The DIY Dry Shampoo Recipe (That Will Nourish Your Hair While It Works!)

There are only so many hours in the day, and some days it feels like we barely have enough time to get everything done—even basic tasks like wet washing our hair. For most of us, wet washing our hair requires a few steps: washing, conditioning, drying, and styling. Our morning schedules can’t always accommodate these steps, but there are a few shortcuts to help make our lives easier.

Why we love dry shampooing

One of the best ways to circumvent a daily wash is dry shampooing. It’s a quick, easy way to “clean” your hair and get on with your day. Dry shampoos are ideal for using between regular shampooing (up to twice a week). They are an effective way to remove excess oils from your hair and scalp and can leave your hair with added nutrients.

Ingredient Benefits

Here’s a full breakdown of the benefits of everything we’re including in our DIY dry shampoo.

Activated charcoal

Activated charcoal helps to remove impurities and oils from the hair. This can help to deeply cleanse, and aerate your roots and scalp.

Arrowroot Powder

Many use arrowroot powder as a dry shampoo. Its moisture-absorbing ability is useful in reducing greasiness in hair.

Bentonite clay powder

Impurities found in the hair are drawn out with this clay powder. It’s a negatively charged clay that assists with removing product build-up. Besides its antimicrobial properties, it can improve softness and the definition of your curls.

Cacao powder

Cacao contains minerals such as magnesium that stimulate the scalp and help with improving the appearance of hair loss. It’s also said to give your hair a shinier, healthier appearance.

Chamomile powder

Using chamomile powder results in the appearance of healthier, shinier hair. It’s a soothing ingredient that also helps improve the appearance of dandruff and itchy, dry scalp.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is said to assist with hair growth and is good for removing buildup and improving follicles by giving them a more healthy appearance.

Oat straw powder

Oat straw powder is stocked full of a variety of minerals, including B-complex, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and silica, which can improve the appearance of thinning hair.

Rosemary powder

Rosemary is deeply cleansing, with numerous properties that help clean the hair and improve its shine. It can also improve the appearance of dandruff and flaky, dry scalp issues.

DIY Dry Shampoo

Since the aerosol versions of dry shampoo simply aren’t sustainable, we much prefer to make our own. Please note this recipe is for a darker brown hair—for light or blonde hair, we have included a list below of ingredient swaps to accommodate all hair colors.

Tools:

Measuring spoons

Measuring cups

Bowl

Fork or small whisk for mixing

Resealable storage container

Blush brush

Comb or brush

Ingredients:

1/2 cup organic arrowroot powder

1 TB organic oat straw powder

1/2 cup organic cacao powder*

1 TB organic rosemary powder

1 TB organic chamomile powder

10 drops organic rosemary essential oils (optional – Add for a more intense fragrance. Feel free to use your desired scent based on your favorite chosen recipe)

Instructions

1. Measure out all the ingredients, pour them into the bowl and mix them together using the spoon or whisk. Please note: If you add essential oils to your mixture, please add 1 drop at a time while stirring the powder. This will help minimize clumps.
2. Pour the mixture into the resealable container.
3. Store in a dry place.

Using the DIY Dry Shampoo

Using your blush brush, lightly dab it into the dry shampoo and add to your roots and the crown of your head. It’s best to add a little at a time to your hair. Depending on the amount you add to your hair and the length of your hair, a comb or brush may be more effective in removing the excess dry shampoo. I recommend dry shampooing your hair prior to getting dressed and applying face moisturizer and/or makeup.

Adjusting for your hair color

As previously mentioned, this recipe is for darker brown hair. Certain dry shampoo recipes can leave hair with a white residue on darker hair or a dark residue on lighter hair, so we’ve created a few options to accommodate for all hair colors.

If your hair is a color other than dark brown, switch out the cacao powder for one of the ingredients listed below:

• Light, medium blonde or gray – just the arrowroot and oat straw powder
• Gray/blue – bentonite clay or a small amount of activated charcoal
• Strawberry blonde – cinnamon
• Redhead/red-toned brunettes – cinnamon and cocoa powder
• Medium brown to dark brown – cacao powder and some activated charcoal (if you need to darken)
• Black hair – just a small amount of activated charcoal.

Since the ingredient replacement combinations are meant to match the color of your hair, play around with the measurements without going beyond ½ cup. Try a few different combinations of the recipes until you find the one that works for your hair needs and color.