5 Easy Hacks To Stop Your Hair Getting Greasy So Damn Fast

We won’t beat around the bush on this one: greasy hair is a b*tch! And ever since we’ve been reconnected with our social life (despite the most recent setback!), we’re back to planning our calendar around our wash days, and we don’t have the time or patience for greasy locks. If your scalp has a habit of acting up, try these easy hacks, from finding the right formulas for your hair type to doing a weekly HAIRcial. You’ll be thanking us later!

1. Find the Right Shampoo and Conditioner for Your Hair

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Just like skincare, it’s essential to find a shampoo and conditioner for your hair type, texture, and scalp. Using the wrong formula can wreak havoc, and by this, we mean greasy hair as hell. If your formula is too heavy, it weighs down your hair and could send your scalp into overdrive. If it’s not rich enough, the ends of your hair become dry while your scalp produces more oil to compensate for the lack of moisture. The solution? Check out our guide to finding the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type.

Pro tip: According to Dom Seeley, our go-to celeb hairstylist, just as you’d double cleanse your face, you should also double cleanse your scalp. Dom recommends shampooing twice to remove excess oils and product buildup, then following with an ultra restorative conditioner.

2. Do Weekly HAIRcial AKA a Facial For Your Hair

If your hair gets greasy within 24 hours, consider a weekly cleansing treatment or, as we like to call it, a HAIRcial (a facial for your hair). We like to start our HAIRcial with this natural hair mask that combines clay, charcoal, and apple cider vinegar. It works overtime to detox and rebalance your scalp by cleansing and removing any impurities, excess oil, and product that may be building up in your hair follicles.

Ingredients 

2 tbsp Aztec Healing Indian Clay (or other clay powder)
2 tbsp Activated Charcoal Powder (avoid if you have blonde hair)
2 tbsp of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tbsp of distilled water

Step 1. Combine the powders and slowly stir in the apple cider vinegar (make sure you use a wooden, plastic, or ceramic spoon/bowl as activated charcoal reacts with metal); the formula will bubble up and should combine into a runny paste. Add water to make the paste a thinner consistency, making it easier to apply to your scalp.

Step 2. Apply the mask to dry hair using a medium-sized brush, working your way in sections across your scalp – like you would if you were dying your roots. Once you’ve covered your scalp with the mask, tie up your hair (apply a shower cap if you like) and leave the mask to work for 20 to 30 minutes.

Step 3. Wash out the mask until the water runs clear, then shampoo your hair thoroughly. You can shampoo twice to ensure no mask remains, then follow with conditioner on your ends.

Tip: If you have both product buildup and dry ends, apply the mask on your scalp and use a hair treatment oil on your ends.

Follow with a nourishing hair mask, and your hair will look and feel amazing. Check out our HAIRcial guide for more recommendations.

3. Stop Washing Your Hair So Often

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Celeb stylist Dom Seeley is constantly telling us to wash our hair less. According to Dom, washing your hair too frequently can disrupt the natural biome of your scalp. He explains, “Hair sits at a pH balance of 4.5 to 5, which is the ideal pH balance for your scalp to thrive. When you dry shampoo or wash it every day, you’ll strip that protective layer off your hair, and your hair and scalp will go into panic mode,” which can lead to greasy, dry, and damaged hair… Eek! This is especially important during the winter when wet hair is exposed to cooler temperatures that can dehydrate the hair strands or lead to damage when styled. Instead, wash your hair once or twice a week (unless you’re working up a serious sweat) and only use dry shampoo when necessary.

4. Keep Tabs on Your Hair Tools

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When people are met with a beauty concern, from dull skin to greasy hair, we typically consult our beauty cabinet for a quick solution. Rarely do we review our beauty tools, which can be a common contributor to the problem – case in point: greasy hair and your hairbrush. Not only does your brush hold on to excess hair, but it collects product and scalp debris – if you leave your brush a long time between washes, you may even see a buildup of oils on your bristles.

Try cleaning your brush at least every two weeks. To clean it properly, start by removing any loose hair, then soak the brush in a mixture of hot water and a clarifying shampoo for about four minutes. This not only boosts the longevity of your hairbrush but also prevents your hair from becoming greasy faster – it’s a no-brainer!

Another culprit? Your pillow! Make sure you wash your pillow weekly to avoid dirt, oil, and bacteria buildup. Otherwise, even when your hair is clean, you’ll transfer dirt back onto your hair and scalp.

5. Review Your Diet

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We all know beauty starts from within, so if your oil glands are acting out, take a minute to review your diet. The reality is certain foods cause your oil glands to produce more sebum. Unfortunately, dairy milk can be full of hormones, and when you consume it, it can cause hormone imbalances with your testosterone levels, increasing sebum production. Alcohol can also affect oil production, as drinking too much alcohol causes your body’s heat index to rise, increasing your temperature and the amount you sweat, leading to clogged pores, excess oil, and greasy locks. So have fun, but not too much fun!

For more hair care tips, check out 21 hair hacks for your healthiest hair possible.

Disclaimer: Every product we review has been independently selected and tested without bias by our editorial team. We never take payment to review products; however, some brands allow affiliate links, so we may earn a commission if you purchase a product by clicking on one of our links.