You've washed your hair, it feels fresh for a few hours, but then all of a sudden your roots feel oily and you're asking yourself the question 'why is my hair so greasy'? Sound familiar? If you're wondering how to get rid of greasy hair, this common hair concern is easily fixed. All it takes is a few simple tweaks to your haircare routine.
Keep scrolling to learn more about what causes greasy hair, how to get rid of it and how to use our Trichologist Approved Scalp Care range so that you're guaranteed to have a good hair day, everyday. Smooth, healthy and glossy locks await you...
What Causes Greasy Hair?
Greasy or oily hair is caused by sebum that is produced by the sebaceous glands attached to each hair follicle. These oils then travel up the hair follicles to moisturise the skin and hair.
These oils are actually good for your hair, making it feel healthy, strong and shiny. However, a build up of too much oil can make the hair have a greasy, overly slick appearance.
Your hormones can also increase the levels of sebum on your scalp. The scalp can become oilier during puberty, periods of stress and ovulation. Women can also notice a difference in their scalp's oiliness during pregnancy and menstruation and conditions including Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) can also cause your scalp to produce more oil.
Different hair textures also appear greasy at different times. If you have fine, thin and straight hair then you're likely to find that your hair quickly becomes greasy as sebum travels more easily through straight hair than it does curly hair. On the other hand, people with curly hair find that they need to add more moisturise and hydration to their hair because it is more difficult for these oils to reach the ends.
Pollution also has a huge impact on the health of your scalp and hair; making it become dirty and therefore greasy which can increase the chances of scalp problems including itching, flaking and even spots.
How To Get Rid Of Greasy Hair
There are a few simple and effective changes that you can make to your haircare routine to help prevent greasy hair:
1. Be Smart With Shampooing
Shampooing your hair too little or too often can cause your hair to become greasy. If you have greasy hair that is fine to medium textured, it is advised that you shampoo your hair daily to help remove the build-up of excess oils.
However, washing your hair daily won't be suited to all hair types and if you have curly or coily hair this won't be necessary.
Our Clarifying Shampoo is gentle enough to be used daily. Suited to all hair types and supercharged with our iconic LaH6 Skin Hydration Complex, this mild pH balanced shampoo will cleanse and nourish the hair whilst helping to relieve a dry, itchy and flaky scalp. With regular use, the hair will be left looking and feeling nourished and hydrated and the scalp more comfortable with smoother, healthier and glossy looking hair.
97% agreed the condition of their scalp improved after 7 days of use**
**Tested on 60 people with a dry, flaky, red scalp used in conjunction with AMELIORATE's scalp care routine (Conditioner, Scalp Serum, Exfoliant and Essence ) in an independent consumer trial
2. Go Gentle
It's important not to scrub the scalp too harshly when washing your hair as this can cause irritation which can stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum.
Make sure to rinse away any shampoo and conditioner thoroughly until the water runs clear, as any leftover residue can create a film on the hair, making it feel and look heavy, dull and greasy.
3. Only Apply Conditioner On The Ends
Are you running out of conditioner faster than shampoo? If your answer is yes, then you might be doing it wrong. Conditioner is important to use as it replenishes moisture within the hair and prevents it from becoming tangled. However, avoid applying conditioner to your scalp as the closer it is to your roots the faster your hair will become greasy. Instead, apply it sparingly on the ends of your hair and use a gentle comb with soft bristles to gently untangle any stubborn knots.
Our Smoothing Conditioner smooths, rebalances and hydrates the surface of the hair shaft without weighing it down. Suitable for all hair types and gentle enough to be used daily, this nourishing conditioner is loaded with Starflower and Camelina Oils rich in Omega Fatty Acids along with our LaH6 Complex to condition, hydrate and help comb through tangles. When used regularly, this creamy pH balanced conditioner leaves the hair looking and feeling more healthy, shiny and manageable.
97% agreed the products did not weigh my hair down**
**Tested on 60 people with a dry, flaky, red scalp used in conjunction with AMELIORATE's scalp care routine (Conditioner, Scalp Serum, Exfoliant and Essence ) in an independent consumer trial
4. Don't Touch
Try not to brush or touch your hair too much throughout the day (easier said than done, we know). But, brushing your hair frequently can overstimulate your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. If you're constantly touching your hair this can help the sebum from your scalp move towards the ends, causing it to become limp and greasy.
5. Clarify
Overtime, your daily styling products can build-up on the scalp and create a film like coating that can make your hair feel greasier. Once or twice per month, use a clarifying treatment to help remove this residue and refresh your scalp.
Our Clarifying Scalp Exfoliant is a non-abrasive exfoliating scrub that gently exfoliates and cleanses the scalp to help remove product-build up and reduce the appearance of a flaky, itchy and dry scalp. Loaded with optimum levels of Lactic Acid, a naturally occurring Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) that helps remove dead skin cells and encourages the scalp's natural exfoliation process whilst respecting it's natural pH balance.
Suited to all hair types, this fragrance-free scrub delivers instant comfort and relief to the scalp, leaving it feeling more comfortable, conditioned and healthier looking.
89% agreed the product left my scalp feeling clarified**
**Tested on 60 people with a dry, flaky, red scalp used in conjunction with AMELIORATE's scalp care routine (Conditioner, Scalp Serum, Exfoliant and Essence ) in an independent consumer trial
How To Make Your Hair Less Greasy
When it comes to making your hair less greasy, it all comes down to the correct and persistent haircare routine. Our expert scalp care is is the ultimate haircare routine to transform a dry, itchy scalp, gently cleanse to help prevent unwanted greasiness and is clinically proven to improve the condition of the scalp after just 7 days.*
Depending on your hair type, use our Clarifying Shampoo daily, apply to wet hair and gently massage into a rich lather. Rinse off thoroughly and follow with our Smoothing Conditioner, smoothing onto clean, wet hair and applying to the mid-lengths and ends. Leave on for 2-3 minutes, depending on your preferences and rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear.
For a gentle exfoliating treatment, use our Clarifying Scalp Exfoliant 1-2 times per month and apply directly onto the scalp and gently massage. To allow the product to work it's optimum, leave on for a few minutes and then rinse off and follow with the Clarifying Shampoo and Smoothing Conditioner.
Read our recent interview with our loyal customer Ashley, about how she discovered her skin confidence and what skincare advice she would give her younger self here.
