This two-ingredient DIY dry shampoo recipe is my secret weapon for “washing” my hair on days I have to skip the suds. Made with natural ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, dry shampoo can transform greasy hair into locks that feel fresh and full of body.
I keep a jar on my bathroom counter and one in my purse, just in case I end up running to nearly everyone I know on the days I rushed out of the house. (Does that always happen to you, too?)
What is dry shampoo?
Basically, it’s a powder or spray that works by absorbing excess oils on your scalp and hair, leaving your hair looking freshly washed. It’s good for all hair types – oily, normal, and even dry when used sparingly. I use it as an alternative to traditional shampoo when I’m traveling or just busy.
In this article I’ll share two basic recipes for blonde and brunette hair that can be adjusted for other hair colors. The reason for different formulations is that the recipe for light hair can leave a visible white tint on dark hair until it fully absorbs.
Even though my hair is super dark I have successfully used the lighter formula, but I have to apply it before bed instead of in the morning so that my roots have time to soak it up.
On the flipside, people with light hair will want to avoid the dark hair formula because it can temporarily tint their roots brown.
Below you’ll find both of my basic recipes – which will take less than five minutes to make – plus an FAQ section based on the most common questions I’ve received about dry shampoo over the years.
How To Tint Dry Shampoo For Any Hair Color
The two basic recipes below work for most people, but there are ways to adapt them to more closely match your hair if needed.
For light blonde or gray hair – Omit the cacao/cocoa powder.
For strawberry blonde or red hair – Add up to 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon powder to either the light or dark formula.
For dark brown or black hair – Add up to 1 teaspoon of activated charcoal to the dark hair formula. Keep in mind that it can be drying so add the minimum amount needed to get the tint you need.
DIY Dry Shampoo Recipe for Light or Dark Hair
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- spoon
- airtight jar
Ingredients
DIY Dry Shampoo Ingredients For Dark Hair
- 2 tbsp arrowroot powder (Or non-GMO cornstarch)
- 2-3 tbsp cacao powder (Or unsweetened cocoa powder)
- cinnamon or activated charcoal (Optional tint – See notes section for more info)
- 9-12 drops essential oil (Optional – rosemary, tea tree, and peppermint are good options)
DIY Dry Shampoo Ingredients For Light Hair
- ¼ cup arrowroot powder (Or non-GMO cornstarch)
- 1 tsp cacao powder (Or unsweetened cocoa powder – you may or may not need this depending on the color of your hair. If it is very light blonde or gray/white you might want to skip it. See notes section for more info)
- cinnamon or activated charcoal (Optional tint – See notes section for more info)
- 9-12 drops essential oil (Optional – rosemary, tea tree, and peppermint are good options)
Instructions
- Add arrowroot powder/cornstarch and cacao/cocoa powder to a bowl and stir the ingredients until they are thoroughly combined. (If you want to add 9-12 drops of lavender or tea tree essential oil, mix them in as well)
- Transfer your dry shampoo to an airtight jar for storage. See the section below for instructions on how to use dry shampoo.
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Mention @mommypotamus or tag #mommypotamus!
How To Use Dry Shampoo
Before we get started, let me share my best dry shampoo tip with you: LESS IS MORE. Over-application can make your hair difficult to work with and/or look chalky. When used properly, though, it lifts while creating a beautiful texture.
To Apply: Dip your makeup brush in dry shampoo, then tap to remove any excess powder. Most people recommend that you divide your dry hair into sections and apply the dry shampoo to your roots, moving from the crown of your head down. I’ve found that it’s actually a pretty forgiving process that doesn’t require much fuss, so here’s what I personally do:
First, I grab the makeup brush and apply dry shampoo to the roots around my forehead and temples. This is typically the area that needs the most volume. Next, I flip my head over and use the brush to apply it to the rest of my scalp.
After that, allow the powder to set for 2-3 minutes, then brush your hair from root to tip. This helps to distribute the powder throughout your hair as well as remove any excess.
Now, run your fingers through your hair and look for oily places you may have missed. Spot apply as needed, then brush again. Ideally, you’ll want to give your hair 5-10 minutes to fully absorb the shampoo before styling, but if you’re in a rush go ahead and style immediately.
Note: Some people prefer to add the powder to a salt shaker and sprinkle it over their roots – that works too!
Below are answers to some of the most common questions I’ve received about dry shampoo over the years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some of the most common questions I’ve received about dry shampoo over the years.
Why make my own dry shampoo instead of buy it?
I make my own because it’s so quick and affordable. Also, many dry shampoo products contain ingredients such as talc, parabens, phthalates, isobutane, which have been linked to cancer and hormone disruption.
Okay, but are there any good pre-made dry shampoo options?
Yes, this is a great option with a fresh scent and safe ingredients.
What’s the benefit of adding essential oils?
Many store-bought products use peppermint essential oil, tea tree essential oil, rosemary essential oil, or another oil in their formulas to make the scent more appealing. It can be a great addition if you feel like the cocoa powder is a bit overpowering.
How often can I use homemade dry shampoo?
Most sources I have read say it’s best to use 1-2 days in a row (3 at the most) before washing. Using it more often than that can cause it to build up on the scalp that can similar to dandruff.
Can I use baking soda as a dry shampoo?
Some products use baking soda in their formulas. It works well for some people but can cause scalp irritation for others.
Because there are so many other ingredients that work just as well, I haven’t experimented with using it in my recipes and therefore can’t offer any guidance on how much to use in a batch.
Can I use baby powder as a dry shampoo?
Yes, but I’d opt for something like this Goddess Garden Organic Baby Powder that is talc-free. Here’s why:
Johnson & Johnson is fighting over 15,000 lawsuits which claim that the talc in their products was contaminated with asbestos. Many plaintiffs later developed cancer which they say was caused by the exposure.
The company says that its product is safe but recently recalled some baby powder due to “trace” asbestos contamination. Also, the other main ingredient in some popular baby powders is “fragrance,” which can include a variety of endocrine disruptors.
More Natural Hair Care Recipes To Try
Homemade Dry Shampoo Spray – If you really love aerosol sprays and don’t want to use a makeup brush or salt shaker for application, this recipe is for you.
DIY Leave-In Conditioner – This 2-3 ingredient coconut milk conditioner softens and conditions without weighing hair down. It takes just minutes to make and is super easy to use. Just spritz it onto clean, damp hair.
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Serena Craig
Hi!
I made the dry shampoo for light hair, used just a bit of cocoa powder, and coriander essential oil. OMG— it is wonderful! Works great on hair, and something else….as a carpet freshner and cleaner! Really amazing! Thanks for another great recipe Heather!
Michele
I got your awesome ebook and it says in the contents this recipe for dry shampoo is on pg 47… but it’s not in the book 🙁
i like the idea of this, although sectioning my hair and putting powder in it seems to be just as time consuming as hopping in the shower and washing…i can take a ten minute shower, clip my hair and dress in under 20 minutes. especially during the summer, a shower is nice way to cool off.
Not so natural but works really well without leaving behind powdery residue, quick easy spray results.
I agree. Moms are busy…yes. Some people argue it is not healthy to shower daily…ok. But realistically I have to think that anyone who is into hygiene at all and doesn’t live alone will take 6 minutes out of their day for a quick shower. If you don’t like that your hair looks greasy, a quick fix would be to wash it.
It’s not unhygienic to not wash your hair daily, or even to just have a “bits and pits” bath. To be honest, it’s realistic when you have a couple of small children, or are trying to be more eco friendly, or don’t have access to a shower, or etc and so forth. Dry shampoo is very nice to have on hand. I personally use it when traveling because you’re not going to be able to shower during that five hour layover and waking up twenty minutes plus earlier when you have to be at the airport at 6 am sucks. But also, it’s been proven to be better for your hair to not wash it every day if you have certain hair types because washing every day can really dehydrate (ironically) your hair. To make up for that, your scalp will produce more oil so your hair will get oily faster. Plus, if you have long hair, that extra oil probably won’t reach your ends and you’ll get split ends more easily. Final point too, some hairstyles do better in hair that hasn’t just been washed, because it has more texture. But you don’t want to have a gorgeous hairstyle and ridiculously oily hair unless you’re going for the slicked back and sleezy look.
I’m I have six kids and one on the way. Three are under 2.5
I’m lucky if I get a shower every other day. My average is two to three days cause if I step away I get kids crying or screaming
I only shampoo twice a month now…
It’s not supposed to be a time saver.
This would be a time saver for me, who has super thick hair and lives in a place where the humidity level is always around 50% in the summer and everything takes forever to dry. Washing my hair in the morning and needing to be at work at 8 am where I’m expected to look professional, means Adding an extra hour to my morning routine. I could do this in about 10 minutes. Thanks!
Pamela Abramson – It’s much quicker than it sounds, though in your case it may not be much of a time saver. My hair doesn’t look great if I shower and go without styling, so this technique allows me to freshen up my previously-styled hair without doing everything over again 🙂
Works great for ppl like me, disabled, and not always physically capable of restyling my long hair. 🙂 Thx Great share!
I just use clay – works great and gives my hair a really nice volume
Dry shampoo also allows your hair a rest between regular shampooing. Regular shampoo strips your natural oils and causes your hair to become dryer more quickly. Then there is the upside to not having to heat your hair again with heat (blow dryer and straightener or curling iron). 🙂
When I use this, I put it in a salt shaker and omit the makeup brush part. It makes the application SO much faster! Then I just shake it on my roots quickly, and finish up with the other steps.
That’s a good idea! I never thought of using a salt shaker. Thanks!
I do this too! I have a large cut crystal salt shaker I keep on my dressing table. I also pick up pretty shakers at garage sales, estate sales, etc, and fill them with homemade dry shampoo to give as gifts.
What a brilliant idea! I have 2 daughters with very thick long oily hair so I’m going to make this for them! They use a commercially made one and it’s so expensive!
Well that’s a great idea!!
I used to do this and maybe I just apply too heavily but it makes my scalp so dry, I have to use the more controlled brush method.
I love adding powdered herbs to mine!!!
I made a body powder once using both lavender flowers and rose petals. I added this to a dry shampoo and it was very nice. You could also do rosemary, which is good for the hair. Just don’t use too much of these powders or you could have red, green or lavender hair!
Denise DeLosa – I love that idea! Which herbs do you add?
Courtney Allen…a home made dry shampoo???? Haha! You KNOW I’m trying this 😉
Thank you Heather! This is going to sound disgusting, but I’m going to go ahead and ask….how long can you go without washing with this method? I already just use baking soda for washing, but I’d love to be able to skip the water more often. My hair is super thick and takes forever to dry! Also has anyone used a curling iron after applying this powder? Does your hair still respond the same?
Hi Cate, I’m not really sure. I like to wash every few days, and haven’t really tried to extend my time beyond that. I can still style my hair with curlers after using dry shampoo, but only if I don’t use too much 🙂
Well I’ve been using this for a while now and it saves me tons of time, I only wash my hair twice a week, if I do wash it, it takes me an extra hour to get ready. And I start work at 7am. All i do is sprinkle some on my hair, brush it and I’m out the door. I will say I tried it with orange oil once and bees followed me around everywhere. So now I leave that out.
Hahaha, flower child 🙂
I could use that too sometimes!!!!
OMGoodness! With a new baby in the house, you have perfect timing with thid post
What do you recommend for dry scalp? I’ve tried the honey treatment for dandruff and it didn’t really change anything so I think it’s dry scalp. It gets so itchy that I have to wash every day, which I know doesn’t help anything! Thanks!!!!
My husband had the same problem with dandruff. He’s using a 1 part vinegar to 1 part water rinse with rosemary and tea tree essential oils instead of shampoo and conditioner. He started doing this every other day and it stopped itching! And we found out it’s cause by psoriasis so he’s using herbs to treat that condition.
Sara, Heather hasn’t researched topical solutions for dry scalp, unfortunately.
I have itchy scalp too. Amber Listerine has Tymol and will kill the itch causing bacteria. I use a small cone shaped mouth bottle (like a small contact lense saline bottle type) to dispense it to the itchy spots. Read that it helps with dandruff too. Hope it works well for you as it does for me.
I love your dry shampoo recipe! I use the same recipe for dark hair, and it also doubles as a fantastic loose powder. It has replaced my previous makeup which was full of too much yuck!
I put dry shampoo in before I go to bed. This makes my morning routine even faster, plus it give the dry shampoo hours to absorb the oil. 🙂
Can you use this for kids?
I’m not much of DIYer, but this doesn’t look too difficult to make.
Stefani Allen Wood – Yes, you can 🙂
I have white hair….very fine and straight..Is there a substitute for the cocoa powder?? I don’t like to wash it every day and a dry shampoo sounds good but I think the cocoa would cause it to look dirty or yellow?
Candy Morgan – You can just use the arrowroot/cornstarch.
Challenge accepted!! This stuff is awesome! Thanks for the share, any mom should have this!
Perfect for back backing in the wild. where water is scarce.
Can you put it in damp hair? I have curly hair and brushing it when it’s dry results in a frizzy lion mane. Anyone with curly hair have tips?
Hi Laci, unfortunately it does not work well with damp hair.
Laci, you don’t have to brush, you can just use a small amount, let it sit, then use your fingers to very gently distribute it.
Did I miss the link to open this in Pinterest?
Leesha Epler – Here it is 🙂 http://www.pinterest.com/pin/125397170849753688/
All of my life I have used hand made soap and vinegar for a rinse. My hair is great and always shinny no need to spend money on junk.
I have been using this sans the EO and have loved it.
I just take a bit and rub it in sections of the scalp till it absorbs and then comb out. Takes less than a minute 🙂
Quick question @Mommypotamus, why don’t your recipes include baking soda?
Thanks.
I’ve found that for this purpose it’s just a little to alkaline for regular use. Arrowroot is more gentle 🙂
Can you explain why you would use each ingredient?? Why Cocoa powder, what does it do and why arrowroot?? Thanks!
Hey Heather, I have really thick hair and a really oily scalp. I tried your DIY dry shampoo and it worked great for in between washings! I had a really hard time washing it out though. It just caked up really badly and wouldn’t rinse out. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Chelsi
Hi Heather,
I just wondered if you could advise me on a specific subject…I have very fine thin hair and for a while was using the baking soda method washing my hair but thereafter learned it could weaken or damage my hair. For now I’m working on getting my hair used to washing with honey but it’s really greasy while it adjusts and I don’t know whether honey will end up working for fine hair or if it will always be more moisturizing than I need? I’ll be patient while my hair adjusts if you think it will work out ok but if not why am I wasting my time! I just want a natural type of shampoo that I don’t have to make orders on amazon to create. Maybe I’m dreaming? Thank you for your expertise!
I love adding a drop of each peppermint, rosemary and lavender! I can definitely tell that my hair grows faster!
Can you substitute carob powder for the cocoa powder?
I haven’t tried it, but I would think so 🙂
Hi Heather, I wonder if I can substitute activated charcoal powder instead of cocoa powder for dry shampoo? I have dark hair.
Hi! I made the dry shampoo mix with just arrowroot powder and cocoa powder, and I was wondering if I will need a carrier oil if I’m adding bergamot essential oil? Thanks!
Hmmm
I liked what it did for my hair DEFINITELY!
But the arrowroot powder made my scalp feel itchy
:/
Gonna try the organic cornstarch.
Hi! I made this with cornstarch and cocoa powder (I am allergic to arrowroot), and I absolutely LOVE it. It really works as a dry shampoo!! However….it leaves residue on my clothes – if I wear a dark colored sweater or a scarf, my hair leaves a light white residue on the neck or collar :/ Has this happened to you or others? Any suggestions? Thank you!!
Can you substitute cacao powder for the cocoa powder?
Sarah, that’s what I use. Same for my foundation.
I absolutely LOVE this dry shampoo. I was hunting for something that lasted longer and worked better than cans on cans of dry shampoo. In September, I began a RTW backpacking trip, and using only a carry-on, aerosols were not welcome. Found this recipe, quick ran down to Byerley’s for some arrowroot powder, and grabbed the cocoa from the cupboard. Because I have dark hair, 2 tbs of cocoa didn’t cut it, so it was trial and error finding the right shade. Not sure the exact measurements, but I ended up using quite a lot of cocoa. For an approx. 4 oz jar of packed powder, it’s been 3 months of regular use and I’m only 1/5 of the way through. Combined with Dr. Bronner’s for shampoo, a lemon juice rinse, and some backcombing, my hair can last NINE days (experiment only, I prefer to wash it more often than that). It’s such an awesome DIY product that it made my list of all-time favorite “no-poo” products NowBoardingFor.com/nopoo . And I haven’t tried it, but I’ve heard lavender is a great essential oil with chocolate as well. Thank you for this recipe!
Hey Heather! I absolutely LOVE this dry shampoo. No matter how often I wash it, the hair on my head looks greasy faster than you would beleive. I was hunting for something that lasted longer and worked better than cans on cans of dry shampoo. In September, I began a RTW backpacking trip, and using only a carry-on, aerosols were not welcome. Found this recipe, quick ran down to Byerley’s for some arrowroot powder in the spices section) and grabbed the cocoa from the cupboard. Because I have dark hair, 2 tbs of cocoa didn’t cut it, so it was trial and error finding the right shade. Not sure the exact measurements, but I ended up using quite a lot of cocoa. For an approx. 4 oz jar of packed powder, it’s been 3 months of regular use and I’m only 1/5 of the way through. Combined with Dr. Bronner’s for shampoo, a lemon juice rinse, and some backcombing, my hair can last NINE days (experiment only, I prefer to wash it more often than that). It’s such an awesome DIY product that it made my list of all-time favorite “no-poo” products NowBoardingFor.com/nopoo . And I haven’t tried it, but I’ve heard lavender is a great essential oil with chocolate as well. Thank you for this recipe!
I like to add ground cinnamon to my dry shampoo along with arrowroot and cocoa for my dirty blonde color. This adds a lovely earthy tint and smells even better, like Mexican hot chocolate or cookies 🙂
Is it okay to only use cacao powder and not the arrowroot powder? What is the difference?
I wear wigs all the time, and you can purchase a wand type item with something in it to help dull the shine on wigs, I read somewhere that Dry Shampoo would work but the ingredients concerned me because of the alcohol etc it contained, I believe this will work just as well and perhaps be safer. I did purchase a small bottle of what I found with better ing. but it was 4oz for $16.00 which I had seen this before that purchase.
What about strawberry blonde hair? Brown would look bad, but so would white.
You could try adding some organic rose petal powder, either red or pink depending on how red your hair is. It would also add some nice fragrance.
I just made this and tried it, I like using a dry shampoo not cause I don’t have time to shower, but because I naturally have oily hair and it helps me wash it less. I found this recipe super convenient and easy to throw together I decided I’ll make little Christmas gifts of it cause who doesn’t love dry shampoo! Love all your stuff!!
Just throwing this out there – even if your hair is clean, this stuff works wonders as a styling ad finishing product instead of hair spray. Just style your hair, and then dust a little on and finger it through. Or shake a little on to your dry hair and roots before styling. Either way, excellent body and hold.
Lately I’ve been shaking activated charcoal on my head before shampooing when it’s noticeably greasy. It seems to immediately absorb the oil, and helps to get a better clean. So I think I’m going to swap out the cocoa powder and use charcoal instead when trying this recipe.
I’ve been making this for years and recently added a third ingredient in the form of a small amount of activated charcoal to make my dry shampoo more grey for my greying brown hair. I love this dry shampoo and it doesn’t harm my hair like the sprays with their propane propellant and drying alcohols.
This is awesome! My hair is super greasy so I was having to wash it every single day which was so frustrating! I had heard about dry shampoo but wasn’t a fan of putting a ton of chemicals on my head lol so I just forgot about it until I saw your recipe in one of your emails. I thought ok why not I might as well try it and I LOVE it😍 I actually like the texture of my hair with dry shampoo better than freshly washed! Thank you for this and God bless
Do you have a source for the jars and labels that match – I love your dry shampoo jars
Im in Australia?