How To Get Baby Oil Out Of Hair – 5 Quick & Best Solutions

I love baby oil and its benefits. When lathered on a baby’s scalp — or even yours — it’s like an intense hydrating mask packed with nutrients that breathe life into those dead and dry strands. I can simply feel the hair soaking up all that goodness.

Natural baby oil packed with safe and nourishing ingredients also soothes baby’s skin and forms a protective layer. And I’ll be honest, I enjoy playing around and snapping a few shots of him in different slick hairstyles. My favorite is “Alfalfa” from “Little Rascals”, complete with one strand of hair pointed upwards.

But, how to get baby oil out of hair?

Clearly, some of us learn the hard way.

It’s all fun and games until you find yourself shampooing the same hair strands for the third time. The baby is angry and wailing so loudly that the neighbors are starting to get worried.

The baby oil, on the other hand, seems determined to stay put on that scalp.

Well, if you’ve been in the same oily boat as me, you’ve come to the right place. I’m going to share tips and tricks that helped me get out of a lot of sticky and slippery situations (pun intended).

Here are some of the best solutions to remove baby oil from baby hair (or mom’s hair!).

This article is not a substitute for medical advice.

Best Solutions To Remove Baby Oil From Hair

Failing to get baby oil out of hair means having hair that looks dirty. Plus, baby oil if left for long periods tends to clog pores and attract bacteria which can cause dandruff, brittle hair and scalp problems in the long run.

Remember, a clean scalp is a healthy scalp. Here’s how to get baby oil out of hair with some DIY tricks you can try at home¹.

1. Baby Shampoo

If they made the baby oil, then they probably know how to remove said baby oil. Head over to the creators of the brand of baby oil you have used and use the baby shampoo from that same line. And of course, try not to pour half the bottle next time. A little goes a long way.

Directions

1. Wet hair with warm water.
2. Rub the shampoo in your hands first to create a lather. Then gently using the tips of your fingers rub the shampoo onto your scalp paying special attention to areas with more baby oil.
3. Let sit for a few minutes.
4. Rinse hair with warm water.
5. If there’s still baby oil left, repeat the process a second and a third time.
   This method is the mildest way to treat

2. Baby Powder

Still, washing the hair in hopes of removing all that baby oil? Then baby powder to the rescue!

Directions

1. Sprinkle baby powder on the baby’s scalp. Okay, lots and lots of baby powder.
2. Use a comb or brush to make sure the baby powder reaches the oily bits. Let it sit for five minutes.
3. Sprinkle baby powder again if you feel you need a little extra to really absorb the baby oil. By the way, this is also a great alternative to dry shampoo.
4. Shake, shake, shake! Remove excess powder and wash the hair using any regular baby shampoo.

You don’t have baby powder? You can use corn starch or baking soda as an alternative to powder since they serve the same purpose and soak up grease and oil.

3. Deep Cleansing Shampoo For Oily Hair

The powder didn’t work? Time to ransack your toiletries and find a deep cleansing shampoo or a clarifying shampoo to get rid of the baby oil. A clarifying shampoo is designed to be gentle on the skin and contains certain substances that absorb the grease and oil and soak up the excess sebum.

Directions

1. Wet hair and rub shampoo to make a good lather
2. Leave in hair for a few minutes. Or follow the washing instructions on the bottle.
3. Rinse with warm water.
4. Towel dry and flaunt that oil-free hair. Ta-da! You can use a few drops of your shampoo with the baby’s shampoo and shampoo their hair as you do. But just be careful when washing it off because the formula is not tear-free.

Just be sure, always use a clarifying shampoo that doesn’t include any harsh chemicals especially if you already have a dry scalp (check my list for the best pregnancy-safe shampoos to choose the most gentle one).

Scalp balance is essential and harsh cleaners can worsen scalp conditions and lead to dry hair.

4. Diluted Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is acidic and some oily-haired people swear by its effectiveness. All you need is a little lemon juice and water.

Directions

1. Mix one tablespoon of lemon juice into a cup of water. You can also add aloe vera if you like.
2. Pour this lemon juice mixture on your scalp and rinse with your regular shampoo and warm water.

Diluted lemon juice contains limonene and the citric acid acids act as a clarifying agent. Just be sure to avoid the sun’s rays as this can cause bleaching, and do not try on babies as the mixture can get into their eyes.

5. Dish Soap And Detergent Mixture

Still trying to remove baby oil from hair? Well, desperate times call for desperate measures and nothing is more powerful than liquid dish soap or detergent.

Many moms believe in the superior power of dish soap to soak up oil and remove grease. However, do NOT apply this directly to the scalp unless you want to walk around smelling like Dawn dish soap or a pile of squeaky clean dishes from your kitchen.

While I think it is great to get rid of baby oil stains on baby clothes, I don’t recommend this oil removal “smhampoo” for young babies hair.

Here’s how to use this shampoo and detergent mixture.

Directions

1. Add one tablespoon of dish soap or dish detergent to one tablespoon of shampoo to create a detergent mixture.
2. Apply a little on the hair. Do not use large amounts of detergent mixture on your scalp. While dish soap is designed to be gentle on the skin, it isn’t meant to be used as a baby shampoo.
3. Wash hair.
4. Rinse and repeat.

And maybe just go easy as you pour the oil in your hair next time.

How To Get Mineral Oil Out Of Hair

Baby oils that include mineral oil are hydrophobic. In simple words, they can not be washed from hair even with the hottest water!

I tell this to every mom I’ve ever met:

Mineral oil is not good for the delicate skin and hair of babies! And it isn’t good for you either! Apart from being a nuisance to wash off clothes and even a towel, it clogs pores and irritates the scalp.

Instead, opt for a gentle, organic oil.

Can You Use Baby Oil For Your Hair?

Baby oil isn’t just suited to treat cradle cap, it hydrates the skin by creating a protective layer. Organic baby oil (and not mineral ones) is rich in vitamins and antioxidants which can turn the lifeless strands of your hair on your head into shiny lustrous locks.

They’re also useful for dry hair. Baby oil is also a great way to review hair that has been damaged by excessive heat styling and blow drying.

Tip 1: Brush your hair before applying a gentle oil.

Tip 2: Pour just a little. It will also make removing baby oil from hair easier.

What Happens If You Put Baby Oil In Your Hair?

Baby oil with mild and gentle formula, packed with nutrients, can moisturize your hair. Organic oils like olive oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil also help soothe a dry scalp and nourish the hair².

Regular use of oil also leads to stronger hair and less breakage.

Prone to dandruff during the drier months? Baby oil is the best way to treat and prevent it.

You can also apply half a teaspoon of warm oil to your roots before bed and you won’t have to wash your hair the next day.

Can Baby Oil Make Your Hair Too Heavy?

It can be tough to get baby oil from hair especially if it’s one of the heavier, thicker consistency ones like castor. (More difficult than trying to remove sticky gum!) Remember, a little goes a long way.

The purpose of this article is informative. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice or medical care. Remember: safety first! Consult your doctor/pediatrician in case of any doubts. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here.

Resources:

https://www.healthline.com/ (picture at the top)

https://www.beautyepic.com/

https://beezzly.com/

Hello Moms! I am Zooey. I am a wife and a mother of three amazing kids: almost 5-year-old Haley and 2-year-old twins Jesse and Matthew. I am a jogger, cooker and blogger.

If you have a question or a comment, do not hesitate to write to me! 🙂