When you have an oily scalp, shampooing at the first signs of grease may be your natural instinct. However, you have other lines of defense against unwanted scalp shine at your fingertips. Namely, oily scalp treatments, which are designed to control or remove excess sebum. As a result, these formulas can help extend the life of your wash days so you’re not permanently bound to your showerhead. Keep scrolling to learn more about what causes an oily scalp and our favorite pro-grade treatments to nip the problem in the bud.
Why Is My Scalp So Oily?
An oily scalp is most often influenced by genetics—if you have greasy skin, chances are good you’ll have an oily scalp, too. But with that said, genetics aren’t the only factor at play. There are a few other reasons why you may deal with slick-looking roots. Among the most common are:
- Weather: Humidity may affect sebum production and make the scalp appear oilier than usual.
- Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations, which can be caused by the likes of stress and pregnancy, may result in an oilier scalp. If you think you may be experiencing this type of change, speak to your doctor.
- Improper haircare: Frequent washing or using the wrong shampoo can strip moisture from the scalp. This may lead the scalp to overcompensate by producing even more oil.
- Buildup: Dead skin cells, pollution, and product residue can all collect along the roots and hair shaft. The result? You may have guessed it—a greasy-looking mane.
How Do You Get Rid of an Oily Scalp?
If your genes are influencing your oily scalp, there usually isn’t a permanent fix. The good news, however, is that a dedicated oily scalp treatment can help manage the appearance of grease and keep future oiliness at bay. From serums to scrubs, oily scalp treatments come in a variety of formats that you can easily fit into your existing routine. To aid your shopping journey, we’re outlining a few of L’Oréal’s best scalp treatments for an oily scalp that you can add to your arsenal.
Best Oily Scalp Treatments from L’Oréal Professional Brands
Biolage Professional Scalp Sync Oil Balancing Serum
This lightweight leave-in from Biolage Professional rebalances an oily scalp by absorbing and reducing excess oil. With continued use, the glycolic acid and fermented tea-infused serum can actually prevent sebum from traveling down the hair strand and contributing to a slick, weighed-down look. After washing and towel-drying your hair, apply one drop to every inch of your scalp, massage it in, and let it dry—no need to rinse.
Biolage Professional Scalp Sync Purifying Scalp Concentrate
You may correlate dandruff with having a dry scalp, but that’s a common misconception. Per the Mayo Clinic, dandruff can occur when a yeast-like fungus feeds off your scalp’s natural oils, causing scalp skin to flake off. If you’re in need of L’Oréal’s best dandruff treatment for an oily scalp, look no further than Biolage Professional’s Scalp Sync Purifying Scalp Concentrate. This pre-shampoo treatment is suitable for all scalp types (including dry, sensitive, dandruff-prone, and oily) and works to exfoliate the scalp from excess oil and other grime.
For maximum dandruff-fighting results, use the concentrate in conjunction with the Biolage Professional Scalp Sync Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. The latter helps gently eliminate many of the common symptoms associated with dandruff while relieving irritation.
Kérastase Scrub Énergisant Purifying Sea Salt Scalp Scrub
This sea salt and salicylic acid-enriched scrub is yet another one of our picks for the best scalp treatments for an oily scalp. It deeply purifies, soothes, and energizes your scalp and helps restore your hair’s shine. If you have flat, fine hair, use it in place of your shampoo to help pump up the volume.
Get a step-by-step breakdown on using a scalp scrub in our article, Scalp Exfoliation: Benefits, How To, and Product Picks.
Kérastase Specifique Argile Équilibrante Cleansing Clay
Although it may seem like a paradox, having a greasy scalp with parched ends is indeed a thing. The issue often occurs in those with straight to wavy hair: Sleeker roots allow scalp oils to glide easily down the hair shaft, but hair has just enough of a bend to keep those oils from reaching the tips.
One of L’Oréal’s best treatments for an oily scalp and dry ends is Kérastase’s Specifique Argile Équilibrante Cleansing Clay. The kaolin clay-infused formula helps gently cleanse the scalp of oils and other impurities while keeping the lengths nourished, not stripped.
Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo
Although it’s not an oily scalp treatment per se, dry shampoo is second to none at controlling the look of grease and giving locks a new lease on life. This fan-favorite from Redken provides heavy-duty oil absorption on all hair types and can make even fourth-day hair appear fresh and clean. (We’re especially fond of the pleasant cooling sensation it leaves behind.)
Next Up: Greasy Hair: Top Causes Plus 10 Ways to Manage It
Header photo credits (left to right): @kerastase_official and @biolage
For more advice on managing an oily scalp, take our hair quiz or use our salon locator to consult a pro.
