Ever feel like your hair starts hurting when you go too long between washes? You’re not alone—it’s a real thing! But instead of spending big bucks on store-bought dry shampoos loaded with who-knows-what, why not make your own? This simple DIY dry shampoo absorbs oil, revives limp hair, and costs just pennies to make. Plus, you can customize it for your hair color and scent preference.

Listen, we’ve all gone a few too many days between shampoos. Some of us frequently rely on a good dry shampoo to stem the tide. And as you may have noticed, not all dry shampoos are created equal. Some feel sticky, which can weigh hair down. Others leave weird, white-ish chunks clinging to the hair resembling a bad case of dandruff instead of the look of freshly washed hair. Worse? Quality dry shampoos containing hard-to-pronounce, weird ingredients can be super pricey.

Why Dry Shampoo is a Hair Care Essential

According to dermatologists, your scalp naturally produces oils that build up around the hair shaft, and when they accumulate, they can cause discomfort. That’s where dry shampoo comes in.

This handy hair refresher absorbs excess oil, so instead of looking greasy, you can just brush it out and move on with your day. But dry shampoo isn’t just about making unwashed hair look clean—it’s a total hair care lifesaver. It extends the life of a blowout, adds volume to limp strands, and can even make it look like you actually showered when, well… you didn’t (no judgment here).

Save Money and Skip the Chemicals

Beyond saving money, making your own dry shampoo lets you control what goes into it, which is especially important given recent concerns about benzene contamination in aerosol dry shampoos.

In October of 2022, the FDA found elevated levels of benzene—a known carcinogen—in several popular dry shampoos, leading to a voluntary recall of products manufactured before October 2021. While many of these have been pulled from store shelves, they may still be lurking in bathroom cabinets.

Benzene exposure has been linked to leukemia and other blood cancers, and while the long-term risk from personal care products isn’t fully understood, avoiding unnecessary exposure is a smart move. Fortunately, newer formulations are emerging, but an even safer, budget-friendly alternative is to make your own. It’s quick, effective, and customizable—so you get fresh, voluminous hair without the added worry.

DIY Dry Shampoo Recipe

What You’ll Need

A shaker container
A small mixing bowl
Baking soda (helps absorb oil and neutralize odors)
Cornstarch (adds volume and helps soak up excess grease)
Essential oil (optional, for a fresh scent)

How to Make It

In less than five minutes, you can make a batch of super-absorbent, easy-to-use dry shampoo. Simply mix the baking soda, cornstarch, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil in a small bowl. Then, transfer the mixture into a shaker container—an empty Parmesan cheese container works perfectly! It lets you sprinkle just the right amount onto your roots while keeping the rest sealed and dry between uses.

MORE: Best Drugstore Hair Products—Superior Quality, Super Affordable

How to Use Dry Shampoo

Using dry shampoo is quick and easy—perfect for those in-between wash days. Simply sprinkle a small amount onto your roots, then use your fingers or a hairbrush to work it in. If you want a more targeted application, dip a clean makeup brush into the dry shampoo and dab it along your roots, focusing on the oiliest areas.

Let it sit for a few minutes to absorb excess oil (this step is key!), then brush thoroughly with a good-quality hairbrush to distribute the powder and remove any residue.

MORE: The Costly Mistakes You Make With Your Choice of Shampoo

Tips for Dark Hair

If you have dark hair, you might notice a bit of a white-ish cast at first—but don’t panic. It fades as you work the dry shampoo in and brush it out. Still, if you’d rather avoid the ghostly roots altogether, there’s an easy fix: customize your dry shampoo with natural color.

For brunettes, mix in a small amount of dry cocoa powder to blend seamlessly with your hair. If you have reddish-brown or auburn tones, cinnamon does the trick. Since you’ll be brushing most of the dry shampoo out, any slight residue left behind will match your hair color instead of standing out. Plus, cocoa and cinnamon smell amazing.

MORE: Best Drugstore Makeup—Superior Quality, Super Affordable

Arm and Hammer, Baking Soda, 43.2 Ounce

Rumford Non-Gmo Corn Starch, 12 Ounce

SIVA Lavender Essential Oil 4 Fl Oz – For...

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Tablecraft Cheese Shaker

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5 from 4 votes

DIY Dry Shampoo

Why spend a fortune on store-bought dry shampoo when you can make your own for pennies? This DIY version is free from questionable ingredients, absorbs oil like a champ, and takes just five minutes to whip up. Plus, you can customize it for your hair color and add a subtle scent if you’d like.

Prep Time5

Total Time5

Category: DIY Hair Care

Cuisine: Health and Beauty

Yield: cup

Materials

½ cup baking soda
½ cup cornstarch or substitute with arrowroot powder
1-2 drops essential oil optional, for a light, fresh scent

Instructions

To Make:

In a small mixing bowl, combine the baking soda and cornstarch (or arrowroot powder).
Add essential oil, if using, and mix well.
Transfer the mixture into a shaker container, like a large salt shaker or an empty, clean Parmesan cheese container. These make application easy while keeping your dry shampoo fresh and dry between uses.

To Use:

Lightly sprinkle a small amount onto your roots.
Use your fingers or a hairbrush to work it in. If you prefer, dip a makeup brush into the powder and dab it onto your roots for more control.
Let it sit for a few minutes to absorb oil.
Brush it out thoroughly with a good-quality hairbrush to remove any excess powder.

Notes

For Dark Hair: If you have dark hair, this dry shampoo may leave a light cast at first. It will fade as you brush, but to avoid it altogether, mix in a bit of cocoa powder for brunettes or cinnamon for reddish-brown hair. Not only will it blend better, but your hair will smell amazing.
Storage Tip: A Parmesan cheese container or a spice shaker with a closable lid works best for keeping moisture out and making application a breeze.
Extra Volume Boost: Apply before bed to wake up with refreshed, full-bodied hair.

Question: What’s the longest you’ve gone without washing your hair? Be honest, then share your best haircare tips in the comments below.

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Last update on 2026-07-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Liz says:

April 9, 2025 at 4:48 pm

I printed this out for my son. He has a port installed for dialysis and can ‘t get it wet, and has been asking questions about dry shampoos. Will let you know how it works out for him.

Jerrie says:

March 20, 2025 at 11:20 pm

Thanks for the recipe. I have very fine thin hair, at 66 years of age, and want to keep as much hair as i can. Question: since baking soda contains sodium, can that cause damage to already thin hair, like salt can do to weeds or concrete?

Mary Hunt says:
March 23, 2025 at 10:10 am

That’s a great question Jerrie, and one that sent me into research mode. Using baking soda in a DIY dry shampoo on thin or delicate hair could cause more harm than good. If your hair is already on the thinner side, I would suggest you leave out the baking soda. The cornstarch (also known as arrowroot powder) will absorb oil without the risk of further damage.

Geo says:

October 28, 2023 at 1:09 pm

Very good article. Learned about this from a nurse during a 3-week hospital stay many years ago. But she never mentioned essential oil. Thank you much.

DIY Dry Shampoo That Works – No Harsh Chemicals!

Why Dry Shampoo is a Hair Care Essential

Save Money and Skip the Chemicals