Everyone knows second-day hair is the best hair, but sometimes it needs a little touch-up (thank youโdry shampoo!) to make it do what you want it to. When researching dry shampoo, I kept coming across the same ingredients over and over again: cornstarch, baking soda, and cinnamon. Since you already have these ingredients at home, why not make it yourself?
Before it was commercialized and put into aerosol cans, the recorded use of dry shampoo goes all the way back to the 15th century, when records emerged of Asian cultures using clay powders in their hair [source]. Clearly, the idea of refreshing hair with oil-absorbing powder, whether itโs flour or clay, was something that people have appreciated for a long, long time.
The Benefits of DIY Dry Shampoo
Making your own dry shampoo is more than just an exercise in saving some cash. When you DIY shampoo, you have total control over the end result and know exactly what youโre putting in your hair.
Plus, you can tailor your dry shampoo to exactly what you need from it. Letโs face it, not a lot of dry shampoo works on darker hair without leaving tell-tale ashy spots. Adding cocoa powder into your dry shampoo makes it blend in effortlessly. And it makes your hair smell like brownies!
Thereโs also some concern that using aerosol sprays on your scalp over time could cause issues like hair loss and scalp irritation. If you think that youโll miss the accuracy of using an aerosol spray, donโt worry. There are a few different application methods of dry shampoo that you can use to ensure that your scalp is refreshed all over with no greasy spots left behind!
While baby powder is a popular aerosol-free alternative to dry shampoos, baby powder usually contains talcโan ingredient that has been linked to certain cancers [source]. Talc is also featured in many aerosol dry shampoo ingredient lists, so by making your own three-ingredient dry shampoo, you can be sure itโs not included.
Best ingredients for dry shampoo
Now, letโs go into why these three ingredients work so well as a natural dry shampoo for hair. Thereโs a reason these exact ingredients have been used to freshen hair for decades!
Cornstarch
If youโre in any way familiar with cornstarch, then you know how fine it isโmaking it the perfect powder for using in your hair. Itโs incredibly effective at absorbing oils and adding volume to hair, deodorizing as well as freshening it. Itโs easy to find and even works as a makeup setting powder in a pinch.
Baking soda
Another super effective oil absorber to use when youโre training your hair, baking soda can help your hair feel fresher and absorb excess sebum. Itโs also effective at eliminating any smells, keeping your scalp fresh and funk-free. Be sure to pick up the powdered kind instead of crystal.
Cinnamon
A dry shampoo recipe in the American Journal of Pharmacy from 1918 included coumarin, which is actually derived from cinnamon. It was included to add a clean, spiced scent to hairโthe same reason weโve included it in this DIY recipe.
Oatmeal
Adding a spoonful of ground oatmeal to your dry shampoo will give your roots a little extra boost, which is awesome if you happen to have fine hair. To get my oatmeal as powder-like as possible, I whipped out my Vitamix. Yes, you can make dry shampoo in your blender!
Unlike the standard container, the dry grains container works by keeping ingredients up and away from the blade for a more uniform grind and a softer, more flour-like consistency.
5 DIY Dry Shampoo Recipes
Basic Dry Shampoo – Version #1
1 cup ground oatmeal
1 cup baking soda
Empty baby powder or spice container
Mix the oatmeal and baking soda together in a bowl thoroughly and then transfer to an empty baby powder or spice container. When you need to skip a hair-washing day, just sprinkle the dry shampoo on your roots and either brush it out or use a blow dryer and your fingers to work it through.
Basic Dry Shampoo – Version #2
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons ground oatmeal
Cocoa powder (optional)
Simply combine the cornstarch and oatmeal and blend until you get a fine powder-like consistency. Keep in an airtight container.
Dry Shampoo for Light Hair
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 tablespoon ground oatmeal
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 drops lavender essential oil
Empty baby powder or spice container
If you have more dirty blonde, brown, or red hair, I recommend adding a teaspoon of cinnamon. You can also add small amounts of cocoa powder until you get a shade that matches your hair color.
Dry Shampoo for Dark Hair
1/8 cup cornstarch
1/8 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon ground oatmeal
1/8 tablespoon cinnamon
3 drops lavender essential oil
Empty baby powder or spice container
Combine the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Transfer to an empty baby powder or spice container and sprinkle on roots to absorb oil and dirt. Brush the dry shampoo through your hair, or turn it into a reset spray and use a blow dryer and your fingers to work through your roots.
DIY Dry Shampoo Spray
1 tablespoon cornstarch (for dark hair, use 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch and 1/2 tablespoon cocoa powder)
4 tablespoons witch hazel
1 tablespoon vodka
1โ2 drops of essential oil (like lavender or rosemary)
Small spray bottle
Mix ingredients together well and pour into your spray bottle. Shake well (the cornstarch will settle at the bottom) before using and apply to roots. Use a blow dryer to restyle.
Applying Dry Shampoo
Shake and go
There are a couple of different ways to apply powdered dry shampoo, and picking one is really just a matter of preference. The first method has to do a lot with the packaging. Upcycling an old spice container or salt shaker for application is perfect for this.
Just shake the container over your head, massage in the product, and brush out for the ultimate refresh! I call this the โshake-and-goโ method. And itโs perfect when youโre a little short for time in the morning but need your hair to look like you just washed it.
Powder brush
Method two involves using an old powder brush. Itโs best if you set this aside as your dry shampoo-only brush. Your scalp is normally a little more oily than your face, so itโs important to keep this sebum off your face.
This method is a little more flexible with the packagingโyou can reuse a jar or anything you like. Simply dip the brush into the shampoo, and apply it to your roots or wherever your hair needs refreshing. I like that itโs more precise than sprinkling the product over your hair, but choosing either method is just personal preference.
Spray bottle
If youโre making dry shampoo spray, hold the bottle a few inches from the hair and spritz at the roots. Then use a hair dryer to restyle. Not only does this get rid of oily roots, but it also gives hair a nice volume boost!
Two cautions: Donโt go overboard and soak your head. You should only need the dryer for a couple of minutes. And watch where you spritz because after the spray dries, it can leave white spots on clothing.
When it comes to dry shampoo, thereโs nothing more annoying than not having it properly blend into your hair. Depending on your hair color, you can choose the light or dark recipe or stick with the basic dry shampoo for all your oily-root needs.
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Gina Jansheski, a licensed, board-certified physician with over 20 years of experience in practice. Learn more about Hello Glowโs medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor before using this recipe to determine whatโs best for you.
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I have black hair. So, should i use dark hair recipe or light hair recipe?
Dark because your hair is dark, use baby talcum powder,
My tip for using powdered dry shampoos is I always apply it to dirty hair before going to sleep. By morning, it’s absorbed and there’s no remnants of white powder!
Definitely going to have to try the one for dry hair. I have never had any luck with the store bought dry shampoos. In fact, some of them made my hair feel more greasy which is the opposite of what you want. Haha. Natural products are the way to go.
Taylor โค๏ธ
I mean blonde hair. Not dry… Ha ?
Definitely going to try these out! I have had little to no luck with dry shampoos, or store bought ones at least, so why not give a DIY dry shampoo a go? Very excited to see how they work!
Want to try but am not crazy about lavender. Anyone know if it is a necessary ingredient or just for scent?
It isn’t necessary Kristine, its just for a scent :)
I try lemon balm leaves, i bet that would smell nice
I have very dark hair (the dirtier, the darker!) and can’t use regular dry shampoo b/c it makes my hair look grayish. I found a similar DIY recipe for dark hair and it works great! At any rate, it makes my hair look less dark/oily and buys me another day of washing. I like the added cinnamon and lavender oil. I’ll have to try it!
I’ve always avoided dry shampoo because my hair is dark, but that recipe for dark hair sounds delish!!
Itโs my lifesaver too! And I think powders work just as well as those awful aerosols.
xo
Deborah
I use baby powder. Cornstarch base, NOT TALC. I have dirty blonde hair, naturally lighter around my face. Works like a charm. I keep it in a cleaned out prescription bottle with the childproof cap. I always get the most compliments on my hair the days I don’t wash it. :)
Isnโt that the truth! Freshly washed hair never gets as many compliments as 1-2 day old hair. ;)
xo
Deborah
I use arrowroot powder for DIY beauty products since it’s Non-GMO and doesn’t affect the color. It’s a fantastic translucent finishing powder & you can add it to body butter recipes to make them less greasy!