Why Is My Scalp So Oily? 5 Common Causes and Solutions
An oily scalp can be more than just a cosmetic concern—it often affects both the health of your scalp and the overall appearance of your hair. Excess oil production can result in greasy strands, clogged hair follicles, dandruff, and, in some cases, even thinning hair, receding hairlines, and hair loss. Various factors may contribute to an oily scalp, ranging from internal causes such as hormonal issues to external influences like inappropriate hair care routines. Understanding what triggers your scalp’s oiliness is the first step towards restoring balance hand promoting healthier hair.
Let's explore five common causes of an oily scalp and offer effective, holistic solutions for each.
1. Overactive Sebaceous Glands
The sebaceous glands in your scalp are responsible for producing sebum, a natural oil that moisturises and protects the scalp. However, too much of a good thing can lead to issues like flat, greasy hair and clogged follicles and contribute to alopecia areata.
Why It Happens
Your scalp’s sebaceous glands are responsible for producing sebum, an oily substance that keeps your hair moisturised and protected. While sebum is essential for scalp health, problems arise when the glands become overactive and produce too much oil. This overproduction can leave hair looking greasy just hours after washing.
Common Triggers
Oily scalps and hair loss occur mainly because of genetics, harsh medical treatments, puberty, hormonal shifts, stress, skin diseases, and exposure to environmental pollutants. Due to hereditary factors, some people naturally have oilier skin, including on the scalp.
Effective Solutions
To manage an oily scalp caused by excessive oil production as a result of too much sebum, apply a gentle, ph-balanced shampoo to your hair regularly. Washing too frequently can strip the scalp of natural oils and paradoxically cause the glands to compensate by producing even more oil. Instead, aim to wash every two to three days, depending on your hair type.
Maintain a healthy diet rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins like A, B, and E, which are available as over-the-counter medications that help regulate sebum production and support overall scalp and hair health.
Furthermore, ensure you're staying hydrated and avoid stress triggers where possible, as these can worsen oil production. Creating a balanced hair care routine and tracking your scalp’s response to different products can make a big difference in managing oiliness.
2. Using the Wrong Hair Products
Sometimes, the products you use during your hair care routine, rather than natural oil production, are the root cause of oily scalp issues. From styling gels to conditioners, the ingredients you apply to your scalp and even heat styling tools can significantly impact its oil levels.
How Products Affect Scalp Oil
Heavy conditioners, thick hair oils, silicone-based styling gels, and leave-in products may be to blame for your greasy scalp. These products can build up on the scalp and hair shaft, creating a film that traps oil and dirt and also prevents new hair growth.
Identifying Product Buildup
Signs of product buildup include dull and dry hair, weighed-down strands, scalp itchiness, and a filmy residue after washing. If your scalp feels clean but your hair still appears oily, the culprit may be product-related.
How to Fix It
Switch to lightweight, non-comedogenic products that won’t clog your scalp’s pores. Look for labels like “clarifying”, “balance oil production”. Clarifying shampoos used once a week can help strip away buildup and refresh the scalp. However, don’t overuse them, as they can be drying. Always rinse hair thoroughly and avoid layering multiple styling products daily.
3. Hormonal Imbalances
Hormonal changes play a bigger role in your scalp’s oil production than you might think. Hormonal fluctuations can exacerbate an oily scalp, especially during life stages like puberty or pregnancy.
The Hormone-Oil Connection
Androgens are male hormones found in both men and women that can cause the scalp to produce too much oil. When these hormone levels go up, during puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or conditions like PCOS, the scalp may become oily due to increased sebum production along with androgenic alopecia.
When to Suspect a Hormonal Cause
If you experience other symptoms, such as acne, irregular periods, or hair growth cycles in combination with a persistently oily and itchy scalp, irregular hair fall, a family history of oily scalp, or hereditary hair loss, such as male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss, they can also cause scalp issues.
Supporting Hormonal Balance Naturally
A nutrient-rich diet can help regulate hormones. Include foods high in zinc, magnesium, and healthy fats, such as avocados, aloe vera, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and oily fish. Staying well-hydrated and getting enough sleep and living a healthy lifestyle also support the endocrine system. For ongoing concerns, it’s best to consult a healthcare provider.
Herbal Support Through TCM
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers scalp care solutions rooted in herbal therapy. Shampoos formulated with premium Chinese herbs are effective for rebalancing the scalp. Herbs like ginseng, He Shou Wu, and ginger may help reduce oil production and increase blood circulation while strengthening hair roots and enhancing scalp circulation.
4. Seborrheic Dermatitis and Its Connection to Stress
If your scalp is persistently oily and flaky, you could be dealing with more than excess sebum. Stress and certain skin conditions, particularly seborrheic dermatitis, often coexist and can disrupt the natural balance of your scalp.
What Is Seborrhoeic Dermatitis?
Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that commonly affects oil-rich areas such as the scalp, face, and chest. It presents as greasy, flaky patches, scalp irritation, and persistent dandruff. Contrary to popular belief, poor hygiene does not cause it, nor is it contagious.
What Triggers It
Stress, lack of sleep, harsh climates, medical conditions and an overgrowth of Malassezia—a naturally occurring yeast—can trigger or worsen seborrheic dermatitis. The scalp becomes more sensitive, producing more oil and leading to discomfort and visible flaking.
Stress and Scalp Health
When the body is under chronic stress, it can weaken the immune system, trigger inflammation, and increase sebum production. This scenario creates an ideal environment for conditions like seborrheic dermatitis to thrive.
Managing Seborrheic Dermatitis
Stress management plays a critical role in treatment. Incorporate relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and regular physical activity. Ensure consistent sleep routines and reduce intake of inflammatory foods.
Avoid harsh shampoos and styling tools that overheat the scalp. Instead, use gentle products with antifungal properties like tea tree oil or salicylic acid.
Professional Treatment Is Key
Seeking help from a scalp care centre with a long standing track record, like Beijing 101, can be transformative. With over 50 years of experience, Beijing 101 offers expert assessments and targeted scalp treatments that use natural, TCM-inspired solutions to relieve seborrheic dermatitis and restore scalp health.
These treatments address surface symptoms and aim to treat root imbalances in the body, leading to longer-lasting results.
5. Overwashing or Underwashing Hair
Unbelievably, the frequency of hair washing has a significant impact on the oiliness of your scalp. Overwashing and underwashing can both lead to scalp issues that result in greasy, unmanageable hair.
Finding the Right Balance
It’s a common misconception that oily hair needs to be washed daily. In reality, overwashing strips the scalp of its protective oils, causing sebaceous glands to go into overdrive. On the flip side, not washing often enough leads to oil, sweat, and product buildup.
Symptoms of Imbalance
If you have a tight and dry scalp shortly after a wash, but it becomes greasy again within a day, you may be washing too often. If hair feels heavy or limp, you might not be washing frequently enough.
Tips for a Balanced Routine
For most hair types, washing every 2–3 days with lukewarm water is ideal. Hot water stimulates oil production, while cold water may not clean effectively. Consider using a dry shampoo in between washes to absorb excess oil and refresh the scalp.
Be consistent with your washing schedule, and make adjustments based on your activity level and the weather. Try to avoid scratching or picking at the scalp, as these actions can trigger inflammation and additional oil production.
Understanding and Managing Oily Scalp
An oily scalp can result from various interconnected causes, from dead skin cells and product misuse to hormonal imbalances and stress-related skin conditions. How you wash your hair plays a crucial role in scalp exfoliation.
By using gentle yet effective hair care products, nourishing your body with the right nutrients, managing stress levels, avoiding harsh treatments and seeking professional guidance when needed, you can achieve long-lasting scalp balance and radiant, healthy hair.
Get Expert Scalp Care from Beijing 101
If you’re struggling with an oily, irritated, or unbalanced scalp, it may be time to consult a professional. Beijing 101 has helped thousands across Singapore restore their scalp health using time-honoured Traditional Chinese Medicine practices. With over 50 years of expertise in oily scalp treatments, our customised scalp analyses and holistic herbal treatments offer a personalised path to manage oiliness, reduce flakiness, rejuvenate hair, and promote a healthy scalp.
Visit Beijing 101 today and take the first step toward a healthier, balanced scalp - naturally.