Why Is My Hair So Oily? | 5 Factors That Make Hair Greasy

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What are the signs of oily hair?

If you’ve ever found yourself asking “Why is my hair oily?”, you are not alone. But, there’s a difference between having oily hair and hair that just needs a wash. If you find yourself asking “why is my hair so oily” even when it’s clean, you might be experiencing an overproduction of oil. This can have an impact on both your comfort and confidence. If this sounds familiar, here are some of the signs to look out for:

• Your hair is constantly oily or waxy (even after washing)
• You have an itchy scalp
• You experience flakiness
• You notice clogged pores and blemishes on and around the scalp 
• You feel like your hair is never clean enough

What causes oily hair?

Your scalp and hair get oily for the same reasons that your skin does. Basically, the oil glands that are located within your hair follicles produce sebum, which is a mix of triglycerides, fatty acids, wax esters, squalene, and cholesterol.

We may not always appreciate it, but this oily or waxy substance is actually really important for protecting your skin and hair from moisture loss. It does so by acting as a barrier on the scalp’s surface, shielding it from the elements while keeping your hair naturally moisturized. However, some people produce more oil than others. So, before you can understand how to fix oily hair, let’s explore some of the key factors that cause it in the first place.

1. Overwashing

When you wash your hair too often, you strip your hair of its natural oils, which also contain vital nutrients. To compensate for this loss, your scalp goes into overdrive mode, producing more oil than is necessary. So, while it might be tempting to clean it more frequently, reducing the number of washes could be the easiest way to fix oily hair.

2. Dirty air

Pollution can be tough on your hair. The dirt and dust in your environment can accumulate on your scalp and hair, which, unfortunately, can lead to you feeling more greasy (even if you’ve got your hair routine down to a science).

3. Hormonal changes

Changes in your stress hormones can make your hair follicles go into overdrive, producing much more oil than necessary. These hormonal changes can be caused by emotional stress, lack of sleep, and even your menstrual cycle.

4. Your diet

Just like with the skin on your face, eating certain foods can lead to increased oil production and even breakouts! Some culprits to watch out for include sugar and dairy. But we’re all unique, so even foods you would never suspect can have an impact on your scalp health. So, if you’ve tried all sorts of hair care products and are still struggling with how to fix oily hair, it might be time to look at your diet in more detail.

5. Untreated skin conditions

Certain skin conditions can make oil production worse by trapping dead skin cells on the surface of your scalp. This can sometimes lead to scalp acne which can be uncomfortable and even painful. If your hair routine, environment, and lifestyle can’t be to blame for oily hair, then a dermatologist may be able to diagnose the underlying cause.

Is having oily hair bad?

As we’ve already established, oily hair to some extent can be a good thing. However, too much oil can affect the health of your strands as well as your confidence. If the sebum glands on your scalp get too clogged, this can lead to a few problems that can affect the health of your scalp as well as your hair. Some of the side-effects and health impacts of overly oily hair can include:

Flaky scalp

The bacteria that cause your scalp to itch and flake thrives on excess oil and needs it to survive. While an oily scalp in itself won’t cause flakes, when combined with other factors, it can make the problem worse. A flaky scalp is not only unpleasant but can cause red, inflamed patches of skin to form around the area . This condition can be painful and can even affect your hair’s ability to grow properly.

Clogged pores

In some cases, the pores on your scalp (and even on your face and back!) can become clogged due to excess sebum. When you combine this with certain kinds of bacteria, you get the perfect combination for blemishes to start forming.

Hair loss

Clogged pores are a problem because they can also interfere with your hair growth. 

Your body regularly forms and sheds new skin cells in a process called cellular regeneration. However, when you have too much oil on your scalp, these dead skin cells get “stuck” in the pore, preventing new ones from coming to the surface. This can affect the ability of your hair to grow as it should, which can eventually lead to hair loss.

How to get rid of oily hair

While oily hair is partially an inherited trait, it can be under your control for the most part. When it comes to how to fix oily hair, try a few of these tips to keep it at bay:

• Don’t wash your hair every day – this can make your scalp go into sebum overproduction mode to compensate.
• Use a balancing, sulfate, and paraben-free shampoo that will restore your scalp health. 
• If you are using a leave-in conditioner, make sure it’s the right conditioner for your specific needs.
• Consider taking a supplement to improve your scalp and hair health.
• Get your nightly dose of shut-eye – as lack of sleep can increase sebum production.
• Consider what role your environment plays in making your hair greasy.

While it would be great to lead a life in which we get enough sleep, don’t get exposed to pollution, and keep a strict hair care routine, we know that’s not always possible. In this case, a nourishing dry shampoo can be a lifesaver. Finding the right dry shampoo as well as understanding how to use dry shampoo properly can  keep your hair looking clean and shiny in-between washes.

How should I style oily hair?

When it comes to oily hair, the last thing you feel like doing is letting it down. So what can you do to hide or minimize the appearance of oily hair while you’re working on fixing the issue? 

On days in between washes, hairstyles can be an exciting alternative to letting your locks loose. Here are a few of our favorite styles that you can try out.

Sleek ponytail

For this classic and glamorous look, oily hair will actually work to your advantage. That’s because you probably won’t need any gel or mousse products to give you that slicked-back look. To get this style, simply brush your hair back into a high ponytail and secure it with an elastic. For bonus points, use a cute scrunchy that pops out.

Embrace the wave

Wavy hair is the best texture for hiding greasy strands. To get heatless waves, spritz your strands with a texturizing spray and tie your hair into braids. After about half an hour, you can loosen them up and enjoy a whole new look.

The half-bun

This is literally the most effort-free hairstyle ever invented — both in terms of the time it takes  and the low-key vibes it exudes. All you have to do is section off the top part of your hair and pull it back into a loose bun. Et voila! Those who admire your new style will be none the wiser about your oily hair.

Cover it up

For those days when you have no patience to mess around with hairstyles, covering up your strands is the best solution. Invest in a funky headband or a luxurious silk scarf to hide your oily roots while looking super chic at the same time.

Summary

Oily hair isn’t only annoying, but it can also cause some serious problems for your scalp and hair health. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to keep greasy hair at bay.

Finding the right hair care solutions for your specific needs is key. If you’re in a transition period while working through some changes to your hair care routine, consider putting your hair in a protective style to minimize styling and environmental impacts. Just make sure you take precautions to remove scalp build-up afterwards. And, if all else fails, remember that a good dry shampoo will always be there for you in an emergency.