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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be fucking sick and tired of my oily hair

81 replies

pineapplepot · 20/10/2023 01:59

The front of my hair looks like this, after not even 24 hours. It’s ridiculously stringy. It looks amazing after I’ve washed it, but after one sleep it’s impossible to style it. I’ve tried everything to try and combat oily hair but nothing has worked.

It’s really ruining my self esteem, I can’t do anything with my hair. I either have to slick it back or just hide the front of my hair altogether.

What am I doing wrong?!

To be fucking sick and tired of my oily hair
OP posts:
WhoWants2Know · 21/10/2023 03:57

When my hair gets really oily, I add bicarbonate to my shampoo to scrub my scalp and that seems to lengthen the time before it needs washing again.

Fifireee · 21/10/2023 04:58

Same. I’ve always washed my hair every day. I just get up early. I’m just used to it now.

Bangbangchittychitty · 21/10/2023 05:17

I hit 40 an my hair became extremely greasy. I think it's to do with the hormones.
I now don't wash it as often, don't use conditioner, don't touch it with my hands and use dry shampoo in between washes

MBM18 · 21/10/2023 05:48

What do you do with it when you sleep?
I find mine gets slightly less greasy if I tie it up in a loose ponytail, then put a bonnet over the top.
Also dry shampooing the night before - spraying it on and leaving it for a few minutes, then massaging it in seems to help. Doing it the night before helps absorb the grease as it's getting greasy!

MBM18 · 21/10/2023 05:50

Also, I struggle to get on with sulfate free shampoos.. I find they make my hair greasier. Although my hair dresser users sulfate free and I don't have that problem after I've been for an appointment, so maybe the professional sulfate free shampoos are a lot better.
Have you looked at using professional products on Look Fantastic?

MonikerBing · 21/10/2023 05:53

Why can't you just wash it every day OP? Like other posters on this thread, I've had to wash mine every day since my teen years (and if I'm going out in the evening, I might wash it twice) and have just learned to live with my hair.

TheGoldenGhouls · 21/10/2023 08:08

Like a previous poster, I find that keeping my hair short makes a massive difference. When my hair is longer I touch it more, so more brushing, styling and moving it back into place. Every time I touch it, it’s adds more oil and makes it look worse until, part way through the day, it begins to look wet.

I find it easier to apply dry shampoo to the roots when it’s shorter too, so it’s simpler to ‘refresh’ my hair when it needs it.

Intensiv14 · 21/10/2023 08:27

Just wash it daily. ‘Training’ hair is a waste of time and doesn’t work for those of us with oily hair in my opinion. I’ve tried this multiple times and ended up feeling truly horrible and with a new problem of dandruff too as I’d left it too long between washes.
honestly just accept you need to wash it daily, and maybe keep your hair off your face to reduce oiliness around the front.

WomanOfSteel · 21/10/2023 10:01

I’m another one that finishes with a cool rinse after washing. I also blast it with cold air at the roots once I’ve finished drying. If it’s a longer day I stick dry shampoo on, otherwise I feel unclean and greasy around 4ish. I try and leave it to air dry until it’s almost dry too so I don’t need heat on it as long.

I used to really like vosene shampoo but not seen it around for ages. I use Aussie volume now unless I’ve had highlights where I can get away with normal shampoos and a bit of conditioner for about a week.

I’m going to give the bicarb and vinegar tips a try though. 🙂

Parakeetamol · 21/10/2023 10:04

Fringe wash! I leave my hair 3 days before washing but I wash the front fringe section or the front inch of my hair every day. It makes it appear clean and washed even if the rest isn't so.

LS5 · 21/10/2023 10:06

Parakeetamol · 21/10/2023 10:04

Fringe wash! I leave my hair 3 days before washing but I wash the front fringe section or the front inch of my hair every day. It makes it appear clean and washed even if the rest isn't so.

This is what I do. I just gather up fringe and wash with a tiny tiny amount of shampoo and rinse under the bathroom sink tap. Takes seconds.

OhGingleBells · 21/10/2023 10:12

Apple cider vinegar rinse. Google it.
Also, curly hair greases up less quickly. Sleep with it in rollers/rags/heatless curler. Get a perm?

Zanatdy · 21/10/2023 10:15

My hair is similar, ideally i need to wash it daily but if I’m just working from home I use a dry shampoo the 2nd day. It’s annoying but I don’t know how to fix it

pharmachameleon · 21/10/2023 10:28

I'm the same. I use Vosene shampoo as it has salicylic acid in it which I think works as a DHT blocker. I wash my hair nearly every day. When I was off on maternity leave I tried to train my hair to be less oily by only washing every 2 to 3 days-it didn't work and made me feel disgustingly oily and dirty!
On days I don't wash my hair I do a fringe wash only in the shower and use a shower cap to m the rest of my hair dry.
I have oily skin so I think that's why my hair is oily.

OnlyFlans1 · 21/10/2023 10:32

Following with interest! Mine is exactly the same, I’ve ended up having it cut into a pixie crop because I just couldn’t keep up with all the grease.

Clingfilm · 21/10/2023 10:39

Echoing PPs, my only solution is hair dye - I have highlights, it sort of dries my hair out a bit, though as I've got older it's definitely less greasy but still rank the day after a wash.
I also use dry shampoo and tie up if I'm not going anywhere.

IWouldLikeToKnow · 21/10/2023 11:18

johnnybongos · 20/10/2023 22:55

It’s so demoralising isnt it! I think my family always thought I was being dramatic about it but it’s really upsetting isnt it.

Anyway 100% agree with advice from @MariaMeringue about using Nizoral and then following up with a silicone free shampoo. I would highly, highly recommend Colour Wow shampoo for that second shampoo. It’s been a game changer for me.

I also;

i. spend a really long time rinsing all residue out my hair;
ii. Only use lukewarm water on my hair
iii. Always shampoo twice
iv. Always blow dry; and
v. when I have time also curl my hair (as I find it always looks oiler quicker when straight).

You could also get some highlights or a ‘moneypiece’ in the front of your hair to dry that area out.

Good luck and def see what you think of colour wow - it’s pricey but they do £10 travel size bottles

Same here - have to wash every morning. Can I ask which Color Wow shampoo you use? Is it the colour security one?

qotsa · 21/10/2023 11:30

I have oily hair. I shower each morning and shampoo it each morning so it doesn't get greasy. I've tried leaving it until the next day or whatever but it just doesn't feel right. So shampooing each day works for me. Only takes a minute, couple of minutes to blow dry and then another couple to straighten if needed.

qotsa · 21/10/2023 11:32

Exactly the same @GlitterGlobe30 👌🏽 just wash it every day. Still in great condition despite years of being told I shouldn't wash it every day.

ChChChCherryBomb · 21/10/2023 11:39

I don’t use dry shampoo after my hairdresser told me that it ‘suffocates’ the hair shaft and can cause it to weaken and shed more? Not sure how true that is but I’ve steered clear of it ever since.

berrypop · 21/10/2023 11:51

Harella · 20/10/2023 02:21

I have similarly had lifelong oily hair - this routine works for me and allows me to wash my hair every other day and still have it look fresh.

  • I shampoo twice - both times spending two minutes rubbing the shampoo into my scalp and then leaving it to sit for three minutes before washing it out.
  • I use very minimal conditioner - only on the ends of my hair (below ear level) - as conditioner on the top of my head depresses the volume and makes it look flatter and greasier than it is.
  • I dry my hair with a hair dryer within an hour of getting out of the shower. Leaving it to air dry always makes it look greasier.
  • I apply dry shampoo to my roots on the second morning after washing.

I do exactly this for my oily hair too and can get a couple of days before needing to wash again. I use Herbal Essences Strawberry and Mint shampoo and conditioner. I also avoid brushing except when my hair is wet (oily, fine hair doesn't need it) which also helps.

sunnyseed · 21/10/2023 11:55

I have the same problem. When I was on maternity leave I decided to not wash my hair for days and days to try and train my scalp not to produce so much oil. It didn’t work. Now I’m getting a bit older part of my hair is starting to go a bit frizzy and brittle. I’ve started using some really nice shampoo and also Olaplex but if I’m washing it every day, which I have to then the condition of it isn’t going to get any better. Some times I apply dry shampoo so I can skip a day but I think dry shampoo is really abrasive and harsh on the hair.

PegasusReturns · 21/10/2023 11:55

You’re just going to have to wash it every day.

Over the years I’ve been bored to tears with people saying wash it less, train your hair, blah blah but honestly the best thing is did was cuts it shorter and double wash every morning.

MrsSkylerWhite · 21/10/2023 11:57

I’m the same, nearly 60. Still no wise advice I’m afraid.

Do you have oily skin, too? Take heart, it’s a blessing in disguise. I do and have hardly any lines or wrinkles.