Why Is My Hair So Greasy? Causes and Solutions

If your hair looks oily a day after washing, the usual culprits are oil transferring onto it (from your hands, face creams and makeup), a dirty hairbrush, or, most commonly, washing it so often that your scalp overproduces oil to keep up. The fix is a mix of gentler habits and, surprisingly, washing less rather than more. Here are the 10 most common causes and exactly what to do about each. (This deep-dive started because our founder has oily hair herself and wanted to know what actually works.)

1. Face oils and creams. When you moisturise your face and neck, any product that hasn't fully absorbed can transfer onto your fringe and the hair around your face. Use only as much as your skin needs, let it absorb fully, and blot away any excess with an oil-absorbing sheet. Keeping your hair off your face helps too.

2. Oily hands from moisturiser. Hand and body lotions leave a film on your palms, and the moment you touch your hair it transfers onto the strands. Wash your hands after applying any oil or cream, and use only a little.

3. Touching your hair too much. Every time you run your fingers through your hair you move oil and dirt onto it, so it looks greasy faster. This one is a habit, and a hard one to break. Our Waver Bun helps: with your hair wrapped up neatly, your hands simply can't get into it, and it keeps your hair off your face too. If you're a serial hair-toucher, our hands in hair syndrome guide is the place to start.

4. Naturally oily skin. If your skin runs oily, those oils travel to your scalp and hair, especially when your hair sits against your face. Putting your hair up keeps it away from oily skin, and oil-absorbing sheets are handy through the day.

5. Oil-based makeup. Heavy, oil-based foundations and primers can transfer onto the hair around your face. Choose formulas that suit your skin type, and keep your hairline clear where you can.

6. A dirty hairbrush. Brushes collect oil, product and dirt, and a dirty one puts all of that straight back onto clean hair. Remove the trapped hair, soak the bristles in warm, soapy water for about 15 minutes, then rinse and dry. Do this roughly once a week.

7. Using the wrong brush. A good boar bristle brush distributes your scalp's natural oils from root to tip while lifting away dirt and excess oil, which is exactly what lets you go longer between washes. Brush gently from root to tip instead of reaching for the shampoo.

8. Washing your hair too often. This is the big one, and it's counter-intuitive. Every time you wash, you strip the scalp's protective oils, so it produces even more to compensate, and you end up greasier, faster. Aim for one to two washes a week. On the days in between, brush your oils through, or put your hair up neatly. Our Waver Bun allows you to wear your hair up neatly without leaving dents in your hair and adds soft waves when removed, so you can comfortably skip a hair wash.

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9. Not washing properly. Sometimes greasy hair is simply hair that hasn't been cleansed properly, leaving product or oil behind. Give your scalp a proper cleanse with two rounds of a gentle shampoo, and keep conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends, never the roots.

10. Too much product. Piling on hairspray, gels, oils, dry shampoo and leave-ins builds up and weighs hair down, making it look oily. Use less, and go easy on dry shampoo in particular, as it builds up on the scalp.

How to make greasy hair less greasy

• Wash one to two times a week, not daily.

• Keep your hands out of your hair.

• Wash your hairbrush about once a week.

• Brush your oils through with a boar bristle brush.

• Keep hair off your face, and put it up when it feels oily.

• Go easy on product, especially dry shampoo.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my hair greasy after one day? 

Usually from oil transferring onto it, from your hands, face creams or constant touching, or from washing so often that your scalp overproduces oil. Washing less and touching less both help.

Does washing your hair less really help? 

Yes, over time. Washing strips protective oils and prompts your scalp to make more, so gradually stretching the time between washes helps your scalp rebalance.

How can I make my hair less greasy without washing it? 

Brush the oil through with a boar bristle brush to help distribute the oil sitting on your scalp to the length of your hair which acts as a natural conditioner. Put your hair up either as a half up half down hairstyle or completely up, so it's not touching your face.

How do I train my hair to be less greasy? 

Wash less often, don't let it touch your face, keep your hands and brushes clean, and give it a few weeks.

For more hair care tips, read our hands in hair syndrome guide and 10 reasons you have split ends.