BEST SHAMPOOS FOR GREASY HAIR

Oily hair can be a major source of frustration for both men and women. Not only does it interfere with your day, but an overly oily scalp can lead to itching and seborrheic dermatitis or even provide a home for the fungus that causes dandruff. Yikes!

Not to worry, we are going to recommend the best shampoos to deal with this major nuisance, but first, we have multiple steps on what you can do to work toward eliminating this issue.

In order to eradicate anything, we should find out the source of what is causing it so we can stop that, right?

Greasy, or oily hair, is the result of overactive sebaceous glands - the glands in your scalp that create sebum aka your natural oils. Sebum is great for the hair. It keeps it healthy, smooth and prevents it from drying out; however, too much of it can cause our hair to look slick and greasy and again, can even lead to oily dandruff.

Some common causes of oily hair include:
• Heredity issues
• Over-Washing
• Medications
• Unhealthy eating habits
• Hormones

Regardless of the cause, how to control oily hair lies directly with your hair care habits. By implementing a healthy hair care routine using the right products you can manage the problem. Read on and learn as we tackle the tough questions associated with oily scalps and hair.

When washing your hair, avoid forceful or vigorous scrubbing as it will only aggravate an already overactive scalp causing it to create more excess oil. Choose only chemical free shampoo, because those that contain sulfates, detergents, and parabens can cause dry scalp among other major health issues.

Make sure you are also choosing a shampoo specific for your hair type. When you wash, use a dime size of shampoo and emulsify it in your hands. Add a little water to break up the product even more than gently massage your scalp.

Move your hands softly down your ends gently circling your hands like you would when cleaning a makeup brush. Rinse out thoroughly but avoid overly touching or running your hands over your scalp and through your hair. Allow the water to gently rinse out all of the shampoo.

Many people think that applying conditioner will make their hair oilier, but avoiding this crucial step could actually contribute to even more oil. When your scalp is depleted of hydration it actually will dry out, creating more excess oil (aka sebum). Apply conditioner from mid-shaft to ends.

If you have been washing less than every other day and are starting to experience oily scalp, you may have build up that is clogging your follicles and causing excess oil production.

Before you start washing your hair more often, incorporate a clarifying shampoo, before your daily shampoo, on the days you wash. Yes, that means you’re going to wash twice on shampoo day: one to remove build up and product and one to clean and purify your hair and scalp. Start with a gentle clarifier, like The O&M Original Detox Shampoo or Davines Solu Shampoo.

Rinse and follow up with your regular shampoo and conditioner. You should see a change in your sebum production. If not, you might want to try decreasing the days between shampoos to see if that helps.

If you wash your hair every day and are still experiencing oily hair, then it might be due to overwashing, also known as frequent washing. Overly washing your hair can strip the scalp of its natural oil and cause overproduction of oil as your body tries to fix the issue.

The best step is to oil train, which I’ll get to next. However, if you are a daily washer and are steadfast that you are going to continue, regardless of what anyone says, then you will want to choose a shampoo and conditioner that will not strip your hair.

Oway Frequent Wash Hair Bath and Conditioner is for the over-washers out there. It is rich in the minerals, vitamins and antioxidants that your hair and scalp need and that are being stripped by daily shampoos. If you switch over to a frequent wash shampoo, you should start to see a difference in your oil production.

As I mentioned previously, when you wash your hair every day you are stripping the hair of natural oils and damaging your hair. If you are committed to changing this hair habit, your best bet is to do a little oil training. Oil training is when you slowly increase your time between shampoos until your scalp resets itself. If you are a daily washer, I recommend going a day and a half first, then on to two days, working your way to even three days if you can handle it. 

If you work out every day and sweat, then washing is necessary because sweat, which is salt, isn’t great for your hair either. However, if you do not sweat every day, then oil training is likely the best bet to break the over-washing habit. 

If you have refrained from washing your hair daily and did your due diligence with oil training and are still suffering from an excessively oily scalp, then it might be time to move toward a shampoo specifically for oily hair. This is where our recommendations come in. 

We, at North Authentic, are supporting our brands in the time to ensure their products are silicone free, but we have many silicone free styling options. The reason being silicone not only, but it can build up on the hair making it look dirty, oily or weighed down. Avoid products where the label reads Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, or Amodimethicone, all of which are silicones.

Fragrance is also an ingredient to avoid. The words "parfum," "perfume," and "fragrance" each can be used as an umbrella for hiding hundreds or even thousands of toxic chemicals, including phthalates among others, in hair and beauty products. (See Why Fragrance is the other F Word).

Opt for fragrance free shampoo and hair products.

Your fingers have natural oils, so even the slight touching of your hair is contributing to it looking oily. Playing with your hair also stimulates the scalp, which is already hyperactive, causing it to create additional sebum. Do you best to not touch your hair once you’re done styling it.

Use a scalp treatment (aka scalp toner) to help regulate your pH. Spray on the scalp area daily to keep your hair and scalp fresh and clean.

Dry shampoo is going to be your best friend, but opt for those that actually clean the hair by absorbing sweat, dirt and oil rather than just coating it.

The best dry shampoo for oily hair is going to be non-toxic and silicone free, as anything else will clog your hair follicles and pores further leading to an even greater struggle for your scalp.

Choose a dry shampoo that doesn’t dry out your hair or leave a residue like Oway’s Plant and Mineral Refresh Dry Shampoo. It is a loose powder and leaves nothing in its wake.

Another two of my favorites are Cult and King’s Light or Dark Hair Powders which are also amazing for adding root lift or giving your braid or upstyle a little thickening. The Light Hair Powder is best for Blondes, while the Dark is best for Brunettes or darker.

Innersense True Enlightenment Scalp Scrub is a game Changer. The new product gently removes any buildup, dead skin or residue from the scalp that can accumulate over time. Like the pores on your skin, your scalp and hair follicles can become clogged and need a good exfoliation for long term health. Without it, this build up creates a layer between your scalp and your hair...no bueno. Use a scalp scrub at least once a month to ensure your scalp is clean and hydrated.