Hair10 min
Home remedies for oily scalp: multani mitti, a shikakai wash and smarter oiling
If your hair looks flat and greasy by evening even after a morning wash, these home remedies for oily scalp can help. A cooling multani mitti pack, a gentle shikakai–reetha wash and a lighter approach to oiling absorb excess sebum without stripping the scalp.
Home remedies for oily scalp and why the scalp gets greasy
Sebum protects the hair, but hormones, heat, humidity, stress and genetics can push the glands into overdrive. Scrubbing hard and washing with harsh shampoos twice a day often backfires — the scalp responds by producing even more oil.
Ayurveda describes an oily, heavy scalp prone to sticky dandruff as a kapha pattern, often with some pitta heat. Drying, cleansing herbs like shikakai, reetha and neem and clays like multani mitti balance it, along with lighter, less oily food.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons multani mitti (fuller's earth)
- Rose water or plain water to mix
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice or 2 tablespoons curd (optional)
- Shikakai and reetha powder, or a mild herbal shampoo
How to prepare
- Mix multani mitti with rose water into a smooth, yogurt-like paste; add lemon or curd if you wish.
- For the wash, soak 1 tablespoon each of shikakai and reetha powder in 2 cups of warm water for an hour, then strain.
How to use
- Apply the multani mitti paste to the scalp, leave for 15 minutes (don't let it dry completely) and rinse well. Once a week.
- Use the shikakai–reetha liquid in place of shampoo two or three times a week, massaging gently with fingertips.
- If you oil, apply a little only to the lengths, or oil the scalp for 30 minutes before washing — not overnight.
Helpful habits
- Wash pillowcases, combs and caps often.
- Avoid touching or running fingers through your hair constantly.
- Cut down on fried food and sugary snacks and drink plenty of water.
Precautions
- Keep shikakai and reetha out of the eyes — they sting.
- Skip lemon if the scalp is scratched or sensitive; clay can be drying for the lengths, so keep it on the scalp.
- See a doctor if oiliness comes with red, scaly, itchy patches, sudden acne, irregular periods or excess facial hair — these may point to seborrhoeic dermatitis or hormonal conditions like PCOS.
Frequently asked questions
How can I stop my scalp from getting oily so fast?
- Wash every one to two days with a mild cleanser, avoid heavy overnight oiling, keep combs clean and use a weekly clay pack. Over-washing with harsh shampoo can make it worse.
Is multani mitti good for an oily scalp?
- Yes, it absorbs excess oil and leaves the scalp feeling fresh. Rinse it before it dries completely and use it once a week.
Should people with an oily scalp oil their hair?
- A short pre-wash oiling or oiling only the lengths is fine. Leaving heavy oil on an oily scalp for long can clog follicles and worsen dandruff.
