How to get rid of greasy hair

Greasy hair – the ultimate beauty buzzkill for when you really want a great hair day. Have you ever washed your hair in the morning but within hours found it to be just as greasy again? Us too, but fret not – we will let you in on all our secrets on how to get your hair feeling fresh again.

Why does my hair get greasy so fast?

There are actually several different reasons why your hair can feel greasy even if you have just washed it. Let’s dig into some of the factors causing this:

• Overactive oil glands. Our scalps generate oil and sebum to keep themselves healthy, hydrated and protected from environmental aggressors like pollutants, bacteria and fungi. This is of course a good thing, but when our scalps start overproducing oil and sebum our hair starts to feel greasy. 
• Washing your hair too often, or not often enough. Washing your hair too often might strip your scalp of its natural oils, which will make your scalp overcompensate by producing more. However, not washing your hair enough can allow oil to accumulate and cause greasiness.
• Product buildup. When you’re using a lot of product in your hair, the residue can build up and actually start to weigh your hair down which leads to greasy hair. If you style your hair often with various products, make sure to properly wash it out.
• Hormonal changes. The sebum production in the scalp can sometimes be affected by hormonal changes, such as puberty, menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.

How to make hair less greasy

As frustrating as greasy hair can be, there are several things you can do to increase your overall scalp health and make your hair less greasy. Here are 6 of our favorite tips:

• Make sure to wash your hair properly with a shampoo recommended for your hair type. Generally we recommend washing your hair 2-3 times a week, but how often you should wash your hair varies depending on your unique hair type. Finding the balance for your unique hair is key to achieving a healthy, grease-free feeling. Once a month we also recommend that you use a deep cleansing shampoo, such as our Purifying Cleanse Shampoo.
• Use conditioner only on the lengths of your hair. Conditioners are made to lock in moisture but using it too close to the scalp can make it appear greasy and weigh your hair down. Focus on the lengths when applying conditioner, unless it’s formulated specifically to be used on the scalp. If you have very greasy hair, you can focus on putting conditioner only in the bottom third part of your hair.
• Exfoliate your scalp. Our Scalp Brush makes it easy to exfoliate dead skin cells and let your scalp start fresh. Not only is it a great tool to boost your scalp health, but it’s also great for a moment of self care.
• Cleaning your hairbrush. This one tends to go under the radar, but regularly cleaning your hairbrush could make a huge difference. Our hairbrushes pick up all oil and product residue from our hair and scalps. So when you brush your clean hair with the dirty hairbrush, the oil residue, products and dirt will transfer back to your hair. Needless to say; cleaning your brush with soap or shampoo - depending on your brush - at least once a month could be a game changer.
• Don’t overbrush your hair or touch it too much with your hands. Both these things can spread out oils onto your hair lengths, causing it to look greasier. Your hands naturally produce oil throughout the day and that oil transfers to your hair when you touch it too much. If you want to avoid spreading oil from the scalp with your hairbrush, it’s a good idea to start brushing the ends of your hair while working your way up.
• Dietary habits. Your diet is another factor that could contribute to scalp health. Keeping a balanced diet and increasing your intake of fruit, vegetables and healthy fats can boost not only your overall health, but also create a good foundation for happy and healthy hair.

Shampoo for greasy hair

Maria Nila offers many haircare collections for different hair types, of course including shampoo for greasy hair. These are our top two favorites to help you reach new levels of grease-free and fresh hair.

– Purifying cleanse; Our deep cleansing shampoo Purifying Cleanse should be a real staple in your hair care routine when you want to deep clean your hair and scalp. This shampoo removes stubborn residue while also being soothing thanks to its calming aloe vera extract. By giving your hair a deep cleanse regularly, you prevent the oil from accumulating. This shampoo is a real reset for your hair and scalp!

– Pure Volume; Those with thin hair can often find that their hair tends to grease up faster and easier. If you are one of those who have thin and/or flat hair and experience these issues, we recommend our Pure Volume shampoo. Thanks to its ability to moisturize without weighing your hair down, it adds more structure and counterbalances greasy hair.

How to make your hair less greasy without washing it

Let’s face it – sometimes life gets in the way of our hair-washing schedule. That’s when we need some hacks to make our hair look less greasy even in between washes.

– Dry shampoo is your best friend for when you want to make your hair less greasy without washing it. It will absorb the excess oil, impurities and product residue which helps to extend the time between washes. Maria Nila’s Cleansing Powder is an excellent choice that makes your hair feel clean in no time. It will add light texture and volume while still maintaining a fresh feeling.

– Wear your hair up. Let’s turn your bad hair day into a great opportunity to get creative with a new hair-do for a fresher appearance.

Hairstyles to hide greasy hair

When all else fails, it’s time to embrace a hairstyle that works well with greasy hair. Let’s use the grease to your benefit and look great while doing it with one of these three hairstyles:

– Sleek bun or sleek ponytail. This trendy hair-do is completely grease-safe and is a great go-to when your hair feels extra greasy. 

– Braids. What a great time to try out a new braiding style! A fishtail braid or a dutch braid are both good examples of braids that work beautifully on greasy hair.

– Use accessories to style your hair. The hair claw has gotten a major boost this past year, and for good reason! Or if the hair claw isn’t for you, there are countless headbands, scarves or hair clips you can use.