Woman with short hair washing her hair in a shower.

From Slick to Chic: How to Clean Greasy Hair the Right Way

Greasy hair is not a vibe.

So, if you’ve found yourself Googling how to clean greasy hair every few hours (while rocking that emergency messy bun),  it might be time to explore HiBAR’s hair care collection.

You’re about to break up with buildup and get real about oily scalp drama with help from the shampoo bar and conditioner bar that treat your scalp right without stripping away its natural oils.

For even more options designed to balance oil and boost shine, dive into our full collection lineup.

Time to get rid of oily stress and bring on that healthy hair glow.

  • Greasy hair is often caused by overwashing, product buildup, or hormonal shifts.
  • HiBAR’s sulfate-free shampoo bars gently cleanse, helping to rebalance the scalp's oil without stripping it dry.
  • Choose the right bar for your hair type: Volumize for flat, oily hair or Maintain for everyday balance.
  • Wash 2–3 times a week max, and always rinse thoroughly.
  • Solid bars are eco-friendly, plastic-free, and non-comedogenic, which are great for your scalp and the planet.

Step 1: Understand What’s Making Your Hair Greasy in the First Place

Your scalp has oil-producing glands called sebaceous glands that create sebum, your body’s natural hair oil. This is what keeps your hair soft and shiny. 

But when your scalp produces excess oil, thanks to stress, hormones, or that greasy or sugary foods binge, you end up with more grease than glam.

That’s where HiBAR comes in with our sulfate-free shampoo bar and other clean, skin-friendly formulas. 

There is no artificial junk or harsh stuff, just the shampoo bar for dry hair to reset your oil production without turning your strands into straw. Here’s the low-down on why you get oily roots:

Over Washing

The more you wash your hair, the more your scalp panics. Harsh shampoos strip away too much of your natural moisture, and boom, excess oil production kicks in to "save" you. (Except it doesn’t.)

A better option? Our sulfate-free shampoo bar cleans gently without setting off your scalp’s alarm bells.

Buildup

Using the wrong hair products (lookin’ at you, silicone-loaded styling products and leave-in conditioners) can cause product buildup that traps oil at the scalp and makes it nearly impossible to get rid of oily residue, even if you wash your hair regularly. 

Try a fresh start with our eco-friendly shampoo lineup designed to detox without the drama.

Hormonal Rollercoasters

Oily skin and oil glands don’t just play a role in your face drama. Your scalp also joins the party, pumping out oil whenever you’re stressed, sleep-deprived, or reaching for that third donut. 

Our shampoo for head acne can help reset your scalp when breakouts and oil production go hand in hand.

Wrong Shampoo

That drugstore bottle claiming to treat oily hair might be lying to you. Most liquid shampoos are filled with sulfates and alcohols that dry out your scalp, increasing sebum production and causing your scalp to overproduce oils in an attempt to stay hydrated. 

If you need something gentler for your skin or scalp, explore our paraben-free deodorant, gluten-free hair products, or cruelty-free shampoo to complete your clean beauty lineup.

Step 2: Choose the Right Shampoo Bar for Your Hair Type

HiBAR doesn’t believe in one-size-fits-all, because your hair isn’t basic, and neither are you. 

Whether you’re dealing with flat, oily hair or trying to balance a greasy scalp with dry hair mid-lengths, we’ve got your back. 

The Maintain Shampoo Bar and Conditioner Bar are perfect for when your hair type is somewhere between “a little oily” and “I could deep fry snacks on my scalp.” 

It balances sebum production without drying out the ends, keeping your hair healthy and hydrated without the grease factor.

Additionally, the Volumize Shampoo Bar and Conditioner Bar are your heroes if you’ve got fine hair and no lift. It helps absorb oil, boost your body, and keep you looking fabulous. 

For an easy, all-in-one solution, grab the Maintain Shampoo & Conditioner Set or the Volumize Shampoo & Conditioner Set.

Each HiBAR combo is designed to manage oily hair while still protecting the ends from split ends, dryness, and over-cleansing damage.

Step 3: How to Wash Greasy Hair with a Shampoo Bar (The Right Way)

Let’s get into the sudsy details of how to clean greasy hair the right way. Because if you’re rubbing your shampoo bar on like it’s a loofah, we have work to do.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Wet Your Hair Thoroughly: Use warm, full water to soak your hair. Your hair should be wet enough to audition for a dramatic shampoo commercial. (Not sure you’re doing it right? Learn how to use a shampoo bar like a pro.)
  2. Lather It Up: Rub the bar between your hands until you’ve got a rich, creamy lather, or swipe directly onto your scalp. Target the roots where all that excess oil loves to hang out.
  3. Focus on the Scalp: Massage like you’re treating your scalp to a spa day. This helps remove oil, dirt, and buildup from styling products without disrupting the natural oils that keep your hair soft and happy.
  4. Rinse Thoroughly: Do not phone this in. Rinse like your blow dryer depends on it because it does. Residue = buildup = more oil later.
  5. Apply Conditioner Wisely: Keep it below the ears. Conditioner on the roots? That’s how we end up back in Greaseville. Focus on your ends where moisture is needed, not where your oil glands are already throwing a rave. If you are not sure how to apply solid conditioner, here’s how to use a conditioner bar without weighing things down.

Want more haircare insight? Learn what a shampoo bar is or get into all the shampoo bar benefits that make ditching the bottle totally worth it.

Detox Period? Don’t Panic!

If you’re ditching your old liquid shampoo and finally upgrading to a HiBAR shampoo bar, don’t be alarmed if your oily scalp reacts a bit.

After years of being stripped, scrubbed, and smothered in sulfates, silicones, and sticky styling products, your scalp’s been living in survival mode.

So, when you suddenly hand it a gentle, sulfate-free bar that actually respects its boundaries? Yeah, it’s going to act out a little.

For the first few days, maybe even a week, your scalp might feel oilier than ever. Your scalp is breaking up with years of buildup and bad habits.

This is where clarifying shampoos, like HiBAR’s Maintain Shampoo Bar, can swoop in to save the day. According to Cleaveland Clinic, “consider using a clarifying shampoo one to two times per month to remove buildup.”

Give it time, maybe one to two weeks, and trust the process. That’s it. Power through the greasy weirdness, and resist the urge to panic-wash your hair five times a day. 

Soon, your hair will be lighter, cleaner, and looking like it finally got its life together.

Set a Shower Routine That Won’t Overdo It

Overwashing oily hair is like yelling at your oil glands and expecting them to calm down. Spoiler: they won’t.

Your new mantra should be washing your hair two to three times a week. This gives your scalp time to self-regulate and cuts down on sebum production. 

Plus, your strands will thank you with fewer split ends and less damaged hair from constant scrubbing and heat styling.

Now, on those in-between days, when your roots start giving "day five of a festival" energy, do not panic. Dry shampoo is your BFF. It’s the quick fix for absorbing oil and freshening up your scalp without triggering another wash cycle. 

And when your hair refuses to cooperate no matter what? Toss it up in a messy bun and act like it was all part of your Pinterest-worthy plan. 

You're not hiding greasy hair; you're embracing effortless chic. Remember, your hair does not need to be squeaky clean every single day to be healthy. 

In fact, the less you wash, the more balanced and fabulous your hair becomes over time. Less scrubbing, more slaying.

Clean Scalp, Clean Planet – Why Solid Haircare Bars Are the Way to Go

If you’re going to treat oily hair, why not do it in a way that doesn’t wreck the planet?

HiBAR’s solid shampoo and conditioner bars are non-comedogenic shampoo and non-comedogenic conditioner options that are plastic-free, TSA-friendly, and cruelty-free.

They are also part of our broader plant-based hair products, eco hair products, and non-toxic shampoo and conditioner collections, so you can show your scalp (and the earth) some real love.

Bonus: Our bars last longer than bottled shampoos and conditioners, and they look amazing on your shower shelf. No more mismatched plastic bottles cluttering your vibe.

Ditch the Grease, Grab the Bars with HiBAR

Still here? Then you’re more than ready to break up with greasy hair once and for all. 

If your scalp’s pumping out oil and your roots are ruining selfies, it’s time to switch to the right shampoo and conditioner bars.

Go for the Maintain Shampoo and Volumize Conditioner if you’re dealing with serious oil overload. This powerhouse duo deep cleans, absorbs excess oil, and adds bounce without drying out your strands. 

Want something more balanced for your everyday routine? The Maintain Shampoo and Conditioner set is your all-around winner. 

HiBAR brings salon-quality results without the plastic guilt. Our bars are color-safe, eco-conscious, and ready to transform your oily scalp drama into a calm, clean, confident crown moment. 

Your hair will feel healthier. Your scalp will finally chill. And your mirror? Let’s just say it’s going to start showing off.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does my hair still feel greasy after using a shampoo bar?

You probably didn’t rinse enough or chose the wrong bar for your hair type. Try our Maintain bar, and remember—rinse with warm water and conviction.

How can solid shampoo bars help reduce greasy scalp issues over time?

They don’t strip away natural oils, so your scalp stops panic-producing more oil. Balanced oil production = less greasy hair = you winning.

How can I use a conditioner bar without weighing down greasy or fine hair?

Easy. Apply conditioner from the ears down only. Rinse well. Stick with our Volumize conditioner if you need lightweight care with serious bounce.

Resources

Back to blog

Shop HiBAR