How To Get Rid Of Oily Scalp At Home?

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Waking up to see a greasy patch on your pillow is not a great sight or a great feeling. Thankfully various home remedies exist for your oily head.

Your scalp will always produce oil or sebum through the numerous sebaceous glands scattered all over. This is a natural process of your body to lubricate and protect your head from the various elements. In an ideal condition, it forms a layer on your scalp and hair shaft, flowing down to the tips. It prevents your hair from drying out and breaking.

But many times, your sebaceous glands become hyperactive and produce more oil than your head requires. This leads to clumpy hair which further traps the oil on your scalp, worsening the condition. Poor hair care can further aggravate the problem, turning your head into feeding ground for dandruff

  • What causes oily scalp?
  • Oil and Dandruff
  • Home Remedies for Oily scalp
HOW TO GET RID OF OILY SCALP AT HOME?

What Causes Oily Scalp?

There are various causes for an oily scalp and it’s generally easy to identify. If your hair looks greasy, dull, lifeless, and sticks to each other, it is an indication of oily hair. If you wash your hair and still find it to be greasy, then you’re suffering from an oily scalp. The causes vary from person to person, but they generally fall under the following:

  • Inadequate hair care – Not shampooing or washing your hair enough can cause a build-up of oil on your scalp.
  • Extreme changes in the weather can cause a disruption on your scalp, confusing your body to produce more oil.
  • Reaction to chemicals in the hair products that you use.
  • Over-washing your hair can dry out your scalp and cause your body to compensate with more oil.
  • Not maintaining a healthy diet and eating heavy-carb foods can contribute to excess oil production.
  • Hormonal fluctuation can sometimes send signals to your scalp to produce more oil.
  • Stress and a chaotic lifestyle can increase your cortisol levels, which can force your oil glands to produce more oil.

Oil And Dandruff

Dandruff is caused by the fungus Malassezia Globosa, which is found naturally on your scalp. This fungus feeds on sebum and breaks it down into oleic acid that can react with your scalp. So if you have an oily scalp, most likely it’s going to be followed by a breakout of dandruff. Dandruff is identified by red patches of skin, severe itching, and dead skin cells in the form of flakes. If you want to know how to get rid of dandruff, it’s vital to take care of your oily scalp problem. So let’s explore the various home remedies for oily scalp and dandruff.

Home Remedies For Oily Scalp

It is important to try out the different remedies to see what works best for you and your skin. Be careful of the quantities and find enough information on each remedy before you try it out.

  • Aloe Vera – This gooey gel is a proven method of removing excel oil from your scalp. You can apply it directly or even create a mask with coconut oil. This will soothe an inflamed scalp and prevent excess oil build-up, leaving your hair moisturised and soft.
  • Clarifying shampoos – These strong shampoos incorporate surfactants that act as emulsifiers on your greasy head. It works by lifting all the oil on your scalp and hair, which gets washed away while rinsing. It is important that you only use this once in a while, as it can cause other issues on your scalp.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar – This is a popular remedy for oily scalp and can bring balance to your scalp pH. Its cleansing properties can get rid of any excess oil buildup, while retaining the natural oils of your hair. Apply to your head after diluting it with water, as it can be pungent on your scalp. You can also use it as a mask after combining with Aloe Vera and honey.
  • Lemon Juice – Found in every person’s kitchen, it’s a quick and easy oily hair remedy. Its acidic nature works wonders on greasy hair and washes away the oil build-up, while balancing out the pH levels of your scalp. Dilute it with water, apply it to your head, and rinse thoroughly after about 15 minutes.
  • Tea Tree oil – Although this can be harsh on your scalp, tea tree oil has shown to significantly reduce greasiness. This is a great oily dandruff treatment at home and can soothe an itchy scalp, while unclogging your pores of any oil and dirt. But it is important to dilute this, as using Tea Tree oil directly can damage your scalp.
  • Neem – This wonder from nature has been used for decades as a remedy for oily and itchy scalps. Its anti-bacterial and moisturising properties make it one of the best cures for your oily scalp. You can boil Neem and apply it on your head after shampooing. Or create a hair mask from neem paste and apply it directly to your hair.
  • Green Tea extract – A green tea rinse works wonders on oily and greasy hair. It is an anti-oxidant and helps balance out oil production. Brew 1 or 2 green teabags in boiling water and apply it to your hair once it has cooled down. Leave it for 10 – 15 minutes and then wash it off with cold water. Drinking green tea has also shown to reduce scalp inflammation and increase hair growth.
  • Fuller’s earth – This clay like substance has clarifying properties which acts as an absorbent. Although a messy event, it can calm your oil glands and reduce oil production. Create a mask of Fuller’s earth and water, till you get a paste like consistency. Apply it to your hair and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. It will dry out a bit and you need to wash it off properly with water after.

These home remedies for oily hair and scalp can work for you, but you can only find that out by trying them. Make sure you do a patch test, just in case your skin reacts to any of them. If you feel that you’re rushed for time and don’t want to make such an effort, you can try out the Head and Shoulders Lemon Fresh shampoo, which is meant to clear up any excess oil and dirt that is generally associated with dandruff. Try the Head and Shoulders Neem shampoo that brings in the properties of nature to remove any oil build-up on your scalp. Anti-dandruff shampoos generally work well for oily scalps, because oil is the root cause of dandruff. It can feel like an isolating experience and just a bit of a headache to develop an oily scalp, and then dandruff. But at least you now have the right information to take care of it, allowing you to actually let your hair down in the wind.