10 Things You Can Use (or Do) When You Don't Have Dry Shampoo
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Loading... - Julia Maier
- 29 Jul 2022
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Picture this: You’ve just finished a sweaty home workout but don’t have time to refresh your hair in the shower. You open your cabinet to reach for your favorite dry shampoo only to find that it’s returning empty spritzes.
Without any product, what’s a person to do? Fall back on a tried-and-true dry shampoo alternative, of course. As you likely know, dry shampoo hasn’t been around forever. Greasy hair, on the other hand, has. As such, people all over the world have experimented with common pantry items, beauty products, and styling techniques to make oily roots look noticeably less shiny.
So, if you ever find yourself without your beloved dry shampoo, don’t panic. We reached out to the experts—including board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, and hairstylists Kelly Harrison, Adam Campbell, and Marcia Lee—for their picks for dry shampoo alternatives. Keep reading for what they had to say.
01
Corn Starch
No dry shampoo? No problem. Chances are if you peek in your pantry, you’ll find a canister of corn starch. “Corn starch is a common household item that is safe and absorptive to use as a dry shampoo alternative,” says Engelman. “You can apply a small amount of this to your hairline by hand or with a contour brush, and for those with darker hair, it can be mixed with cocoa powder if you’re worried about leaving a residue.” In addition to eliminating greasy roots, she says that corn starch is odorless, too, so you won’t feel like you’re being followed by a cloud of fragrance all day.
One thing to note: If you’re particular about the products you use, Harrison points out that corn starch can include GMOs. “Even though it's being used in your hair and not ingested, if avoiding GMOs is important to you, you’ll want to check,” she says.
02
Baking Soda
Building on corn starch, Campbell says that mixing the ingredient with baking soda is another way to diminish oily roots. “In a bowl, combine equal parts baking soda and cornstarch with a few drops of essential oil (lavender, tea tree, peppermint, etc.),” he suggests, recommending tablespoon measurements. Once mixed, he says to sprinkle the concoction lightly onto the scalp. “Allow it to sit for a few minutes to absorb excess oils and then shake out excess,” he says. The one downside? He admits that this mixture can sometimes leave a whiteish residue on darker hair colors. “It’s really only to be used in a pinch,” he adds.
That said, if you find you really enjoy the results, Lee recommends keeping a salt shaker of corn starch and baking soda at the ready. Furthermore, for an even more refreshed head of hair, she says that using a hair dryer on the cool setting with a soft bristle brush can help to really work the product in, blow away any excess, and add volume in the process.
03
Baby Powder
An oldie but a goodie, “baby powder is known as being a reliable dry shampoo alternative, as it was used before dry shampoos were popular,” Engelman says. For the best results, she and Harrison both remind us that less is more. “Applying a teaspoon of baby powder and then brushing it through your hair will absorb the excess oil and leave your hair looking fresher than before,” Engelman says. Don’t just sprinkle it in on top of your part, though. Instead, Harrison says to section your hair and apply the baby powder lightly between the layers to absorb throughout, as opposed to solely on top.
When considering baby powder for your quick hair fix, just remember that, unlike corn starch, it does have a slight scent. What’s more, Harrison says that baby powder tends to work best on blonde hair, given the white color of the product. “It also works best on thicker hair, because if too much is applied, it can leave fine hair looking limp and lifeless,” she adds.
From a health stance, Harrison points out that most baby powders are formulated with talc, which can be harmful if ingested. If you’re someone with a talc allergy or aversion to it, she recommends reading the ingredients label on your powder before adding it to your cart.
04
Arrowroot Powder
“Arrowroot powder is a natural starch that is often used as a thickening agent in foods, so it’s great for absorbing oils,” Engelman says. “It’s also super lightweight, which leaves a nice feeling on the hair.” That said she admits that it can be messy, so to tame it down, it’s best applied with a brush and then massaged in for the full effect.
05
Translucent Setting Powder
Although you may not want to waste your precious face setting powder on your hair, hair color specialist Seamus McKernan says it works in a jiff. “Translucent setting powder can be a great solution on the go,” he says. “Make sure you apply with a clean blush brush and tap it in rather than brushing it across to allow it to absorb excess oil. After applying, brush through to get rid of the excess powder.”
Before trying out this tip, a warning: While many hairstylists and dermatologists promote powders and starches for oil absorption, trichologist Gretchen Friese points out that these products can get cakey and cause build-up. As such, they should be used sparingly and followed up by a clarifying shampoo rinse when it’s time to hop in the shower.
06
Blotting Papers
Another makeup product that can work well for oily roots (and especially bangs) is blotting papers. “Usually used to dab up oil on the face, blotting papers can actually be used on the hair as well,” Engelman says. “These are great because they’re small and can be carried around anywhere. All you have to do is take one sheet and blot the top of your head where you see oil residue lingering, leaving a drier appearance.” Read More...
