Home Remedies for Oily Hair

When your hair gets greasy just a day or two after washing it, you likely have oily hair. Oil is a natural secretion of the scalp that helps keep hair healthy. Oily hair is the result of excessive oil production.

This can happen for many reasons like heredity, hormonal changes, excessive stress, eating too much oily food and poor hair care. Oily hair are heavy looking and unmanageable hair that clump together, and are more prone to dandruff and itchiness.

As oily hair looks unwashed, lifeless and dirty, it is important to control this condition so you can look your best. To prevent oily hair you need to keep the scalp clean. However, shampooing daily is not always a good idea. Chemicals in some shampoos can further aggravate the problem.

Fortunately, there are several home remedies you can use to keep the grease in check and keep your hair looking fresh for days.

Here are the top 10 home remedies for oily hair.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is an effective home remedy for oily hair. The acetic acid in it helps balance the pH level of the scalp, which in turn helps control secretion of excess oil and reduces oil buildup on your hair. Plus, it works as a potent hair tonic for you to enjoy soft and shiny hair.

1. Mix two to three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water.
2. After washing your hair with a mild shampoo, use this solution as a rinse.
3. Wait for a few minutes, and then wash it off with cold water.
4. Repeat two or three times a week.

2. Lemon Juice

Lemon is great for different types of scalp and hair problems, including oily hair. Lemon contains many vital vitamins and minerals that promote healthy hair. The acidic property of lemon helps balance the pH level of the scalp and controls oil secretion.

1. Mix the juice from two lemons in two cups of distilled water. You can also add three teaspoons of honey (optional).
2. Apply this mixture on your scalp and hair, massaging it around for a few minutes.
3. Leave it on for five minutes, and then wash it off with lukewarm water.
4. Repeat three times a week for best results.

3. Black Tea

Black tea has an astringent known as tannic acid that helps prevent buildup of excess oil on the scalp by tightening the pores.

1. Add one to two tablespoons of black tea leaves to a cup of water.
2. Boil it for 10 minutes.
3. Strain the tea leaves and allow the solution to cool to room temperature.
4. Pour this lukewarm mixture on your scalp and hair.
5. Leave it on for five minutes, rinse it off, and then wash your hair with a mild shampoo.
6. Repeat two or three times a week to get rid of oily hair.

4. Aloe Vera

The vitamins, minerals and enzymes present in aloe vera are very helpful for getting rid of oily hair. Aloe vera helps detoxify the scalp of impurities and control oil secretion, while also nourishing your hair roots. Plus, the gentle and soothing nature of aloe vera will keep your hair healthy.

1. Mix one teaspoon of aloe vera gel and one tablespoon of lemon juice in one cup of any mild shampoo.
2. Wash your hair and allow the shampoo to remain on your hair for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
3. Use this as a homemade shampoo whenever you shampoo your hair to control oiliness.

You can store this homemade shampoo for up to a week in the refrigerator.

5. Baking Soda

The oil-absorbing quality of baking soda makes it a great home remedy for oily hair. Also, the alkaline nature of baking soda helps balance the pH level of the scalp and will reduce foul smell.

• Mix one part baking soda in three parts water to make a paste. Apply it on damp hair. Leave it on for a few minutes, and then wash your hair with warm water. Use this treatment once or twice a week.
• Also, when you do not have time to shampoo your hair, you can use baking soda as a powerful dry shampoo. Put some baking soda in your hands and rub it all through your hair. Then brush your hair really well with a good quality brush. The baking soda will absorb all the grease.

6. Fuller’s Earth

Being a natural absorbent, fuller’s earth can be used to solve the problem of oily hair. Plus, its mineral properties can balance the natural pH level of the scalp and improve blood circulation in the scalp.

1. Add a little water to three tablespoons of fuller’s earth to make a thick paste. (You can change the amount of fuller’s earth depending on the length of your hair.)
2. Apply the paste on your scalp and hair.
3. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash it off using lukewarm water.
4. Use this treatment once a week or a few times a month.

7. Egg Masks

Eggs are great for conditioning your hair. Plus, egg whites combat oily hair and egg yolks are packed with protein that strengthens hair.

• Apply one-half cup of whisked egg white on damp hair, and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Finally, rinse it off and wash your hair with a mild shampoo. Repeat once every two weeks.
• Beat two egg yolks well and mix in two tablespoons of lemon juice. Apply this mixture on damp hair. Leave it on for five minutes, and then wash your hair with a mild shampoo. Use this treatment two or three times a week.

8. Tomatoes

The acidic nature of tomatoes help balance the pH level of your scalp, which in turn controls excessive oil secretion. Tomatoes also help remove foul odors.

1. Mix the juice from one ripe tomato with one teaspoon of fuller’s earth.
2. Apply this mixture on the hair and scalp.
3. Cover your head and hair with a shower cap and leave it on for 30 minutes.
4. Wash it off using cold water.
5. Do this once or twice a week.

9. Vodka

Vodka is an ideal hair tonic that is known to maintain the pH level of the scalp and close the pores that secrete oil.

1. Mix one cup of vodka with two cups of water.
2. Shampoo your hair, and then use this vodka mix as a rinse.
3. Leave it on for five to 10 minutes before washing it off with water.
4. Use this treatment once week.

10. Bananas and Honey

Hair can get greasy when you use a harsh shampoo or poor conditioner. To solve this problem, you can use a homemade conditioner with bananas and honey that will nourish your hair and keep it oil free.

1. Run one banana through a blender to get a thick consistency.
2. Add one tablespoon of raw honey for every four tablespoons of banana paste.
3. Apply this paste on your hair from the roots to the tips.
4. Leave it on for about 20 minutes.
5. Rinse thoroughly with warm water to remove the paste.
6. Follow this home remedy twice a week.

Here are some additional tips to keep oily hair clean and grease free:

• Every time you shampoo your hair, rinse it thoroughly to keep the scalp free from any chemical residue.
• Use shampoo that is meant for oily hair.
• Use conditioners only on the ends of your hair, wait for a few minutes and then rinse it off.
• Avoid brushing your hair too much as it stimulates the oil-producing glands.
• Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A and protein to maintain healthy hair.
• Avoid rubbing or scratching your scalp when greasy as it can lead to infection.