Whether kinky, curly or straight, hair can get oily. Over-slick tresses may result from genetics or poor hygiene and diet that trigger the sebaceous glands—located at the base of each hair shaft—to produce too much sebum or oil. But you do have control over these slippery possibilities, according to Coco and Crème. Here are some of their tips on keeping oily hair in check.

• Shampoo every other day. This cleanses the hair of excess oils but won’t dry it out. For an easy at-home restorative shampoo, mix half a teaspoon of aloe vera gel with one tablespoon of lemon juice and blend it with ¼ cup of your regular shampoo. Wash hair then rinse with cool water (to close hair cuticles).

• Rinse your hair on off-shampoo days. This keeps hair clean and avoids buildup. For a rinse straight from the pantry try this: brew tea (like sage, chamomile, tea tree and eucalyptus) then add the juice of two fresh lemons. Once cool, massage tea into the scalp and leave on for 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing.

• Avoid styling products that contain silicone. The reason is because silicone can make hair look flat and greasy. Also, don’t brush hair too often. This only helps spread oil throughout the hair. If you use dry shampoos, try making your own natural version. Blend 1 tablespoon each of cornstarch, baking soda and dry oatmeal until fine. Apply the mixture to your scalp near the roots; massage it in then brush thoroughly.

• Pass on fried and spicy foods. Too much of these admittedly tasty lip-smackers can crank up the body’s natural oil secretion engine. That translates into oily, frizzy hair. Instead, eat lots of fresh, natural veggies to help give tresses the benefits of a more balanced diet.

For more oil-control tips for greasy strands, click here.