You wash your hair in the morning and by the following evening your roots are already shiny. It is one of the questions we get asked most, and it is hardly ever down to washing "too much" or "too little". Here is what is happening at the roots and what you can change from your next wash.
Short answer: Roots get greasy quickly because sebum mixes with what builds up between washes: dry shampoo, hairspray, silicone and limescale from the water. Washing more often with a harsh shampoo does not fix it. What works is a deep cleanse twice a week, a weekly scalp scrub and conditioner only from mid-lengths to ends.
In short
- Roots get greasy because of sebum, but also because of what builds up between washes: dry shampoo, hairspray, silicone and limescale from the water.
- Washing more often with a harsh shampoo does not fix it: it dries out the lengths and the roots stay the same.
- What works is a deep cleanse twice a week, a scalp scrub once a week and conditioner only from mid-lengths to ends.
Why roots get greasy so quickly
Your scalp produces sebum every day. That is normal, and your scalp needs it. The problem starts when that sebum mixes with what gradually builds up at the roots: dry shampoo residue, heat protectant, hairspray, dead skin cells and limescale from tap water. That mix is heavy, flattens the hair and makes it look dirty much sooner.
That is why some people wash every day and still have greasy roots: an everyday shampoo cleans the surface, but it does not always remove what has been sticking, wash after wash.
Mistakes that make it worse
- Scrubbing with your nails. It irritates the skin and does not clean any better. Massage with your fingertips.
- Overusing dry shampoo. It is useful to stretch out a day, but used several days in a row it builds up at the roots.
- Putting conditioner on your roots. Conditioner goes from mid-lengths to ends.
- Very hot water. Lukewarm is better, especially for the final rinse.
A simple routine for greasy roots
- Once a week, exfoliate your scalp before shampooing. A scrub like MINT DETOX sweeps away sebum, dead skin cells and dry shampoo residue.
- Twice a week, a purifying shampoo. RESET WASH removes limescale, silicone and product residue without drying out the lengths.
- Conditioner on the lengths only. DAILY SOFT softens without weighing hair down.
- Between washes, if you need it, DRY SHAMPOO, our dry shampoo with no white residue, without using it many days in a row.
How often should I wash my hair?
There is no number that works for everyone. Wash it when it feels dirty. What does make a difference is how you wash it: two rounds of shampoo (the first lifts, the second cleans) and a deeper cleanse once or twice a week.
What if it also itches or gets irritated?
If your scalp itches, feels tight or turns red, use a gentle shampoo for everyday use, such as CALM WASH, our shampoo for sensitive scalps. If the discomfort lasts, or you notice flaking or sores, see a dermatologist: a cosmetic is no substitute for their advice.
Not sure where to start? Take the hair quiz and we will tell you which products suit your hair and in what order.
Sebum or build-up: how to tell which it is
Both feel the same to the touch, but they are not fixed the same way. This table helps you tell them apart:
| What you notice | More likely: sebum | More likely: build-up |
|---|---|---|
| When it appears | A few hours after washing | From the day you wash |
| How the roots feel | Shiny and slippery | Rough, heavy or dull-looking |
| You use dry shampoo or hairspray | Makes no difference | Almost always |
| Water where you live | Makes no difference | Hard: you see limescale on taps and the shower screen |
If you recognise yourself in the build-up column, changing your everyday shampoo is not enough: you need a deep cleanse that removes that residue, such as RESET WASH, and a weekly root scrub with MINT DETOX.
A typical week for greasy roots
| Day | What to do |
|---|---|
| Monday | Scrub on the roots over damp hair, with a one-minute massage. Purifying shampoo in two rounds. Conditioner only from mid-lengths to ends. |
| Thursday | Purifying shampoo in two rounds and conditioner from mid-lengths to ends. |
| Days in between | If your roots get greasy, dry shampoo from 20 cm, on the roots only, then brush. If you need to wash, use your usual shampoo. |
With RESET WASH, MINT DETOX and DAILY SOFT you have all three steps; together they make up the Purifying Ritual. For the days you do not wash, DRY SHAMPOO.
What to look for in a shampoo for greasy roots
- Gentle surfactants: no SLS or SLES, which strip grease but also dry out the lengths.
- No silicones: on the INCI list their names end in -cone or -siloxane (for example, dimethicone). At the roots they add weight.
- No heavy oils at the roots: oils go from mid-lengths to ends or before washing, never as the last step on the roots.
- Two rounds: the first lifts grease and product; the second is the one that really cleans.
Habits that help
- Rinse with lukewarm water; very hot water dries out the skin and the roots feel loaded sooner.
- Dry your roots first: trapped moisture makes them go flat sooner.
- Wash brushes and combs once a week: they collect sebum and product residue.
- Try not to touch your hair with your hands during the day.
- Use dry shampoo as an occasional help, not every day: its residue builds up too.
Sources and references
- Tips for healthy hair. American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Dermatologists’ guidance on how often to wash depending on the scalp and where to apply shampoo and conditioner.
- Hair Cosmetics: An Overview. M. F. R. Gavazzoni Dias, International Journal of Trichology (2015). Scientific review of surfactants, silicones, conditioners and protein hydrolysates in hair care.
Frequently asked questions
Does washing my hair every day make it greasier?
Washing every day does not create more sebum, but a harsh shampoo used daily dries out the lengths and leaves you with loaded roots and dry ends at the same time. If you need to wash every day, use a gentle shampoo and keep the deep cleanse for two days a week.
Does dry shampoo make hair greasy?
It does not make it greasy, but it leaves residue at the roots. If you use it several days in a row without a deep cleanse, your roots feel heavier. Use it between washes and remove it with a purifying shampoo.
How long before I notice a change?
The feel of your roots changes from the first wash with a deep cleanse. To know whether the routine works for your hair, stick with it for three or four weeks.
Is it suitable for colour-treated hair?
Yes. RESET WASH contains no SLS or SLES and is suitable for colour-treated hair. For the first two weeks after colouring, space the deep cleanse out to once a week.
All the details on every product (who it’s for, how to use it, size, price, ECOCERT and whether it’s vegan) are in Nitiel in numbers.