Newsflash, people: greasy hair is a good thing. Sebum is your body’s natural oil. Produced by the sebaceous glands near hair follicles all over the skin and scalp, this waxy, greasy substance protects your hair from external damage and works to keep it healthy and moisturized. However, too much sebum caused by hormone imbalances, stress, headwear, the wrong hair care routine, and even the weather can lead to oily hair, skin conditions, and in the most extreme cases, hair loss. It's something that can affect all women, whether you have straight hair, curly hair, or anything in between. If you’re suffering from greasy hair, these tips will help restore your locks to their healthy oil levels and natural shine.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an anti-inflammatory substance that, when applied to hair, can cleanse, remove product buildup, detangle, and fight dandruff caused by a greasy scalp. Add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a cup of water, apply with a spray bottle to your hair, then rinse out with cold water.
Impossible Keratin™
Have you dealt with an oily scalp after a keratin treatment? Been there, felt that. It’s natural to feel a little excess grease in the days after your treatment, primarily because you’re not washing your hair as often with shampoo. When you use hair products with sulfates, your body produces more sebum to balance out the natural oils that these products strip out from our hair. When you stop using them (as you would after a keratin treatment), you're likely to have excess sebum production for a few days. An easy fix is using sulfate-free shampoos, like Lu's Control, Rescue, and Freedom shampoos! Plus, all of Lu’s hair care products feature Impossible Keratin™. This proprietary, vegan keratin formulation targets excess oil and restores hair strands back to their healthy best. It works for any hair type, and nourishes your hair from its roots to ends, starting with your very first wash.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a soothing, cactus-like plant that can be used on everything from sun burns to oily scalps. Aloe removes extra sebum and other residue without damaging hair. Simply cut a stem of your aloe vera plant, squeeze out the gel, massage it into your roots with your fingers, and let it sit for an hour before washing it out.
Scalp Scrub
Scalp scrubs are used to strip your hair of old product and excess oil. And you don’t need a fancy store-bought product. For a DIY scalp scrub, combine equal parts sea salt, lemon juice, and olive oil, and massage gently into wet hair. Leave the scrub to soak in for a few minutes before washing it out and continuing with your usual hair care routine.
Change Your Pillowcases
If your pillow talk is usually about how greasy your locks feel, then you should probably consider changing your pillowcase more regularly. It may surprise you to learn that pillowcases should be changed every other day to avoid residue from hair and facial products finding their way into your strands and causing greasy buildup.
Witch Hazel
Just like the lemon in your scalp scrub, witch hazel is a natural astringent that calms irritated skin on the scalp caused by excess oil. This plant, which hails from eastern North America, is anti-inflammatory and can regulate sebum production.
Green Tea
Next time you’re enjoying a tea ceremony with your friends, make an extra potful for your hair. Green tea is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can soothe an irritated scalp as well as cleanse your hair, leaving it less greasy. After it cools, apply it to your scalp and massage your head for 10 minutes. Then, wrap your head and leave it for another 15 minutes before rinsing it out.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil will give you the kind of oily hair you want. This herb oil is another astringent that reduces buildup of excess oil and products in the hair. Add two droplets to one tablespoon of olive oil and massage into your hair with your fingertips. Leave it for two hours with a shower cap on for maximum effect, and allow it to work its way to every corner of your scalp. After, rinse off with cold water.
Baking Soda
From making toothpaste to washing dishes, baking soda has many uses around the home, and you can also add reducing oil in hair to this ever-growing list. Combine two tablespoons of baking soda with water to make a paste, and apply it to wet hair. Let it sit for two minutes, then wash it off.
Tomato Hair Mask
There’s chicken soup for the soul, but did you know there was tomato soup for your hair? Tomatoes offer a DIY hair remedy that can work wonders for oily hair because they are acidic and rich in Vitamin A, C, and Biotin. If you don’t want to make soup, simply extract the juice from a big tomato, mix with water, and massage into your scalp. Let the solution sit for 10 minutes before rinsing it off with a Lu shampoo.
Epsom Salts
Epsom salts don’t just make bath time better, a pinch can also control greasy hair. Mix equal parts epsom salt with your favorite Lu shampoo and massage into the scalp as you normally would. The magnesium in epsom salts will work with Lu hair products to remove excess grease and oil from hair follicles. Just note, if your hair has coloring in it, epsom salts may cause color to fade more quickly.
Tea Tree Oil
Most of us know that tea tree oil is a good thing for your hair and skin. Its antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties can help combat dandruff, improve scalp health, and promote new hair growth. It can also help regulate your scalp's oil production. After you shampoo, mix two or three drops of tea tree oil with coconut oil or almond oil (a 10 to 1 ratio is recommended), and massage into your hair with your hands.
Greasy locks are something many women deal with, but fortunately, there are ways to control and restore the healthy balance of natural oils that your hair shafts need to look their best. If you have fine hair, you're more likely to have oily hair, but it's a condition that can affect all hair types and styles. If you want a healthy, powerful yet gentle solution that works with your hair rather than against it, look no further than Lu!
