How to Keep Bangs from Getting Oily

Co-authored by Noël Reid-Killings and Amber Crain

Last Updated: November 21, 2024 Fact Checked

Bangs are super cute, but they tend to get greasy fast since they rest against your forehead all day. If you want to keep your bangs looking great, we can help you out! We've put together a list of helpful tips that prevent oil buildup on your skin and bangs. Give these ideas a try to keep your bangs looking awesome all day long!

1

Use shampoo formulated for oily hair.

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It gets your bangs clean without weighing them down. Shampoos made for “normal” or “dry” hair contain hydrating ingredients that leave a film on your bangs and make them get greasy a lot faster. Check the label and make sure the shampoo you’re using is made for oily/fine hair.^{[1]
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- Avoid shampoo formulas with labels like “dry,” “damaged,” "smoothing," or “glossy” since those tend to have a lot of moisturizing ingredients.^{[2]
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- Consider using a clarifying or purifying shampoo once a week to deep clean your hair and bangs.

2

Wash your bangs every day.

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Try washing your bangs every morning when you’re cleansing your face. Shampooing all of your hair every day isn’t usually recommended since that can dry it out. Your bangs rest against your forehead, though, so they’re exposed to a lot more oil throughout the day. To prevent them from getting greasy, shampoo your bangs once a day, especially if you have oily skin.^{[3]
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- Since you’re already washing your face in the morning, go ahead and wash your bangs in the sink while you’re at it!^{[4]
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3

Skip conditioning your bangs.

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Hydrating ingredients in conditioner weigh down your bangs. Bangs generally don’t need to be conditioned at all, especially if you have oily hair. When you’re conditioning your hair, just avoid applying it on your bangs.^{[5]
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- Always apply conditioner from mid-shaft to the ends of your hair so you aren't getting it on your roots or scalp.

4

Soak up oil with dry shampoo.

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Apply dry shampoo at your roots and comb your bangs to distribute it. Dry shampoo is a must-have if your bangs tend to get greasy! Carry a little bottle of it with you when you leave the house and give your bangs a quick spritz whenever they start looking oily.^{[6]
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- The dry shampoo absorbs the oil and gives bangs a little volume so they aren’t laying flat against your forehead.
- Baby powder works in a pinch if you don’t have dry shampoo! Just sprinkle the baby powder on your bangs and comb through them to absorb the oil.^{[7]
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5

Stick with oil-free styling products.

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Many gels, mousses, and serums can add extra oil to your hair as you style it. To keep your bangs in check, remember to check the labels on your styling products before applying them.^{[8]
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6

Clean your hair styling tools.

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This is often overlooked when it comes to preventing oily bangs. It’s normal for dirt, styling products, and oil to build up on hair brushes and styling tools like flat irons. If you don’t clean your tools regularly, that buildup gets transferred right back onto your bangs.^{[9]
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Research source} To clean your styling tools:
- Pull out the hair in your brushes once a week.
- Run a damp cloth over flat irons and other styling tools weekly.^{[10]
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- Wash the bristles of hair brushes with baby shampoo once a month.^{[11]
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7

Keep your hands off your bangs.

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Your hands and fingertips produce natural oils that bangs soak up. It’s hard to keep your hands off your bangs sometimes, especially if you need to rearrange them during the day! Try to avoid touching them as much as possible, though, so your bangs don't get greasy.^{[12]
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- Carry a comb or pick with you and use that if you need to restyle your bangs during the day.
- Touching your forehead can make your skin oily, as well. Then, your bangs soak that oil right up! Try to avoid touching your face as much as you can.^{[13]
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8

Wash your face twice a day.

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Natural oils on your face can quickly get all over your bangs. To prevent greasy bangs, be sure to wash your face with a mild cleanser twice a day (morning and night). It also helps to exfoliate your forehead and hairline a few times a week to prevent dead skin cells and sebum from building up there.^{[14]
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- Massage your skin gently as you’re washing it. Being too rough can irritate your skin and make pores produce extra oil.
- Avoid cleansers with alcohol listed in the ingredients, too. Alcohol is a harsh ingredient that causes skin irritation; irritation triggers more oil production.^{[15]
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9

Use oil-free cosmetics and skincare products.

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Moisturizers, cleansers, and cosmetics often contain ingredients that clog pores and cause oily skin. Then, your bangs absorb that extra oil and end up looking greasy. Be sure to check the labels on all of your products to make sure they’re oil-free.^{[16]
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American Academy of Dermatology
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10

Use moisturizer on your forehead sparingly.

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Pin your bangs back before you moisturize your face and let your skin absorb the product completely before unpinning them. You only need a dab of moisturizer on your forehead; your bangs will soak up whatever your forehead doesn't absorb.^{[17]
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11

Powder your forehead during the day.

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Carry your favorite face powder with you to work or school and check on your forehead a few times a day. Dust a little powder on your skin any time your forehead starts looking shiny to get rid of the oil before your bangs soak it up.^{[18]
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12

Bring oil-botting sheets with you.

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Blot your forehead a few times a day, as needed, to control oil. If you notice your forehead looking a bit shiny during the day, gently press a blotting paper against the skin and leave it for a few seconds to absorb the oil. Don’t rub the paper against your skin since this can transfer oil to other areas of your face.^{[19]
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- You can buy oil-blotting papers in the skin care department of any drug store or grocery store.

Community Q&A

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Question

My bangs get oily quicker than the rest of my hair. Why does this keep happening and how do I prevent it?

Community Answer

This happens because of the oil produced from your forehead. To prevent this, try using oil blotting sheets. They are about $3 at HEB. This can also be prevented if you stop touching or running your fingers through them.

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Question

Because I have had a middle part quite a lot, when I got my block bangs, they split in the middle. How do I combine them and get rid of the gap to make them look perfect?

Community Answer

Try some hairspray. If you don't want to do that, try taking a shower, then holding your bangs to your forehead and letting them dry in that position. Or put a hairband around your wet bangs and let them dry like that.

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Question

How do I keep the top of my hair from becoming oily?

Community Answer

Avoid brushing your hair too much or using shampoo too often. These will dry out your hair and cause excessive oil to be produced on your scalp.

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