An oily scalp in hot weather is common. Wash regularly with a mild shampoo, massage gently and rinse well, dry the roots, and avoid heavy oils and very hot water. If oiliness comes with redness, flakes or itch that do not settle, get it checked.
Why it happens
Heat and sweat mix with natural scalp oil. A study on washing frequency found that more frequent washing did not harm the scalp for most people and was often preferred.
Routine
Wash daily or every other day, use fingertips, rinse thoroughly and blow-dry roots on a cool setting.
Questions
Will washing often make it oilier?
Research does not support this for most people.
Should I use hair oil?
Keep oils to the ends, not the scalp, if your scalp is oily.
Studies mentioned
These studies looked at ingredients or general approaches. None of them tested our treatments or products, so they are background, not proof.
- Hay RJ (2011). Malassezia, dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis: an overview. Br J Dermatol 165 Suppl 2:2-8.Review. Malassezia yeasts are associated with dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis; both respond to treatments that inhibit these yeasts.PubMed 21919896doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10570.x
- Punyani S et al. (2021). The Impact of Shampoo Wash Frequency on Scalp and Hair Conditions. Skin Appendage Disord 7(3):183-193.Epidemiological + controlled wash-frequency study (Asian populations). Among Asian participants, washing 5–6 times a week gave the best overall scalp and hair satisfaction, and daily washing outperformed weekly washing with no detrimental effects.PubMed 34055906doi:10.1159/000512786