How to Get Rid of Greasy Hair: Simple Steps for Cleaner, Fresher Hair

Greasy hair—it's the ultimate buzzkill. Whether your strands look oily by lunchtime or slick overnight, managing greasy hair can feel like an endless battle. 

But don’t worry! With the right products, techniques, and a few easy lifestyle tweaks, you can easily manage this frustrating hair problem.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about how to stop greasy hair, from quick fixes to new habits.

Why Does Hair Get Greasy in the First Place?

Before we tackle the solutions, it’s important to know where that excess oil comes from. Greasy hair is caused by an overproduction of sebum, the natural oil your scalp produces to keep your hair hydrated and protected.

Factors like hormones, diet, product buildup, environmental factors and even touching your hair too much can result in greasy strands.

Take a look at our guide to the different causes of greasy hair for more information on why grease rears its head in the first place!

What to Do if Your Hair is Greasy

Here’s how to get rid of greasy hair in 6 key steps:

1. Start with the Right Shampoo

Most shampoos today can make greasy hair worse because they leave behind residues. Why? Because most shampoos try to do more than just clean (i.e., defrizz, thicken, hydrate, smooth, etc).

In order to deliver on these added benefits, they must leave behind ingredients on the hair and scalp. Over time, this results in greasy buildup and hair that’s never actually clean. 

Instead, switch to a 100% clean, residue-free formula, like Color Wow Color Security Shampoo or Hooked 100% Clean Shampoo:

• Our shampoos are sulfate-free, silicone-free, and leave zero residues—so they won’t weigh down your hair or leave it feeling greasy. In fact, their residue-free formulas help you go even longer between wash days!

• Massage gently at the roots to cleanse away oil and buildup without irritating your scalp. Pro Tip: Double cleanse! The first wash lifts dirt, sweat, and oil; the second ensures a deeper clean.

2. Condition Strategically

Conditioner is crucial for keeping your strands hydrated—but applying it near your roots can leave a coating on your hair that makes it look slick.

For the best results, use a lightweight formula like Color Wow Color Security Conditioner and apply it only to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair.

3. Detox with a Mineral Remover

If you live in an area with hard water, minerals like calcium and magnesium can leave behind a film that makes your hair look greasy faster.

Use Color Wow Dream Filter Pre-Shampoo Mineral Remover once a week to clear away mineral buildup.

4. Avoid Product Overload

Using too many styling products—or products that are too heavy—can easily lead to buildup on your hair and scalp. This is especially problematic if your shampoo isn’t fully cleansing your hair and compounding the problem with even more residues. This buildup traps oil, dirt, and sweat, making your hair look and feel greasy much faster. Over time, the residue can even weigh down your strands, making them appear limp, flat, and lifeless. 

5. Wash Your Tools

Dirty brushes and styling tools can transfer oils, dirt, and product residue back onto your hair.

Clean your tools weekly to keep them (and your hair) fresh.

6. Don’t Touch Your Hair

The more you touch your hair, the faster oils from your hands transfer to your strands.

Keep hands off as much as possible to help extend time between washes.

Short on Time? Quick Fixes for Greasy Hair

Need an instant refresh? Here’s how to disguise greasy hair when you’re short on time:

• Boost Your Roots: To instantly refresh and add volume, try Raise the Root. This thicken and lift spray not only gives you a major volume refresh but absorbs oils like a dry shampoo. Hold sections of your hair up and aim the spray directly at the roots, then give it a quick blast with a blow dryer on low heat.

• Style Smart: Opt for hairstyles that work with slightly greasy hair, like sleek buns, ponytails, or braids.

• Add Grit + Grip: When your hair feels greasy, Style on Steroids comes to the rescue. It’s not a dry shampoo, but it does contain a key oil-absorbing ingredient that helps disguise grease while giving your hair instant body, texture, and hold—ideal for reviving day-two styles.

How to Prevent Greasy Hair in the First Place

There’s no preventing greasy hair entirely – at some point, your hair is going to look dirty and need washing. But if extending time between wash days is your goal, there are a few habits you can adopt to keep greasy hair at bay for longer. 

• Find Your Perfect Wash Schedule: The best way to extend time between washes is to ensure you start with a truly clean slate. For that, switch to a residue-free shampoo, like Color Security Shampoo, which will cleanse deeply without stripping or causing buildup. Follow up with a lightweight conditioner, like Color Security Conditioner.

• Be Mindful of Diet: Greasy, sugary, and highly processed foods can affect oil production. Add nutrient-rich foods like greens, nuts, and fish to help balance your scalp naturally.

• Reduce Stress: Stress can trigger hormonal changes that increase oil production. Try stress-busting activities like exercise, meditation, or journaling to keep those stress levels down.

How to Keep Hair from Getting Greasy Overnight

Overnight oil production is common, but there are easy ways to keep grease in check while you sleep:

• Change Pillowcases Regularly: Swap them out at least once a week to prevent oil and dirt transfer.

• Tie Hair Up Loosely: Use a silk scrunchie to keep hair off your face and reduce oil spread.

• Hands Off: Avoid touching or brushing your hair excessively before bed to keep oils from spreading.