This post was originally published in November 2018, Updated in November 2022.
Washing your hair daily could strip it of its natural oils especially if you have a dry scalp. So, what should you do instead? This is where dry shampoo comes in and saves you! Using dry shampoo helps you get rid of grease and oils and makes your hair look fresh and clean. It also saves the day when you don’t have enough time to wash your hair.
It’s best to make your DIY dry shampoo at home, it will save you a lot of time and money. Plus, it’s always a good idea to go with natural ingredients instead of unknown chemicals.
Homemade dry shampoo recipes are easy-to-make, cheap, and 100% natural. And they make your hair look good, smell wonderful, and be more voluminous.
So, what are the best DIY dry shampoo recipes to try? Check them below:
Table of Contents
Top DIY Dry Shampoo Recipes:
1- DIY Baby Powder Dry Shampoo Recipe
Ingredients:
- Pure baby powder with no additives.
Directions:
- Sprinkle the powder carefully on your fingertips then rub them well together.
- Massage the scalp gently with your fingertips for a few minutes, targeting the oily areas.
- Repeat until your hair and scalp look fresh.
- Brush hair until there’s no visible residue left on your scalp.
Benefits:
When you’re running out of options and need to cleanse your hair super quickly, baby powder is your savior!
It can absorb oils and grease effectively and leave your hair looking radiant and voluminous.
2- Arrowroot Powder Homemade Dry Shampoo
Ingredients:
- 2-3 tbsp organic arrowroot powder.
- 2-3 tbsp coloring powder ( cinnamon, cocoa powder, activated charcoal, bentonite clay).
- 6-8 drops of tea tree essential oil.
Directions:
- Mix all the ingredients well in a bowl.
- Use your fingertips or Kabuki makeup brush to apply the mixture to your roots.
- Massage the scalp gently then comb or blow dry your hair.
- Store the mixture in a container with a tight lid.
Benefits:
Arrowroot powder is the best alternative to commercial dry shampoos as it can soak up greasiness, sweat, and dust efficiently and keep the scalp clean.
Also, tea tree oil has antibacterial properties that will help leave your scalp healthy and prevent scalp problems like dandruff. Plus, it will leave your hair smelling good.
3- Baking Soda Dry Shampoo
Ingredients:
- 2-3 tbsp baking soda.
- 2-3 tbsp cocoa powder.
Directions:
- Combine the ingredients well in a bowl.
- Sprinkle the mixture onto your scalp.
- Massage gently with your fingertips.
- Then, comb or blow dry your hair until there’s no residue left.
Benefits:
Baking soda can soak up oil and give your roots some volume which will make your hair look glowing and fresh.
4- Corn Starch DIY Dry Shampoo
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp cornstarch.
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder.
- 8 drops of essential oil of choice (optional).
Directions:
- Mix the ingredients in a small container with a lid.
- Use a makeup brush to apply the mixture to your oily roots.
- Then, use your fingertips to rub the scalp gently for a few minutes.
- After that, brush or blow dry your hair.
Benefits:
This homemade dry shampoo can absorb excess oils, sweat, and excess product quickly. It will leave your hair looking voluminous and radiant.
5- Simple Homemade Dry Shampoo
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp arrowroot powder or cornstarch.
- 1 tbsp baking soda.
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder.
- 10 drops of lemongrass essential oil.
Directions:
- Mix the ingredients well in a bowl.
- Store the mixture in a small container with a tight lid.
- Sprinkle the mixture onto your scalp then rub your scalp gently with your fingertips.
- And then brush or blow dry your hair.
Benefits:
This recipe will remove all excess oil and dirt from your hair successfully while leaving your hair smelling good and fresh.
6- Rice Starch Dry Shampoo
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp rice starch.
- 2 tbsp organic arrowroot powder.
- 8 drops of lavender essential oil.
Directions:
- Mix all the ingredients in a small container with a lid.
- Sprinkle the mixture on your fingertips then rub the scalp carefully with your fingertips for a few minutes.
- And then comb or blow dry your hair.
Benefits:
This DIY dry shampoo recipe will soak up all excess oil and sweat from your hair and give it a fresh and healthy appearance in minutes.
How To Customize Your DIY Dry Shampoo Recipe For Your Hair Color?
Check out which coloring powder you should use according to your hair color:
For Blondes and gray hair: You can use arrowroot powder, cornstarch, baking soda, or baby powder safely with no need for adding coloring powders. But if your roots are on the darker side, you can add a dash of bentonite clay, activated charcoal, or cocoa powder.
For Medium Brown To Dark Brown Hair: add unsweetened cocoa powder to the recipe. You can also add activated charcoal if you need the mixture to be darker.
For Black Hair: Add activated charcoal to the mixture.
For Redheads: Add cinnamon to the mixture. You can also add a small amount of cocoa powder to get a shade that is more suitable for your hair color.
For Bright or Vivid Hair: Avoid adding coloring powders as they could stain your scalp. You can go with only arrowroot powder, cornstarch, or baby powder.
How Many Times A Week Should I Use Dry Shampoo?
Avoid using dry shampoo every day as it only absorbs oils not cleanse your hair. This means it’s going to build up gunk on your scalp which is not good for your hair and scalp health.
Using it once or twice a week between washes is enough. Don’t overdo it as I said earlier it absorbs oils and can strip essential oils that moisturize your scalp and hair.
Try to keep a balance between using shampoo and dry shampoo to avoid any damage that could happen to your hair.
The Bottom Line
Making natural DIY dry shampoo at home is always a good idea as it will save you when you are running out of time and leave your hair looking clean and fresh.
Keep in mind to shampoo your hair 1-2 times a week and don’t use dry shampoo daily as overusing could irritate your scalp and cause further problems.