If you’ve ever overslept or lost track of time before you have to run out the door, you may have grabbed a can of dry shampoo in an effort to save time. But did you know that up to 90 percent of the contents in commercialized dry shampoos are made up of toxic ingredients such as benzene, butane, isobunate, propane, and more? Plus, many contain alcohol—a major drying agent that can cause your hair to break. As a result, it may be time to consider making a DIY dry shampoo.

Believe it or not, making a DIY dry shampoo doesn’t have to be hard or time consuming. In fact, you can make your own natural dry shampoo in less time than it takes to run to the store to purchase some! Keep reading to learn about the benefits of using a homemade dry shampoo and get my simple two-ingredient recipe that takes less than five minutes to create.

What Is Dry Shampoo?

So, what, exactly, is dry shampoo and, even more importantly, is DIY dry shampoo safe? First, dry shampoo is a hair product designed to make your hair look less greasy without washing it by absorbing any dirt and oil that accumulate on your scalp. It’s a great option when you don’t have access to a shower, want to add a little extra volume to your roots, or even want to support the health of your hair by restricting its exposure to heat (such as the blow dryer).

Another common question is whether or not dry shampoo is just baking soda. The simple answer is that while baking soda is also effective at absorbing dirt and oil, baking soda is quite alkaline while your scalp is slightly acidic. The result? Using DIY dry shampoo baking soda-based recipes can actually affect the pH balance of your scalp and increase your risk of experiencing both a dry, itchy, flaky scalp and even dry, brittle hair!

Now, let’s discuss the safety aspect of using dry shampoo. As discussed above, many commercially available dry shampoos contain a variety of toxins. For example, many dry shampoos contain benzene, a known carcinogen, and have been recalled numerous times over the last few years as a result. Interestingly, benzene isn’t needed for dry shampoo to be effective—and the same is true for many of the other chemicals. Given this, I recommend making your own DIY dry shampoo to ensure you’re avoiding these toxic chemicals.

DIY Dry Shampoo for Oily Hair?

So, given all of this information, what’s the best dry shampoo for oily hair? After all, keeping oil at bay is often the most popular use of dry shampoo. Personally, I’ve found that the best dry shampoo for oily hair features a base ingredient of arrowroot. This beneficial herb is excellent at absorbing oil and dirt from the scalp but also washes out easily, especially in comparison to DIY dry shampoo cornstarch-based recipes. Plus, it contains a variety of nutrients known to support healthy hair, including biotin, while also promoting a shiny finish. 

DIY Dry Shampoo Ingredients

At this point, you may be wondering what else to include in a DIY dry shampoo without cornstarch. Personally, I like to keep my DIY beauty recipes simple with as minimal ingredients as possible. So, in addition to using a couple of tablespoons of arrowroot powder, my DIY dry shampoo uses one to two teaspoons of cinnamon and/or cocoa powder, depending on your hair color. 

For example, if your hair is light blonde or gray, you may only need arrowroot powder or perhaps just a small amount of cinnamon. Meanwhile, for dark blonde hair, you may want to use a full teaspoon of cinnamon and a tiny dash of cocoa powder. Finally, if you have red hair, you may lean more heavily on the cinnamon while someone with medium to dark brown hair may need the full two teaspoons of cocoa powder. 

How to Make Dry Shampoo

So, are you ready to learn how to make dry shampoo at home? Making dry shampoo is much faster than making regular homemade shampoo—though it does require a little artistry in terms of the color aspect. Simply combine two tablespoons of arrowroot powder and your desired amount of cinnamon and/or cocoa powder in a bowl. Mix and adjust the amount of cinnamon and cocoa according to your hair color.

Once you feel you have a good color match, dip a clean brush into the mixture, tap or shake off any excess, and apply the DIY dry shampoo to your roots. You can either gently rub it into your scalp with your fingertips or blast it quickly with a blow dryer to blend it in. Finally, just brush your hair and you’re on your way!