Why Does My Hair Get Oily So Fast? Causes, Fixes and Solutions

Your hair may be getting oily soon after washing it, and this may be due to anything from product buildup to over washing. Your scalp’s natural balance might just be out of sync. This guide explains why your hair gets oily or greasy so fast, plus how to reset your scalp, fix oily roots, and keep your hair fresher for longer.

WHY DOES MY HAIR GET GREASY SO FAST?

The main reason hair gets oily quickly is excess sebum production (tThe scalp’s natural oil that protects and hydrates your hair). When your sebaceous glands go into overdrive, oil builds up faster at the roots, which leaves your hair limp even after washing.

Common causes of greasy hair include:

• Genetics: Some scalps naturally produce more oil.
• Frequent washing: Over washing can overstimulate oil glands.
• Heavy products: Creams, oils, and leave-ins can coat the scalp.
• Heat and humidity: Warm weather and sweat can trigger oil production.
• Conditioner at roots: Applying conditioner too close to the scalp adds unnecessary moisture.
• Hormonal changes or stress: These can temporarily increase sebum levels.

Understanding these triggers helps you choose the right care routine to balance oil without drying out your hair.

1. USE A CLARIFYING SHAMPOO FOR A DEEPER CLEANSE

If your scalp feels or looks oily soon after washing, then your shampoo might not be powerful enough to remove buildup. Adding a clarifying shampoo to your routine once a week can help reset your scalp.

How to do it:

• Massage a Purifying Shampoo into the roots before rinsing to lift away oils and product residue.
• Alternate with a lightweight shampoo suited to your hair type — INVIGO Volume Boost Bodifying Shampoo for fine hair, or NutriCurls Micellar Shampoo for curls and waves.
• Rinse thoroughly with warm (not hot) water to avoid overstimulating oil glands.

2. APPLY A LIGHT CONDITIONER TO MID-LENGTHS AND ENDS

Keep conditioner away from the root area and apply it to the mid-lengths and ends only. This way, you’ll avoid adding too much moisture to an already-oily scalp. Choose something light, such as Elements Renewing Conditioner, which hydrates without weighing locks down. Then, on days when locks need an extra boost of moisture, treat the ends to Elements Renewing Mask. Dealing with combination hair (an oily scalp but dry ends)? You can also use a more intensive conditioner, such as INVIGO Nutri-Enrich Deep Nourishing Conditioner, ensuring you still avoid the root area. Apply to damp, towel-dried hair (never wet) so it can be absorbed deeper.

3. ADJUST YOUR HAIR WASHING SCHEDULE

Washing your hair too often can cause your scalp to produce even more oil to compensate for what’s been stripped away.Every time we wash our hair, we potentially stimulate the sebaceous glands, which produce oil to protect the scalp. More washing equals more stimulation, so too much washing can actually make hair greasier – not cleaner. These sebaceous glands are also stimulated by extremes of temperatures, so very hot or very cold. With this in mind, aim to switch up your schedule by washing your hair every other day, or less if possible, using warm (not hot) water and gentle circular motions to massage shampoo in.

4. REFRESH OILY ROOTS WITH A DRY SHAMPOO

When your hair starts to look oily between washes, dry shampoo is your best friend. It absorbs excess oil and adds volume in seconds. Our pick is EIMI Dry Me, which creates a manageable matte texture instantly, whether you’re spraying it right into the roots or misting through the lengths to give hair more guts. Start with just a little at the beginning, blending with fingertips as you go, then gradually build it up. This stops you using too much and wasting it.

Bonus tip: If you apply dry shampoo to your hair when it’s clean, it will gradually soak up the oil, making it more effective than if you spray it when hair is dirty and expect it to clean it. Think of it as more of a preventative measure for greasy hair than a cure.

5. WORK WITH LIGHT YET EFFECTIVE STYLING PRODUCTS

Heavy serums, waxes, and creams can quickly weigh hair down and make it look greasy. Switch to lightweight, breathable styling products that add texture without oiliness. Think liquid mists, lotions and mousses that offer non-sticky hold from root to tip. Some of our favorites are EIMI Ocean Spritz for sea-breezy texture, and EIMI Perfect Me lotion to tame and smooth. Layer with EIMI Thermal Image if you’re styling with heat to safeguards locks from temperatures up to 220 degrees.

6. CLEAN YOUR BRUSHES AND HAIR REGULARLY

Dirty tools, including your hair brushes, straighteners and curling irons, could be making your hair look oilier as they can reapply oil and residue back into clean hair.

Keep them fresh by:

• Washing brushes every 2–3 weeks with shampoo and warm water. Simply run wooden brushes under the tap or place them in a sink full of water if they’re plastic. Rinse thoroughly.
• Wiping down curling irons and straighteners with a damp cloth after use. (Ensure they’re unplugged and cool beforehand.).
• Allowing them to air dry completely before styling again.

These simple habits help maintain a clean scalp environment and prevent unnecessary greasiness.

For more hair care inspiration, take a look at our blog. Want to know more about your hair? Complete our hair quiz for an expert hair consultation.