Do you ever notice how your hair hurts when you haven’t washed it in a few days? (Hey, washing and styling can be so time-consuming.) It’s not just you—greasy hair pain is a thing.

According to dermatologists, there’s a legit reason for this having to do with oils that your scalp produces naturally accumulating around the hair shaft. A great dry shampoo can stem the tide. It does wonders to prevent the problem because it absorbs that excess oil so you can just brush it out.

More than that, dry shampoo can extend a blowout for days, bring life to limp hair, or make it look as if you’ve actually showered when you’re too lazy to wash your hair (not judging).

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.

Making your own dry shampoo solves all the problems: You’ll know with certainty what’s in it, it works really well, and costs only pennies!

How to Make Dry Shampoo That Really Works

You’ll need:

✅ 5 minutes

✅ a shaker container

✅ small mixing bowl

✅ baking soda

✅ cornstarch

✅ essential oil, optional

(Printable recipe below)

To make

It takes only five minutes or less to make a batch of super absorbent, easily removed dry shampoo. Mix the baking soda, cornstarch, and optional essential oil in a small mixing bowl. Transfer to a shaker like a large salt shaker. Or an empty clean Parmesan cheese container is an ideal container for your dry shampoo. It makes it super easy to sprinkle into your hair, but also allows you to close the lid to keep it dry between uses.

MORE: These Hair Products Guarantee No More Bad Hair Days

To use

It is super easy to use dry shampoo. Apply a small amount sprinkling it through your hair and then working it into the roots with your fingers or a hairbrush. Or you can use a makeup brush by dipping it into the dry shampoo, then dabbing it into the roots. Allow to sit for a few minutes to absorb the greasy oil, then brush it all away with a good hairbrush.

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

For dark hair

If you have dark hair, you may notice that this dry shampoo leaves a white-ish haze around the roots. This will dissipate, so don’t worry. However, to avoid this from happening, you can add natural color to your dry shampoo. For brunette hair add a small amount of dry cocoa powder. Cinnamon works for reddish-brown hair. Remember you’re going to brush most if not all of this out, however, any residue that remains will take on the color of cocoa or cinnamon.

MORE: Finally the Mystery of Hair Conditioners Solved

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Homemade Dry Shampoo

Making your own dry shampoo solves all the problems: You'll know with certainty what's in it, it works really well, and costs only pennies. It takes only five minutes or less to make a batch of super absorbent, easily-brushed-out dry shampoo.

Prep Time5

Total Time5

Course: DIY Hair Care

Cuisine: Health and Beauty

Servings: cup

Author: Mary Hunt

Ingredients

1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch can substitute with arrowroot
1-2 drops essential oil (optional but leaves a nice subtle scent)

Instructions

To make:

Mix the baking soda, cornstarch, and optional essential oil in a small mixing bowl.
Transfer to a shaker like a large salt shaker. Or an empty clean Parmesan cheese container is an ideal container for your dry shampoo.

To use:

Apply a small amount at the roots by sprinkly it through your hair and then working it into the roots with your fingers or a hairbrush. Or you can use a makeup brush by dipping it into the dry shampoo, then dabbing it into the roots.
Allow to sit for a few minutes to absorb the greasy oil, then brush it out and away with a good hairbrush.

Notes

A Parmesan cheese container, or similar, makes it super easy to sprinkle into your hair, but also allows you to close the lid to keep it dry between uses.
If you have dark hair, you may notice that this dry shampoo leaves a white-ish haze around the roots. This will dissipate, so don't worry. However, to avoid this from happening, you can add natural color to your dry shampoo. For brunette hair add a small amount of dry cocoa powder. Cinnamon works for reddish-brown hair or if you have heavy highlights. Remember you're going to brush most if not all of this out, however, any residue that remains will take on the color (and slight scent) of cocoa or cinnamon.