Choosing the Right Shampoo for Oily Hair
So, you have oily hair. It doesn’t have to be the end of the world, but trying to find the right shampoo to work with your hair type may make it seem like it is at times. It takes a while to understand your hair, its needs, and how to help manage it to be it’s best, shinest, and healthiest version of itself. However, when you go the shampoo aisle in the beauty section, how can you tell what the best shampoo for your oily hair is?
Defining Your Scalp Type
Shampoo is meant to clean your hair and scalp of dirt, oil, and other products you may add daily. While you may think of shampoo for only your hair, remember it’s for your scalp too.
Before you choose a shampoo — or find the right shampoo for your oily hair) — it’s important to know what the shampoo does, how it relates to your hair and scalp type, and how to use it for best results.
Knowing if your hair and scalp are oily or dry will help you pick the right shampoo for you. Flaskes and itchiness result in a dry scalp and, sometimes, dry hair, while oily hair can be seen and felt as if it is overly moisturized. Although there are other kinds of hair types, if your scalp and hair feel wet more often than not, chances are, you have oily hair.
Where Does Oil Come From?
The oil comes from your scalp and hair follicles. Your hair follicles in your scalp release natural oils called sebum. This oil is believed to be a natural moisturizer for all hair types. While not everyone’s scalp is the same, it also means that the natural moisturizer — sebum — can over secrete, which gives you oilier hair.
When you have an oilier scalp and hair, it can lead to a look that is slick and stringy. You can thank your DNA for your oily hair — genetics play a large role in how a person’s hair turns out.
Although there is no test to know whether you have an excess of sebum, you can look at your hair to see if it has a greasier look. If so, stay away from heavy, waxy styling products. These kinds of products leave a residue that will weigh your hair down and can add extra moisture that you already don’t need to have. If you have residue in your hair, naturally or from styling products, you’ll need to find clarifying shampoos to help.
Choosing Smart Ingredients
The ingredient list on your shampoo should be shorter — rather than longer — because you won’t want to deposit anything extra on your hair. Detergents like sulfates will help remove dirt and oils, especially if your scalp type happens to be oily. Other things to look for, or avoid, in your ingredients list are:
- Avoid hydrating shampoos that use the words moisturizing, smoothing, or good for curly hair.
- Look for labels that have words that talk about balance, strength, or volume. These are the products that are non-moisturizing and can be more effective when removing excess oil.
- Clarifying shampoo can help with extra-oily scalps, although don’t overuse the product because it can have opposite results and dry your skin out, which may stimulate more sebum production and turn into a vicious cycle for your hair.
- Try a method called “double-shampoo.” This method is similar to cleansing your face two times. You can wash your hair with two types of shampoo that target different needs. Use one formula to touch on your oily scalp and another formal to tackle your roots.
- Look for cleansers that remove oils without disrupting the natural balance. Gentle micelles are molecules that can “grab” oil to remove any excess from the surface of your scalp. This ingredient will be on the label of ingredients of your shampoo bottle.
Skipping a Wash Can Help Too
Activated charcoal is an ingredient that is a natural detoxifier known for absorbing impurities found in pores. This ingredient can help you skip a wash while still helping your hair look clean.
If you’re up for trying something different, try a dry shampoo. This type of shampoo can use tapioca in the ingredients list to soak up oil and keep shine low.
Conclusion: Which shampoo should you use?
While it may take time for you to find the right combination for your oily hair, keeping the ingredient list short and using shampoos that clarify, volumize, balance, or strengthen can help keep your oil down to a minimum. Stay away from shampoos that claim they are for curly hair, or are moisturizing or smoothing. These products can weigh down your hair with extra moisturizer or other forms of heavy ingredients.
Using a conditioner is not a bad idea either. Conditioner is for the ends of your hair and can add needed nutrients back to it. Although, if your hair is oily, keep the conditioner to the ends of your hair and steer clear of your scalp.
It will get easier to find the right balance for you, and soon you will have healthy, happy, and great looking hair, too.
Resources— Byrdie, Pantene, WebMD
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