Why Is My Hair Getting Oily So Fast?

Jun 19

If you find yourself washing your hair in the morning only to have it look greasy by the evening, you’re not alone. Many of our clients at Fringe Collective ask us why their hair gets oily so fast and how they can maintain that full, salon fresh look for longer. Let’s explore the reasons behind excess oil production and how to keep your locks looking effortlessly bouncy and voluminous.

What Causes Oily Hair?

1. Overwashing Your Hair

It might sound counterintuitive, but washing your hair too often can actually make it oilier. Frequent shampooing strips the scalp of its natural oils, prompting it to produce even more sebum in an attempt to compensate. And if you’re washing you’re hair with a clarifying shampoo or shampoo for oily hair it could be further exasperating the problem. We use and recommend Oribe Signature Shampoo for normal, healthy hair. Shampooing your hair 2-3 times per week is perfect , but make sure you’re doing a double cleanse when you do. There is a very small percentage of people who have true “oily” hair and if that is you, we recommend Oribe Serene Scalp Oil Control Shampoo. To test if your hair is oily versus just greasy or dirty, you can do the tissue test. 24 hours after shampooing, press a tissue against your scalp and if it has a noticeably oily residue you might fall into this category.

2. Using the Wrong Hair Products

Products that are too heavy, overly moisturizing, or not suited to your hair type can weigh your hair down and create buildup, making it appear greasy faster. At Fringe Collective we recommend lightweight, high-quality products tailored to your specific needs. Some of our favorites are Oribe Featherbalm, Oribe Invisible Defense and Oribe Tres Sets

3. Touching Your Hair Too Often

Running your fingers through your hair or frequently brushing it can transfer oils from your hands and scalp, making your strands look greasy more quickly. Instead, opt for brushing your hair with a gentle hairbrush. Start at the ends and work your way up, making sure you run the brush thru several times.

4. Hormonal Changes

Fluctuations in hormones—due to stress, diet, or even your menstrual cycle—can increase sebum production, leading to oilier roots. While we may not always be able to control all these factors, it is helpful to understand the “why” and make changes where we can.

5. Product Buildup on the Scalp

Using too much shampoo, excessive amounts of styling products, conditioners, and even overusing dry shampoo can all contribute to build up on the scalp, causing excessive oiliness. Pro Tip: less is more!! You can always add more product but it’s hard to take it off once it’s in!

6. Hot Water Showers

Washing your hair with hot water can strip it of essential oils, leading your scalp to overproduce oil to compensate. Rinsing with lukewarm or cool water can help maintain balance.

7. Going to Bed With Wet Hair

This is pretty common actually, we have a lot of clients tell us that they like to shower at night and let their hair air dry while they’re sleeping. While we’re not saying this is “wrong” just know, that your scalp’s natural oils will tend to accumulate at your scalp because they aren’t being distributed throughout your strands like they would be if blowdried or even if you air dried during the day when you tend to brush and touch your hair more often.

How to Keep Your Hair Fresher for Longer

• Choose the Right Shampoo & Conditioner: Opt for sulfate-free, balancing formulas that cleanse without stripping. All of the Oribe shampoos are sulfate free and all of the conditioners are formulated without parabens.

• Wash Less Frequently: Try to space out your washes and use a dry shampoo like Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo or Oribe Oil Control Dry Shampoo between washes to absorb excess oil. Pro Tip: spray dry shampoo at your roots on your clean, freshly blown out hair as preventive maintenance!

• Blowdry your hair: blowdrying (even if you just have time to do the roots) will lift your strands off your scalp and help distribute your oils down the hair shaft.

• Use a Silk Pillowcase: It reduces friction and prevents excess oil from transferring to your strands overnight.

• Hands Off! Avoid touching your hair too often to keep it fresher longer.

At Fringe Collective, we believe that luxurious, healthy hair starts with a well-balanced scalp. Book a consultation with our talented team members and let us help you find the perfect hair care products and routine for you.