Feeling gunky? Here are the best hair care products for sweaty scalps, according to professionals.

As the old wise adage goes in a framed print from Home Goods: “Sweat, tears, the ocean, salt cures everything.” Although my inner self doesn’t disagree with the latter two. (I’m a Cancer, after all), and I frown on “sweat.” I don’t like it anywhere and would hardly consider it a “treatment” especially if it’s on my scalp. But Home Goods is right. Sweat isn’t all that bad for your hair either. However, reducing sweat is important, especially in warm weather or during exercise, and the best hair products for sweaty scalps can help.

Things to be careful about when caring for sweat

The main purpose of hair products for sweaty scalps is to remove excess oil and ideally reduce the number of times you wash your hair.

Carly Kazimir, a cosmetologist and manager at New Jersey beauty supply store Salon Centric, says it’s worth considering incorporating a “purifying” or “purifying” shampoo into your hair-washing routine. Purifying shampoos work to remove stubborn oils, dirt, and product buildup, but it’s usually best to limit their use to once a week or month. Many formulas contain sulfates, which are effective at cleaning the scalp, but can dry out your hair if you use too much. That said, there are sulfate-free options for those who want to avoid sulfates. You can also choose products with mint or eucalyptus, or absorbent ingredients like charcoal, tapioca or rice starch to soak up excess oil, says Kazimir.

For those who wash their hair more frequently, look for non-drying shampoos that contain ingredients that lock moisture into your hair without weighing it down, says Stephanie Sey, trichologist and hair expert at Grow Gorgeous. We are proposing. One ingredient she trusts is niacinamide. Vitamin B3 has long been thought to have a moisturizing and plumping effect on the skin, but it also has benefits for hair. “It helps produce collagen to improve skin quality and also helps the scalp create a lipid barrier on the skin’s surface, meaning it retains moisture longer and prevents the drying effects of sweat.” she says.

What should you avoid in hair products? Say says you may want to avoid products that list salt (or sodium chloride) as one of the first ingredients on the label. That said, you may also want to avoid products that include the words “moisturizing” or “hydrating” in their names, or products that use argan or coconut oil, Kazimir says. Washed.

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Additionally, there are hair products such as dry shampoos, hair refreshers, and scalp treatments that keep oil at bay between washes. If you style your hair frequently, some products promise to make your hairstyle last longer while keeping it as fresh as possible.

For some, sweat is the cure, while others may be looking for a solution for If you fall into the latter category, keep scrolling to find the best shampoos and hair products for sweaty scalps.

best scalp treatment

Briogeo Scalp Revival Rosemary Prewash Oil — $32.00

• Hair product type: scalp oil
• Main ingredients: rosemary oil
• Scented? no

This powerful pre-wash oil is formulated to help balance your scalp when you’re not feeling well. It’s formulated with lightweight rosemary oil to boost blood circulation, plus castor oil (for hydration), biotin (for stronger hair), and bisabolol (an ingredient in chamomile to soothe inflammation). All this comes together in a weightless, non-stinging hair oil that removes grease without making your scalp even more greasy. Fun fact: It can also be used as an overnight mask if your hair needs some serious TLC.

Read the full review here.

Surface Hair Awaken Treatment — $36.00

• Hair product type: scalp treatment
• Main ingredients: mint
• Scented? yes

Kazimir recommends the entire Awaken Surface range for oily hair, but if you’re really struggling with sweat and dirt, this treatment should do the trick. “It’s designed to alter the pH balance of your hair and scalp,” she says. “So whether it’s oiliness, dryness, or other issues, it helps to rebalance your scalp and restore it to a healthy state.”

Grow Gorgeous Scalp Care Volume Up Niacinamide 10% Scalp Booster — $30.00

• Hair product type: late scalp
• Main ingredients: niacinamide
• Scented? yes

As Sey mentioned, products containing niacinamide are key to regulating oily scalps, as they aid collagen production and help retain moisturizer. If you suffer from sweat and oil and want to stimulate hair growth, we recommend building your foundation with this booster from Grow Gorgeous. It’s easy to use. After washing, massage it into your scalp and let it work its magic (don’t worry, it won’t leave you greasy or dry). Your hair is literally set up for success from the ground up.

Best shampoo for sweaty scalp

Driver on the Rocks Clarifying Charcoal Shampoo — $26.00

• Hair product type: shampoo
• Main ingredients: activated carbon
• Scented? yes

Activated charcoal is the star ingredient in this clarifying shampoo from Drybar. This formula does not contain sulfates or phthalates, but this does not make the shampoo any less effective. According to the brand, it absorbs 100-200 times its weight in impurities, making it ideal for deep cleansing the scalp.

Ouai Detox Shampoo — $32.00

• Hair product type: shampoo
• Main ingredients: apple cider vinegar
• with scent? yes

Ouai’s Refreshing Shampoo contains apple cider vinegar to remove excess oil and buildup from your hair. FYI, this scent doesn’t smell like ACV, it’s a combination of rose, bergamot, lychee, cedarwood, and white musk. It also contains keratin to keep your hair soft and smooth with every wash. Additionally, this formula is sulfate-free and safe to use on color-treated hair.

Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo — $8.00

• Hair product type: shampoo
• Main ingredients: apple cider vinegar
• with scent? yes

Like Ouai’s pick, this sulfate-free shampoo uses apple cider vinegar to remove dirt and product residue from your scalp, but it costs under $10. ACV is a key ingredient in this shampoo, but its main ingredient is colloidal oatmeal extract, a natural ingredient popular for its soothing properties.

Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt — $53.00

• Hair product type: shampoo
• Main ingredients: carbohydrate complex
• Scented? yes

This purifying shampoo by Christophe Robin is highly clarifying and blended with sea salt to detoxify and remove dirt from your sweaty, smelly scalp. Your scalp will thank you for rubbing this minty tingle all over it. And your hair will be clean as a whistle and ready to fend off oil and grease even when the temperatures rise.

The best dry shampoo that absorbs sweat and oil from your hair

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo — $30.00

• Hair product type: dry shampoo spray
• Main ingredients: rice starch
• Scented? yes

If you ask the W+G team what their go-to dry shampoo is, they’ll unanimously say “Living Proof Perfect Hair Day.” While other dry shampoos simply sit on top of your hair follicles and absorb oil and sweat, Living Proof cleanses your hair, giving it a freshly washed look without actually washing it. Its high-tech formulation removes oil from your scalp and releases a burst of fresh scent with time-release, so your hair always smells great.

R+Co Skyline Dry Shampoo Powder — $34.00

• Hair product type: dry shampoo powder
• Main ingredients: tapioca starch
• Scented? yes

If you want a powdered dry shampoo to absorb oil and sweat, use R+Co. It comes in a pump so you can get expert insight into which areas of your scalp need the most attention. Its super-absorbent formula is enriched with mane-loving ingredients like burdock root extract, known for its antioxidant properties, and jojoba seed oil, a weightless conditioner that adds shine without weighing it down. The fresh and clean scent isn’t bad either.

Davines Hair Refresher — $33.00

• Hair product type: dry shampoo spray
• Main ingredients: rice starch
• Scented? yes

For those days when you want to refresh your hair, get Davines Hair Refresher. Although it’s technically a dry shampoo, it’s a little more misty and less sprayy than a regular aerosol can. Its main ingredient is rice starch, which automatically absorbs sweat even on the hottest humid days, giving you that fresh, “I should have taken a shower this morning” feeling. Warning: You’ll never want to take a shower again after using this. largely…

Best styling products for sweaty scalp and oily hair

Amika Un.done Volume and Matte Texture Spray — $29.00

• Hair product types: texture spray
• Main ingredients: zeolite
• Scented? yes

As Kazimir mentioned, people who suffer from sweaty scalps should be very careful about the products they re-apply to their hair after it’s dry. This matte texture spray from Amika answers the call for a low-oil product that adds volume and life to your hair. It uses zeolite (another natural mineral) in place of salt to give your hair that wind-blown, “untangled” look without weighing it down.

FAQ

Why does my scalp sweat?

It could be a variety of things, including temperature, exercise, and the fact that your body is just a body. “Excessive head sweat is a type of focal hyperhidrosis called craniofacial hyperhidrosis, which is characterized by overactivity of the sweat glands on the head, face, and scalp,” says dermatologist and director of FACET Dermatology. says founder Geeta Yadav, MD. “Unlike common hyperhidrosis, which may be related to certain diseases, there is usually no medical cause behind it (craniofacial hyperhidrosis). Miscommunication between nerves and sweat glands It’s just the cause.” Dr. Yadav added that factors such as stress, hormones, and a hot environment can worsen the symptoms.

Is scalp sweat bad for your hair?

Sweat is usually not bad for your hair. So if you’ve ever wondered whether you should wash your hair after the gym, you might be glad to know that it’s not always necessary. “Sweat is a healthy bodily function,” Say says. However, she notes that sweat can leave salt residue on the scalp, and leaving your hair on your head for too long can strip it of the moisture it needs. says. In addition to a sweaty scalp, your hair may also become oily. “This may affect some people more than others,” Say says, noting that certain factors, such as hormones, cause some people to have increased oil production in their scalp, which can lead to The result can be an unpleasant odor, and your hair can become greasy and sensitive to dandruff. That being said, it’s important to keep in mind that head sweat is not an oil problem, and unfortunately this is not something that can be controlled with shampoo (or hair products). says Dr. Yadav.

Are there any shampoos or hair products that can stop sweat on your head?

Unfortunately, even the best shampoos for sweaty scalps cannot prevent sweat from forming. Stop One of the best ways to control head sweat is with neurotoxin injections into the scalp. Also known as scalp botox. “The neurotoxin prevents the nerves from triggering the secretion of sweat and reduces the activity of the scalp, making it difficult to sweat,” Dr. Yadav said, adding that the effects can last for several months.

If you don’t mind sweat on your head but notice that your hair gets oily when you sweat, shampoos and other hair products can serve as a great treatment for oily hair. Shampooing your hair removes sebum, sweat, and product residue, and also prevents dandruff. However, it is also important to avoid That’s all-I’m washing. It may seem counterintuitive, but the more you wash, the drier your hair and scalp can be, causing more oil production.

Are there any antiperspirants that are effective for the scalp?

There are several antiperspirants available on the market to combat sweaty scalp. However, most topical antiperspirants (many of which contain aluminum) are generally not recommended for use around the face. According to some research, it can lead to a risk of skin irritation.