Oily hair and conditioner are not a great match. They share a bit of a damned if you do and damned if you don't story. If you don't find an effective conditioner for your oily hair, it can get worse.

When you wash it too often, the hair responds by producing more sebum. More sebum can cause dandruff, and you end up with not one but several issues at once.

So now when you listen to people with dry hair complaining about using half a bottle of their favourite conditioner after every shampoo, you have your own sob story to share!

The Big 3 Factors for Choosing a Conditioner for Oily Hair

The three most important factors for choosing the ideal conditioner to fight grease are to watch for the ingredients, pay attention to the shampoo you use beforehand, and avoid causing an itchy scalp and dandruff.

Conditioner Ingredients for Oily Scalp

Frequent shampooing causes a dry scalp which then fights back with more sebum. It may sound counterintuitive but reviving your greasy hair with essential oils is recommended.

Here are some of the best essential oils and nourishing ingredients you should look for on your hair products for oily or greasy hair:

• Sebum-busting oils such as rosemary, basil, and lemon. These oils have light antibacterial and cleansing properties. And they smell divine, too!
• Jojoba oil. The shrub jojoba when applied to the hair, unclogs hair follicles and leaves the scalp receptive to haircare product benefits.
• Peach kernel oil. Sensitive and mature oily skin can benefit from a light massage with peach kernel oil you can do before you wash it with shampoo for oily hair.
• Argan oil. Argan oil conditioner is a beloved product for every hair type. If you want to make a low-risk decision for your hair routine, go for argan oil haircare.
• Ginger oil. From time to time, supplement the conditioning with an intensive scalp treatment that contains ginger oil. It may help with reducing any seborrheic issues, too.
• Pro-Vitamin B5. This essential vitamin is necessary for hair health.
• Peppermint oil. Menthol-based conditioners improve microcirculation and deep-cleanse the scalp, leaving a feeling of freshness.

Oily hair usually lacks volume, so make sure your shampoo label has the extra-volume mark. Still, it is much better if you skip washes or reduce them to twice a week by using dry shampoo for volume. Oily hair requires a gentle formula. Therefore, always look for a sulphate-free conditioner.

Should I Get Both Shampoo and Conditioner for Oily Hair?

The short answer to this typical oily hair issue is - yes. However, the longer elaboration requires looking into other hair issues you may have, your lifestyle, and how much time you are willing to spend on your hair. Provided you look for a simplistic solution to gain a full list of hair benefits, you can use the same product, especially if you are a daily shampoo gal-guy.

Men's scalps tend to be greasier and need a good scrub. Therefore, start your hair routine with something like Vitaman oil control shampoo. 

Best Conditioner for Oily Hair and Dandruff

Dandruff control requires persistence and a good choice of products. There are many reasons to get dandruff, but having an oily scalp is one of the worst. Greasy dandruff is often a symptom of seborrheic dermatitis, which is a medical condition.

Seborrheic dermatitis causes your sebaceous glands to produce too much sebum around the hair follicles. Although not too serious, if left untreated, greasy dandruff can cause white and yellow flakes that remain in your hair and stick to your clothes when brushing. 

DIY Home Treatments for Oily Hair

DIY home treatments with baking soda, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar can help. However, it is important to follow your doctor's advice and use the hair products prescribed by them.

After you complete anything recommended by a medical professional (or in parallel), it is important to stick to a good anti-dandruff routine:

1. Gently massage your hair with an anti-dandruff lotion pre-wash - do not rinse.
2. Apply a liquid balm pre-shampoo to prep your hair or better product absorption.
3. Wash with a dandruff prevention shampoo. Apply to wet hair and massage well to boost circulation.
4. Avoid harsh shampoos if you have coloured hair, go for a balanced treatment.
5. Apply anti-dandruff conditioner to washed hair, leave it for several minutes, and wash away.
6. Use a purifying conditioner if your dandruff issue is deep-rooted. This step is vital if you are struggling with an oily, itchy scalp and dandruff flakes for a long time and nothing else has helped.
7. Tone your hair twice per day to maintain pH balance. Do not wash, this is a leave-in treatment.

A painstaking routine can be hard to follow for a long time. But you can dedicate yourself to it for at least two weeks to see the first results. After two months, the results will be obvious not only to you but to the people around you who will complement your shiny, dandruff-free silky locks. 

An important tip about heat stylers

Heat application on your hair causes water to evaporate and leave your roots dry and flaky. In time, the condition can worsen and become noticeable. Also, hot weather is not a good friend for oily hair. Even if you use a top-rated conditioner for oily hair, you can ruin the effects if you reach out for the straightener on a daily basis. Restrict the use of hot tools in the summertime, don't shower with hot water, and let dry shampoo become your best friend more often than not. 

Hormonal changes

Hormones can also be cause of an oily scalp. On bad hair days due to hormones, you can adjust your routine without hating your hair and blaming your conditioner. Just wait a few days and your hair will restore vitality and reward you for being patient.