in the shower to keep your hair dry.
    • If you sweat a lot, you may have to wash your hair more frequently. Try shampooing more or less often until you find the schedule that works for you.
    2. Advertisement
2

Try a shampoo for oily hair.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Look for products that say “for oily hair” “clarifying shampoo” or “less buildup” to find the one that’s right for you. Oily hair shampoos work to gently strip away dirt and grime without irritating your scalp. [2]
    • Look for a shampoo with zinc sulfate in it to help cleanse your scalp and control greasy buildup. [3]
    • When you wash your hair, try not to scrub your scalp too hard. It won’t make your hair any less greasy, and you could tangle up your luscious locks.
    • You don’t need to use a ton of shampoo—a quarter-sized amount is perfect for cleansing your scalp, even if you have super long hair.
3

Use cool or lukewarm water to wash your hair.

PDF download Download Article
  1. For the best results, keep your shower water as cool as you can, especially when rinsing shampoo and conditioner from your hair. Cool water closes the cuticle of your hair, which will help to keep moisture in. [4]
    • Hot water also causes your pores, including the ones on your scalp, to produce more sebum, or thick oil. This thick oil will start traveling down your hair strands from your scalp as soon as you leave your hot shower.
    2. Advertisement
4

Put conditioner on your ends, not your scalp.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you already deal with greasy hair, don’t add more to it by putting conditioner on your roots. When you use conditioner after shampooing, apply it starting halfway down your hair and go all the way to your ends. [5]
    • Be sure to always rinse conditioner thoroughly from your hair before getting out of the shower.
    • If you have curly or wavy hair, use a leave-in conditioner to hydrate your curls without weighing them down throughout the day. Focus the conditioner on your ends to avoid adding extra grease to your scalp area.
5

Use a dry shampoo in between regular shampoos.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Spray a small amount of dry shampoo near your roots, then use your fingers to rub it into your scalp. It will absorb the natural oils and leave your hair looking cleaner and shinier. [6]
    • If you’re having trouble dispersing the dry shampoo with your fingers, use a hair brush.
    • If you have dark hair, be sure to buy invisible dry shampoo so that you avoid getting a greyish tint at your roots from the white powder.
    2. Advertisement
6

Brush your hair once a day.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Instead, stick to brushing your hair once before you shower, then using a wide-toothed comb to detangle your hair when it’s wet. Make sure the brush touches your scalp to remove dead skin and make your hair feel clean. [7]
    • Be super careful when you comb your hair while it’s damp or wet. Start from the ends and slowly work your way upward to avoid ripping or tearing your hair.
    • If you’ve already brushed your hair that day but it gets super messy, don’t worry about giving it a quick brush. Focus on the ends of your hair to smooth them down and make your hair look perfect again.
7

Look for “greaseless” or “oil-free” styling products.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you use any sort of styling product, make sure you’re not picking the wrong ones. Try to find products that are meant for oily hair to keep them from building up. [8]
    • Vegetable glycerin, aloe leaf, and citric acid are common ingredients in oil-free products. [9]
    • Heavy styling products can also weigh your hair down and make it look greasier, especially if you have fine or thin hair.
    • If you feel like you have a buildup of products in your hair, use a clarifying shampoo to cleanse your scalp.
    2. Advertisement
8

Try not to touch your hair.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you aren’t styling it, try to go hands-free throughout the day. If you need to fix your hair, use a clean brush or comb instead of your fingers. [10]
    • If you want to keep your hair in place, try using hairspray or clay so you don’t have to touch it constantly.
    • Keep your hair out of your face by using clips or a headband so you don’t have to swipe it out of your eyes.
9

Let your hair air-dry instead of blow drying it.

PDF download Download Article
  1. This can cause it to overcompensate, leading to an even greasier scalp. In general, try to let your hair air dry to keep it healthy and grease-free. [11]
    • Letting your hair air dry will also keep your hair healthier and reduce your split ends.
    • If you do want to heat-dry your hair on occasion, make sure to use a heat protectant spray to avoid potential damage. [12]
    • Straightening your hair can also lead to greasy buildup, since it makes your hair lie closer to your scalp. [13] Try to limit your use of heat styling tools to keep your hair and scalp healthy.
    2. Advertisement
10

Clean your styling tools.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you haven’t cleaned your hair tools in a while (or ever), use a damp cloth with warm water to wipe them down. Let your tools dry thoroughly before you use them again to avoid damaging your hair or your tools. [14]
    • You should clean your tools often, especially if you use them every day.
11

Stay away from products for dry or damaged hair.

PDF download Download Article
  1. While this is good for hair that is actually dry or damaged (the thin film makes your hair look shiny and smooth), all it does to hair that’s prone to oiliness is add more weight to the hair and make it look greasier. If you do need to use these products, keep them on the ends of your hair. [15]
    • You should also avoid smoothing or glossing products, since those can do the same thing.
    2. Advertisement
12

Take off hats and beanies as soon as possible.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you bundled up in a beanie or a baseball cap, try to take it off as soon as you get home or reach your destination. For the best results, try not to wear a hat unless you plan on washing your hair soon to avoid a grease buildup. [16]
    • If you do want to cover your hair, try using a bandana or a scarf instead. The lightweight material will allow airflow and won’t contribute to grease buildup.

Video

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do you properly use dry shampoo?
    Patrick Evan
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Patrick Evan is the Owner of Patrick Evan Salon, a hair salon in San Francisco, California. He has been a hairstylist for over 25 years and is a Thermal Reconditioning Specialist, dedicated to transforming difficult curls and waves into sleek, straight hair. Patrick Evan Salon was rated the Best Hair Salon in San Francisco by Allure magazine, and Patrick's work has been featured in Woman’s Day, The Examiner, and 7x7.
    Patrick Evan
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Dry shampoos are a must for the days you are not washing your hair, as they refresh your hair and absorb any excess oils. You just spray them into dry hair, work the product through with your fingers, and then brush it out.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How long should I go without washing my hair if it gets oily after 1 day without washing it?
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Consider shampooing your hair every other day, and then aim to shampoo it only 2-3 times a week. If needed, you can use dry shampoo in between your regular washes to keep your hair less oily. You could even consider wetting your hair and massaging your scalp as if you were going to shampoo it, minus the use of shampoo.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 35
  • Question
    What shampoo should I use for oily hair?
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Consider using a clarifying or purifying shampoo. It will strip your hair of any grease and oil that it may have. This only needs to be done once a week, and your ends should be conditioned afterwards.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 20
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Reader Videos

      Tips

      • Use accessories or an updo to hide grease. Try clips to twist pieces of hair away from your face, or do your hair in a ponytail or messy bun after adding some dry shampoo.
        Thanks
        Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Let your hair dry naturally instead of automatically reaching for the hair dryer. Even if you don't have time to let it dry all the way you can still let it air dry while you're getting ready or doing other things for a few minutes. Heat styling will artificially dry your hair and scalp and cause your scalp to produce more oil, making your hair greasy.
      • Have patience if you're making the transition from shampooing every day to shampooing less often. The first week or so, it might be tempting to go back to shampooing every day. Just wear a hat or something to cover your hair so you don't have to think about it.
      • Avoid touching your hair and scalp, especially on the top of your head. Your hair and scalp will absorb the dirt and oil from your hands and make your hair look greasy. If you have long hair and want to put it up, put it up once and then leave it alone.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Get Rid of Frizzy Hair Naturally
      How to
      Tame and Control Frizz for Curly, Wavy, or Straight Hair
      How to
      Stop Your Hair from Getting Frizzy After Washing It
      How to
      Cope when You Hate Your Hair
      How to
      Reduce Hair Volume
      How to
      Train Your Bangs & Stop Them from Separating
      10 Simple Tips for Concealing Hair Loss in the Front (for Women)
      How to
      Avoid Hat Hair
      How to
      Keep Bangs from Getting Oily
      How to
      Get Rid of Greasy Hair
      How to
      Treat Dry Hair
      How to
      Rid Yourself of a Bad Perm
      How to
      Fix Frizzy Hair
      How to
      Get Pink Hair Dye Out
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ Patrick Evan. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 17 January 2019.
      2. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/hygiene-basics.html
      3. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty-products/g26909189/best-shampoo-for-oily-hair/
      4. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/a39499/greasy-hair-causes/
      5. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/healthy-hair-tips
      6. ↑ Patrick Evan. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 17 January 2019.
      7. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/a39499/greasy-hair-causes/
      8. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/hygiene-basics.html
      9. ↑ https://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curl-products/oil-free-curly-hair-products-hi
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=209&v=o8e3qUZubSw&feature=youtu.be
      2. ↑ https://mibellebiochemistry.com/oily-hair-heres-what-do-about-it
      3. ↑ Patrick Evan. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 17 January 2019.
      4. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/a39499/greasy-hair-causes/
      5. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/a39499/greasy-hair-causes/
      6. ↑ https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/how-to-stop-greasy-hair-hacks
      7. ↑ https://mibellebiochemistry.com/oily-hair-heres-what-do-about-it

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To keep your hair from getting greasy, limit how often you wash it to 2-3 times a week since overwashing your hair can cause it to produce more grease. When you do wash your hair, only condition the ends so you're not making the roots of your hair greasy. Also, wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo once a week, which will make your scalp less oily. You can also prevent grease by brushing your hair less frequently since brushing causes the oils on your scalp to spread to the rest of your hair. To learn how to prevent greasy hair by changing your diet, scroll down!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,607,182 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Jun 15, 2017

        "I use WEN and I think it's making my hair greasy, but I love it because I don't spend hours getting the ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement