The right shampoos

If you’ve ever run your fingers through your hair and wondered if someone dumped the contents of a deep fryer on your head while you weren’t looking, you know the struggle of oily hair. You can see the clumps and shine that’s gone bad. You can feel the slick. It also means you’ve probably spent time in the haircare aisle agonizing over which shampoo for oily hair is going to help you tame the grease bomb currently residing on your noggin.

While combating the slick stuff might feel like a never-ending battle, there are actually a few easy moves you can make that will eliminate unwanted oil. So, don’t let the slippery stuff drag you down — check out these tips to make your hair bouncy and vibrant once more

Where Is All That Oil Coming From?

Your scalp! Hair follicles within your scalp secrete natural scalp oils called sebum. The oil is believed to be hair’s natural moisturizer. In theory that’s swell, but not everyone’s scalps are the same; some people produce too much sebum, which leads to that slick-and-stringy look.

You can blame biology for an oil overload — genetics play a big part in how slick your scalp gets. And, while every hair type can overproduce it, it’s usually most apparent on those with straighter and finer strands, as oil travels down the hair shaft faster than it would with thick, curly hair.

Clean Smarter, Not Harder

The solution to this problem is pretty easy: Wash your hair. But, it’s a bit more nuanced than that. People with oily hair mistakenly believe that using strong cleansers like clarifying shampoos are the only way to truly make their hair feel clean. Not so — when over-used, this type of shampoos can strip the hair of its natural oil and nutrients.

Instead look for cleansers that remove oils without disrupting the scalp’s natural balance. Pantene Pro-V Micellar Gentle Cleansing Water Shampoo uses gentle micelles — molecules that have a water-loving end and an oil-loving end. Meaning they can effectively “grab” the dirt and oil, which is then washed away when you rinse. They work immediately to remove the excess oil from the surface of scalp and hair while helping inner nutrients stay where they should be. No harsh scrubbing or scalp stripping required.

If you’re the type of person who absolutely has to wash your hair every day, this gentle wash is for you.

Don’t Be Afraid To Skip A Wash

Consider this: If you don’t wash your hair for three days, your hair can gain up to four percent of its own weight in scalp oils, product residue, and environmental pollution. Kind of makes you want to drop what you’re doing and jump in the shower. But, it doesn’t have to be that way — with the right ingredients, you can skip a wash and still have clean hair. It’s all about finding the ingredients that can provide a deeper, longer-lasting clean.

Activated charcoal, like that found in Pantene Pro-V Blends Charcoal Shampoo, is a natural detoxifier known for absorbing impurities in its tiny pores. The Pro-V shampoo with charcoal absorbs the dirt and build-up that can weigh hair down leaving hair feeling refreshed, not stripped. That detox action also makes your hair weightless, so you can get a bouncy, voluminous blowout that lasts. It’s the perfect pick for anyone who likes to go a few days between washes but doesn’t want to look like they’ve been skimping on the showers.

Another easy trick to keep your hair looking flawless is good ‘ol dry shampoo. While not as cleansing as a full wash, it’s a convenient option for when you’re on the go—or just can’t with a wash and style that day. Pantene’s Dry Shampoo uses tapioca to soak up oil and minimize shine. Spritz some on, brush through and head out the door knowing you look gooood.

Conditioner Is Key

Another common error is skipping conditioner. After all, your scalp is already drenched in oil — why would you want to add more heavy moisture to it? While that’s a fair point, it’s also not exactly true. Conditioner isn’t just about hydration; it’s about replenishing lost nutrients and keeping hair healthy and strong from the inside out. That, said, those with oily hair — and those with fine hair in general — should consider…

• Stay away from super-rich conditioners, like those that say “intense” or “deep conditioning”. Instead, look for lighter (yet equally nourishing) foam, gel, or milk textures that your hair can easily absorb. Pantene’s foam conditioners are a great option. They absorb on contact to nourish hair inside & out while leaving hair feeling clean to the touch.

• Avoid using conditioner on your scalp or too close to the roots. While you want to condition as high as you can to protect your hair from the heat and UV it sees along the full length, those with especially oily hair should leave space between the scalp and conditioned hair.

If you want hair that’s supple, soft and blissfully grease-free (spoiler alert: you do) then follow these easy tips and your oily strands will be ancient history.