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Do you struggle with greasy hair? Or are you trying to make the switch to natural hair products and the hair is simply not cooperating? By using a DIY dry shampoo made with only 2 ingredients, your dream of having a natural hair care routine can now become a reality!

Dry shampoo on a makeup brush with a glass jar of dry shampoo sitting next to it.
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As a busy mom, I don’t have the time to wash my hair daily. And honestly, I don’t want to.

In fact, daily washes can actually be bad for your hair! Overwashing strips the hair of its natural oils and leads to a dry, itchy scalp, and damaged strands.

That doesn’t mean I want to walk around with greasy-looking hair. Fortunately, I don’t have to because of this homemade dry shampoo!

Dry shampoo is made with ingredients that absorb excess oils, leaving hair looking and feeling clean without a thorough washing. This homemade recipe is simple, effective, and easy to use!

After making this product, head over to my online resource library for your free printable label. Labels are a must in order to keep track of all your homemade products.   

Why You’ll Love DIY Dry Shampoo

  • Dry shampoo works amazingly in my hair to absorb oils and refresh it between washings. If you are trying to cut back on the frequency of your hair washings or simply don’t have time to wash it on a busy day, this dry shampoo can help you keep your hair looking clean.
  • This recipe is as simple as it gets! With only 3 ingredients and a couple minutes of time, you’ll have a natural dry shampoo that is perfectly matched to your hair shade.
  • Making your own dry shampoo allows you to completely customize it. Change the color to match your hair and add your favorite essential oils to make it your own.
  • Dry shampoo saves so much time. By using it between washes, I am able to limit my hair washing to twice a week. Compared to the daily washes I was doing, I am saving a lot of time throughout my week!
  • Making your own bath and beauty products is almost always cheaper, and this dry shampoo is no exception. The ingredients in it are affordable and easy to find online or in health food and grocery stores.

What Goes Into This Recipe

Dry shampoo ingredients: cocoa powder, arrowroot powder, lavender essential oil next to a makeup brush.
  • Arrowroot powder: The base of the dry shampoo, arrowroot powder absorbs the oils in the hair, reducing the greasy look. It can also be substituted with cornstarch to make a homemade cornstarch dry shampoo.
  • Cocoa powder: This will darken the arrowroot powder and help the dry shampoo blend into your hair better. The amount needed will depend on your hair color. You can also add cinnamon to give the shampoo a reddish tint.
  • Essential oils: Oils are optional, but many of them will provide additional benefits to the hair and scalp. Keep reading for my suggestions.
  • A glass jar for storage
  • A makeup brush for application

Optional Essential Oils

When choosing essential oils for your dry shampoo, you can do a combination of several oils or just pick one. Each of these oils is great for the hair and scalp (I use all of them in my homemade hair growth spray!).

I personally like to do a combo of oils, but I go heavy on the lavender because I love the smell. So get creative and switch it up!

How to Make Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo ingredients: arrowroot powder, cocoa powder, and essential oil with a makeup brush for application.

Step 1. Gather your ingredients. You will need arrowroot powder, cocoa powder, and essential oil. Plus, a jar for storage and a makeup brush for applying the shampoo.

Arrowroot powder and cocoa powder in a small bowl to make dry shampoo.

Step 2. Add arrowroot powder to a small mixing bowl, then add cocoa powder. Start by adding a tablespoon at a time for dark hair or a teaspoon at a time for light hair. If your hair has a reddish tint, add a pinch of cinnamon.

Dry shampoo mixed in a bowl with extra bowls of arrowroot powder and cocoa powder next to it.

Step 3. Stir to combine, then add more cocoa powder as needed to match your hair color. Add the optional essential oils and stir again.

Spooning dry shampoo into a glass jar for storage.

Step 4. Transfer to a jar for storage.

How to Use

Applying dry shampoo to the scalp using a fluffy makeup brush.

Dip your makeup brush into the jar of dry shampoo, then give it a little tap on the side of the container to remove excess powder.

Divide your hair into sections and start brushing the powder into the greasy sections of the hair. You only need to use the shampoo on the greasy areas.

Once the powder has been applied to the roots, let it sit for 1-2 minutes. Then, starting at the roots, use your hands to work the powder into the scalp and down to the tips of the hair.

Finally, brush any excess powder from the hair and style as normal.

Expert Tips

  • Start with just a little bit of cocoa powder or cinnamon and add more in small increments.
  • Keep in mind that dry shampoo is not a substitute for washing hair. It absorbs excess oils to keep your hair looking clean between washings, but it doesn’t remove dirt, grime, and sweat.
  • Limit dry shampoo to occasional use and continue with regular hair washings using one of my homemade shampoos and a nourishing homemade conditioner.
  • Dry shampoo can be very helpful if you want to wash your hair less often. I effectively “trained” my hair to produce less oil by washing it less often. Daily washing stripped my natural oils, so my scalp produced more to compensate. For about a month, I stuck to a schedule of washing less often and now I can wash my hair twice a week without it getting greasy! Dry shampoo is what got me through those long days while my hair was being trained, and now I rarely need it!
Holding up a brush with dry shampoo on it.

Recipe FAQs

Is dry shampoo safe?

Dry shampoo is overall safe and effective. However, if you notice buildup, flakey skin, or hair breakage, discontinue use.

How does dry shampoo work?

Dry shampoo absorbs the extra oils in your hair, making your hair look fresh and clean without shampooing. It can be found in both a spray dry shampoo and a powder form.

Who is dry shampoo good for?

Anyone can benefit from this product, including men, women, and children. It’s suitable for all hair types โ€“ thick, thin, oily, normal, and even dry hair.

Is homemade dry shampoo better?

Homemade dry shampoo is made with simple, natural ingredients and is very affordable. Storebought dry shampoo may come with some health risks and unwanted ingredients. Homemade dry shampoo may also be better for your hair. When I need to restock my dry shampoo, I always opt for this simple homemade version!

Dry shampoo on a makeup brush with a glass jar of dry shampoo sitting next to it.

Related Content

If you tried this DIY Dry Shampoo Tutorial or any other tutorial on my website, please leave a ๐ŸŒŸ star rating and let me know how it went in the ๐Ÿ“ comments below. Thanks for visiting!

4.54 from 63 votes

DIY Dry Shampoo for Light and Dark Hair

Prep: 5 minutes
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 1 small container
A simple and effective dry shampoo for all hair types. Are you tired of your hair looking greasy by the end of the day? Look no further than this homemade dry shampoo recipe.

Equipment

  • Airtight storage container
  • Mixing bowlย 
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Ingredients 

Dry shampoo for dark hair

  • 3 tablespoons arrowroot powder
  • 2-3 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 5 drops of essential oil of choice

Dry shampoo for light hair

  • ยผ cup arrowroot powder
  • 1-2 teaspoon cocoa powder, you can omit this if you have very light or white hair
  • 5 drops of essential oil of choice

Instructions 

  • Add arrowroot powder to a small mixing bowl.
  • Using a measuring spoon, start by adding a tbsp at a time (for dark hair) or a tsp at a time (for light hair) of cocoa powder. Then, stir it in, adding more if needed depending on your hair color. ย 
  • If your hair has a reddish tint, add a pinch of cinnamon with the cocoa powder.ย Start with less and add more until you reach the desired color. ย 
  • Transfer to an airtight container for storage.

How to Use

  • To use, divide hair into sections.
  • Dab powder onto the roots of the hair and let sit for 1-2 minutes.
  • Starting at the roots, use your hands to work the powder into the scalp and down to the tips of the hair.
  • Brush any extra powder out before styling like normal.

Video

Notes

  • Store out of direct sunlight for up to one year.
  • Keep in mind that dry shampoo is not a substitute for washing hair. It absorbs excess oils to keep your hair looking clean between washings, but it doesn’t remove dirt, grime, and sweat.
  • Limit dry shampoo to occasional use and continue with regular hair washings using one of my homemade shampoos and a nourishing homemade conditioner.
Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse!

About Laura

Welcome to Our Oily House, Iโ€™m so glad youโ€™re here! Explore DIY cleaners, homemade soaps, skincare and hair care recipes, fragrance-free solutions, and sustainable laundry tips for a naturally inspired home.

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4.54 from 63 votes (62 ratings without comment)

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27 Comments

  1. TaniaFromAustralia says:

    5 stars
    wow love the options tabs for the 1x 2x 3x servings!

  2. Rachel says:

    What’s the shelf life? I’m going to try this

    1. Laura says:

      This will last for a year. ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Roon says:

    This was very helpful. I just found out about benzene in dry shampoos and decided to change to natural. I do use colored dry shampoos because I have alot of white hair in places. So I was worried when I read , for light hair lol. I hope this works for my dark black/brown hair. Any advice if it’s too light? Because if sounds like it would be light for my hair to color the whites.

    1. Wendy says:

      Add in a bit of activated charcoal powder for very dark hair. A little goes a long way, so add and then sample it on your hair to check for color. As a warning, if you scratch your head, you may get dark fingernails!

  4. Yuna Rk says:

    hi, after using dry shampoo for 1- 2 minutes , and after brushing away the extra or complete powder from scalp ….. the question is – DO WE NOT HAVE TO WASH THEM WITH WATER – TO RINSE THE POWDER OUT FROM HAIR ??

    1. Laura says:

      I do not wash after using this.

    2. Rain Maiden says:

      Nope. I can tell by the caps that you are
      concerned.

      I have been using only arrowroot powder as a dry shampoo. My hair is medium brown and after 6-7 days of not washing my hair, it looks clean and shiny! Almost seems to bring out some highlights for me.

      The silky texture of arrowroot absorbs oil and actually leaves my hair feeling clean…and strangely it has a shine which I never got from any other dry shampoo.

      Yeah, you’ll wash your hair eventually but I am so impressed with arrowroot.

  5. Kaede says:

    Where can we find the cute glass jar like yours?! ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Laura says:

      I linked similar ones in the post!

  6. Kelly says:

    Silly questionโ€ฆ.how do you keep hair dry when showering in between shampoos?

    1. Laura says:

      You can try a shower cap.

  7. Angel says:

    Hi Laura, going to give this a try! I have fine thin hair as well. So should I washone day dry shampoo till next wash? I also would like to only have to wash mine 2x per week. House gets crazy with kiddos lol. ๐Ÿ’—Thanks

    1. Laura says:

      I use dry shampoo as needed to cover greasy hair.