Oily hair is not inevitable. It is a reflection of an imbalance, often misinterpreted and sometimes aggravated by unsuitable hair care products. To restore light roots, a purified scalp, and rebalanced hair fibers, you must first understand the causes, then relearn how to care for your hair. Not by stripping it, but by respecting it.

I remember experiencing this persistent frustration myself: hair that was perfect in the morning but weighed down by the evening. For a long time, I thought I needed to wash it more, scrub harder, try those famous "purifying" shampoos that lather too much and dry everything out. Until I realized that oily hair isn't dirty hair, but a scalp crying out for help.

What causes oily hair?

Overproduction of sebum linked to the sebaceous gland

Sebum is a lipid film naturally secreted by the sebaceous glands. It protects the scalp and moisturizes the hair shaft. The problem is not sebum itself, but its overproduction.

Several factors can trigger this hyperseborrhea:

• Hormonal imbalance (puberty, contraceptives, endocrine variations);
• An unbalanced diet, too high in fast sugars or saturated fats;
• Chronic stress, which affects hormone regulation and sleep quality;
• An unstructured lifestyle, between fatigue, pollution, and a hectic pace.

The onset of oily hair: understanding the triggers

Beyond biology, certain circumstances promote the rapid development of oily hair:

• Hormonal changes (particularly during adolescence or the premenstrual period);
• Humid climatic conditions or constant urban pollution;
• Repeated use of occlusive styling products, flat irons without protection, or excessive brushing, which mechanically stimulate the sebaceous gland.

At this stage, the hair is not damaged: it is being mistreated without the owner's knowledge.

Why does your hair get greasy quickly?

Why does my hair become greasy after just one day?

This common phenomenon is often a sign of reactive hyperseborrhea. In other words, the scalp, damaged by excessive washing or harsh products, defends itself by producing even more sebum.

It's a well-known vicious circle:

• Daily washing → stripping away the protective barrier;
• Immediate reaction → excess sebum production;
• Result → oily scalp the very next day.

An unsuitable shampoo, often too rich in sulfates or poorly balanced, only exacerbates the problem.

Why is my hair greasy when I just washed it?

This question comes up often, and rightly so. Washing is not always effective—not because the product is bad, but because the technique is wrong.

The main errors are:

• Using products that are too harsh or too fragrant, which irritate the scalp;
• Inadequate rinsing, leaving heavy residue;
• Using water that is too hot, which dilates the pores and stimulates sebum production;
• Drying too vigorously or rubbing the towel excessively.

What your oily hair needs is not a battle. It needs a gentle, rebalancing, and intelligent routine that can cleanse without causing damage.

What should you avoid doing to prevent your hair from becoming greasy?

There are mistakes, often made out of habit, that insidiously aggravate the tendency for hair to become greasy. We think we're doing the right thing by washing, brushing, and touching our hair... but we end up with the opposite effect: heavy roots, dull lengths, and tired-looking hair before the end of the day. It's time to relearn the right techniques. With delicacy. With consistency.

Bad habits to correct

During my early years of trying to "tame" my hair, I made a lot of mistakes. Frequent shampooing, hot water, vigorously rubbing with a towel... I thought I was regulating it, but I was only stimulating an already overworked sebaceous gland.

Here are the behaviors to avoid in order to break this vicious cycle:

• Washing your hair too often: an irritated scalp reacts by producing more sebum to defend itself. Washing your hair two to three times a week is sufficient in most cases.
• Constantly touching your hair: each time you run your hands through your hair, you transfer impurities and mechanically activate the roots.
• Using the wrong shampoo: shampoos containing sulfates or silicones disrupt the skin's balance, either by stripping or suffocating the hair fiber.
• Touching your hair throughout the day: repeatedly tying it back, unconsciously scratching your head, and frequently repositioning it are all unnecessary stresses on your hair.

There's no point in rushing things: the key is consistency and gentleness.

The impact of hot water and aggressive brushing

Water that is too hot dilates the pores of the scalp and activates the sebaceous glands. The result: faster oiliness and increased sensitivity. Use lukewarm water for washing and cold water for the final rinse, which tightens the cuticles and prolongs freshness.

When brushing, avoid vigorous movements that stimulate the roots. Opt for a soft brush with natural bristles, to be used on dry, detangled hair in sections, in a methodical manner.

How can you space out shampooing when you have oily hair?

Why is it good to space out shampooing?

I know this idea seems counterintuitive at first. Washing your hair less often seems counterintuitive when you wake up with greasy hair. And yet, it's the most effective strategy in the long term.

Washing your hair too often strips the scalp of its natural barrier. It immediately compensates by producing more sebum. By spacing out washes, you gradually re-educate sebum production. The scalp understands that it no longer needs to speed up.

There are many benefits:

• less overproduction,
• roots that regulate themselves,
• healthier hair fibers that are less stressed.

Comfort returns, day after day. And the results are long-lasting.

A step-by-step method for spacing out shampoos

It would be unrealistic to switch overnight from washing your hair every day to every three days. You need to proceed patiently and methodically.

• Introduce protective hairstyles: loose braids, low ponytails, half-up styles. They subtly conceal slightly shiny roots while limiting damage.
• Use dryshampoo sparingly: choose a natural, talc-free version and apply it only to the necessary areas, avoiding any excess.
• Try natural remedies: rinse with diluted apple cider vinegar, spray with sage or mint hydrosol, or dry massage your scalp with an Ayurvedic powder (shikakai, rhassoul).

What I have learned over time is that the scalp, like the skin, needs to be listened to. It is not something to be dominated, but an ecosystem to be supported.

With patience and the right care, you can achieve balanced, light hair... free from the constraints of daily washing.

How can you cleanse your scalp effectively and sustainably?

The scalp is often overlooked, as if it did not deserve the same attention as the skin on the face. However, it is where everything starts. The health, balance, and beauty of the hair depend directly on the quality of the scalp.

An unbalanced scalp—too oily, too dry, congested— disrupts hair growth, dulls the fiber, and suffocates the follicle. Cleansing it is therefore afundamental part of hair care, not an option.

I remember a time when I confused irritation with excess sebum. I used shampoo and "purifying" treatments repeatedly, thinking I was doing the right thing. The result: a weakened, sensitive scalp that was unable to regain its rhythm.

It was when I returned to gentler, more precise movements that I noticed a real change.

Purify the scalp without damaging it

Cleansing does not mean stripping. Quite the contrary. The secret to a healthy scalp lies in deep yet gentle cleansing, regular yet non-abrasive.

Here are the most effective actions:

• Gentle exfoliation once a week: a scalp scrub—such as Alexis' Le Scrub Madame —helps remove dead cells and styling product residue, and reactivates local microcirculation. It should be formulated without harsh grains, ideally using plant powders and balancing hydrosols.
• Rinse with cold or lukewarm water: water that is too hot stimulates the sebaceous glands. Conversely, a moderate temperature soothes, tightens the scales, and helps maintain freshness.
• A weekly purifying mask: made from white clay or kaolin, it absorbs excess sebum without damaging the natural protective barrier. Apply it only to the scalp, never to the lengths, so as not to dry out the hair fiber.

This routine, although simple, must be performed regularly. That's the secret to healthy hair: consistency in hair care.

Recommended products

Choosing the right hair care products is crucial. Most scalp imbalances are caused by using unsuitable products, which are often too harsh or contain excessive amounts of occlusive silicones.

Here are the essentials:

• A gentle sulfate-free shampoo enriched with floral hydrosols (such as chamomile or orange blossom) cleanses without disrupting the natural balance. It respects the natural pH and preserves the barrier function of the scalp.
• A non-greasy, rebalancing serum applied to a clean, dry scalp can soothe discomfort while strengthening the microbial ecosystem. This practice is still relatively uncommon, but it is remarkably effective when the right product is chosen.

How to treat oily hair naturally?

Nature offers a range of ingredients with astonishing precision for treating oily hair without resorting to industrial formulas that can sometimes be counterproductive.

Effective natural ingredients

When used correctly, certain plant-based active ingredients can help to restore long-lasting balance to sebum production:

• Apple cider vinegar (organic, unpasteurized) diluted in the rinse water rebalances the pH and tightens the pores of the scalp. Use once a week as a final rinse.
• Green clay, applied as an occasional mask to the scalp, absorbs excess sebum and impurities. A thin layer is sufficient, to be left on for 10 minutes before rinsing.
• Aloe vera, known for its soothing properties, moisturizes without leaving a greasy residue, while calming feelings of itchiness or heat.
• Essential oils, such as tea tree or fine lavender, act as natural regulators and purifiers. Be sure to always dilute them in a suitable carrier (aloe gel, neutral base).
• Baking soda, on the other hand, should only be used in exceptional circumstances: it is too alkaline and can cause lasting damage to the scalp's balance. It should only be used as a temporary measure in cases of hair overdose.

Why choose natural hair products?

Well-formulated natural formulas regulate without stripping,soothe without greasing, and above all,avoid disrupting the hydrolipidic film.

Sulfates, silicones, quats, synthetic fragrances... are all agents that, in the medium term,disrupt sebum production and weaken the skin barrier.

A natural hair product should not just "wash" the hair: it should interact with the scalp, respect its rhythm, and support its regulation.

Madame d'Alexis skincare products are based on this philosophy: a return to the essentials, with formulas designed as skincare treatments.

What hair care routine should you adopt to regulate sebum production?

When the scalp produces too much sebum, it is tempting to wash your hair more often to restore a feeling of cleanliness. However, this approach, as intuitive as it may seem, has the opposite effect: it disrupts the skin's microbiome, weakens the hydrolipidic barrier, and maintains reactive hyperseborrhea.

To break this vicious cycle, it is important to establish aprecise, consistent hair care routine that is gentle on the scalp.

Example of Madame d'Alexis' routine for oily hair

Designed as a skincare routine for the scalp, Madame d'Alexis' method is based on three key steps:

• Once a week: gently exfoliate with Le Scrub
  This hair scrub, enriched with floral hydrosols and natural powders, removes impurities, unclogs follicles, and stimulates microcirculation without irritating. Its purifying action is targeted, not harsh.
• Two to three times a week: wash with Le Shampoing doux auxhydrolats
  This sulfate-free shampoo uses Damask rose, orange blossom, and chamomilehydrosols. It effectively cleanses while preserving the lipid balance. Its gentle pH and delicate lather make washing a treat, not an assault.
• For targeted care: apply the Night Serum to the scalp
  Apply a very small amount of this fluid, non-greasy serum directly to the scalp. Its formula, based on probiotics,cationic hyaluronic acid, and plant extracts, helps regulate sebum production and soothe invisible inflammation. It works overnight, when the skin naturally regenerates.

This routine, far from being restrictive, becomes a ritual. It allows the scalp to regain its balance and the hair to regain its lightness.

Role of sebum-regulating shampoo in maintaining fiber balance

Sebum-regulating shampoo plays an essential role, provided it is formulated with precision. It must be gentle enough not to cause excess sebum production, but active enough to thoroughly cleanse the roots.

At Madame d'Alexis, we believe that regulation should not be achieved through attack but through adjustment. Hence the importance of prioritizing:

• non-sulfated plant-based cleansing agents;
• soothing water-soluble active ingredients (chamomile hydrosol, zinc PCA, plant-based salicylic acid);
• A fluid texture that is easy to rinse off, leaving no occlusive residue.

What foods should be avoided to improve the condition of oily hair?

Diet is not a minor detail. It directly influences the quality of the scalp, sebum production, and even the speed at which the roots become greasy. Eating well also means taking good care of your hair.

The link between diet and scalp health

Certain foods promote excessive sebum secretion or silent inflammation of the scalp. Among the most common are:

• foods that are too fatty (fried foods, processed foods high in saturated fatty acids);
• sweet and refined foods, which cause insulin spikes linked to hyperstimulation of the sebaceous glands;
• ultra-processed foods, low in essential micronutrients.

Even a slight nutritional imbalance is quickly reflected in the quality of the scalp, sometimes even before it becomes visible on the skin.

Beneficial nutrients

Conversely, certain micronutrients play a valuable regulatory role. The following should be prioritized:

• B vitamins (particularly B6 and B8) to balance sebum production;
• zinc, which acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and limits the proliferation of certain bacteria that cause oily scalps;
• essential fatty acids (omega-3) to strengthen the lipid barrier without thickening it;
• Adequate hydration, which is often underestimated, allows cells to function without oxidative stress.

A healthy scalp starts with what you eat, continues in the shower, and is consolidated at night. Beautiful hair is a matter of consistency, precise actions, and intelligent formulas.

At Madame d'Alexis, we believe that elegance begins with the right care. And that a balanced scalp is the best foundation for hair that stays in place, day after day.

Answers to frequently asked questions about oily hair

When we talk about oily hair, questions often arise, almost automatically. This is no coincidence: this hair problem affects all generations and all hair types.

However, the answers sometimes lack nuance or accuracy. Here is aselection of frequently asked questions, addressed in detail and enriched with a dermatological, cosmetic, and sensory approach.

What causes greasy hair?

Oily hair is caused by an overproduction of sebum, secreted by the sebaceous glands located at the root of each hair follicle. This phenomenon is completely natural; sebum protects and moisturizes. What makes it problematic is when there is too much of it.

Several factors aggravate it:

• chronic stress, which disrupts hormone production;
• a diet too high in sugar and saturated fats;
• an unsuitable hair care routine, often too aggressive.

Why is my hair greasy when I just washed it?

This paradox is well known. You wash your hair, sometimes even twice in a row, and yet... a few hours later, your roots already look shiny. This is not because the shampoo is ineffective, but rather because of a reactionary hyperseborrhea. In other words, your scalp is under attack and is defending itself.

The most common causes of oily hair:

• a shampoo that is too harsh, rich in sulfates;
• incomplete rinsing, leaving residues;
• water that is too hot, which stimulates the sebaceous glands.

Why does my hair become greasy after just one day?

This situation often reflects an imbalance in the hydrolipidic film. It can be caused by:

• washing too frequently,
• the use of poorly formulated products,
• exposure to heat (straighteners, hair dryers).

This type of scalp enters a vicious cycle: the more you wash it, the oilier it becomes.

How can I prevent my hair from becoming so oily?

There is no miracle solution, but there is a sustainable strategy:

• Adopt a gentle, non-harsh routine;
• Gradually space out washes, day by day;
• Choose a suitable shampoo, free from sulfates and enriched with purifying hydrosols.
• Reduce sources of stress, a known factor in hyperseborrhea.

It is a profound rebalancing, not a supplementary treatment.

How can you remove grease from your hair without dry shampoo?

If you want to avoid dry shampoo—which can sometimes be irritating or drying—there are other options:

• Rinse with organic apple cider vinegar diluted in warm water.
• A gentle hair scrub, such as Alexis' Le Scrub Madame, to purify without damaging the hair.
• A green clay mask, applied only to the roots, once a week.

These actions detoxify without stripping the skin of its natural balance.

What is the best shampoo for oily hair?

A gentle shampoo, free from sulfates and silicones, with a plant-based cleansing base, is essential. The ideal product? One that purifies without stripping, lathers delicately, and respects the scalp's ecosystem.

At Madame d'Alexis, the Shampoo with floral hydrosols —Damask rose, chamomile, orange blossom—combines naturalness, effectiveness, and sensoriality, without ever creating imbalance.

Is it okay to leave your hair greasy?

Deliberately letting your hair become greasy is not the solution. But it is important not to give in to the temptation to wash it excessively.

Balanced sebum is beneficial. It protects and moisturizes. The key is to learn how to regulate it, not eliminate it. Sometimes, taking a day off from washing is healthier than washing too often.

Is it good to space out shampooing for oily hair?

Yes, it's essential. Spacing out shampooing is the only wayto help the scalp regulate itself. It's an adjustment period that can sometimes be uncomfortable, but it's necessary.

There are many benefits:

• gradual decrease in sebum production;
• improvement in scalp texture;
• lasting lightness of the roots.

It's a process of relearning. A way of restoring the intelligence of the scalp.