This TikTok-Viral Oily Hair Hack Uses A Skincare Ingredient You Probably Already Have

Did you ever think you'd be using Micellar water on your hair? It might be time to give it a try. An extraordinary trend started circulating on TikTok, showing how people can replace their traditional dry shampoo with Micellar water to remove excess oil and dirt. Beauty influencer @maj.beauty credit the one and only Tati, who was out there putting up makeup and beauty hack videos back when YouTube was a relatively untapped market, for this gem. The trick is that you fill a spray bottle with Micellar water and spray it on the hair near your scalp, then follow up by quickly blowdrying that section. A second option is to soak a cotton round in Micellar water, and dab it into the roots, then follow with a blowdryer. Since you're not drying your entire head of hair, the drying process is speedy. 

@maj.beauty

Mind blown. The best hair hack. If you need your oily hair to look freshly blown out, this is your hack @Tati #hairhack #beautyhack #bestbeautyhack #beautytips #beautytip #hairtip #hairtipsandtricks #hairtips101 #beautysecrets #viralbeautyhacks #viralbeautyhack #viralbeautytips

♬ original sound – MAJ 🖤

The whole point of this viral TikTok hack is to do away with the chalky residue left behind from traditional dry shampoos. For those with dark hair, this side effect can be particularly frustrating, and the Micellar route has none of those repercussions. To get a better understanding of this hair trick, Women.com spoke with Angela C. Stevens, co-creator of Cantu protective styles by Angela, to get an expert's take on the situation. 

Hair expert Angela C. Stevens told Women.com why the Micellar hack was a viable option for hair, and who it would work on in particular. "I'm so here for this new hair hack because traditional dry shampoos tend to leave a chalky residue on the hair," Stevens explained. "I think this Micellar option is great for straight, wavy, and curly hair textures that would thrive more from the moisture while also removing excess oil." While Stevens told us that she hadn't tried the TikTok trend herself, she said that the science behind Micellar water means that it would work. 

Micellar water is simply demineralized water that contains micelles, cleansing, surfactant particles that bind to oil and impurities. The micelles dissolve impurities and lift them off of the surface. Because of the gentleness of Micellar water, Stevens suggested that it's a safe product for anyone to try, except one. "I wouldn't advise anyone with heat styles like a silk press to use this hack because it may remove the oil but will also remove your style too," Stevens told Women.com. "I would suggest trying it if you have really oily curly/ wavy hair tho, especially on the roots." 

The fan favorite for this hack is Bioderma H2O Micellar water. Apply it along your hair and scalp line. Most reviews suggested that you follow this step with a blowdryer, but some people let their hair air dry after, and reported positive results.

While many social media users had positive things to say about the Micellar water hair hack, this was not a universal response. Per SELF, one reviewer wrote that her hair appeared greasier than before, and noted that Micellar water didn't have the effect that traditional dry shampoos had on her post-workout hair. Also, many people had questions on TikTok. Many wanted to know where the oil went — especially if you're spraying the product on your hair — since cotton pads typically wick away facial dirt lifted by Micellar water. Others noted that if blowdrying is still a part of the process, it's not that much of a time saver compared to just washing your hair. 

It's certainly worth a try, as the Micellar hack seems to work really well for some. If it's not, then classic dry shampoo might be your hero after all. After all, TikTok has bequeathed us with other hair hacks that are game changers for some — like the bowl method for curly hair, or the hair pinch that promises volume — while leaving others wondering what all the fuss is about. If you're on the quest for a new solution to greasy hair, you might be part of the lucky group who benefits from Micellar water. If not, you can go back to using the trusted makeup remover for its original use.