Last Updated: May 24, 2021
Refresh your hair in minutes without exposing yourself to harmful chemicals by choosing a natural or organic dry shampoo. Here's some tips and tricks for using dry shampoo effectively and which types are best for your hair type.
When your dirty hair needs cleaning but you don't have time for the washing and drying routine, dry shampoo is a fast and easy alternative. This leave-in product absorbs natural oil near the roots, making your hair look clean and extra voluminous.
Dry shampoo is water-free and convenient to use at home and on the go — it’s great for those mornings when you’re running late, and it’s a lifesaver when you’ve got to make a public appearance right after your workout.
From natural household to personal care, everything at Grove is healthier for you and the planet — and works! We recommend monthly shipments and product refills that you can edit or move at any time. No monthly fees or commitments required.
The short answers is: No!
In fact, overwashing your hair with regualr shampoo can actually strip it of its natural oils, leaving it dry and frizzy and causing split ends and dandruff. Washing your hair with wet shampoo fewer times a week — and supplementing with a natural dry shampoo between washings — can protect your scalp and keep your hair shinier and more manageable.
Some of the worst ingredients found in conventional dry shampoos include talc, propane, butane, and isobutane. Choosing a nontoxic dry shampoo made with natural ingredients is always a healthier choice than one with harsh chemicals. It’s important to choose a natural dry shampoo that’s free of harmful ingredients that can affect your hair growth — and your health.
Must-avoid ingredients include:
Many brands use talc to absorb natural oil, but it has recently been linked to cancer.
Getting the formula to spray out of an aerosol can requires liquid petroleum gases (LPGs), including propane, butane, and isobutane. Not only are these terrible to breathe in, but they destroy the ozone layer.
Alcohol can dry out your scalp, leading to flaking and dandruff. The most commonly used ingredient can also block pores in your scalp and cause long-term damage to your hair.
Used in many brands of dry shampoo to help combat static, cetrimonium chloride is irritating and allergenic. If you ingest it, cetrimonium chloride can even be lethal.
You'll find silicones in many beauty products, but they can clog your pores and inhibit the natural sweating process.
Grove tip
While not designed for hair, some people swear by baby powder as an inexpensive alternative to dry shampoo. But there are some concerns about talc, a primary ingredient in many baby powders. Inhaling talc can cause throat irritation and chest pain, and some studies and the American Cancer Society have linked talcum powder to cancer and lung disorders. You’re better off sticking to natural ingredients such as cornstarch or arrowroot.
Fortunately, there are quite a few natural dry shampoos on the market that are safe and effective. Natural products will steer clear of the LPGs that allow aerosol cans to propel shampoo, opting for healthier alternatives instead. Corn starch, arrowroot, rosemary, kaolin clay, tapioca starch, and citrus peel oil are just a few of the healthier alternatives you'll find in natural dry shampoos.
Acure Dry Shampoo's powder formula is easy to use and absorbs oil quickly without water. Suitable for any hair type, it has a subtle rosemary and peppermint scent. Natural ingredients in this dry shampoo powder include corn starch, sodium bicarbonate, and kaolin clay.
Find it on Grove
This Innersense Dry Shampoo foam-to-powder formula is easy to apply, and it adds body as it renews the hair. The natural formula includes tapioca starch and witch hazel to remove oil, and organic honey adds body and shine. This dry shampoo is ideal for all hair types, textures, and colors.
Find it on Grove
Beauty by Earth's dry shampoo is specially formulated for brunettes, helping those with darker hair avoid an unsightly gray cast. Natural ingredients like kaolin clay and organic arrowroot powder combine with organic cocoa powder for a dry shampoo perfect for darker tresses.
Find it on Grove
Sustainability tip
Make every part of your hair-care routine free of harmful chemicals by choosing natural shampoo, conditioner, and other hair care essentials. They’re better for your health, your hair, and the environment.
Separate your hair into a section with a comb or your fingers. Don't worry about making a perfect part — you'll be flipping your hair around later.
Hold the shampoo four to six inches away from your head, and spray it directly at the roots. Repeat with new sections until your roots are covered.
With your fingers, massage the dry shampoo into your roots and scalp. To get extra lift, flip your head upside down while you work in the shampoo.
Brush your hair as usual. Blast cool air from the blow dryer at your roots to build volume or change the direction of your hair — or style with your hot tools.
Dry shampoo is not a permanent alternative to washing your dirty hair, but it is a great way to extend the clean look of your hair so you can wash it less frequently. Try washing your hair two or three times a week, and use dry shampoo as needed between washings.
You probably won't need to use dry shampoo on the same day that you wash your hair, but you certainly could if you needed a refresh after, say, a long run. Dry shampoo is not intended to replace washing your hair. Rather, its purpose is to give your scalp a break between washes. Try using it every other day or every third day.
If you know you're not going to have time to wash and dry your hair in the morning, spray it with natural dry shampoo the night before, and allow it to soak up the oil overnight. In the morning, all you have to do is style your hair and go.
Here at Grove Collaborative, we’re big believers in the power of natural products — both for ourselves and for the planet. But we know making the switch can be daunting, especially if you’re accustomed to conventional products and are new to the world of natural, eco-friendly alternatives. That’s why we’ve created Beginner’s Guides to Natural. Each week, we’ll give you a primer on the ins and outs of transitioning to a natural version of a common household item, plus a few of our favorite brands for making the switch. Let’s get to swapping!
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