Goodbye, Grease! How to Deal With Oily Hair and Scalp

Try these tips for fresher locks.

Aug 17, 2021

Like oily skin, having an oily scalp can be a real downer, resulting in limp, icky strands as well as hairline and scalp acne. Plus, the dirt and oil from your locks can transfer to your face—especially if you don’t like keeping your hair tied—making you more susceptible to facial breakouts.

Unfortunately, some of us just really have very active oil glands and it’s not really anyone’s fault. Genetics, hormonal imbalances, puberty, one’s diet, and even humidity all play a role, and can trigger an increase in sebum production. Some skin conditions, like seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis have also been known to lead to oily scalp problems. If you notice a sudden increase in oil, though, a chat with your doctor or dermatologist might be in order to check for underlying conditions or triggers. (Quick FYI: Bella Pelle Skin Solutions also offers hair treatment products and services.)

On the flip side, it is possible to control and even curb the overproduction of oil on your head so you don’t end up looking like a greasy mess just a few hours after washing your hair. Read on for some quick hair routine switches you can do for a fresher-looking mane:

Don’t overwash your hair.

It might be intuitive to keep on washing your locks when it gets oily, but here’s the thing: Washing too often can only make things worse, as it signals your scalp to produce more sebum. For most people, shampooing once in the morning is enough, although nighttime washing is also okay especially in a tropical country like ours. Moreover, make sure you switch to a gentle and lightweight shampoo, preferably one without added oils so it won’t weigh your tresses down. Sulfate-free formulas are also ideal, as sulfate can remove too much of natural oils, eventually sending your oil glands into hyperdrive.

Try: Free & Clear Shampoo, P1,600
Made for those who want to skip the harmful chemicals in their products, this gentle shampoo clears product build-up, controls oil, and also diminishes flaking in the hair and scalp.

Bosley BOSRevive Nourishing Shampoo, P1,200 to P2,500
If you’re dealing with both grease and hair fall, you can hit two birds with one stone with the help of this sulfate-free formula that’s also designed to support and promote healthy hair growth.

Condition the right way.

Conditioners basically work by adding moisture to your strands but they can aggravate that oily look especially if applied incorrectly. That said, if you’re prone to oil, make sure you apply your conditioner just on the ends of your locks—not on the scalp—to avoid a greasy finish. Also, choose light, oil-free formulas designed for oily hair types.

Try: Free & Clear Hair Conditioner, P1,800
Free of dyes, fragrances, and other harmful ingredients, this mild conditioning formula won’t weigh your hair down and rinses easily without excess residue and build-up.

Try scalp treatments.

Clarifying or purifying scalp and treatments work by thoroughly cleansing and exfoliating the scalp, removing any excess oil and buildup due to products, like your styling formulas and leave-in serums. (Read more about the importance of scalp exfoliation here!) For best results, consult your derma for proper usage.

Try: Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 Capillaire
Featuring the famous P50 formula, this hair and scalp lotion gently purifies and lightly exfoliates, regulates sebum secretion, and helps balance the pH level for a healthier scalp and healthier hair.

Biologique Recherche Complexe Capillaire
An intensive treatment specifically designed for greasy hair, this has silk proteins, aloe vera extract, and vitamins to purify and rebalance the scalp. It works by eliminating excess sebum while also improving hair strength.

Kamedis Sebo & PSO Scalp Lotion, P1,480
An overnight cream designed to provide quick relief from scalp conditions like dandruff and flaky scalp, it also helps maintain healthy moisture levels to prevent the overproduction of oil.

Kamedis Sebo Dandruff Shampoo, P1,500
This botanical shampoo reduces dandruff and ensures long-lasting relief from itching, irritation and redness of the scalp. It also soothes and nourishes the scalp for complete relief.

Bosley Rejuvenating Scalp Scrub, P1,850
This gentle scalp exfoliating treatment contains activated bamboo charcoal, which absorbs excess oil and debris from the scalp to detoxify and improve its health.

Bosley Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, P1500 (250 ml) and P2,500 (740 ml)
Aside from eliminating dandruff, this shampoo containing Pyrithione Zinc calms the scalp and increases circulation by removing buildup on the scalp surface.

Don’t brush or touch your hair too much.

Too frequent hair brushing can spread the oil from your roots throughout the rest of your hair strands, making your locks appear more greasy. Similarly, fiddling with your tresses too much—and with dirty hands, too—can only spread the oil further. The solution? Avoid playing with your hair after styling or better yet, simply tie them up. This tip is especially helpful for those with straight hair, as pin-straight strands are actually more prone to collecting oil. This is because the hair shaft doesn’t have waves or texture in it to prevent oil from sliding down.

The bottom line

Excess oil on your crowning glory can sure be problematic—but only if left unmanaged. Luckily, it usually just takes a few simple tweaks in your routine to curb the grease and have you on your way to flaunting fresher-looking tresses.

For customized skin and hair care recommendations, you can book a virtual dermatological consultation with Dr. Maximin Navarro, Bella Pelle’s resident dermatologist and a Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) fellow, here or inquire at the Bella Pelle Skin Solutions Center via (+63) 999-887-1944. The center will be temporarily closed, however, during the ECQ period.

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SHOP OTHER PRODUCTS:

Kamedis Sebo Dandruff Shampoo, P1,500	Kamedis Sebo & PSO Dandruff Kit, P2,700
Froika Baby Ninolin Shampoo, P1,750	Evenswiss Hair Protection System Serum, P2,800