Don’t freak out if you ever find yourself without your beloved dry shampoo. We will introduce what can you use as dry shampoo.
Dry shampoo is a product to remove oil from hair without showering, and items like corn starch, perfume, and paper towels can serve as a replacement.
There’s no need to wear your hair in an unflattering state because you ran out of dry shampoo or because you prefer a natural product. The various alternatives to dry shampoo are discussed in the following paragraphs.
What Can You Use as Dry Shampoo? 10 Alternatives
You came here because of the question, “What can I use instead of dry shampoo?” You won’t have to wait long from now on. Here are some of our top picks.
1. Cornstarch and Cocoa Powder
You heard me correctly, so don’t be surprised. Actually, we’re discussing a dry shampoo alternative made of a cornstarch and cocoa powder mixture.
This homemade dry shampoo will save the day when all other options have failed and you want to mimic the blow-dry look.
If your hair is darker and browner in color, you should mix cocoa with cornstarch before applying it with a contour brush. Your hair will smell amazing, too.
2. Baby Powder
Baby powder is a good alternative to dry shampoo due to its well-known absorption properties.
To remove extra oils, massage your roots with a little product that has been shaken onto your fingertips. To avoid temporarily turning your hair white, start with a small amount and add more as necessary.
3. Hand Sanitizer
Your hands may become dry from using hand sanitizer, and your hair may become dry as well. The harshness of it prevents it from becoming your go-to dry shampoo, and those with sensitive scalps may want to stay away from it entirely.
However, you can rub a little onto your roots if it’s the only thing you have and you’re in a situation where your hair is urgently greasy.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
It might seem strange to see liquid as a replacement for dry shampoo, but it works, we swear! One drop of apple cider vinegar per ounce of water in a spray bottle is all that is needed to make a dry shampoo out of it.
Then, spray liberally at your roots while aiming the spray bottle at them. The key to using this method successfully is to plan ahead because you must wait for the mixture of water and apple cider vinegar to dry before you can see the results.
Vinegar has beneficial toning properties for the scalp in addition to not leaving behind a physical powder or residue like so many of the dry shampoo substitutes on this list.
5. Setting Powder
You can prevent the sometimes-occurring chalky texture when using makeup setting powder by using corn starch or baby powder instead. Similar to how it absorbs oil from your face, this powder does a great job of keeping your hair looking freshly washed by soaking oil into your scalp and roots.
Using a makeup brush to apply makeup setting powder to your hair is the best method. Naturally, you’ll want to make sure you’re using a clean one—you don’t want to transfer hair oil to your face!
6. Salt and Cornmeal
If you want to up your cornmeal dry shampoo game up a notch, try adding salt. Salt is great for bouncing along your scalp because of its coarse texture, which helps the cornmeal absorb oil as much as possible.
We advise using one tablespoon of salt per ½ cup of cornmeal if you decide to salt your cornmeal. After that, brush your hair to help the salt and cornmeal loosen and remove the oil and dirt.
After applying salt to your hair, brushing it will also aid in clearing the mixture from your scalp. Or else, if you leave it there too long, the salt might sting or dry out delicate skin.
7. Perfume
As with hand sanitizer, perfume combats an oily scalp by drying out the roots of your hair thanks to its alcohol content. In fact, the alcohol has the ability to dissolve oil, which results in a quick and noticeable decrease in how greasy your hair looks.
Using perfume on your hair as dry shampoo is a breeze, given that perfume is in a dry shampoo-ready bottle. Simply spray it onto your hair while holding it 2 to 3 inches away from your roots.
As an alternative, you could perfume a brush and run it through your hair, paying particular attention to the hairs closest to your scalp. However, you’ll need to move quickly for this to be effective, so combining these techniques is frequently the best option.
8. Blotting Papers
Blotting papers are a fantastic substitute for dry shampoo if you don’t like the idea of leaving a product in your hair. These papers are excellent at removing oil from your hair, just as they can absorb oil from the area around your face.
When using blotting papers, use clips to part your hair in different sections. The paper should then be gently rubbed over your roots. As you might expect, your scalp will probably require more blotting papers than your face.
9. Paper Towels
Paper towels can be used in place of blotting paper if you find yourself in a real bind. The best paper towels are those that specialize in being extremely absorbent.
Divide your hair into sections and then gently whisk away any excess oil with a paper towel, following the same steps as blotting papers.
10. Dry Clay
Due to its absorbent qualities, dry clay attracts oil like a magnet, making it a fantastic shampoo.
Its quick-acting nature is due to silica, which physically takes grease out of hair. You can choose from a variety of dry clay products, each of which has a distinctive scent.
Agar and orris root powder are two examples. Dry clay, however, can make your hair less supple, so we advise combining it with some milk powder.
Conclusion: What Can You Use as Dry Shampoo
You now have access to the less expensive, more effective, and natural dry shampoo substitutes.
Dry shampoo is a product that absorbs oil to make your hair appear shower fresh.
Corn starch, hand sanitizer, blotting papers, and other products all work well as substitutes for dry shampoo.
Using these items will save you time and keep you looking your best when you’re on the go.
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FAQs
Can You Use Baking Soda as Dry Shampoo?
You can use baking soda as a temporary dry shampoo and to help absorb oil.
How to Refresh Hair Without Dry Shampoo?
Your hair will look amazing after you spritz it with a solution made by combining a few drops of apple cider vinegar with water in a spray bottle.
How to Use Dryer Sheets as Dry Shampoo?
Layer by layer, brush your hair in little sections while applying a sheet to the base of your brush (a boar or paddle works fine).