Why do some people have oily hair?

The image is familiar: hair that was washed just the day before already feels sticky when you wake up. That unpleasant feeling of a heavy scalp, shiny roots, or a hairstyle that falls flat after just a few hours.

Many people experience this on a daily basis, sometimes from adolescence onwards, often without understanding the cause of this phenomenon. It is not uncommon for some clients, even those who are very attentive to theirhair care routine, to almost apologize: "I wash my hair every other day, I don't understand..."

This feeling of helplessness is common. And yet, it is most often based on amisinterpretation of what oily hair really is.

First and foremost, we need to dispel a persistent misconception: no, having oily hair is neither a sign of poor hygiene nor inevitable. It is the result of an imbalance, often subtle and sometimes temporary, between the scalp, its secretions, and the products we use.

Understanding thecauses of oily hair is already a smart move. And in our house, intelligence always goes hand in hand with elegance.

What causes oily hair?

A. An imbalance in sebum secretion

It all starts here: in this tiny sebaceous gland, located at the heart of the hair follicle. This gland secretes a substance called sebum, whose mission is simple: to protect the hair fiber, keeping it supple, strong, and hydrated.

In itself, thissecretion of sebum is a natural phenomenon. But as is often the case, it isexcess that becomes problematic.

When the body produces too much sebum, this is referred to as excessive sebum production or sebum overproduction.

The result?Hair quickly becomes greasy again, sometimes as early as the day after washing. It loses its silky appearance, takes on an oily sheen, and feels permanently heavy.

Several factors can increase sebaceous activity. Starting with androgen hormones, which are particularly active during puberty or during certain hormonal peaks. They directly stimulate the sebaceous gland and can explain a tendency toward oily skin starting in adolescence, regardless of the quality of skincare products used.

B. Hormonal imbalance and its effects on hair

There are periods in a woman's life when her hormonal balance is disrupted: adolescence, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. At these key moments, sebum secretion can change dramatically.

Thishormonal imbalance can not only make hair greasy, but also cause hair loss, which can be localized or diffuse.

This link between hormones and the scalp is not insignificant. It explains why some women, with regular cycles, complain of their hair becoming greasy quickly in the week before their period.

In our experience, this phenomenon is often misinterpreted, even though it is physiologically sound.

C. An unbalanced diet and unhealthy lifestyle

The skin and scalp reflect our excesses. An unbalanced diet, rich in fast sugars and saturated fats and low in vitamins and trace elements, can increase sebum production.

Conversely, ahealthy diet rich in vitamin B6, zinc, and essential fatty acids contributes to a more balanced scalp and soft hair.

A personal anecdote: after a month of magnesium supplements and a more plant-based diet, one of our loyal customers noticed that, without changing her hair care routine, she could finally go four days between washes. It just goes to show that beautiful hair often starts... on your plate.

D. Stress and pollution: aggravating factors

The impact of chronic stress on the skin is often underestimated. However, it has been proven that stress promotes sebum secretion, just like certain hormones. An oily scalp is therefore a direct expression of a body under stress.

Add to that constant urban pollution, fine particles, and stagnant humidity, and you have the ideal conditions for chronic external damage to the scalp. The result: hair quickly becomes greasy, dull, heavy, and lacking in volume.

E. Routine hair care mistakes and unsuitable products

Here is a problem we encounter every week: a poorly chosen product, applied too often, or not rinsed off properly.

Among the most common mistakes:

• Washing your hair every day with a shampoo that is too harsh
• Using dry shampoo repeatedly (masking oiliness without treating it)
• Applying styling gel without washing it out properly afterward
• Rinsing with water that is too hot, which stimulates the sebaceous gland

In all cases, it is the frequency of washing,the strength of the products, and the lack of targeted care that ultimately create a vicious cycle: the more the scalp is damaged, the more it secretes an oily substance to defend itself.

Why does my hair get greasy so quickly? Understanding the vicious cycle

This question comes up time and time again in our conversations with our customers: "Why does my hair get greasy so quickly, sometimes even the day after washing it?" We need to move away from ready-made answers here.

Thisphenomenon of rapid regreasing is often linked to a vicious cycle of repeated damage, unintentionally initiated by everyday actions.

Every wash—especially when done too frequently or with harsh shampoo —weakens the natural protective hydrolipidic film on the skin's surface.

Thescalp, deprived of its barrier, reacts immediately. It secretes an oily substance, sebum, in an attempt to self-regulate.

This mechanism, which is both healthy and instinctive, becomes counterproductive when it is overstimulated.

The result? An oily scalp that overproduces sebum the day after shampooing. The cycle is complete. This is what we call a vicious cycle:

• washing too frequently ➔ damage to the skin barrier
• scalp reaction ➔ excessive sebum production
• feeling greasy ➔ wash again... and so on

It is essential to be aware of this. To restore healthy hair, it is sometimes necessary to unlearn before you can relearn.

How can you combat greasy hair?

Breaking this cycle requires simple but targeted actions, and above all, a hair care routine that is tailored, respectful, and never intrusive.

Here are our expert recommendations:

• Choose a gentle, dry shampoo that is sulfate-free, silicone-free, and ideally enriched with plant hydrosols. These products gently cleanse without stimulating the sebaceous glands.
• Gradually space out your washes. Reduce to 3 then 2 washes per week. It is normal to experience a transition phase. This is temporary, and your hair will adapt.
• Clean your accessories: brushes, pillowcases, combs. They accumulate sebum, hair products, and dust, contributing to greasy hair without you even noticing.
• Avoid constantly running your hands through your hair: this seemingly harmless gesture transfers sebum from the roots to the ends.

Finally, keep in mind a golden rule: the ideal frequency for washing your hair is two to three times a week. Washing it more often than that risks unnecessarily stimulating a scalp that is simply trying to regain its natural balance.

What natural remedies are there for oily hair?

When it comes to treating oily hair elegantly, it is clear that nature offers remarkably effective solutions, provided they are applied rigorously and judiciously. Sophistication is not incompatible with simplicity—quite the contrary. In our approach to hair care, we value the finest qualities that plant-based ingredients have to offer.

Botanical allies with purifying properties

Among the most effective natural remedies for oily hair, certain ingredients stand out for their gentle yet targeted action:

• Apple cider vinegar: used for generations, it helps rebalance the pH of the scalp and remove limescale or styling product residue. Simply mix one tablespoon of vinegar in a glass of warm water, apply as a final rinse, and your hair will be left feeling light and shiny.
• Green clay: absorbent and mineralizing, it acts like a sponge onexcess sebum. Applied as a mask, it purifies without damagingthe skin.
• Purifying nettle: used in decoctions or powder form, it regulates sebum secretion and tones the scalp.
• Essential oils: their aromatic concentration allows them to create active synergies. Tea tree, lemon, and palmarosa essential oils are particularly known for their rebalancing effects. Two to three drops diluted in a neutral base or a dose of shampoo are sufficient.

These simple steps, incorporated into your hair care routine, allow you to treat oily hair without damaging it or compromising on refinement.

How can you cleanse the scalp without damaging it?

Cleansing does not mean stripping. The scalp, like the skin on your face, requires a delicate balance between purity and protection. Too much aggression stimulates excessive sebum production; too much gentleness allows impurities to accumulate.

Here are our recommendations for purifying while respecting the environment:

• Use a plant-based shampoo for oily hair, ideally formulated without sulfates or silicones. The gentle shampoo from Maison Madame d'Alexis, enriched with floral hydrosols, is the perfect example.
• Avoid using oily and occlusive substances in your hair care products. They suffocate the scalp and cause oily dandruff.
• Rinse with lukewarm water to avoid stimulating the sebaceous gland, or even withcold water for more resistant hair: the temperature contrast promotes shine without damaging the hair.
• Once a month, exfoliate your scalp usingfine clay or plant powder. This treatment, which is not yet widely incorporated into standard routines, helps to remove residue, deeply cleanse the scalp, and boost microcirculation.

Healthy hair starts with a clean, balanced foundation. It's a truth we rediscover, with grace, by returning to the essentials.

Which shampoo should you choose for oily hair? The criteria for truly effective hair care

Choosing a shampoo for oily hair is often a journey fraught with disappointment. Behind the marketing promises, few formulas combine effectiveness, respect for the scalp, and sensory elegance.

However, there is a solution, and it does not lie in the aggressiveness of a harsh surfactant or in the overuse of drying purifying agents.

The right shampoo isn't one that strips away sebum at all costs, but one that regulates it in moderation while preserving the skin's natural barrier. That's the difference between a temporary fix and a sustainable approach.

What a good shampoo for oily hair must offer:

• A gentle cleansing base, free from harsh sulfates, gentle on the scalp
• A formula free from silicones and occlusive substances that suffocate the hair follicle.
• Plant-based active ingredients with purifying properties: hydrosols, plant extracts, rebalancing essential oils
• A light texture that rinses off easily, leaving no sticky film or oily residue.

Madame d'Alexis shampoo: an elegant, botanical solution

The result of a rare formulation requirement, Madame d'Alexis shampoo has been designed to care for hair that quickly becomes greasy without damaging it. Its base of orange blossom hydrosols, combined with mild plant-based surfactants, respects the scalp's sebum secretion without ever stimulating it.

The foam is fine, delicate, and airy. The natural floral fragrance evokes a luxurious and soothing hair care routine. The result? Soft, silky hair, lighter roots, and visibly healthier hair.

Reconciling care, nature, and balance

It is best to avoid anti-sebum shampoos with overly aggressive formulas, which perpetuate the vicious cycle of excessive sebum production. It is better to invest in a shampoo designed for oily hair, developed with the same care as a skin care product: intelligent, precise, and gentle.

Each wash then becomes a moment of rebalancing, rather than an assault. This is the philosophy behind our approach. Because making hair more beautiful isn't just about washing it, it's about listening to it.

Towards a more conscious hair care routine

Understanding the cause of oily hair means recognizing that there is no universal solution, but rather a variety of factors—hormonal, dietary, environmental, behavioral—that must be identified.

At Madame d'Alexis, we offer a return to basics. A hair care routine that respects the scalp, where each ingredient is selected for its relevance and each texture is designed to soothe, not mask.

With an approach that combines botanical science, sensoriality, and effectiveness, we help every woman achieve what is most precious for her hair: its natural balance. And in this fast-paced world, rediscovering this harmony is already a luxury in itself.