Some common oily scalp causes include:

• Genetics – you may have more sebaceous glands (which secrete sebum) on your scalp
• Over-washing or under-washing your hair
• Changes in hormones, stress levels or medication
• Hair styling routines that contribute to heat damage
• Using hair care products that aren’t suitable for oily scalps
• Environmental changes – dry climates can trigger the scalp to overproduce sebum when it is dehydrated

1. Adjust your washing schedule

Frequent washing can disrupt your scalp’s natural oil levels and send your sebum production into overdrive. Alongside this, too much shampoo and not enough rinsing can clog your hair fibres with leftover product.

You might have heard about ‘training’ an oily scalp into producing less oil – but this is a myth. Not washing your hair enough means hair products, pollution and other debris can accumulate on the scalp. This impacts your sebum secretion and can make your hair look – and feel – greasier overall.

We recommend washing your hair two to three times per week to keep your scalp’s natural oil production in check. On non-hair wash days, you can touch up your oily roots with the Fresh Affair Refreshing Dry Shampoo – though we suggest using it no more than two days in a row to prevent product buildup.

2. Use hair products for oily hair

When you are experiencing oily hair and an oily scalp, you can help regulate oil production by using specially formulated hair products for oily hair. We recommend the Spécifique collection, which is tailored to the unique concerns of oily hair and scalps. These products are designed to gently cleanse away excess oil without dehydrating strands, to create a healthy, balanced scalp environment.

If you’re trying to find out how to treat oily hair and scalp, you can start with this complementary shampoo and conditioner:
• Spécifique Balancing Shampoo for Oily Scalp, Dry Ends – as our targeted shampoo for oily hair, this formula works to rebalance the scalp and control excess oils. This shampoo purifies while leaving the hair soft and shiny.
• Densifique Bodifying Conditioner – oily roots and dry ends often go hand in hand because some cleansing ingredients can have a drying effect, but this lightweight conditioner deeply nourishes your ends without weighing them down.

4. Clean your hair styling tools and avoid touching your hair

You can support your oily hair treatments by minimising contact with external oil from your hands and hair styling tools.
Oil and hair products can build up on straighteners, curling irons, brushes and rollers. You should remove the hair from your brushes and combs once a week and soak them in a gentle cleanser to rid them of oil. To clean your heated tools, wipe them down regularly with alcohol rubs.
We know that playing with your hair is a subconscious habit that’s hard to break – but keeping your hands off your hair is one of the best things you can do for your oily scalp to prevent oil transfer.

5. Reduce scalp buildup

Since your scalp is the source of your excess oil, it’s important to reduce scalp buildup. Oil, bacteria and pollutants brought in from outside build up on your pillowcase. Make sure to wash or change your pillowcase once a week to avoid introducing unwanted oil.
One of the most effective oily scalp treatments you can implement is a purifying scalp cleanser. Our Spécifique Argile Équilibrante Hair Cleanser Clay Shampoo for Oily Hair is formulated with amino acid and kaolin clay to remove scalp impurities, excess oil and product buildup – without dehydrating your strands. Use it once per week in place of your normal shampoo.