Oily Hair Causes and the Best Oily Hair Treatment Products in SA

Is oily hair affecting your social life?

Oily hair is the result of overactive sebaceous glands. Sebum, produced on the scalp, invades the hair follicles and coats the shafts from root to tip, leaving your hair looking greasy and lifeless.

When the oil levels are up, dirt, residue and product build-up become trapped in the locks. This adds to an already exasperating problem, but it’s not time for a hoodie yet.

How to treat oily hair

Oily hair requires gentle, specialised care of the hair and scalp.

The best oily hair products are lightweight. Formulations contain active ingredients that break down and remove excess sebum, refresh the scalp and eliminate dead skin cells.

For more information on what causes oily hair, how to mitigate the effects of excessive sebum production, and what day-to-day haircare routine is best for your hair, refer to our oily hair FAQ below.

1

Best shampoo for oily hair

Shampoo targeting oily build-up, and containing ingredients and botanicals with clarifying and astringent qualities, eliminates sebum without drying or damaging hair. It also helps to regulate oil production, and nourish and hydrate the scalp. 

2

Best conditioner for oily hair

A mild conditioner that adds volume and texture to hair is the ideal pick-me-up for lank, greasy strands. Products formulated for oil control protect, revive and moisturise without weighing down hair.

3

Best dry shampoos for oily hair

Dry shampoo is an effective solution for in between washes. It absorbs oil and grease but can cause build-up and dry out the roots when used as a substitute for regular shampoo.

4

Best treatments for oily hair

Oil-free scalp tonics tackle oily hair at its source. Treatments are formulated to strengthen, stimulate, nourish and soothe dry and irritated scalps – the root cause of high sebum production.

Heat protection for oily hair

The best heat protection products for oily hair enhance volume and lift, while reducing breakage and damage.

Oily hair FAQ

Oil production is a normal bodily function. The sebaceous glands on the scalp produce sebum (oil) to protect, nourish and moisturise the skin and hair.

Sometimes, the glands produce excessive amounts of oil. This can be due to a number of factors, including stress, hormonal changes, high humidity and environmental conditions.

Genetics plays a role too. Some people are born with a genetic predisposition to overactive sebaceous glands.

Over-washing your hair, using the incorrect haircare products, and certain skin conditions, such as seborrheic dermatitis, can dry out and irritate the scalp.

When the scalp is irritated, the sebaceous glands go into oil-production overdrive.

A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can play a key role in controlling excess oil production.

Foods with high levels of vitamins B2 and B6 are particularly effective. They include spinach, carrots, beans, bananas, cheese, milk, fish and poultry.

Fried, oily and sugary foods can have the opposite effect, and are best avoided.

It all depends on hair type and lifestyle, so there’s no definitive answer.

Some hair stylists recommend daily shampoos, especially after exercise and on hot, steamy days.  Others suggest every second or third day.

The key is to vary your routine to determine what works best for you.

Up until recently, the consensus was that greasy hair should be washed every day.

However, over-washing can strip the scalp of oil, and kick-start the sebum-production process.

Yes, straight and fine hair can become oily more quickly.

Straight hair lacks texture, curl or wave to impede the flow of oil as it slides down the shaft and collects over the head.

Typically, people with fine hair have more sebaceous glands and hair follicles compared to those with thicker hair. They naturally have higher sebum levels.

Styling products with oil or wax are not recommended for people with oily hair.

These products trap dirt and oil, contribute to product build-up, and can make oily hair look worse.

More suitable options are light, flexible styling solutions formulated for all hair types, such as Emera Blue Styling Gel, OSMO Extreme Volume Mega Styling Foam and JOC Style BLOWUP Strong Hold Volumizing Mousse.

Shampoos, conditioners and hair treatments containing any of the following ingredients are best avoided:

  • silicones leave residue that can result in product build-up and excess oil production
  • mineral oils clog the pores and create oil imbalances
  • sulphates strip the natural oils from the hair, leading to dryness and irritation
  • synthetic fragrances harm the scalp and disrupt oil production
  • heavy natural oils like shea butter, argan oil and avocado oil can weigh down hair and make it appear greasier.

Yes, but only on a low heat setting – and only if you must.

Blow drying oily hair can help reduce excess sebum but air drying is better.

Heat, especially high heat, can irritate the scalp and maximise sebum levels.

By implementing a few basic oily haircare tips, it’s possible to regulate the activity of the sebaceous glands and get more balanced oil production.

How best to care for oily hair:

  • apply conditioner only to the ends of the hair
  • avoid products that add gloss or shine
  • don’t brush too often and only brush when hair is wet using a gentle detangler
  • gently towel-dry the hair
  • rinse the hair thoroughly after washing.

The use of quality haircare products formulated for oily hair can restore, revive and regulate the scalp, leaving the hair cleaner, fuller and lighter.