Nekko Scalp Oil Review: Why I Put Oil on My Oily Scalp
Yes, I put oil on my oily scalp—and it's one of the smartest things I've ever done for my roots!
Disclaimer: I do use affiliate links in this blog meaning that if you purchase anything through my affiliate links I receive commission at no additional cost to you! I only recommend products that I have heavily researched, tested and loved, and/or used for several years.
Quick Verdict
Quick verdict: The pre-shower ritual that keeps my extremely oily roots in check. Massage it in, let it sit, shampoo twice—and your scalp feels like you just walked out of a head spa.
Best for: Oily or flaky scalps, buildup from dry shampoo and styling products, and anyone obsessed with head spas (hi, it's me).
Skip it if: You're looking for a leave-in hair oil. This is a pre-wash treatment you rinse out!
Good to know: Use it once a week, and always shampoo twice afterward so no oil is left behind. If essential oils irritate your skin, patch test first.
Price: $48
Why Oiling an Oily Scalp Actually Works
Yes, I put oil on my oily scalp, and it's one of the smartest things I've ever done for my roots!
If you have extremely oily roots like I do, I know exactly what you're thinking. Oil? On an oily scalp? It sounds completely counterintuitive. But it's actually the magic trick to regulating it!
I was recommended Nekko Scalp Oil during my very first head spa at Blow Me Away, an organic salon and head spa on West 3rd Street here in LA (my review of the best head spas in LA is coming soon—stay tuned!). It has been part of my wash day ever since, and it earned its spot as my Best Scalp Oil (#29) in my 50 Best of Beauty Awards. Here's the secret behind why it works, what's inside, and exactly how I use it.
I know how it sounds. But here's the thing: oil dissolves oil. Excess sebum, flakes and leftover product (I'm looking at you, dry shampoo) build up around your roots, and shampoo alone doesn't always lift all of it.
Massaging an oil into your scalp before you shower loosens all of that buildup—the same way an oil cleanser melts off your makeup. Then your shampoo rinses it all away, and your scalp gets a true reset.
According to Nekko, the oil gently exfoliates and purifies your scalp, balances sebum production, improves circulation, and even promotes hair growth (not that I need any more, lol—I'm basically Rapunzel). Talk about a multitasker!
And the massage itself is half the magic. In a small 2016 study, nine men who got a four-minute scalp massage every day for 24 weeks had thicker hair in the massaged area (Koyama et al., Eplasty). It's a tiny study, but there's a reason every good head spa spends so much time on the massage!
For my fellow ingredient detectives: Nekko Scalp Oil is a blend of four botanical oils plus a lineup of essential oils. Fun fact—nekko means "root" in Japanese, which feels very fitting for a scalp oil. It's $48 and has 4.8 stars from 47 reviews on Nekko's site. Rice bran oil is the star here—Nekko calls it "a beauty secret used by Japanese women for ages." The essential oils include rosemary, peppermint, eucalyptus leaf, tea tree (melaleuca), lemon peel, geranium, laurel leaf, ravintsara and ravensara. If your skin is sensitive to essential oils, patch test behind your ear first!
How I Use It: My Pre-Shower Scalp Oil Ritual
This is honestly one of the smartest rituals you can do for an oily scalp, and it couldn't be easier. I do it right before I shower:
Section your dry hair. Part your hair in a few spots so the oil reaches your scalp, not just your lengths (with Rapunzel hair, this step is non-negotiable lol).
Apply the oil along each part. Cover your whole scalp, with a little extra at your roots.
Massage for two minutes. Use the pads of your fingers in small circles—never your nails. This is the head spa part, so take your time and enjoy it! If you have a scalp hair massaging tool, you can use that as well!
Let it sit for about 10 minutes. Perfect timing for a face mask.
Rinse, then shampoo twice. The first wash breaks up the oil, and the second leaves your roots squeaky clean, not greasy.
Condition your lengths only. Keep conditioner off your scalp, then detangle with my favorite Sheila Stotts Untangle Brush.
Nekko recommends using it once a week.
What It's Done for My Oily Roots
As someone with extremely oily roots, I've spent years fighting the grease (I've tried every dry shampoo under the sun). Nekko was the magic trick that finally helped me regulate my scalp instead of just stripping it!
My scalp feels genuinely clean afterward, like I just left the head spa. On second-day hair, I still reach for my K18 AirWash, the only dry shampoo that has ever worked on my dark, oily hair.
Now for what it won't do. It won't replace your shampoo, and it isn't a medicated dandruff treatment, so if you're dealing with persistent flaking or itching, see a dermatologist. And the hair growth claims? I can't personally vouch for those, since my hair is already down to my waist (thanks, Japanese genes!).
How It Fits Into My Long-Hair Routine
Nekko is step one of my wash day. Keeping waist-length hair healthy takes a whole lineup, so here's how the rest comes together:
Before the shower: Nekko Scalp Oil
In the shower: Hairchemist Sleek Keeper Treatment, another find from one of my favorite Japanese head spas in LA
Out of the shower: my Sheila Stotts Untangle Brush and Davines OI All In One Milk, my holy grail for over 8 years
To finish: a few drops of Shu Uemura Essence Absolue for glass hair
Day two: K18 AirWash at the roots
Every single one is a winner in my 50 Best of Beauty Awards, and my full long-hair routine is coming soon!
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