How to Do a Hair Mask for Oily Hair

A mask with clay, apple cider vinegar, and herbal tea can transform oily hair into lovely locks. Follow up the mask with a rinse made from vinegar, tea and lemon juice for cleansing and shine. You can also employ tips to maintain your fresh look, such as cutting down on shampoo and conditioner and brushing your hair properly.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Making the Hair Mask and Rinse

1
Brew tea. Bring two cups of water to a boil. Pour in two tablespoons of nettle leaf. Add chamomile flowers for light hair, or rosemary leaf for dark hair. Allow the mixture to cool, then pour the tea through a strainer to remove the herbs.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Chamomile and rosemary help calm the scalp and may help regulate its production of sebum.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Nettle leaves can help your pores not to overproduce oil.^{[3]XResearch source}
2
Combine clay powder with vinegar and tea. Pour 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar and one cup of tea into your container. Add one tablespoon of clay powder at a time, whisking or blending in between. Continue mixing until the consistency is similar to yogurt. If you’re not using the mask right away, keep it in an air-tight container for no more than a week.^{[4]XResearch source}
- You can use a food processor, blender, or a non-metal bowl to mix the ingredients together. If you use a bowl, choose a whisking tool that is not made of metal. Coming in contact with metal can lessen the effectiveness of the clay.
- Clay encourages scalp health, absorbs toxins and oil, and has antibacterial properties.^{[5]XResearch source}
3
Make a rinse with apple cider vinegar, tea and lemon juice. Strain out any pulp from the lemon juice. In a separate container from your hair mask, add the strained lemon juice and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Pour in the rest of the tea (about a cup).^{[6]XResearch source}
- Much like a clarifying shampoo, apple cider vinegar cleanses the scalp and removes product buildup that causes oily hair.
- Lemon boosts shine and body, while removing extra oil.
- Using lemon in your hair regularly can lighten your hair slightly with gold highlights. Omit the lemon if you are don’t want to lighten your hair or if your hair starts drying out too much.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Applying the Mask and Rinse

1
Massage the mask into your hair. Begin with your roots first, then work the mask into the rest of your hair. Use a handful of the mixture at a time, working it into small sections for even coverage. Continue until you’ve coated all of your hair, from the roots to the ends. Don’t allow the mask to dry.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Keep a spray bottle of water nearby, and spritz your hair to keep it damp, as needed, while you apply the mask.^{[8]XResearch source}
2
Let the mask sit in your hair. Cover your hair with a plastic shower cap, cling wrap, or a tied plastic bag.^{[9]XResearch source} Leave the mask in for five to twenty minutes.^{[10]XResearch source} Check the mask occasionally to make sure it isn’t drying.
- If the mask feels like it’s drying when you check it, reapply a mist of water to keep your hair damp.
- How long your hair mask should sit depends on your individual hair type, and how long it’s been since you’ve applied a clay mask. Five minutes should be sufficient if you apply this mask regularly. You may want to leave the mask on longer if your hair is extremely oily or if you don't use masks often.^{[11]XResearch source}
3
Wash out the hair mask. Use the shower, if possible – clay will be very difficult to remove under a sink faucet.^{[12]XResearch source} Scrub your hair and scalp gently but well, under warm water. Rinse thoroughly, until the water runs clear.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Don’t add shampoo, and avoid shampooing your hair the following day.^{[14]XResearch source}
Start with your scalp, and pour down to the tips of your hair. Gently rub the rinse into your scalp. Use this rinse no more than twice per week.
5
Wash the rinse out after three to five minutes. Use cold water, if you can. If not, use room temperature or warm water.^{[15]XResearch source}
- Cold water gives your hair more shine, by closing the hair cuticles and locking in moisture.^{[16]XResearch source}
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Maintaining Your Hair

1
Don’t shampoo your hair every day. Aim to only wash your hair when it absolutely needs it. Add a day in between your washings, gradually working up to washing only one, two, or three times per week.^{[17]XResearch source} Rinse your hair with just water on days off from shampooing, if desired. When you apply shampoo, only do so once, and make sure to rinse out shampoo and conditioner completely.^{[18]XResearch source}
- Over-shampooing has a drying effect that can cause excess oil production.^{[19]XResearch source}
- After about a month, your hair and scalp should adjust to less shampooing.
- You can add a cleansing conditioner into your rinse days, if desired.
- Try wearing a hat, or your hair in a bun or ponytail, while you’re adjusting to washing your hair less.^{[20]XResearch source}
- You can still shower even if you don’t want to rinse your hair; just clip your hair up or put on a shower cap.
Avoid conditioning your roots. Apply conditioner to the ends of your hair. Make sure the conditioner you choose isn’t too heavy. Rinse the conditioner out completely with cool water once finished. Cold water will help seal the cuticle.^{[21]XResearch source}
3
Brush your hair from roots to tips. Don’t overbrush with extra, unneeded strokes; only brush enough to distribute oils down to the ends of your hair, to moisturize dry ends. Use a quality brush, such as boar bristle.^{[22]XResearch source} Bend over and brush your hair from underneath, back to front. Then stand up straight and brush your hair top-down.^{[23]XResearch source} Clean your hairbrush regularly.^{[24]XResearch source}
- Over brushing can cause hair to weaken and shed.^{[25]XResearch source}
- Brushing actually cleanses hair.^{[26]XResearch source}
Hairsprays and volumizers are fine, and can aid the texture and appearance of your tresses.^{[27]XResearch source} Avoid products with proteins or lipid-replenishing ingredients.^{[28]XResearch source} Combat very oily hair with a light spray of dry shampoo on your roots.
5
Use a clarifying shampoo when needed. Clarifying shampoos will wash away any excess product build-up or oil on your scalp. You can use it once every few weeks or more often if your hair is extremely oily.^{[29]XResearch source}
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Tips

Getting a scalp exfoliating treatment once a month can lift greasy buildup from the scalp. Check with local salons to see if they offer this service.^{[30]XResearch source}
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