Why do I have oily hair? The real causes, and what actually regulates it.

What you must remember

Oily hair isn't caused by washing: sebum production is regulated by androgens, not your shampoo. Spacing out shampoos doesn't regulate anything and actually clogs the scalp. What works: exfoliate the roots, wash with a pH-5 shampoo as often as needed, and only condition the lengths of your hair.

  • Sebum production is hormonal, not related to washing frequency.
  • Spacing out shampoos has never regulated an oily scalp
  • The glycemic index of food matters more than lipids.
  • Exfoliating the roots and washing at pH 5 is what really makes the difference.
Why is my hair oily? - MakeMyMask

Shiny roots from the flat hair the day after shampooing and dull, sometimes itchy: oily hair is one of the issues the most common capillaries, and one of the most poorly explained. We'll tell you probably said that your Washing the clothes perpetuated the problem. That's wrong, and that's precisely the reason. from which many do not escape never.

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Why your scalp produces too much sebum

Sebum production is regulated by androgens, particularly DHT, which directly stimulates the sebaceous glands. This is why an oily scalp often develops during adolescence and changes with pregnancy, a change in contraception, or hormonal fluctuations.

  • Androgen hormones determine the flow rate of your glands sebaceous
  • La The sensitivity of these glands is in largely hereditary
  • The hair Thin skin appears fat faster: the follicular density is higher and the sebum is distributed on a smaller surface


La phrase I hear the most consulted is "more "The more I wash them, the more they get greasy." It's wrong, and it's expensive: it encourages people to space out their washings during months while waiting for regulation which will never happen, with a leather hair that gets clogged and Meanwhile, he gets irritated.
Dr. Julie PernetDoctor of Pharmacy & Certified Trichologist

The myth of the vicious cycle of washing

Sebum accumulates on the surface of the scalp until pressure slows its flow. Shampooing removes this buildup, and secretion simply resumes its usual rate—hence the impression of accelerated production. No data shows that washing frequency alters the output of the sebaceous glands, which remains under hormonal control.

Signs of a seborrheic scalp

You are probably affected if you observe several of these signs:

  • Shiny roots less than twenty-four hours after washing
  • Hair that falls flat, sticks together, and loses all volume
  • Itching or redness at the root
  • Oily, yellowish dandruff that adheres to the scalp
  • An odor that returns quickly despite regular hygiene

Before
Before
After
After

Verified review

"My hair has regained its vitality, and I can now space out my shampoos to 4 days! Before, I had to wash it every 2 days because of itching related to excess sebum. My scalp is visibly healthier, and the results are conclusive."

Rachel D., a customer for 8 months

Discover the solution

The protocol for permanently regulating oily hair

Since sebum production is unavoidable, the goal is to manage what it produces. Exfoliate the scalp to remove thickened sebum and dead skin cells, wash as often as needed with a pH 5 shampoo that doesn't irritate the skin barrier, and reserve nourishing treatments for the lengths of the hair only.

Detox Protocol for Oily Hair

Global treatment that regulates excess sebum without stripping

€80,00€68,00

To remember

  • Sebum production is hormonal, not related to washing frequency.
  • Spacing out shampoos has never regulated an oily scalp
  • The glycemic index of food matters more than lipids.
  • Exfoliating the roots and washing at pH 5 is what really makes the difference.

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F.A.Q

Does washing your hair every day make it get greasy faster?
No. Sebum production depends on your hormones, not how often you wash your hair. What you see after shampooing is the sebum stored in the gland being released again. Wash as often as needed, with a mild shampoo at pH 5.
Should you space out your shampoos if you have oily hair?
This is the most common and least helpful advice. Letting excess sebum stagnate promotes irritation, itching, and oily dandruff. It's better to wash properly and regularly than to wait for regulation that won't happen.
Is dry shampoo a good solution?
As a one-off fix, yes: it absorbs surface sebum. Used for several days in a row instead of washing, it adds a layer of residue to an already oily scalp and worsens discomfort.
What diet is best for less oily hair?
Reducing high-glycemic-index foods—simple sugars, ultra-processed products—has a greater effect than eliminating fat. It is insulin and IGF-1 that stimulate the sebaceous glands, not dietary fats themselves.
Why do I have both oily hair and dandruff?
Because excess sebum feeds the Malassezia yeast, naturally present on the scalp. Its proliferation triggers an inflammatory reaction that produces oily dandruff. The two problems must be treated together, never separately.

Written by

Dr. Julie Pernet

Doctor of Pharmacy & Certified Trichologist. Doctor of Pharmacy and Trichologist, founder of the DermoPilaire MakeMyMask Laboratory. She develops skincare protocols focused on scalp health, based on microbiome science and pH balance.

Dr. Julie Pernet