How to get rid of greasy hair, according to hair experts

Gym-goers will need to wash their hair more after a sweaty workout.

8. Styling products

Your styling routine can play into how quickly your hair gets oily, too. “Using heavy styling products can also make your roots greasy, as can using a dirty hairbrush,” says Anabel, who recommends washing your hairbrush every 2-4 weeks.

Can you train your hair to last longer between washes?

Anabel points out that you can’t “train your hair to be less greasy by washing it less. Oil is produced on the scalp (not the hair), and once your scalp is cleansed it will simply continue producing oil at the same rate.”

It’s also quite difficult to over-wash your hair. “‘More often than not’ is always a good principle to obtain the best scalp conditions for healthy hair growth,” adds Anabel.

How often should you wash your hair and scalp?

If you’re experiencing oily roots and hair, cleansing the scalp of excess buildup is crucial to avoid blockages in your hair follicles, which can lead to irritation and dandruff. Lars Skjoth, a product developer and founder of Harklinikken haircare, also stresses that regular use of a gentle shampoo balances the scalp microbiome, resulting in the ideal pH level needed for healthy hair growth.

“You take your hair and scalp to the same places you take your face and it gets just as dirty,” Anabel explains. “Your scalp is also a living tissue; it sweats, produces oils and sheds skin cells. You wouldn’t leave more than three days between washing your face; apply the same thinking to your hair and scalp.”

This she says, translates into every day for fine hair, every other day for medium hair and no more than three days apart for coarse or coiled hair textures.

What are the best shampoos and conditioners for greasy hair?

Of course it’s not just about how you’re washing your hair, but whether you’re using the best products for your hair.

Iain Sallis, trichologist and founder of Hairmedic, says it’s essential to select your shampoo and conditioner carefully. He advises avoiding any shampoo and conditioner labelled with the words: ‘dry’, ‘damaged’, ‘smoothing’ or ‘glossy’.

“They may all just be coating the hair in a fine film, which is good for what it states, but not good if your hair is prone to looking greasy,” he explains. “The coating will add to the oil produced and cause the hair to become dull and oily looking.”

That said, you can apply glossy conditioners tactically to just the ends of your hair if you find they look very parched.

How to stop greasy hair

Here are all the greasy hair hacks to keep in mind:

1. Only wash your fringe or the hair on top of your head

Nothing beats a full deep clean but this ingenious hack that went viral on social media, where you simply wash the top layer of your hair on the parting that gets greasy, is great for a quicker hair refresh.