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14 Of The Best Shampoos For Greasy Hair To Keep Oil In Check
The top clarifying shampoos for keeping oily scalps at bay
Tired of catching your hair looking less than fresh on a time-poor morning before work? Well, it might be time to swap your regular choice to one of our best shampoos for greasy hair.
Not only will an oil-battling formula cleanse away dirt, sweat and product build-up, it will also keep your scalp feeling fresher for longer.
Interested? We've tested the best shampoos for oily hair on the market, so you can keep your 'do looking its best. Keep scrolling for the products that impressed us the most, and see which ones are reduced on Amazon right now.
What causes greasy hair?
Just like an oily T-zone, the reason your scalp isn’t feeling so fresh is down to too much sebum being produced. This can be due to a number of reasons, from genetics to hormones, as well as environmental factors such as pollution or excessive sweating caused by workouts.
This dreaded oily build-up can even start on wash day, but rather than grabbing the dry shampoo or washing your hair more frequently (as this can lead to an even greasier situation), you need to break the cycle by using products that are suited to your hair type.
And, depending on your hair type, try limiting your washes to three times a week to retrain your locks. We’ll admit, the first few weeks will be greasy but your hair will thank you in the long-run.
Is greasy hair healthy?
Let's start by saying that greasy hair is natural. Sebum is naturally produced by our scalps and is key for a healthy, hydrated head of hair, but sometimes it can get a bit excessive, which is where you may want to intervene.
Trichologist, Ricardo Vila Nova, explains: ‘Like skin, our scalps can present as oily or dry. However, some oily conditions can lead to dermatitis, which can increase sensitivity of the scalp and intolerance to water types or products.’
It also has some unwelcome side effects, too. ‘Excess oil production can lead to scalp inflammation, dermatitis and congestion, which can also promote flakiness and dandruff. An unbalanced scalp or excessively oily scalp can also be a major cause for hair loss,’ says Vila Nova.
Can I stop my hair from getting greasy?
The good news is that you can help rebalance a stressed-out, oily scalp, and it starts with picking the right formula.
‘I always advise that the scalp is like the skin, so we have to wash our scalp but we shouldn't forget to balance and replenish its pH and protective film of hydration. Formulas such as salicylic acid or natural clay are efficient in extracting the excess grease,’ says Vila Nova.
You should also avoid using too much dry shampoo (sorry). It may seem like the obvious answer to mattifying unwanted oil, but in the long run, it’s doing more harm than good.
‘Using products like dry shampoo to give a clean look to the hair are nothing more than a quick fix,’ Vila Nova explains. ‘They can create congestion in the scalp, obstructing the segregation of oils through the follicles that contributes to build up of excess grease on the roots.’
Here are the best shampoos for greasy hair to add to your bathroom shelfie...
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