August often means more time in chlorinated pools, salty sea water and humid air — all of which can leave oily, greasy hair looking even more weighed down by day two. The right treatments can rebalance an oily scalp, clarify build-up and protect strands from summer damage without stripping moisture where you need it. Here are four hair treatments worth adding to your routine this month.
1. Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt 250ml
A cult-favourite scalp saviour, this exfoliating scrub goes straight to the root of greasy hair by resetting the scalp itself.
- Formula: Combines dissolvable sea salt grains with a natural moisturising agent to exfoliate without irritation.
- Finish: Removes impurities and product build-up while stimulating microcirculation, leaving the scalp soothed and refreshed.
- Good to know: Restores optimal hydration to the scalp within 24 hours and helps calm itching caused by excess oil.
2. Philip Kingsley Swimcap Water-Resistant Mask 100ml
Originally developed for competitive swimmers, this mask is essential for anyone whose oily roots get worse from chlorine or salt water exposure.
- Formula: Fortified with hydrolysed elastin, castor oil and olive oil, plus a UV absorber to guard against sun-related discolouration.
- Finish: Lightweight yet protective, plumping the hair fibres without adding heaviness to the roots.
- Good to know: Applied to damp hair before swimming or sunbathing, then rinsed and double-shampooed afterwards to remove any residue.
3. Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Intensive Treatment 150ml
Oily hair still needs nourished lengths and ends, and this iconic pre-wash treatment delivers moisture exactly where it’s needed without touching the scalp.
- Formula: A blend of castor oil, olive oil, glycerin and hydrolysed elastin that helps strands stretch to reduce breakage.
- Finish: Silky, supple and bouncy, with continued UV protection even after washing.
- Good to know: Clinically proven to reduce breakage after just one use — apply from mid-lengths to ends and leave on before shampooing as usual.
4. L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hydra Pure Exfoliating Pre-Shampoo Scalp Serum 102ml
A budget-friendly pre-shampoo step that tackles greasy roots at the source, this serum is ideal for anyone whose scalp feels oily well before wash day rolls around.
- Formula: A 6% exfoliating complex powered by salicylic acid to buffer away dead skin and impurities, plus hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture balance.
- Finish: Gently clarifying rather than stripping, leaving the scalp purified without over-drying.
- Good to know: Keeps the scalp purified for up to 72 hours, making it a smart first step before shampoo and conditioner in a 3-step routine.
From a clarifying scalp scrub to a targeted pre-shampoo serum, these four treatments help keep oily, greasy hair balanced without sacrificing shine or softness.