10 Causes of Greasy Morning Hair (With Solutions) (2023)

Experts consulted: multiple beauty and health professionals – whilst I have written this article myself, the content and advice comes from several of our staff who are beauty professionals and also doctors who advised on the medical causes of oily hair.

If you’re constantly waking up with oily, greasy hair in the morning, then you might be wondering why this is the case.

This can be especially confusing if you’re washing your hair a lot and trying to get rid of the oil just before bed, only for you to spontaneously wake up with greasy hair.

So here’s the answer:

The main reason why your hair is greasy specifically in the morning is due to excess sebum production from your scalp which can be triggered by washing your hair excessively, exposing your scalp to friction (such as being restless at night), and sleeping on dirty pillow cases and bedding.

In addition to there being several causes of excess sebum production on your scalp, there are also several other reasons why your hair is greasy – which I have addressed below and provided solutions for.

Related article: find out if Moroccanoil products can make your hair greasy here.

10 Reasons Why Your Hair is Oily in the Morning

The fundamental cause of greasy hair is due a build-up of sebum on your scalp which then travels down into your hair.

As explained in the video above, sebum is an oily substance that is secreted by your skin in order to protect and moisturize it – too much sebum production can cause acne in addition to oily hair.

Below, I have revealed the top ten causes of greasy morning hair, some of which are related to excess sebum production, whilst others are not.

1: Hormonal Changes

Greasy hair that’s caused by too much sebum production is typically caused by hormonal changes.

This explains why you’ll typically get greasy hair (and oily skin) when you’re a teenager, under stress, going through the menopause, being pregnant, or on birth control medication (source).

More specifically, anything that causes fluctuations in testosterone, DHEA, estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol can potentially lead to oily skin and acne.

For example, an increase in testosterone during puberty can cause increased sebum production and a widening of the pores on your skin, which results in the sebum being released from your scalp and traveling down the strands of your hair – thus making it oily and greasy.

Increases in certain hormones can also make curly hair turn straight, in some individuals.

If you have curly hair, then you’ll often find that your scalp is greasy because the sebum can’t travel down the strands of your hair as easily (which can cause frizzy hair due to the hair drying out) and the oil instead builds up on your scalp.

Click here to find out how Moroccanoil products can help your curly hair.

2: Medications

Certain medications can affect your hormones which leads to increased sebum production and thus cause your hair and skin to become greasy.

If you’re taking medications that naturally or artificially increase testosterone in your body, then this can lead to increased sebum on your scalp and skin.

Progesterone is used in hormone replacement therapy for women, and may potentially increase sebum production (source).

3: Underlying Health Conditions

Another cause of excessive sebum production is the presence of an underlying medical condition.

Conditions that may cause excess sebum production include Parkinson’s disease and conditions that affect the organs that produce hormones.

4: A Diet High in Refined Carbohydrates

Foods that are classified as refined carbohydrates – such as white bread, white rice, pasta, and sugary cereals – along with foods that are high in sugar, can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar which in turn can increase androgen hormones and IGF-1 which can cause an increase in sebum production and thus greasy hair and oily skin.

This is why those who have acne are encouraged to follow a diet that’s low in refined carbohydrates and sugar in order to avoid such spikes and stabilize their hormones.

5: Product Build-Up

A common cause of greasy hair is the build-up of products on your scalp.

For example, if you use hair products that are heavy they can be difficult to get out of your hair entirely.

Not washing out shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, and other products can prevent the natural oils from being reabsorbed which makes your hair look greasier – this is often a problem if the product contains silicone because this substance forms a coating around your hair.

6: Over Washing

Washing your hair too much can make it oily because it strips your hair of its natural oils, which causes more sebum to be produced.

This can lead to the overproduction of sebum, which may make you wash your hair more, which leads to even more oil production – thus propagating the cycle.

7: Hair Type

The type of hair that you have can contribute to it being greasy.

For example, very straight, fine hair often gets greasy because the sebum can travel down the strands very easily.

Conversely, curly hair doesn’t allow the oils to move as easily, but on the contrary, this can lead to frizzing due to the hair drying out.

8: Headwear

Frequently wearing headgear – especially if it’s tight-fitting like a beanie – can make your hair greasy because it traps the sebum in your hair and scalp.

Tight-fitting headwear will often force the oil into your scalp, whilst paradoxically making the ends look drier – which can really make your hair look a mess.

9: Dirty Pillowcases and Bedding

Pillowcases can absorb oils and dirt from your hair very easily.

If you don’t wash them regularly, this build-up will end up back in your scalp, clogging it with oil and dirt.

Using dirty brushes and combs will have the same effect.

10: Over-Stimulating Your Hair

Touching or playing with your hair can encourage it to produce more sebum.

Things like massaging your scalp, brushing for too long, or tossing around a lot at night can cause this build-up of protective oils.

Even washing your hair in water that is too hot, can overstimulate it, making it feel itchy, and encouraging sebum production.

How to Fix Greasy Morning Hair

The video above discusses some solutions for fixing flat, greasy hair.

Below, I’ve provided solutions that focus more on fixing the greasy aspect, especially if it’s occurring in the morning.

1: See Your Doctor

If you have just suddenly started getting greasy hair, then you should go and see your doctor in order to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

If you have recently started taking medication then they may be able to tell you if your greasy hair and scalp are a side effect and they may alter the dose or provide you with an alternative medication.

2: Wash Your Hair Less

If you’re currently washing your hair every day, then you may be stripping your hair of oils and so your body is producing more sebum to overcompensate.

So whilst it may seem counterintuitive, washing your hair three times per week may actually help to reduce your oily hair by stabilizing your sebum production.

3: Turn Down the Water Temperature

Washing your hair with very hot water can cause your scalp to dry out and thus produce more sebum that leads to oily hair.

And whilst there’s no need to go as far as washing your hair in cold water, dropping the temperature down a bit so that the water is still warm is better than using really hot water on your hair.

4: Change Your Bedding and Pillowcase

Making sure that you’re washing your pillowcases and bedding each week can help to stop your hair from becoming greasy due to oils being put back into your hair at night.

If you want to go the extra mile, consider swapping to a silk pillowcase.

Silk is far less absorbent than the more common cotton pillowcase, and reduces the friction on your hair, which can produce sebum.

5: Eat Less Refined Carbohydrates

Because eating too many refined carbohydrates can lead to increased sebum production via insulin spikes, you should aim to reduce your consumption of foods like white bread, bagels, waffles, pastries, pizza, and food with high sugar content (see more examples here).

Instead, get your carbs from more complex sources like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Consuming essential fatty acids from sources like fresh fish, nuts, and seeds – along with consumption of vitamins like zinc and B6 can help to keep your skin healthy and control sebum production.

6: Try Quick Fixes for a Morning Emergency

The best course of action to fix greasy hair is to fix the underlying causes, such as hormonal issues and poor washing habits – as already discussed.

However, if you’re just looking for a quick fix in the morning then you can use dry shampoo to soak up the grease in your hair.

If you don’t like the way dry shampoo makes your hair look, I recommend finding a tinted version, which matches your hair color – this allows for a flawless, unnoticeable finish.

Just make sure you wash out dry shampoo thoroughly, to prevent build-up on the scalp.

If you prefer not to use dry shampoo, corn starch or baby powder are great alternatives.

Both can dry out your hair quickly, though, so be sure to only use a tiny amount of either, and apply it only to the roots of your hair, close to your scalp.

If you’re needing something in a pinch, oil-absorbing sheets meant for removing oil from your face can be used on your scalp also.

Dab around the roots of your hair to try and pick up as much excess oil as you can.

Summary

If you have suddenly started getting greasy hair, then you need to see your doctor first and foremost to rule out any underlying conditions and find out if hormonal changes or a poor diet are to blame.

If not, then it could be your washing habits that are causing the problem.

Washing too often and/or at too high a temperature are common causes of greasy hair, usually because as the grease builds up, the more people wash their hair more vigorously – which makes the problem worse.

Up next: find out if hair gel contributes to hair loss here.

Image Attribution and Licensing

Main image: ‘Woman Posing Against a Blue Background’ by PeopleImages.com – Yuri A. Licensed via Shutterstock.