18 Proven Ways to Get Less Greasy Hair without Washing

Some people tend to be more prone to greasy hair than others. This can be a result of a scalp that produces more oils, the products we choose, our environment, or the lifestyle choices we make. No matter what the cause for your greasy, oily hair, we can all agree on one thing: No one wants it!

The appearance of greasy hair can be unsightly. Plus, it can weigh your hair down, promote negative stereotypes, and it can even be damaging to your roots and scalp. Oily locks often lead to an itchy scalp, which can create dandruff and other scalp conditions.

Unfortunately, washing your hair more isn’t always the answer. Showering can do more harm to your hair and scalp than good. Between hot water that can cause your skin to produce more oil, and products that create greasy buildup, showering more often can make your hair even greasier.

So, what can you do to remove oil from your hair without washing it each day? Less oily hair is possible, it just may take a few out-of-the-box solutions to cleanse your locks and scalp. If you do have greasy-looking hair, follow these tips to help get rid of it without having to wash it more.

How Do I Get Rid of Oily Hair?

Other common causes of greasy hair include everything from diet, to activity level. Even hormonal changes due to things like pregnancy can make you have oily-looking hair after one day. If you’ve ever asked yourself, ‘why is my hair oily?’ Finding the cause of the problem should be your first step.

Once you’ve determined what might be causing your oily scalp, or greasy buildup on the crown of the head, you can make the changes necessary to stop the problem. Even then, though, you may want to consider some products to get rid of oily hair. Washing the hair too often can cause dry scalp.

This guide will focus on both natural and over-the-counter remedies to fix greasy hair without washing and without dry shampoo. Some of these fast home remedies will leave you with the hair you’ve always wanted.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is one of the top home remedies for combatting greasy hair. This is due to its high level of acidity. Often, hair looks greasy due to an improper pH balance. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar works to balance out the pH level of your scalp.

When the pH level is more balanced, your scalp doesn’t overproduce sebum (natural oils). This reduces the chance of an oily buildup and makes your hair look less greasy. In addition to getting rid of excess oil, apple cider vinegar can also leave your hair looking and feeling softer and shinier.

To use apple cider vinegar on your hair and scalp properly, make a solution of two tablespoons in a cup of warm water. Use it as a cleansing rinse. Rinse the solution away with cool water, and repeat two times a week for best results.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda works as a natural abrasive agent. Its properties help to exfoliate your scalp. When this occurs, it’s less likely for a buildup of oils, dirt, and product waste to start forming on your scalp. The less of a buildup on your scalp, the less likely it is for your hair to look weighed down and greasy.

Like apple cider vinegar, baking soda helps to balance out the pH levels of your scalp. However, it works the other way. If your scalp is too acidic, baking soda can bring it back to a more neutral pH level. It makes your skin more alkaline.

To use baking soda for an oily scalp, simply make a paste combining it with water. Spread it all over your scalp and let sit for a few minutes. You can then rinse it away and follow it up with a natural conditioning agent. You only need to do this once or twice a month to experience significant results. Baking soda is a powerful agent and can work very quickly to restore your hair and scalp to better health.

3. Christina Moss Naturals

Again, you don’t have to wash your hair more frequently to prevent it from being greasy. When you do wash it, however, it’s important to consider the products you’re using. Often, it’s the products that can cause the problem to begin with.

Most over-the-counter or cosmetic hair care products are designed to give you soft, luxurious hair. They may even work to live up to those claims for a while. Unfortunately, many of them contain harmful chemicals. These chemicals and preservatives can either strip your hair of the oils it needs (creating a dry scalp), or they can cause a buildup on your scalp which contributes to greasiness. This buildup can also potentially cause clogged hair follicles and lead to thinning and hair loss.

Switching to natural hair care products, like Christina Moss Naturals Shampoo can change the way you wash your hair.  Products like this can allow you to wash it less, and not damage it in the process. You won’t have to worry about a gunky buildup forming on your scalp. Not only will your hair look better, but it won’t feel weighed down. It’s also less likely to cause dandruff and clogged follicles.

4. Brush More Often

There is some controversy in the hair care world about how often you should brush your hair. While it’s true that you shouldn’t brush it wet, and you should limit it to a few strokes a day, regular brushing can help to get rid of oils from your scalp.

When you use the wrong products, and they build up in certain areas of your hair and scalp, they can create clumps. These clumps are what tend to clog your scalp and create other skin conditions. By simply brushing or combing your hair, you’re keeping it loose and de-tangled. This helps to distribute oils evenly. It’s not a permanent fix, but if you’re trying to avoid the ‘look’ of greasy hair and don’t have another solution, this works well in a pinch.

5. Black Tea

Tea contains a property called tannic acid. This astringent helps to tighten the pores of your scalp, making them more difficult to get clogged and saturated with oils and debris. Instead of drinking the tea, you can use it as a rinse for your hair. Follow these steps for the simple process:

1. Add two tablespoons of black tea leaves into a cup of water.
2. Heat until boiling.
3. Let the tea steep in the water and cool to room temperature.
4. Pour the mixture directly onto your hair and scalp.
5. Let sit for 10 minutes.
6. Rinse away.

This natural remedy can be used several times a week, or as needed. You can follow it up with a mild or natural shampoo if you’d like, but a simple rinse should do the trick.

6. Argan Oil

It may seem contradictory to use an oil to get rid of greasy hair. However, argan oil is often known as the ‘miracle oil’ when it comes to healthy locks and a healthy scalp. It helps with scalp conditions like dandruff, psoriasis, and seborrhea. These conditions can cause your hair follicles to become plugged and clogged. Argan oil unclogs your pores and helps to reduce gunk from building up on your scalp.

While argan oil can also be used on dry hair, it won’t cause greasy hair to look any oilier or weighed down. You can use it as a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask once a week for great results. It contains essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that will leave your hair and scalp looking and feeling great.

7. Cornstarch

If you’re looking for a replacement for dry shampoo, try cornstarch. Many people use dry shampoo to remove oil from the hair. Unfortunately, these shampoos can contain chemicals that only add to the gunky buildup on your scalp. A natural solution is a better way to go.

Cornstarch is great at absorbing oils quickly. It only takes a few seconds to apply, it’s inexpensive, and it’s a natural way to make your hair look less greasy. All you have to do is sprinkle a small amount of the powder directly onto your roots. Blend it through your hair with your fingers, and in a few minutes, it will absorb most of the oils.

You can finish off the process by gently combing or brushing your hair. This will keep the cornstarch from clumping up, and ensure it gets through every strand.

8. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is for so much more than healing cuts and scrapes. It contains multiple vitamins and minerals that are great for getting rid of greasy hair. Aloe vera is a detoxifying agent. Not only will it keep your scalp and hair healthy, but it will help to control the amount of sebum secretion. If you’re someone who has overactive sebaceous glands, this is important.

You can make your own aloe hair solution by combining a tablespoon of aloe vera with a teaspoon of lemon juice. The mixture can be used on its own: Rub it directly into the scalp and hair, then rinse away after a few minutes. Or, you can add it to a natural shampoo for lasting power.

9. Tomatoes

Tomatoes might seem like an unusual ingredient for hair health. However, they make a great acidic mask to balance out your scalp’s pH level. When the pH level is balanced, it’s less likely for your scalp to over-produce oils. They can also help with any odor that comes from your hair or scalp due to a buildup of debris.

To use tomatoes on your hair, apply the juice of a single tomato directly to your scalp. Massage thoroughly through your hair. For best results, cover your hair with a shower cap and sit for 30 minutes, before rinsing it away. You can repeat this process weekly to keep your hair and scalp healthy and oil-free.

10. Change Your Diet

This is a ‘trick’ that will take a little more time to make a difference, but in the end, it can make a big, lasting change. Sometimes, greasy hair is a product of what we’re putting into our bodies. Some studies have suggested that a diet rich in carbohydrates and fats can increase the amount of oil the sebaceous gland produces.

This isn’t to say you should eliminate fats and carbs from your diet. Some healthy fats are necessary for your hair to grow and have shine. Choosing these healthy fats, like Omega-3s, etc., is a great way to get proper nutrition without overdoing it. The best thing you can do is to choose a well-balanced diet that is rich in lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Don’t cut out anything entirely, but choose to enjoy fats and carbs in moderation.

By making a few simple alterations to your diet, you should be able to notice a difference in the overall health of your hair.

11. Egg Yolk

There are dozens of different recipes for natural hair masks. Many of them are meant to hydrate your hair and scalp. Using an egg yolk hair mask can help with hair that is already too oily. Egg yolks contain high amounts of sulfur. Sulfur can help to fight against dandruff and other unsightly symptoms associated with greasy hair.

Egg yolks are also rich in protein. This will help to strengthen your hair and give it shine while protecting it.

It couldn’t be easier to create an egg yolk ‘mask’ for your hair. You can simply use whole raw egg yolks on their own, or mix them with tea tree oil or honey for added benefits. Massage the yolks through your hair and rinse away. Repeat once a week or as needed for consistent results.

12. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has multiple benefits for your hair. One of them is the ability to combat greasiness overnight. Tea tree oil is a natural astringent. This allows it to tighten up the pores, making it less possible for oil and debris to clog up your hair follicles.

It also helps to control the production of sebum. Even if you’re doing everything else correctly, some people’s bodies tend to produce more sebum than others. Using tea tree oil is a natural way to slow that production to a more manageable level.

Tea tree oil is also great to fight back against bacterial or fungal infections of the scalp. Add a few drops to a carrier oil and massage thoroughly through your hair for quick results in just one day or so.

13. Avoid Certain Conditioners

Even if you don’t wash your hair every day, your conditioning products could be causing a problem. Conditioners are typically designed to coat the hair. They can add nourishment and moisture. Unfortunately, they can also cause already-oily hair to become even worse.

Always choose a conditioner with as many natural ingredients as possible. The more chemicals involved, the more likely it is that your conditioner will cause a product buildup. Additionally, only use your conditioner at the ends of your hair. This is where hair tends to dry out the most, anyway. You can get all the nourishing benefits without the product itself weighing your hair down and making it look greasy.

14. Avoid Touching and Rubbing

Think about how often you touch your hair and scalp in a day. It may seem harmless. Most of the time, you may not even realize you’re doing it. Unfortunately, the more you touch your hair, the more likely it is to become excessively oily.

Oil from our hands and fingers can get transferred to the hair and scalp quickly. If you scratch at your scalp often, you could be putting yourself at risk for even bigger problems. If you create abrasions on the scalp, your body may produce more oils as a result.

15. A Vodka Rinse

Virtually any type of alcohol rinse will help to ‘dry out’ your hair. Some people even use beer, but vodka is a much cleaner option with a higher alcohol content. Mix ½ cup of vodka into a few cups of warm water, and massage through your hair before rinsing away. Not only will it help to reduce the number of oils in your hair, but it can even make your locks shinier.

You can do this rinse safely once a week or so. However, try to avoid using it too often as an option. You don’t want to risk drying your hair out too much. Keep track of how your hair looks and feels after this particular rinse, and make your own judgments about how often your scalp and tresses can handle it.

16. Oatmeal Mask

Oatmeal isn’t just for breakfast anymore! You can create a soothing oatmeal mask for your hair and scalp quickly and easily. Prepare a ‘paste’ with oatmeal and warm water until it’s a thick, yet spreadable consistency. Then, simply spread the mixture all over your hair and scalp, massaging it in as much as possible.

The oatmeal will help to absorb excess oil and grease from your hair. If you’re struggling with dandruff or other issues associated with scalp buildup, it can also help with itching and inflammation. Rinse away with warm water when you’re finished.

17. Drink More Water

One of the simplest things you can do to fight back against greasy hair is to drink more water. Not only will your scalp and hair be more hydrated, but it can help to flush out toxins from your body. Plenty of water is necessary for healthy hair, and you’re bound to notice multiple benefits from it.

18. Leave It Loose

If your hair is greasy or you haven’t washed it in a day or so, it can be tempting to pull it back into a ponytail. Unfortunately, there are multiple problems that can happen from pulling your hair up into a tight updo.

Pulling your hair back creates constant tension on your follicles, especially at the crown of the head. The more stress that is put on your roots, the more oil your hair will produce. This is because the glands will be stimulated by the pulling sensation. It can also cause damage to the roots and eventually cause your hair to thin or fall out.

Putting your hair into a ponytail isn’t necessarily off limits. However, you shouldn’t do it every day. When you do tie your hair back, try to do it in a looser updo, rather than a high and tight look. It will help you to keep your tresses away from your face without causing damage to the roots.

Is It Possible to Get Rid of Oily Hair without Washing?

Washing your hair more frequently isn’t always the best way to get rid of oily hair. In fact, it may even make it worse. Thankfully, some of the fast home remedies and products to get rid of oily hair listed in this guide can help. You should never go to bed with wet hair.

The most important thing to do is to figure out what’s causing your greasy hair to begin with. That will make it easier to pin down the best possible solution for you. Maybe a change in your diet will be more effective for you than switching your hair products, or vice versa. Take a look at your daily routine, and try to determine why you might have greasier hair than you’d like.

In some cases, the amount of oil your scalp produces is hereditary. It may seem like there isn’t much you can do about it. While you can’t change your genes, you can fight back against an excess buildup of oil secretion. By using any of the remedies listed in this article (or a combination of several), you can greatly reduce your risk of sebum buildup.