Having oily hair can be the ultimate challenge: you wash your hair often to keep it looking fresh and clean, but over-washing might end up producing more oil. Unfair right? Read on for some of our favourite oily hair hacks, and suggestions for Clean Beauty Collective products that you need to add to your bathroom shelf right now.

First, what causes oily hair?

Your hair follicles contain oil glands that produce an oily substance called sebum that helps keep your hair and scalp healthy and moisturised. Hormones called androgens, which start to increase during puberty, can cause too much sebum to be produced, which results in an oily scalp and hair. Some people just naturally produce more sebum than others, while others will suffer from greasy roots more often during the warmer months.

Try washing your hair with a sulphate-free shampoo

Newsflash: most shampoos contain soapy-feeling detergents called sulphates that can over-cleanse and dry out your scalp. For the first few uses of a sulphate shampoo, your hair might feel squeaky clean, but over time, your scalp could overproduce oil to make up for the dryness. So to keep the greasiness to a minimum, opt for gentle, sulphate-free shampoo formulas to cleanse your strands without stripping your scalp or hair of the oils necessary for strong, healthy hair.

Ethique St Clements Solid Shampoo Bar has no harsh ‘stripping’ surfactants (foaming agents) which create more oil, and instead uses lime and orange oils to balance oil production, clean the scalp and freshen your hair up. It even leaves your hair feeling and looking fabulous without the need for a conditioner, as there are humectants in there which draw moisture to your hair, without the oil. 

Dust & Glow Powder Based Shampoo Balanced To Oily Hair is another top CBC pick, and is a 100 percent plant-based shampoo concentrate that is activated by the water in your shower. Why pay for water? Formulated without water, this unscented shampoo is super concentrated and will last for up to 60 washes.

Apply your conditioner sparingly

As with styling products, conditioners can weigh down the hair. If you have oily hair and still want to add a little hydration post-shampoo, concentrate conditioner only on the ends of the hair, staying away from the roots.

Make dry shampoo your BFF

If you’re someone who can’t fathom going a single day without washing your hair because your strands accumulate way too much oil, fight the urge and skip your daily hair wash. It might sound counterintuitive, but the less you wash your hair, the better off it’ll be. If you need to stretch your wash, spritz some dry shampoo onto your roots to keep hair looking clean (even if it isn’t). Part your hair in small sections from ear to ear, and apply the product at the roots to ensure your entire head is covered.

Alder New York Texture Powder is our favourite dry shampoo formula, designed to boost volume and add texture to boot. Formulated for all hair types and colours, it was designed with texturising kaolin and sea clay, shavegrass powder, and rice powder, plus natural eucalyptus and lime essential oils.

Try wearing your hair up more

Depending on your hair type, your roots might start looking a bit dirty around day three, but that’s okay! The beauty is that you can capitalise on the grease for cool and casual updos, at any time of year. These styles are chic but purposefully messy, meaning a little grease and texture from the dry shampoo will only make them better. We love a low, loose chignon that you can either tie up with a hair tie or clip in place with a cute claw clip.