3 Easy DIY Dry Shampoo Recipes Using Ingredients You Have at Home
These recipes require just a few simple ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen
Most of us know the key to prolonging the time between hair wash days is turning to good old dry shampoo. It helps soak up excess oil, making our hair look fresh and less greasy in seconds. Plus, dry shampoo also adds volume to strands, instantly transforming flat, thin hair into a lifted, voluminous-looking mane—even when it’s clean. While drugstore dry shampoo can be costly, the good news is that it can be made right at home with a few ingredients from your kitchen cupboard and won’t cost you a pretty penny. Here, we get into everything there is to know about DIY dry shampoo, including if it’s safe, how to make it and how often is too often to dry ‘poo (asking for a friend!).
Benefits of using a homemade dry shampoo
Before we get into the benefits of whipping up your own dry shampoo, here’s a fun fact about the favorite hair product. While today dry shampoo is now commonly used to prolong hair wash days and amp up volume, it was originally created for those who weren’t physically able to wash their hair. “Traditionally known as a ‘hospital’ styling product, dry shampoos did not hit the big time until the blowout became a standard weekly service. Beauty consumers who wanted to extend the life of their blowout investment needed the perfect product,” says Kerry Yates, trichologist and founder of Colour Collective.
Now, dry shampoo is used to help hair look and feel less oily, as well as give hair more volume. “Dry shampoo is one of the best quick fixes,” says Yates. “It absorbs excess oil at the roots and adds texture and volume, giving hair a fresher appearance without needing to be washed.”
When it comes to a natural dry shampoo you make at home, one of the most obvious benefits is how inexpensive it is. It only requires a few ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen (and if not, these ingredients are affordable to pick up at the grocery store). Another huge benefit of DIY dry shampoo is that you know exactly what’s in it, which is not always the case for store-bought varieties that can be filled with chemicals that can dry out your strands.
Is DIY dry shampoo safe?
In general, yes, DIY dry shampoo is safe, effective and inexpensive—and could even be safer than store-bought varieties. “When the right ingredients are used, a DIY shampoo is perfectly safe. As long as you only use it in between washes and not as an alternative for normal shampooing, a DIY dry shampoo can be a natural and cheaper alternative,” says Caleb Backe, a hair care expert for Maple Holistics.
However, like anything you are thinking about applying to the skin or hair, it’s important to do a patch test first to make sure you don’t have an adverse reaction. “If you have a sensitive scalp, I would recommend performing a patch test first to see how your scalp reacts,” warns Backe.
How often can you use DIY dry shampoo without causing build-up?
Overuse of dry shampoo and not thoroughly washing it out can lead to buildup on the hair and scalp, which can cause a whole array of issues. “Dry shampoo customers should not go for days/weeks without washing their hair,” affirms Yates. “Repeatedly applying dry shampoo to the roots will ultimately lead to follicle-clogging, unhealthy scalp conditions, and, sadly, hair loss!”
3 easy DIY dry shampoo recipes using pantry staples
Here, we share our favorite DIY dry shampoo recipes that come straight from hair pros.
1. DIY dry shampoo for blondes using cornstarch or arrowroot
If you have blonde, grey or lighter brown hair, this is a great DIY dry shampoo recipe to try. “Blondes or anyone with lighter hair colors would love this easy dry shampoo. It only requires one basic item from the cupboard and an optional essential oil for fragrance,” says Backe.
- Add ¼ cup of cornstarch or arrowroot powder to a bowl with two to three drops of an essential oil (Backe prefers peppermint or lavender) and combine.
- Next, Backe suggests pouring the mixture into an old spice shaker or a jar for easy storage.
- To apply, use a makeup brush to tap and blend the powder thoroughly into your roots.
2. Homemade dry shampoo for brunettes with cocoa powder
Those with dark hair know the struggle of finding a dry shampoo that doesn’t leave behind white, chalky residue. Well, you’ll never run into this problem again with this DIY dry shampoo recipe made for those with dark roots. “This recipe is specifically designed for brunettes, so bid chalky roots farewell. It smells like cocoa and goes well with darker hair colors,” says Backe.
- Add 2 Tbs. of cornstarch or arrowroot powder and 2 Tbs. of unsweetened cocoa powder to a bowl. For fragrance, add two drops of an essential oil (Backe suggests vanilla or rosemary) and ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Combine everything together. The cocoa powder (and cinnamon) will give the dry shampoo powder a darker hue, eliminating that white residue.
- Store in an airtight container, says Backe.
- “For a smooth, natural-looking finish, apply to the scalp with your fingertips or a brush and work it in,” says Backe.
3. Volumizing DIY dry shampoo for oily hair and flat roots
You may have noticed that when your hair starts to get greasy, the flatter and more limp it looks. “For flat hair that needs a lift and oily scalps, this volumizing dry shampoo is perfect. It gives your roots body while absorbing oil,” Backe tells us.
- In a plastic or glass bowl, combine ½ teaspoon of baking soda, 1 Tbs. of arrowroot powder, 2 teaspoons of bentonite clay and three drops of eucalyptus or tea tree essential oil (these essential oils help with freshness). “Because bentonite clay might react with metal, make sure to mix this mixture in a bowl that isn’t made of metal,” advises Backe. Bentonite clay helps to add volume by soaking up oil, dirt and grime that can weigh the hair down.
- When applying, Backe says not to overdo it. “For optimal effects, use sparingly and concentrate on the areas of your scalp that are the greasiest.”
4. DIY dry shampoo using baby powder in a pinch
If you need a DIY dry shampoo super quickly and don’t have the time to concoct together a recipe, you can always turn to old reliable baby powder, says Yates. “A tried and true option is to use baby powder as a quick fix. The big negative is the white caste when applied to hair,” she says. So if you are going the baby powder route, make sure you really blend it into the roots.
Yates also recommends loose powder (like the kind you use for your makeup) for a quick DIY dry shampoo. “Since the loose powder is usually colored, it will help offset the white cast,” she says.
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