“You look greasy” is not a compliment. Definitely not something you want to hear.
Fortunately - when it comes to your hair - it’s also preventable.
Are you struggling, wondering how to fix greasy hair? Maybe you’re genetically predisposed to oily skin and hair. Or it could be that your grooming routine - or hair care products - are partially to blame.
So before you give up and settle for wearing a hat 24/7, learn about these 4 common reasons men have too much oil in their hair along with hair care strategies that will help you achieve a better look.
1 - You Have Overactive Oil Glands
Sorry guys, this one is all genetic. If you have oily skin, it’s quite likely you have greasy hair too. That’s because the same sebaceous glands that coat your face in sebum (your body’s natural oil) cover your scalp as well.
After sebum is excreted through the hair follicle, it moves down the hair strand. This natural oil gives your hair a shiny, healthy appearance. And it prevents your hair strands from weakening, splitting, and frizzing.
In order to stay healthy and look its best, your hair should be a little greasy. Without a protective coating of natural oil, it would become brittle, frail, and damaged hair.
Confusion about this leads some guys to strip away any hint of oily from their hair with harsh shampoos. They believe that all oil is their hair’s enemy. But the result is dry, dehydrated, weakened hair that looks something akin to straw. Not good.
Yes, if you have overly oily hair you may need to wash your hair more often than other guys. But no, you should not crank it up to 11 and dry out your poor hair and scalp - that's not how to fix greasy hair.
To maintain the right balance - reduced but not zero oil on your hair and scalp - try our Daily Strengthening Shampoo. It deep cleans and reduces dirt and excess oil - but gently, with vitamin E, amino acids, peppermint, and tea tree oil.
2 - You Have Fine or Thin Hair
Fine or thin hair tends to get more oily than thick, curly hair. That’s because there’s simply less surface area for the oil to cover. What can you do about it?
If you have fine hair...
You probably need to wash your hair every 1-2 days. That will cut back on oil and prevent an overly greasy, shiny look. Experiment a little with different frequencies of hair washing to see what gives you the right balance of oil.
Since guys with fine hair tend to wash their hair more often, using conditioner becomes critical to protecting and moisturizing your hair. It won’t add grease to your hair - instead it will help you maintain the right balance of oil, moisture, and shine. Our Revitalizing Hair Conditioner is designed for all hair types and promotes hair health with organic aloe, borage oil, and avocado oil.
If you have thinning hair...
Hair loss is a reality for many men and may necessitate an adjustment in your hair care routine to match your new circumstances. One important tool is a thickening shampoo designed to naturally plump and strengthen hair strands - like our Daily Strengthening Shampoo. It’s made with hydrolyzed wheat protein - which increases the thickness of of each hair strand and strengthens the underlying hair structure. Learn more about how to get thicker hair.
The combination of thickening your hair and reducing excess oil will give your hair its healthiest look possible. While it may not be possible to change your hair type or reverse the process of hair loss, the right hair care products will make a big difference for you.
3 - You’re Stressed Out
Your oil producing glands are sensitive to stress levels. So when you’re burning the candle on both ends or going through an especially difficult time, chances are your hair is only going to get greasier. Simply put: if you’re stressed out, your hair and skin are going to suffer.
The good news is that reducing stress doesn’t require you to disappear from your hectic life. Instead, include calming practices into your lifestyle that help reduce your stress and calm your nerves.
Self-care has become a buzzword in the health and wellness community, but don’t let that stop you from gaining its benefits. It’s different for everyone - reducing stress might mean meditating, reading, stretching, running, working out, cooking, or playing an instrument. That point is taking a little me-time to cut down on your burden of stress.
4 - You Use Harsh Hair Care Products
The harsh detergents in most shampoos are hard on your hair and scalp. They strip away all oil and moisture, which can lead to excess oil in an unfortunate irony:
- You remove all the oil.
- Your body goes into overdrive trying to replace it (see #1).
- You end up with oily hair so you wash your hair even more often.
- Which... you get it. It's a vicious cycle.
If this describes your hair care routine, how to fix greasy hair might be simply upgrading your harsh products. Check the label - are they packed with sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, and ammonium laureth sulfate? These surfactants produce lather and seem like traditional shampoo ingredients. But they actually strip away oil and leave your hair dry and weak.
That’s why we designed our shampoos - our Daily Strengthening Shampoo and Relieving Dandruff Shampoo - with gentle cleansers like coconut based sodium lauryl sulfoacetate and Ziziphus Joazeiro bark extract.
The same goes for hair conditioner - which you should be using even if you have oily hair. The ingredients in our Revitalizing Hair Conditioner - like organic aloe, borage oil, and avocado oil - won’t turn your head into a grease ball. Instead, they soothe your scalp, protect your hair strands, and help you maintain a balanced shine that never crosses into “greasy”.
What about styling products? Avoid anything that contains alcohol. It will only dry out your hair, strip away moisture, and leave your strands weak and dull. Instead, style your hair with products made from natural, hydrating ingredients - like beeswax, argan oil, and bentonite clay.
One excellent option for guys with greasy hair is our Styling Clay Pomade. It's not heavy and won't add an oily look to your hair. Instead, it provides a matte finish with minimal shine and a flexible hold.
Want to absorb excess oil and give your hair some additional texture? Try our Texturizing Sea Salt Spray. Its natural formula leaves you looking like you just spent the day at the beach - enhancing beachy waves and curls while reducing the shiny, greasy look.
Find What Works for Your Hair
It may take some experimentation to find the best way to treat your greasy hair. Take some time to experiment with how often you wash and conditioner your hair. Consider switching to products with gentler, natural ingredients. And remember that your goal isn’t to dry out your strands, but to achieve the healthy, naturally shiny, and properly moisturized hair you deserve.
