How To Make Baking Soda Shampoo For Less Greasy and Oily Hair

Do you find your hair gets oily way too fast? A day or two after washing it is back to looking unwashed and dirty? Well you, my friend, probably have oily hair. Today, I would like to share my top 10 natural solutions that will help you keep the grease away.

Ever since I was a little girl, I considered hair an important part of my life. It reflected femininity, beauty, health and patience, but as I grew older, my hair started to become heavy looking and unmanageable. Due to all the oils, it would clump together in an unattractive gel like hair do.

I tried every product out there, starting from Dove and working my way up to something as expensive as Alterna Caviar. Anyways, after a lot of money had been invested, I realized that I could achieve the same results with these easy, natural home remedies.

What is the Cause of Oily Hair?

Before we go any further, I would like to say that oily hair is not considered an illness. On the contrary, oils are a natural discharge of the scalp that helps preserve healthy hair. However, if your hair gets oily within two days after washing, you might have a problem. This means that instead of producing enough oil to moisturize and keep your hair healthy, your scalp is producing excess amounts. This might be happening for reasons such as hormonal changes, excessive stress, heredity, or poor hair care.

Excess oil production can even happen because you might be consuming too many oily foods! Oil production is clearly linked to your scalp, and an overproduction of oil indicates that your pH level is imbalanced. It is very important to keep your scalp clean. That doesn’t necessarily mean you need to shampoo your hair every day because chemicals in some shampoos can further aggravate the problem. So, let me be your guide into the world of natural home remedies that will keep your hair oil free and healthy.

What Shampoo for Oily Hair Should You Use?

When you are choosing a shampoo for oily hair, you should always get something natural and organic. Your shampoo should be specially made for oily hair, which would be clearly stated on the label. It is a must that you choose a water-based formula! Because oily hair tends to have a lot of residue of its own, make sure your shampoo’s first ingredient is water and that it is clear in color. Avoid like a plague any shampoos that are oil base!

What Conditioner Should You Use?

The conditioner is an important part of healthy hair routine! However, you don’t want over do it. So when you are choosing your conditioner, make sure it is light. Try to avoid conditioners that are based on heavy oils such as macadamia nut oil, unless it is specifically made for oily hair.

Proper Conditioning Technique!

If you have oily hair, never, ever, apply conditioner to your scalp (unless you have a scalp problem, but then you really shouldn’t have oily hair)! I cannot stress this enough! If you apply conditioner to scalp with potential for oil overproduction, you are going to end up with double oily hair! Instead, apply your conditioner mid-shaft down to your roots.

Don’t Forget to Rinse!

Every time you wash your hair make sure you rinse it with cold water. Cold water will seal hair cuticles and scalp pores, which will result in less oil production.

Best Natural Hair Treatments for Oily Hair

Apple Cider Vinegar

A lot of the time, if you have oily hair, your scalp’s pH level is out of wack as well. Apple cider vinegar can effectively remedy oily hair by balancing the pH level of the scalp. Apple cider vinegar also has properties that will make your hair shiny and soft!

1. Add two to three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to one cup of water.
2. After you wash your hair with a mild shampoo, rinse with this solution.
3. Wait a couple of minutes and then proceed to wash it off with cold water.

Lemon Juice

Much like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice with its acidic properties helps to balance out the pH levels of the scalp. Lemon juice also has added vitamins and minerals which promote healthy hair.

Squeeze two lemons into two cups of distilled water.
Add three teaspoons of honey to make this mixture thicker (optional).

Massage the mixture into your hair and scalp for a couple of minutes.
Let it sit for about five minutes and then rinse it off.

Black Tea

This method works because of an astringent that is known as tannic acid, which can be found in black tea. Tannic acid helps prevent oil build up by tightening the pores on your scalp. Keep in mind; this option is not a good idea if you are blonde because black tea can stain!

1. Boil two tablespoons of black tea in one cup of water for 10 minutes.
2. Strain the tea and allow it to cool.
3. Before shampooing, apply this solution to dry hair.
4. Let it sit for about five minutes and then wash your hair with appropriate shampoo.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera will control oil secretion by detoxifying your scalp and nourishing its roots. With all the vitamins, minerals and enzymes, aloe vera will keep your hair looking and feeling healthy from the roots to the tips.

Combine one teaspoon of aloe vera gel with one tablespoon of lemon juice.
Mix this solution into one cup of shampoo.
When you wash your hair, make sure you leave this mixture on for at least two minutes.

Baking Soda

Did you know that the dry shampoo that you just bought consists of baking soda? Because baking soda has high oil absorption qualities, it is an effective way to keep your oils at bay. Baking soda also helps to balance your scalp with its natural alkaline levels.

Dissolve one part baking soda in three parts water to create a paste.
Apply to damp hair and let it sit for a couple of minutes.

Rinse with water.

Note: If you are in a rush and can’t wash your hair, apply baking soda straight to the roots of your hair as a dry shampoo!

Fuller’s Earth

For those of you who haven’t heard of this ingredient, Fuller’s earth is a type of clay that contains various minerals, which balance out your pH level and improve blood circulation. Bonus points: improved blood circulations means your hair will grow faster!

To make a thick paste, add just a little amount of water to three tablespoons of fuller’s earth.
Apply and let the solution sit on your hair and scalp for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Rinse off with water.

Egg Mask

Egg whites battle oily hair while egg yolks strengthen your hair with protein!

Whisk one-half cup of egg whites and apply to damp hair.
Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes and wash off with shampoo.

Beat two egg yolks and mix them with two tablespoons of lemon juice. Apply to damp hair.
Leave on for about five minutes and wash off with shampoo.

Tomatoes

Because tomatoes have acidic properties, they naturally help balance out your pH level and in turn, reduce oil secretion.

Combine juices from one ripe tomato with one teaspoon of fuller’s earth.
Apply to your scalp and hair.

Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave on for about 30 minutes.
Rinse off with cold water.

Vodka

This one is interesting, don’t you think? Well, vodka is actually an ideal hair tonic that will maintain the balanced pH level and will close your pores.

Using one cup of vodka, mix it with two cups of water.
After shampooing your hair rinse it with this mixture.
Leave it on for five to ten minutes.

Rinse with water.

Banana and Honey

This one is a little different. Instead of focusing on balancing pH level, this remedy focusses on proper conditioning that will battle excess oil production.

Blend one banana in a blender.
For every four tablespoons of banana paste, add one tablespoon of honey.
Apply to your hair and scalp and allow this conditioner to absorb for about 20 minutes.

Wash off with water.

Here are some extra tips for you:

Try not to run your hand through your hair.
Distribute natural oils by brushing your hair with a natural boar brush.

Don’t forget to use a clarifying shampoo once a month.
Eat foods high in vitamin A, omega 3 fatty acids, and proteins.

I am a firm believer that washing less actually helps to control oil production. I know you will find other sites that state otherwise, but through professional (I have worked in the hair industry for seven years!) and personal experience, I have learned that if your scalp is constantly being stripped of oils, it will react with a forceful replacement of those oils. This will only result in unnecessary oil production.

But honestly, it does not matter what science is behind it all, everyone is different. What works for me, might not work for you. So go ahead and try these out! One of these home remedies ought to work for you!

Here are a few more remedies for your hair: