Say goodbye to constant washing and bottles of dry shampoo clogging up your cupboards.

To treat oily hair, you have to understand why it happens in the first place. Yes, it’s annoying, but the occurrence of oily hair is totally natural and normal. Each day, your scalp produces sebum – a natural oil that exists to support your hair health and protect your strands from the outside in. Sebum also helps to lock-in your hair’s moisture levels to prevent your tresses from drying out.
 
The problem? Well, sebum builds up over time and can leave your hair feeling heavy, dirty, and even sticky. Throw in hormonal changes (think puberty, pregnancy, birth and even menopause) and a few sessions at the gym later, and you’ve got the perfect hair storm.
 
Even the weather can play a part in how oily or dry your scalp is. Sudden changes in temperature can lead your body to increase its production of sebum. This is done as a protection mechanism to shield your scalp and hair from the elements. This is particularly true during the cooler months when we instantly go from cold to warm environments (you’ve officially been warned).
 
So, what can you do about this oily business? Here are our top tips.
 
1. Cutting back on how often you wash your hair will help but it’s also important to make sure you’re only using lukewarm water. Hot water can stimulate even more oil production due to the way your scalp reacts to the hot temperature.

2. Hair masks for oily hair can help rebalance your scalp’s oil production, especially if your body is overproducing sebum. It’s not about getting rid of the oiliness itself rather finding a balance between what your body produces and what you’re able to work with.

3. Aim for a shampoo that’s sulphate-free as harsh chemicals can negatively react with your scalp and tresses.

4. Be sure your conditioner is a lightweight option that you only apply to the middle and ends of your strands.

5. Avoid running your hands through your hair or touching your hair where possible. The natural oils from your skin will only add to the problem.

6. Small changes to your diet can help make a big difference. Whether it’s an overindulgence in unhealthy foods or certain medications – all of these can send confusing signals to your scalp. Sugar causes insulin spikes, which can lead to a surge in certain hormones. Essential fats on the other hand, such as Omega 3 can improve hydration and regulate sebum production on the skin, and potentially, your scalp.

7. Retire your dry shampoo or use it sparingly. Don’t forget – it’s not actually shampoo. This sprayed-on product temporarily absorbs the oil in your hair but doesn’t actually clean it. Overuse won’t just clog your follicles, it can lead to a build-up of product on your scalp.

8. Avoid products that use silicone. Not only are these contributing to your hair looking greasy, but they can also weigh down your tresses.

9. Go natural with apple cider vinegar. There are so many benefits to apple cider vinegar. When properly diluted, a rinse with this wonder ingredient can help to balance the pH levels of your scalp, reduce frizz and flyaways, and remove that extra product build-up.

10. Align your hair washing days to your exercise schedule. Yep, it’s time to get organised. Sweat spreads our natural oils within our skin and scalp, so it makes sense to only wash your hair after your gym sessions or high-sports days.