Not only can washing your hair every day be a hassle, but it’s so time consuming! As a mom I don’t have time to worry about washing, conditioning, and drying my hair every single day. I also don’t want to. I like to let my scalp be as healthy as possible and it seems to thrive when washed about once a week. But let’s be honest, there are times my hair gets a bit oily in between washes. So, cue dry shampoo. I didn’t want to spend money buying it, so I started making it several years ago. I have tried several different recipes and methods and have finally found my favorite combination and I now always have a jar of homemade dry shampoo on the shelf. Just in case.
This post contains affiliate links.
What does dry shampoo do?
Funny enough, dry shampoo doesn’t actually clean your hair. Despite its name, it isn’t a soap that is in powdered form that simply doesn’t need to be washed out. It actually makes your hair look fresh and clean by absorbing oil and giving it a bit of volume. Most dry shampoo is also scented which leaves your hair smelling nice in between washes.
Why not just buy it?
Cost
When buying a can or bottle of dry shampoo it can run you $8 to $28. If you get clean dry shampoo, or a brand lower in chemicals, the cost will be even higher. Depending on the ingredients you use, one batch of homemade dry shampoo should only cost $4-$5, if not less.
Chemicals
There are a lot of toxic chemicals in a lot of the dry shampoos on the market these days. They can be bad for our skin and scalp, cause respiratory problems, and some are even endocrine disruptors and carcinogens (which means they cause cancer). If we can avoid spraying that on our head and breathing it in, we probably should.
Many of these chemicals are found in soaps, cleaners, and personal care products. If the only thing in your house that contained them was the dry shampoo you used a few times a week, there wouldn’t be any problem. The issue is when you come in contact with a dozen or more products that contain toxic chemicals every day. This is where it is possible to have larger exposure to the point where it becomes unsafe.
Talc
This can cause lung inflammation and damage when repeatedly inhaled. Difficulty breathing, chest pain, wheezing, coughing, and scarring of the lungs, all from inhaling. Doesn’t sound like an ingredient you want in something you are spraying on your head. It can also be lethal for babies if they inhale or ingest the powder.
Liquid petroleum
If the vapors are inhaled it can cause respiratory inflammation, nasal itchiness, headaches, nausea, and dizziness. It can also cause central nervous system depression and difficulty breathing.
Cetrimonium Chloride
Can trigger allergies and cause skin irritations. It can also lead to the death of tissue in and around the mucus membranes of the eyes.
Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane
I was going to make a joke about saying it three times fast, but I don’t think I could even say it properly once. This is also known as the compound D4 and is commonly used in cosmetics, paints, adhesives, food packaging, and rubber products. Because of its widespread use, D4 has was evaluated by the US Environmental Protection Agency for its safety. Now it is up to the FDA to evaluate and decide if it should still be allowed in production.
Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane is very toxic if swallowed and can cause irritation when it comes in contact with our skin. It has been proven to interfere with the hormones in animals and is suspected to damage fertility and unborn babies.
Phenoxyethanol
Used as a stabilizer in many perfumes, soaps, and other products and has linked to quite a few health concerns. It can cause kidney and bladder damage, and eczema, and severe, if not life-threatening, allergic reactions. It is also considered highly toxic and is a neurotoxin and causes reproductive toxicity as well as developmental toxicity.
If your dry shampoo contains phenoxyethanol, please be careful how much you are using each day and never use it around babies or children.
Aluminum
While aluminum isn’t highly toxic, large quantities of exposure can lead to negative effects on your health. The concern is that this metal accumulates in the body, so over time, after repeated exposure, the levels in your body can become dangerous. It acts like a poison that damages the nervous system and the brain. This damage can lead to short term memory loss and increase the risk of Alzheimer’s, among other things.
Sulfates
The list of health problems associated with sulfates is a long one. Some of the things on that list are headaches, dry skin, aggravated asthmatic symptoms, and reduced lung function. Exposure can also lead to irritation of the respiratory tract, the eyes, skin, and mucus membranes.
Phthalates
This is a chemical that has great negative impacts on fertility, healthy babies, and children’s development. They are well known endocrine disruptors which means they interfere with the hormones. This can cause the body to over or under produce some hormones causing an imbalance. Unborn babies, and children are very susceptible to endocrine disruptors. This can lead to birth defects, learning disabilities, neurological disorders, and infertility.
Formaldehyde
Used as an ingredient in embalming fluid, in resins, composite woods, glues, fabrics, paints, and in cosmetics as a preservative. Inhaling it can cause nose, throat, and eye irritation. When exposed to higher levels it can cause wheezing and changes to the lungs, shortness of breath, and skin rashes.
What’s in homemade dry shampoo?
Arrowroot Powder
This is the main ingredient and is responsible for absorbing oil and sweat from the scalp. I have tried both and have found I like arrowroot powder better than cornstarch. Either one will work, it’s just my personal preference. Most non-organic cornstarch is cheap, but it is also commonly genetically modified. If I can avoid putting that in or on my body, I do.
Bentonite Clay
Not only is it responsible for absorbing oil, but it also changes the color.
Cocoa powder
This is totally optional but helps darken it enough that it won’t leave your hair looking ashy if you have naturally darker hair. It will also leave your hair smelling very faintly of chocolate.
Cinnamon
I have heard some people who do not recommend this because it can cause skin irritation when used in large amounts. I haven’t had that problem and don’t think the small amount in the recipe would be enough to do anything. If you have sensitive skin, it would be wise to take it slow with the cinnamon. It just changes the color and gives a gentle spicy aroma to the shampoo.
Charcoal
Charcoal has incredible absorption abilities and also very quickly darkens the shampoo. A little goes a long way.
Essential oils
These are totally optional and only for scenting the shampoo. A few great options are rosemary, cedarwood, and lavender since they are all good for promoting a healthy scalp and luscious hair.
Color match
These combinations will vary depending on your exact hair color, but it is a great starting point. All of these are added to a base of arrowroot powder. Check the recipe below for exact measurement suggestions.
Blondes and greys
If you have very light hair, you may be able to get away with just the cornstarch or arrowroot powder. If it makes your hair look to ashy then add a bit of cocoa or more bentonite clay.
Reds
Adding cinnamon (if it doesn’t irritate your skin) and a bit of cocoa powder should make the perfect shade.
Brunettes
Just cocoa powder (dark chocolate cocoa powder works really well too) should do the trick. You can add a bit of charcoal if your hair is super dark, or a bit of bentonite clay as well.
Black
Add a bit of charcoal powder! Keep it nice and simple.
Using your dry shampoo
This will store as long as the expirations date on your ingredients, but I usually use mine long before then. If I were to make a super large batch, I would probably make a new one after a year or so.
Apply the shampoo to the roots of your hair. The easiest way I have found to do this is to part your hair with your fingers and apply down the part. Then I massage it in with my fingers just a bit and part it again a few inches over. This way I am not just sprinkling it on my head but getting it down to the roots where it works the best. The best ways to apply it are to use a spice shaker (this one is a bit cuter) or dab it on with a makeup brush. Either way works well and is up to preference.
If you like this DIY you will love these:
Homemade Dry Shampoo
A super easy dry shampoo recipe that will leave your hair fluffy and volumized wihtout all the harsh chemicals and preservatives of store bought alternatives.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Arrowroot powder
Optional Ingredients
- Bentonite clay
- Cocoa powder
- Cinnamon
- Charcoal
- Essential oils
Instructions
- Start with 1/2 cup of arrowroot powder or cornstarch.
- Whisk in additional powders or oils until well combined. (See notes for amounts)
- Store in an airtight container for up to a year.
- To use apply the powder to the roots of your hair with a spice jar or a makeup brush. Use a hairbrush or fingers to work it into the hair.
- Wait five minutes for the oil to absorbed then brush again.
- Apply more if needed.
Notes
Dry shampoo is not a replacement for washing your hair. It is only to soak up oil and sweat that can make hair look dirty until the next time you wash your hair.
These recipes are only suggestions. You may need to change the ratios to find a color that works well for you.
Blondes: 1/2 c. Arrowroot powder + 1/2 tsp. Cocoa powder + 1/2 tsp. Bentonite clay
Greys: 1/2 c. Arrowroot powder + 2 tsp. Bentonite clay
Brunettes: 1/2 c. Arrowroot powder + 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
Reds: 1/2 c Arrowroot powder + 1/2 tsp Cinnamon + 1/2 tsp. Cocoa powder
- If you have sensative skin, reduce the amount of cinnamon and do a test by applying a bit of the shampoo to the inside of your elbow. If within two hours your skin is not irritated, it is fine to use.
Blacks: 1/2 c Arrowroot powder + 1/2 tsp. Charcoal powder
- This amount depends on the type of charcoal you use. Be sure to use caution when applying.
- Charcoal is known to stain.
If you have an unnatural color (green, blue, etc.) then start with arrowroot powder and a bit of bentonite clay or cocoa. There are always things like blue and green spirulina but I haven't ever tried something like that so I cannot attest to how well it works.
Leave a Reply