How to Get Oil Out of Hair

Co-authored by Kelsey Morey

Last Updated: February 12, 2022 References

Adding oils to your hair routine is great for making your hair shinier, moisturizing your scalp, and improving hair growth. But after applying the oil, it can be tough to remove. Usually, you can remove oil from your hair by just shampooing and conditioning your hair as normal, but using a clarifying shampoo can be even more effective. There are also quite a few home remedies you can try including washing your hair with apple cider vinegar, baking soda, aloe vera, or even using eggs to clean your hair.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Shampoo and Conditioner Products

1
Shampoo your hair several times.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Kelsey Morey
Professional Hair and Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 11 January 2022.} Use your regular shampoo to wash your hair in the shower. Really work the shampoo into your scalp using your fingers and rinse it out thoroughly with lukewarm water. Repeat the process one or two more times, as needed.
- After you finish shampooing, add some conditioner to your hair and let it sit for 5 minutes before rinsing out.
2
Use a clarifying shampoo if regular shampoo doesn’t work. Clarifying shampoos are made to give your hair an extra deep cleansing – removing all the gunk and buildup that can cling to your hair over time that regular shampoos often aren’t able to remove. These kinds of shampoos are used in just the same way as regular shampoo. Simply apply the clarifying shampoo to your damp hair, massage it into your scalp and down the rest of your locks, then rinse it out completely.^{[2]
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- Be sure to apply a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to your hair after using the clarifying shampoo as clarifying shampoo can remove many of the natural vitamins and minerals from your hair and dry it out. Using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner on your hair will help to replenish these minerals that have been stripped away.
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3
Try dry shampoo to soak up some of the excess oil. Before using the dry shampoo, run a clean, dry towel down the length of your hair. Rub the hair lightly, beginning at the roots, then working your way down to the tips. This will help soak up some of the oils on the surface. Then apply a dry shampoo powder to your hair. Spray some dry shampoo on your hair and work it into your scalp.^{[3]
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- You might want to use a boar bristle brush to help distribute the oil buildup.
- If your hair is still quite oily, try adding some baby powder on top of the dry shampoo. Work it into your scalp until the white has fully disappeared.
4
Use a bit of dishwasher detergent for oil that won’t come out. Dishwashing detergent is very good at removing gunk and grime from dishes – and it can work for your hair too! Just apply 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of dishwasher detergent to your hair and massage it into your scalp. Work it through the length of your hair. Rinse your hair thoroughly to make sure all of the detergent is removed, as it can be quite damaging to your hair if it is left in for too long.^{[4]
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- Use a dishwasher detergent that is made for sensitive skin, as this type will be easier on your hair.
- Remember to shampoo and condition your hair after you rinse out the dishwasher detergent. This will help add some of the nutrients back to your hair that were stripped out during washing.
5
Use your regular conditioner after shampooing. Once you have finished shampooing your hair in the shower, you should condition your hair as normal. Massage the conditioner into your scalp with your fingers and work it through to the ends of your hair.^{[5]
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- Let the conditioner sit in your hair for a few minutes before rinsing it thoroughly with warm water.
6
Use leave-in conditioner. Apply leave-in conditioner to wet hair after you have washed it thoroughly in the shower to help remove the last of that hard-to-get-out oil. You can simply apply it to your hair and go, without worrying about rinsing it out or removing it.
- Leave-in conditioners can come in the form of sprays or creams.
- You can use leave-in conditioner in addition to regular conditioner if you’re having a hard time getting the oil out of your hair.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Home Remedies

1
Make a paste out of baking soda. Pour some baking soda in your hand and add a bit of water until it turns into a paste. Apply the baking soda paste to all of your hair – from the roots to the tips. Leave it in for 15-20 minutes, then rinse it out with warm water.^{[6]
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- You may need to continue making the baking soda paste to ensure that you can cover your entire head of hair.
2
Rinse with apple cider vinegar. Mix equal amounts of water and apple cider vinegar, then apply the solution to your hair using a spray bottle. Massage it into your scalp, cover your hair with a shower cap, and leave the vinegar in for 15 minutes. Rinse the solution out with warm water and then condition your hair to replenish its moisture get rid of the vinegar smell.^{[7]
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- Alternatively, you can use regular white vinegar to rinse your hair.
3
Use aloe vera. Aloe vera contains many minerals and enzymes that can help remove oil from your hair. You can just apply the aloe vera gel directly to your hair and let it sit for 15 minutes. After the allotted time, rinse your hair with lukewarm water.
- Alternatively, you can add 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel to 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of your regular shampoo and mix in 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Swirl the ingredients together until they are thoroughly mixed, then apply it to your hair and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing it.
4
Rinse your hair with rosemary and mint. Pour two cups of water into a pot and turn the stove temperature to high heat. As the water heats up, add 1 2-inch rosemary sprig and 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) of mint leaves to the water. Let the water boil with the leaves in for several minutes. Squeeze the juice from one lemon into the mixture and let it cool down.^{[8]
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- Once the water is cool enough to touch, use it to rinse the oil out of your hair. Massage it into your scalp and let it sit for several minutes before rinsing it out with lukewarm water.
5
Make an egg wash solution. Crack one raw egg and dump the contents into a bowl. Beat the egg (as if you were making scrambled eggs) so that the egg yolk and the egg white mix completely together. Add 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of cool water and stir the mixture. Work the egg mixture into your scalp with your fingers.
- Let the mixture sit on your hair for 5-10 minutes before rinsing with cool water.
- Additionally, consider massaging about 1 teaspoon of castile soap into your scalp. Don’t worry about working it all the way out to the tips of your hair. Rinse it out with lukewarm water as well.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you wash out an oil treatment?

Kelsey Morey
Professional Hair and Makeup Artist
Kelsey Morey is a Professional Hair and Makeup Artist, Model and the Owner and Founder of Haus of Pretty based in Westport, Connecticut. With more than ten years of experience, she specializes in balayage, hair care, color care, and photoshoot styling. Kelsey received her training from Brio Academy of Cosmetology and John Casablancas Modeling and Career Center. She also completed her apprenticeship with Warren Tricomi luxury salons.

Kelsey Morey

Professional Hair and Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

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Before rinsing with water, fully emulsify your hair with a double portion of shampoo. Then, rinse off the first shampoo treatment and re-lather a quarter's worth of shampoo back into your hair. Rinse this out as well—the shampoo attaches to the oil molecules, which are fully rinsed away by the water.
Question

Is it better to use sulfate-free shampoo?

Kelsey Morey
Professional Hair and Makeup Artist
Kelsey Morey is a Professional Hair and Makeup Artist, Model and the Owner and Founder of Haus of Pretty based in Westport, Connecticut. With more than ten years of experience, she specializes in balayage, hair care, color care, and photoshoot styling. Kelsey received her training from Brio Academy of Cosmetology and John Casablancas Modeling and Career Center. She also completed her apprenticeship with Warren Tricomi luxury salons.

Kelsey Morey

Professional Hair and Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

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That's definitely the safer option for this! Sulfate shampoo will still get the job done, though.
Question

Can you leave olive oil in your hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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You can leave olive oil in overnight as a treatment, but you shouldn't leave it in during the day. It is too heavy to be used as a styling oil.