Dry shampoo is a must have beauty product for many. Not only are commercial dry shampoos not natural, they don’t work half the time and while effective at curbing excess oil, they leave a dusty residue behind! I had been avoiding dry shampoo recipes because I knew most of them called for cocoa powder and I didn’t want to smell like chocolate. However, since DIY dry shampoo is such a simple recipe it was time to give it a go and I’m so glad it did. Using only natural ingredients, I was able to find a recipe to make my own dry shampoo that remedies greasy hair without the toxic ingredients and I don’t smell like candy bar! Read on for possibly the easiest and best DIY dry shampoo recipe you’ll ever make!
Having an oily scalp, I have used dry shampoo in between shampoos. However, I’ve always known my dry shampoo of choice was doing me no favors health wise and honestly, half the time it didn’t do a great job. Not to mention, having brown hair is not ideal when you are spraying white powder on your roots. The dry shampoo might have soaked up excess oil but it is impossible to get rid of that white, dusty look us dark haired people experience. There are dry shampoos specifically for darker hair but I figured the chemicals were bad enough in the original version. I didn’t want to add to it by getting a brown dry shampoo.
There are many DIY dry shampoo recipes floating around Pinterest but they didn’t interest me because they contained cocoa powder and I did not want to smell like chocolate! Cocoa powder is a must in order to avoid that white, dusty look and so I decided to continue to try to avoid my store-bought dry shampoo as much as possible and only use it when it was absolutely necessary. However, my teenage daughter started experiencing extremely greasy hair and needed a solution that did not include spraying harmful chemicals on her scalp daily.
I bit the bullet and decided to try a few recipes. To my complete surprise, I was able to add essential oils to the dry powder and while there is a slight smell of cocoa, the lavender overpowers it and actually compliments it. I prefer the smell of my homemade dry shampoo over the artificial fragrance of our usual dry shampoo!
Ever since I made a batch of dry shampoo, my daughter and I have been using it exclusively! It has been a lifesaver and this recipe will be added to the recipe DIYs that will be made over and over and considered better than store bought!
This is an incredibly easy diy and you’ll only need 3 natural, simple ingredients! My homemade dry shampoo powder can be made in minutes and is just as easy to use as commercial products!
What is Dry Shampoo & Why DIY It?:
Dry shampoo is meant to make hair look clean by soaking up excess oil build up. Typically a dry shampoo is in an aerosol can and is sprayed only on the roots. Contrary to the name, it does not clean the hair or contain shampoo. It is only meant to dry up oil on the scalp and hair. If you have oily hair a dry shampoo can be helpful when you don’t have time for a regular shampoo.
Conventional products contain extremely questionable ingredients especially if they are in an aerosol can. Some of these harmful ingredients are alcohol, parabens, liquid petroleum gas, isobutane, propane, talc and benzene not to mention artificial fragrance. Most dry shampoos are highly toxic beauty products.
Why DIY it? My diy recipe is so insanely simple yet so effective. My daughter and I couldn’t be happier with how much better it works than are old stand by that was full of yuckies! It takes minutes and saves a ton of money.
Related Post: DIY Hair Perfume
Ingredients for Specific Hair Color:
No matter what your hair color, you can mix different ingredients to get a match! See below on how to create a natural coloring powder to mix with your base of arrowroot powder.
- Black Hair: Activated Charcoal Powder
- Dark Brown Hair: Activated Charcoal Powder & Cocoa or Cacao Powder
- Medium Brown Hair: Cocoa or Cacao Powder
- Auburn or Red Hair: Cinnamon & Cocoa/Cacao Powder
- Strawberry Blonde Hair: Cinnamon
- Silver/Gray Hair: Bentonite Clay
- Blonde Hair: Arrowroot Powder
Go slow when adding colored powders in order to get the right balance. Remember, you can always add more color if you start to use your dry shampoo and find it’s too light. After all, all these colored powders will work with the arrowroot powder to soak up oil.
DIY Dry Shampoo Ingredient Alternatives:
Instead of using arrowroot powder, you can also use tapioca starch, corn starch or baking soda.
You can use cocoa powder instead of raw cacao powder. Cacao powder is more bitter and comes from unroasted cacao beans. It has more health benefits than cocoa and is less processed. I like to use it in my Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipe. Cocoa powder is more processed and comes from roasted cacao beans. However, I don’t detect a difference in scent.
Using essential oils is optional but I found that adding a few drops of essential oil really helped curb the smell of the cacao powder as well as helped freshen up the smell of hair that is due for a shampoo. I highly encourage you to add essential oils in order to mimic the fresh scent your scalp and hair have after shampooing.
Lavender is not just a great addition for it’s heavenly smell. It has actually been shown to produce more hair follicles to strengthen and thicken hair!
Rosemary, as we know from my DIY Brow Serum has been shown to rev up circulation which in turn helps encourage hair growth.
Cedarwood also promotes hair growth and has a more woodsy, manly scent. Cedarwood is a great essential oil to use when trying to encourage extra hair growth.
Tea tree oil is a great option and can help prevent build up from dry shampoo or any other hair care products or hard water.
Feel free to mix several essential oils rather than choosing just one. I love the combination of rosemary and lavender and always use this combo in my homemade body oil.
Where to get the Best Essential Oils:
When using essential oils, high quality, organic oils are a must. I typically get my essential oils from Plant Therapy. I love that they offer organic oils that are affordable. Plus they offer fast and free shipping. You can use my code JENNIRAINCLOUD to get 10% off your order!
What You’ll Need to Make DIY Dry Shampoo:
- 1/4 cup arrowroot powder (find it HERE)
- 2 tbsp. raw cacao (find it HERE) *optional*
- 5 drops lavender essential oil (find it HERE)
- Empty powder container (find it HERE)
- 1 Blush brush (find it HERE)
- Small Tupperware with a lid
DIY Dry Shampoo Recipe for all Hair Colors!
Using only natural ingredients, this dry shampoo recipe remedies greasy hair without the toxic ingredients and you don't smell like chocolate! With only 3 simple ingredients, this is the best and easiest DIY dry shampoo recipe you'll ever make!
Materials
- 1/4 cup arrowroot powder
- 2 tbsp. raw cacao *optional*
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
Tools
- Empty powder container
- 1 Blush brush
- Small Tupperware with a lid
Instructions
- Add arrowroot and cacoa powder into a small tupperware.
- Add 5 drops of essential oil.
- Replace lid and shake well.
- Transfer to your container.
Notes
This recipe is for brunettes but you can customize it to whatever your hair color may be!
- Black Hair: Activated Charcoal Powder
- Dark Brown Hair: Activated Charcoal Powder & Cocoa or Cacao Powder
- Medium Brown Hair: Cocoa or Cacao Powder
- Auburn or Red Hair: Cinnamon & Cocoa/Cacao Powder
- Strawberry Blonde Hair: Cinnamon
- Silver/Gray Hair: Bentonite Clay
- Blonde Hair: Arrowroot Powder
Container Options for DIY Dry Shampoo:
There are several great options for how to store and apply your dry shampoo. I prefer using an airtight container like THIS. Using a powder dispenser helps control the amount of powder you apply. However, a regular mason jar will work. Just be sure to tap the excess powder before applying to your scalp.
You might also prefer to use a salt shaker or spice shaker and shake directly on the scalp. A large makeup brush is best to help disperse the powder but you may prefer to use your fingers. Be aware using your fingers might add to the oily roots you are trying to remedy.
How to Use Dry Shampoo Powder:
Simply dust the powder on the roots of your hair with a large powder brush. Divide hair into sections and apply where you feel or see oil. You can use your fingers to work it into your roots if needed. Remember, a little goes a long way and it won’t take much to remedy those greasy roots! Using too much can weigh the hair down. Using just enough can actually encourage volume! What a great added bonus!
Can Dry Shampoos Damage the Scalp & Hair?
Of course, a plethora of side effects can occur if you are using a dry shampoo that is full of toxic ingredients but what about using natural products or a DIY dry shampoo that only contains natural ingredients?
DIY dry shampoos are safe to use. However, excessive use of a dry shampoo can lead to hair and scalp damage. Using too often will strip natural oils your hair and scalp need creating a vicious cycle of overproduction of oil.
Frequent use of dry shampoo, whether store-bought or DIY can clog hair follicles. Studies have shown that clogged hair follicles can result in a decline in hair health including thinning hair or even hair loss as well as reduced shine and volume over time. When hair follicles are clogged, blood flow can diminish which also leads to less healthy hair growth. Itchy scalp and dandruff can also occur when over using dry shampoo.
If you are using dry shampoo on a daily basis, which I do not recommend, you will need to use a clarifying shampoo more often. Using no more than once every couple days is best.
Believe me when I say, this DIY dry shampoo recipe will be added to my list of DIYs that are better than store bought. Which reminds me that I need to create that post listing my top, most used DIYs! Let me know in the comments if you try this DIY. I just know you’re going to be thrilled with it!
xx, Jenni
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Hi Jenny!
I actually already make a version of this with the cocoa but it never occurred to me to add essential oils. Instead of lavender, do you think sandalwood or another essential oil that helps promote hair growth could work?
The idea to use the loose power container and makeup brush for application, is genius! I’ve tried a powder pump (clogs, so not effective 🤦🏼♀️) and I’ve recently been using a condiment bottle (it’s better but still clogs and sometimes I get a Big clump, lol).
Thank you so much for your hard work and willingness to share your knowledge!
This is a great idea. since I cleaned up my diet, I don’t have greasy hair anymore and can go a few days between washing now. Adding the activated charcoal is a good idea. I have made one using just the cocoa powder (now I’ll switch it out for cacao powder) but it is still too light for my hair. I also don’t really like the smell of the chocolate…I don’t like “cooking/eating” smells in places they don’t belong…like cinnamon or orange in (Restrooms)bathroom air fresheners!!! YUK! lol
So I’ll add the AC and essential oils to my dry shampoo now.
Since retiring, I don’t go out as much anyway, therefore I don’t wash my hair often …this will be perfect for me!
OH, personally, I don’t use plastics. I do have a nice shaker made out of glass which will work great, and since I don’t use powders on my face for makeup but DO have a makeup brush, I’ll use that too!
Thank you
Carol-I’m glad you found this post helpful! I agree-I did not want to smell like chocolate but was shocked at how much the lavender cut that smell. A glass shaker is perfect! A little glass spice jar would work great!