How to Finally Get Control Over Your Oily Hair: What Actually Works

If your hair starts feeling greasy before the day is even over, you’re not alone. At Obsessions Salon, many of our clients come to us after years of trying every product under the sun, only to be met with the same result: oily roots, dry ends, and constant frustration.

So why is managing an oily scalp so confusing?
Some say wash more. Others say stop washing altogether.
Neither extreme works and for good reason.

The truth is, your scalp is a complex ecosystem. It needs balance, not extremes. And if you’re tired of feeling like your hair is dirty just hours after washing it, there are science-backed ways to turn things around.

Let’s break it down.

The Real Reason Your Hair Is So Oily

Oil, or sebum, is produced by sebaceous glands in your scalp to protect and hydrate your skin and hair. But when your scalp’s natural balance is disrupted by harsh products, overwashing, or even stress those glands can go into overdrive.

The result? Greasy roots, lack of volume, and hair that looks flat no matter how you style it.

Three Expert-Approved Steps to Rebalance Your Scalp

1. Use a Gentle, Balancing Shampoo

Most people reach for strong clarifying shampoos to remove oil. But overly harsh products can backfire stripping the scalp, causing irritation, and triggering more oil production.

Instead, choose a mild, sulfate-free shampoo that gently cleans without disrupting your scalp’s natural barrier.

Our Innersense Recommendation:
Innersense Pure Harmony Hairbath is a lightweight, gentle cleanser that works beautifully for fine to medium hair types prone to oiliness. It contains natural plant extracts and coconut-derived cleansers that remove buildup without stripping moisture.

Expect a transition period of a few weeks as your scalp readjusts. Over time, your hair will feel lighter, cleaner, and stay fresher between washes.

2. Hydrate Your Scalp (Yes, Really)

It might sound counterintuitive, but an oily scalp is often a dehydrated one.

When your skin lacks hydration, your sebaceous glands work overtime trying to compensate. Adding light moisture can calm that response and help regulate oil production.

Look for ingredients like:

• Aloe vera

• Hyaluronic acid

• Lightweight, plant-based oils like tamanu or jojoba (used sparingly)

Our Innersense Recommendation:
Innersense Sweet Spirit Leave-In Conditioner delivers a gentle dose of hydration to the hair and scalp without weighing it down. Mist it lightly near your roots and brush through to distribute.

3. Keep Your Hands Off Your Hair

Touching your hair throughout the day transfers oils and dirt from your hands directly onto your scalp. It’s an easy habit to overlook, but one that can make a big difference.

Try tying your hair back when you’re working, cooking, commuting, or scrolling on your phone. Less contact means less oil transfer.

Bonus tip: If you’re prone to playing with your hair when it’s down, try a satin scrunchie or loose clip to keep it up comfortably without tension.

Still Oily? Look at Your Scalp’s Microbiome

Just like your skin and gut, your scalp has its own microbiome a delicate community of good bacteria and microorganisms that protect your skin’s barrier. Disrupt it with aggressive products or too many treatments, and oiliness often follows.

That is why we always recommend gentle, pH-balanced products and avoiding product overload.

What Actually Helped Our Clients

We’ve helped clients go from daily washing to lasting three or four days between washes with clean, voluminous hair and not because they used a miracle product. They simply followed a consistent routine:

• Switched to a mild cleanser like Innersense

• Added light hydration to the scalp

• Stopped overhandling their hair

• Reduced harsh product use

• Paid attention to how their scalp responded

No gimmicks. No overnight fixes. Just proper scalp care and patience.

Final Thoughts: Haircare is Personal, Not One-Size-Fits-All

Your scalp is not the enemy it just needs support. With the right products, a balanced approach, and a little bit of patience, you can absolutely break the oily hair cycle.

If you’re not sure where to start, our team at Obsessions Salon is here to help. We can assess your scalp and hair type in-salon and recommend the best steps forward including which Innersense products are right for your individual needs.

Want personalised advice?
Book a 360° Hair & Scalp Consultation and let’s create a healthy hair routine tailored just for you.

Obsessions Salon
Expert Haircare | Real Science | Beautiful Results