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Summer is the season of sebum, and as an oily-everything person, it’s the one part I dread the most. As it gets hotter, your body secretes more sweat and oils, which causes oily skin and an oily scalp. When you don’t wash your hair, depending on how large your glands are, your oil production could cause your hair to be greasy even one day post-wash. These oils are natural oils, so don’t freak out if your hair is a little more slick during this time of year.
If you’re worried about having greasy hair when you’re having fun in the sun, look no further. From experience, greasy hair is manageable through trial and error and understanding what habits work well for your hair type.
Dry shampoo is everything
If you have an oily scalp, your number one savior will be dry shampoo. Dry shampoo is designed to absorb the oils on your scalp and give texture to your hair. For those who have not tried dry shampoo, the best method for the best results would be to brush your hair first and then spray onto your scalp. Then, brush again to make sure the product is evenly distributed throughout your hair. Brushing the second time is important because the dry shampoo won’t be as effective if the product is thicker on some portions of your scalp and not others. Where there is too much dry shampoo, your pores might get clogged, which can actual increase the oils. So brush the second time to prevent your dry shampoo from backfiring.
My favorite dry shampoo is the Klorane Dry Shampoo with Nettle ($20). While $20 might seem like a lot, it’s worth it because this stuff is pretty effective. The Nettle extract in the shampoo helps with oil control and keeps your hair feeling clean. It also gives a great amount of texture, so it looks like your day old hair has been freshly styled. As a more affordable option, the Batiste ($8) has a variety of different dry shampoos with different scents and properties that help with oily hair. And at Ulta Beauty, they normally have deals where you can stock up with their BOGO 50% off sales.
DIY a hair mask
Another method of reducing oil production would be to try a hair mask. There are tons of DIY hair masks out there to try, and the most popular one I’ve seen just requires lemon essential and jojoba oil, which can be easily found on Amazon. According to Alluring Soul, the lemon essential oil helps to manage acne and dandruff issues on the scalp, and balance the pH level of your scalp which can contribute to oil production. The jojoba oil is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E which can help to strengthen your hair follicles.
Natural methods are a great and cost friendly way to help any health issues from acne to an oily scalp, so I definitely suggest giving it a try.
Shampoo less
One other method I’ve tried to reduce my oils is to shampoo less. While it sounds like I should be doing the opposite, shampoo actually can cause your hair to be stripped of those natural oils, and in turn, cause more oil production. I noticed that by washing my scalp every other day and simply dry shampooing in between, my hair felt less greasy. When you do shampoo, it’s important to use a shampoo that has nutrients that help get rid of excess sebum as well. My favorite shampoos for this are the OGX Tea Tree Oil Shampoo ($7) and the Paul Mitchell Deep Cleansing Clarifying Shampoo ($13). Definitely give those a try and see how they work for you!
Having an oily scalp can be frustrating, but with the right beauty habits and tricks, it doesn’t have to be. While there unfortunately isn’t a way to completely get rid of oils, by finding the right products for you and your hair, you can keep those oils at bay. Especially as the weather heats up, be aware that your whole body is adapting to the temperature, so you have to change your habits accordingly. So switch out your shampoo and wash your hair less. Invest in a good dry shampoo.
These little adjustments can change the way your hair looks and feels dramatically, so try these tricks out and enjoy your summer with your healthy (and hopefully not as greasy) hair.