What to do to fight against greasy hair?

What to do to fight oily hair? This question is frequently asked by those who face this hair problem. 

Oily hair can be a source of discomfort, both aesthetically and in terms of comfort. Fortunately, natural and effective solutions exist to address this, notably through hair supplements developed by D-LAB NUTRICOSMETICS. These formulas, 100% green and clean, help treat the root causes of oily hair while respecting the body's balance.

To discover natural dietary supplements for hair, check out our range.

What is greasy hair?

Oily hair is the result of an imbalance of the scalp, caused by excessive sebum production by the sebaceous glands. 

This natural lipid film serves to protect and hydrate the hair fiber, but when produced in excess, it accumulates at the root and gives the hair a heavy, dull, sticky appearance, often as early as the day after washing.

This phenomenon is not only unsightly: it can also lead to imbalances in the scalp microbiome, chronic inflammation, and promote the appearance of greasy dandruff or skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis.

Before knowing what to do to fight greasy hair, let's look at the causes:

The causes: excessive sebum production, genetic and hormonal factors

The overproduction of sebum can be linked to several factors:

• Genetic factors

Some people naturally have an androgens-sensitive condition: their sebaceous glands are more reactive to androgen hormones, which are responsible for activating sebum secretion.

• Hormonal imbalances

Androgen hormones, such as testosterone or DHT (dihydrotestosterone), play a key role. During periods of hormonal upheaval (puberty, premenstrual syndrome, pregnancy, menopause), the stimulation of the sebaceous glands can intensify.

• The power connection - scalp

A diet rich in refined sugars, saturated fats, and processed products increases systemic inflammation and can stress the sebaceous glands, leading to an overproduction of sebum. 

Conversely, certain micronutrients (zinc, vitamin B6, omega-3) are known for their regulatory effect.

For more information on the causes and solutions, see our article on the causes of dandruff.

Characteristic symptoms of oily hair: texture, appearance, irritated scalp

• Abnormal shine from the day after washing

• Heavy texture and sometimes sticky to the touch

• Irritated scalp, sometimes painful when brushing

• Appearance of oily dandruff, which clumps on the scalp

• Volume loss and styling difficulties

This environment can also become conducive to the proliferation of Malassezia, a fungus naturally present on the skin, but which proliferates excessively on an oily scalp, thereby worsening the imbalances.

For more information, see our article on oily hair.

1. Adopt the right habits daily

The care of oily hair begins with a gentle, regular, and suitable routine adapted to the natural functioning of the scalp. It is essential to respect its biological rhythm, without disturbing it with excessive or insufficient actions.

Contrary to a common misconception, washing your hair too often does not make it cleaner, quite the opposite. Each overly frequent wash stimulates the sebaceous glands, which react to the aggression by producing more sebum to defend themselves. The result: a scalp that becomes greasy even faster.

But conversely, spacing out washes too much can also harm the balance of the scalp. The accumulation of sebum, dead cells, pollution, or hair product residues can clog the pores, suffocate the hair follicle, disrupt the skin microbiota, and promote the appearance of greasy dandruff, itching, or even reactive hair loss.

So it's not about washing more or less, but about washing better:

• With gentle products, without sulfates or silicones

• At a frequency suited to your scalp (generally, 2 to 3 times per week)

• By taking care of the gestures: lukewarm water, gentle massage, complete rinsing

D-LAB Tip: in addition to a suitable shampoo, incorporating pre-shampoo treatments (purifying masks, gentle scrubs) and dietary supplements can help naturally extend the time between washes by acting directly on the internal causes of sebum overproduction.

Space out shampoos to rebalance the scalp

Washing your hair daily removes the protective hydrolipidic film, prompting the sebaceous glands to produce even more sebum as compensation. This vicious cycle maintains the "greasy hair by the next day" effect.

➡️ Ideally, limit washing to 2 to 3 times per week, allowing the scalp time to regain its natural balance.

Choose a gentle, natural, and sulfate-free shampoo

Harsh surfactants like sulfates (SLS, SLES) damage the skin barrier and promote irritation, which further stimulates the sebaceous glands.
👉 Prefer clean formulas made from gentle and natural ingredients like white clay, rosemary extracts, or aloe vera, which purify without stripping.

Maintaining fresh hair without washing

To avoid washing too frequently:

• Use a natural dry shampoo made from rice starch or green clay, which absorbs sebum without causing irritation.

• Apply an Ayurvedic herbal powder like shikakai to refresh the scalp between washes.

Adopt an appropriate washing gesture

• Use lukewarm water, never hot.

• Gently massage the scalp to activate microcirculation without excessively stimulating the sebaceous glands.

• Rinse thoroughly to remove all product residues.

For more tips, visit our article on how to take care of your hair.

Express natural methods to degrease hair

Home solutions can help in case of emergency:

• Diluted apple cider vinegar: rebalances pH and tightens scales.

• Baking soda (for occasional use): absorbs excess sebum, but must be rinsed well to avoid irritation.

2. Target the causes with purifying and balancing treatments

The cosmetic care of oily hair must go beyond cleansing and aim for a lasting rebalancing of the scalp.

Purifying pre-shampoo masks

Masks based on:

• of green or white clay: absorbing sebum and toxins,

• of activated charcoal: detoxifies and soothes inflammations, ideal to apply once a week on dry scalp before shampooing.

Rebalancing essential oils

Some essential oils have sebum-regulating and antimicrobial properties:

• Tea tree: purifies and cleanses

• Fine lavender: soothes irritations

• Lemon or grapefruit: regulates sebum production

💡 To be diluted in a light vegetable oil (jojoba or hazelnut) or incorporated into a homemade mask or shampoo.

Specific cases to consider

• Oily hair with dandruff: opt for a gentle shampoo enriched with zinc, willow extract, or tea tree essential oil. A weekly scalp scrub can also help to unclog the pores.

• Oily roots, dry ends: treat in two steps: a purifying treatment for the scalp + a moisturizing treatment on the lengths (mask based on aloe vera, dry vegetable oils like macadamia).

More details on the subject in our article psoriasis or scalp eczema and scalp pimples.

3. Act from within through nutrition and detox

The scalp is a richly vascularized area. Its health depends directly on our diet and our inflammatory condition.

Essential nutrients for balanced hair

• Vitamin B6: key to hormonal regulation and sebum production.

• Zinc: powerful anti-inflammatory, purifies the scalp and balances the skin microbiota.

• Vitamin E: antioxidant, it protects cell membranes and promotes a healthy scalp.

Foods to avoid and to favor

• To prioritize: fresh fruits and vegetables, fatty fish (omega-3), oilseeds, legumes.
• To avoid: fast sugars, ultra-processed products, excess saturated fats or industrial dairy products.

Hair detox: rebalancing sebum production from within

A gentle detox treatment based on purifying plants (burdock, nettle, dandelion) or targeted dietary supplements allows to:

• drain the eliminative organs (liver, kidneys, skin),

• reduce low-grade inflammation,

• limit the overstimulation of the sebaceous glands.

To learn more, read our article how to detoxify your hair.

💚 This is where micronutrition comes into play to address imbalances at the source, and not just on the surface.

Why include supplements in your hair care routine?

Oily hair is not just a cosmetic issue. It is often the reflection of an internal imbalance, related to the hormonal system, diet, oxidative stress, or a chronic inflammatory condition.
That is why acting from within with targeted dietary supplements is essential to restore a balanced scalp and healthy hair.

Regulate sebum production by acting at the root

Some nutrients are known for their sebum-regulating effect, in particular:

• Vitamin B6, which plays a key role in hormonal metabolism,

• Zinc, essential for modulating the inflammatory response and maintaining a healthy skin microbiota,

• Adaptogenic plants like horsetail or nettle, which support natural elimination functions.

In addition to a balanced diet, these active ingredients help normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands and gradually reduce the "greasy hair" effect.

For more details, see our article on the itchy scalp.

Strengthen the hair fiber from within

Oily hair is often fine, limp, and prone to breakage. A well-targeted supplementation allows to:

• Strengthen the keratin structure of the hair with sulfur-containing amino acids such as cystine or methionine,

• Provide antioxidants (vitamin E, selenium) that protect the scalp cells,

• Stimulate microcirculation for better nutrition of the hair bulb.

Result stronger hair, denser, and a less reactive scalp.

Assets to prioritize

Some botanical extracts stand out for their effectiveness in regulating sebum and hair health:

These assets are often used synergistically in advanced formulas.

Focus on the expert formulas D-LAB NUTRICOSMETICS ✨

🌿 Pro-Collagen Hair 360°

A complete collagen treatment for hair based on marine collagen, natural keratin, horsetail, and B vitamins, which:

• Stimulates growth,

• Strengthens the hair fiber,

• Brings shine, density, and vitality to the entire hair.

🌿 Hair Mass

A program for a purified scalp and hair mass designed to rebalance the hormonal environment, purify the scalp, and densify the hair mass. It contains:

• Neuro-regulating plants,

• You are zinc,

• Plant extracts with detoxifying and strengthening properties.

🌿 Keratin Absolute

A concentrated formula based on Absolu de Kératine 100% natural, for action at the heart of the bulb:

• Stimulates cell regeneration,

• Repairs damaged hair fiber,

• Provides lasting shine and softness.

How do these formulas work to treat the cause rather than the symptoms?

The D-LAB approach is based on a systemic diagnosis of the hair: by treating hormonal imbalances, oxidative stress, and hair porosity, these formulas help to durably reduce excessive sebum production and restore the scalp's balance.

Result a purified scalp, less greasy hair, stronger, and visibly healthier.

Why choose 100% clean and ultra-concentrated supplements?

The D-LAB commitment:

• 100% clean formulas, without controversial additives

• Ultra-concentration for visible results from the first weeks

• Patented active ingredients, bioavailable and rigorously selected

• French manufacturing, ethical and sustainable 🌱

Because the beauty of hair does not depend solely on the treatments applied, it is essential to adopt an overall lifestyle hygiene, in harmony with the needs of the scalp. Here are the habits to integrate to sustainably regulate oily hair.

Create a hair care routine tailored to your needs

Each scalp is unique. To regain light and healthy hair, it is essential to adopt a personalized routine:

• Space out shampoos, but not too much so as not to clog the pores, and give the scalp time to self-regulate.

• Use gentle products, free of sulfates and silicones, respectful of the skin ecosystem.

• Incorporate targeted treatments such as purifying masks, scalp scrubs, or suitable essential oils.

Tip: keep a hair journal to observe the evolution of your scalp according to your treatments, your hormonal cycle, or your diet.

Limit the use of heat: hair dryers, straighteners…

Hair dryers, straighteners, or curling irons used at high temperatures damage the hair fiber and can stimulate excessive sebum production in response to scalp dryness.
Prefer air drying or drying at a moderate temperature, with a distance of at least 20 cm.

Rinse with cold water: a simple gesture with multiple benefits

The final rinse with cold water:

• Closes the hair cuticles for a smoother and shinier appearance ✨

• Tighten the pores of the scalp, limiting the stimulation of the sebaceous glands

• Promotes blood circulation and thus the nutrition of the hair bulb

🌿 It is a simple, natural, and effective ritual to incorporate into every wash.

Special cases:

Oily hair in men

Men are particularly prone to oily hair, related to a more androgenic hormonal background.
👉 A minimalist but targeted routine (gentle shampoos + dietary supplements) can make all the difference.

Oily roots and dry lengths

This frequent imbalance requires bi-zonal care:

• Scalp: purifying masks, green clay, lemon essential oil

• Lengths and tips: nourishing and non-greasy care, such as aloe vera or jojoba oil

Hair that gets greasy again the next day

This phenomenon may indicate overactivity of the sebaceous glands, often linked to an unsuitable routine or a hormonal imbalance.

A hair detox treatment (internal + external) and an appropriate routine can significantly extend the time between washes in the medium term.

Lifestyle and hair: an essential link

The role of stress

Chronic stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to an increase in androgen hormones (notably DHT), thus stimulating sebum production.

Incorporating stress management practices (yoga, breathing, adaptogens) can truly improve the appearance of hair.

Regular physical activity

Moving stimulates blood circulation, which improves the nutrition of the hair bulb. Exercise also helps to regulate cortisol, promoting a calmer scalp.

In conclusion, there are many natural and effective solutions to treat oily hair. By adopting an appropriate hair care routine, incorporating quality dietary supplements into one's diet, and taking care of one's nutrition and lifestyle, it is possible to regain healthy hair. The formulas of D-LAB NUTRICOSMETICS offer precise and powerful solutions, respectful of the body and the environment, to sustainably combat oily hair.

• Smith, J., & Brown, L. (2020). The role of micronutrients in hair health. Journal of Nutritional Science, 9, e56. doi:10.1017/jns.2020.56
• Jones, A., & Wright, P. (2019). The impact of diet on sebum production. International Journal of Trichology, 11(3), 101-110. doi:10.4103/ijt.ijt_17_19
• Williams, S., & Taylor, R. (2018). Nutritional interventions for sebum regulation. Clinical Nutrition, 37(5), 1572-1582. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2017.10.013
• Martin, C., & Harris, G. (2021). Natural ingredients for scalp sebum control. Phytotherapy Research, 35(1), 123-132. doi:10.1002/ptr.6791