A shampoo for every hair type! Which one should you choose for oily hair? We tell you all about it. 

Greasy hair can be an aesthetic nuisance, but it's far from inevitable. There are solutions to alleviate the problem and allow the scalp to look and feel fresh again... It all starts with good maintenance, which includes choosing the right shampoo for oily hair. 

Understanding greasy hair

Greasy hair is the result of excessive sebum production by the scalp's sebaceous glands. Sebum is an oily substance produced naturally by the body to lubricate and protect the skin and hair. A certain level of sebum is essential to keep hair and scalp healthy, but excessive production can lead to greasy hair and a shiny appearance that can be embarrassing for many. 

Several factors can contribute to greasy hair:

La génétique : La production de sébum est influencée par la génétique, donc certaines personnes peuvent être plus prédisposées à avoir les cheveux gras que d'autres.

L'hygiène capillaire : Un lavage insuffisant ou excessif peut affecter l'équilibre du sébum. Si vous lavez vos cheveux trop fréquemment, cela peut stimuler les glandes sébacées à produire plus de sébum pour compenser le nettoyage fréquent. D'un autre côté, ne pas laver régulièrement les cheveux peut entraîner une accumulation excessive de sébum et de saleté sur le cuir chevelu.

Hormones: Hormones also play an important role in sebum production. For example, during adolescence, hormonal fluctuations can lead to increased production and cause excess sebum, which can make hair greasier.

Stress: Stress can influence hormonal levels and potentially increase the risk of excess sebum.

Temperature and climate: climatic conditions can also play a role in sebum production. For example, heat and humidity can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum.

The use of unsuitable hair care products: The use of hair care products containing heavy ingredients or silicones can weigh hair down and encourage sebum build-up, which is why it's a good idea to choose suitable hair masks and shampoos.

Excessive touching: Frequent handling or touching of your hair can transfer oil from your hands to your hair, making it greasier.

La coloration des cheveux : oui, les cheveux colorés peuvent être plus sujets à l'excès de sébum. Les cheveux agressés par le procédé chimique de la coloration peuvent produire du sébum de façon excessive pour réguler l'éventuelle agression ressentie au niveau du cuir chevelu. Si vous tenez à vous colorer les cheveux avec des cheveux à tendance grasse, privilégiez une coloration naturelle. 

How to regulate sebum production and avoid greasy hair?

As we said above, greasy hair is not inevitable, and if you really want to get rid of it, there are solutions you can incorporate into your hair routine to control excess sebum. 

1 - Spacing out hair washes: yes, contrary to what you might be tempted to do, you absolutely must space out hair washes to avoid over-soliciting the sebaceous glands and reducing sebum production. The hardest part is getting started... You'll have to live with oily hair for some time before the cycle regulates and shampooing can be spaced out without any problems. During this latent period, you can style your hair in a way that camouflages the greasy appearance, and there are many tutorials available on the web. 

2 - Use lukewarm or cold water for washing: Hot water can stimulate sebum production, so opt for lukewarm or even cold water when washing your hair. Cold water has the added effect of tightening the scales and giving hair a glossy appearance.

3 - Eat a balanced diet and keep well hydrated: A balanced diet and good hydration can have a positive impact on the health of your hair. Be sure to consume enough fruits, vegetables and water to maintain hormonal balance and overall health.

4- Scrub the scalp: a scurb or scrub is a beauty technique that should not be neglected for the scalp. Scrubbing the scalp is an excellent way of cleansing greasy roots and restoring the scalp's healthy base.

5 - Use purifying masks: oily hair needs maintenance, that's a fact. In addition to scrubs, don't hesitate to regularly apply purifying masks to the scalp, as this can help eliminate excess sebum, impurities, hair product residues and dirt that accumulate on the scalp and hair. These masks help rid hair follicles of any build-up that can clog pores, stimulate sebum production and give hair that oily, heavy look. For even greater effectiveness, don't hesitate to follow the mask with a hair serum that will act directly on the hair follicles. 

How to choose and use the best shampoo for oily hair? 

When you have oily hair, it's best to choose a shampoo specially formulated to regulate sebum production and eliminate excess oil without over-drying your hair or scalp. Here are some features to look for when choosing a shampoo for oily hair:

Sulfate-free formula: whether it's a solid or liquid shampoo, always look for a sulfate-free formula. Sulfates can be too aggressive and strip away the scalp's natural oils, leading to increased sebum production to compensate! 

Balancing formula: Look for a gentle shampoo that balances sebum and soothes the scalp. Some shampoos contain ingredients like witch hazel, green clay, sage or lemon, which can help regulate sebum production. If you're in the mood, you can even create your own homemade shampoo with a neutral base and essential oils. 

Solid shampoo or powder shampoo: to treat oily hair, nothing beats a shampoo formulated with natural ingredients. You'll easily find 100% shampoos in solid and powder formats. Shampoo with ayurvedic powders (Guarana or Rhassoul) is particularly recommended for cleansing oily scalps. 

As for proper shampooing, simply massage the scalp rather than rubbing it with shampoo, and always take care to remove all product residues. Rinse strands several times. 

> We'll also guide you through an oily skin routine.  

Making your own special shampoo and mask for oily hair 

 So you don't have to head for the shampoo aisle at the supermarket or drugstore, we've come up with the perfect recipe for shampoo for oily hair and the purifying mask to go with it. 

Recipe for homemade shampoo for oily hair

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
• 1/4 cup unscented liquid Castile soap (or another mild, sulfate-free liquid soap)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 10 drops lemon or tea tree essential oil - optional (for its purifying properties)

Instructions :

1. In a bowl, mix the aloe vera gel, liquid Castile soap and apple cider vinegar. The aloe vera gel will help moisturize and soothe the scalp, while the Castile soap will gently cleanse hair and scalp without stripping them of their natural oils.

2. If you decide to use essential oils, add 10 drops of lemon or tea tree essential oil to the mixture. Lemon and tea tree essential oils are renowned for their purifying and antibacterial properties, which can be beneficial for oily hair.

3. Mix all ingredients until smooth.

4. Transfer the homemade shampoo to a clean, empty shampoo bottle.

5. Apply a small amount of shampoo to wet hair and gently massage your scalp to work the shampoo into a lather.

6. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water until all shampoo residue is removed.

7. Follow with a light conditioner on ends and lengths if needed.

Store homemade shampoo in a cool, dry place. As it contains no preservatives, it's best to prepare small quantities for short-term use.

Recipe for homemade purifying mask for oily hair 

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons green (or white) clay powder
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon water (or more if necessary to obtain a paste-like consistency)

Instructions :

1. In a bowl, mix the green clay with the apple cider vinegar until smooth. Apple cider vinegar helps balance the scalp's pH and remove excess oil.

2. Gradually add water to the paste until it reaches the consistency of a thick, homogeneous mask.

3. Apply the mask to your scalp and hair, avoiding the ends. Gently massage your scalp to help stimulate blood circulation.

4. Leave the mask on for about 15 to 20 minutes. Do not let the mask dry completely, as this can dry out your hair. You can also cover your hair with a shower cap or a warm towel to help the mask work more effectively.

5. Rinse the mask thoroughly with lukewarm water until all the paste is removed.

6. Wash your hair as usual, using a mild shampoo suitable for oily hair.

7. Use this mask once a week or every two weeks, depending on your needs.