Our hair-washing habits are as individual as we are. Some people will shampoo and condition every day; others can go five, six or seven days without needing to.

The reason it differs so much from person to person is down to different hair types and the amount of oil your scalp produces. If you’re someone who can usually stretch a good few days between washes but have noticed that your hair is getting greasier more quickly, then it could be down to a change in weather combined with the humidity levels in your home.

“Hair becoming oilier during the winter can be caused by a few different factors,” says Angela Onuoha, certified trichologist and expert at Hair Proud. “The first is having the central heating on, which can reduce indoor humidity levels and leads to drier air. When this happens, your scalp produces more sebum to compensate for the drier environment, resulting in more oily hair.”

Another cause comes thanks to the cold, dry hair that we experience in the winter months, which can also cause the scalp to produce more sebum. “People may use hotter water than usual to wash their hair, and that can strip the scalp of its natural oils which causes it to produce more to compensate,” explains Onuoha. 

It’s also worth noting that seasonal stress can cause greasier hair, too. “It’s the time of year that stress levels are high, and in turn that increases the levels of cortisol in the body. As a result, oil production once again increases, creating an oilier environment for both the hair and scalp,” she says.

So what’s the solution? Interestingly, Onuoha advises against washing your hair more regularly because it’s counter-effective. “It might seem like a natural response, but washing hair more often will dry out the scalp, leading to the production of more sebum,” she explains.

Instead, she recommends using a hydrating shampoo that’s formulated without sulphates – an ingredient that can strip away natural oils, causing it to overproduce oil. “I would also recommend investing in a clarifying shampoo to help remove the build-up of sweat, pollution and dead skin cells, all of which can lead to greasy hair,” says Onuoha. 

Onuoha also suggests leaving your shampoo on for a few minutes to give it time to lift the dirt from the scalp, allowing it to work properly. “Shampoos contain surfactants that lift dirt from the scalp like a magnet, but it doesn’t happen instantly so if you want a proper cleanse, it’s important to give your shampoo some time to really do its job,” she explains.

So, there we have it: the answer isn’t to simply wash your hair more; instead, it’s about investing in the right products and taking more time to allow them to work properly.

Images: Getty