I have always said and stressed on one thing – Clean Scalp! But, washing hair everyday is a bad idea, right? Even when using the most eco-friendly and hair-friendly products! May be we should all try out a hand at dry shampoo. These days we have lots of brands coming out with this product range. But, the good part is we can make it at home and at relatively less price and with great results!
So, I have this tip from one of our readers, Nayantara. She has tried her hands at making her own dry shampoo and she has shared her recipe and experience with us!
This is probably gross, but for anyone who is active it is a huge problem, especially with longer hair.
I exercise regularly and running especially makes my scalp extremely sweaty. I do not like to wash 5-6 days a week as my hair is fine and quite fragile and still end up washing my hair 3 times a week as my scalp used to itch constantly. I believe this led to dandruff which caused severe hair-fall. To ensure my scalp stays clean everyday, here is what I do on workout days in between wash days and post-exercise.
I use the blow-dryer on cool setting to dry out my scalp, making partings along the scalp and drying them individually. Then I use my own dry shampoo consisting of cornflour, cocoa powder and cinnamon powder + a drop or 2 of rosemary EO.
The first two ingredients can be mixed in equal proportions (say ¼ cup each) and ½ to 1 tsp cinnamon powder. You can also adjust it as you like. If you have a severe dandruff problem, increase the qty of rosemary EO to about 4-5 drops, but no more, as this helps in fighting scalp infections.
While cornflour on its own works as well, on dark hair the white particles show up more prominently. My mixture blends better with dark hair colour and provides more benefits to the hair as well. It can be kept in any old talc or a similar container.
How to Use? I dust it over the scalp and then scrub it in with my fingertips, leave for a few minutes to soak up excess oil and finally shake out the excess powder and use a wooden comb to get out the rest. I prefer a comb as my hair is curly but those with straight hair may prefer a hair-brush. However, try to use one with natural bristles that don’t damage your hair. And, voila! Clean scalp, smells awesome and is all natural + economical!
This also worked for me to get rid of the dandruff problem over the long term, apart from switching to SLS free shampoos and cone-free conditioners, which can aggravate scalp infections for some people, as it upsets the natural pH balance.
This is so true. I have always cribbed that if you are exposed to more pollution and dust and sweat or even if you workout everyday, washing your hair daily is the only solution. But, now we have another solution. I have never really tried any dry shampoo but have read about it umpteen number of times.
Rice flour and arrowroot powder are two of the most recommended ingredients for dry shampoo as they absorb the oil and cleanse the scalp. Sesame at Vivawoman has also shared her recipe for dry shampoo which uses arrowroot powder, corn starch, baking powder and rice flour!
I am thinking of trying it out as well. What do you say? Are you also willing to try it out?
Nice to see this 🙂 I enjoy Vivawoman’s blog as well. Have you tried the Auravedic scalp relief oil? It’s supposed to control dandruff & itchy scalp. Would be nice to get a review from you
The dry shampoo recipe is interesting. I have jet black hair. Will applying this make my hair color brownish? Also, when you apply cocoa powder on oily and sweaty scalp, doesn’t it melt and cause a sticky mess?
good one, Archana. lemme ask Nayantara and get back to you. btw, she does dry out her hair with hair dryer on a cold setting so i guess that prevents the cocoa to melt! 🙂
Hi Archana, the powder is brownish, my hair is more dark brown and it doesn’t really show up as most of it gets combed/ brushed out. Don’t use it on sweaty hair as it would just clump up, at least for me- I really sweat a lot when I work out, which is why I’ve stated in the article that I dry out my scalp with a blow dryer on the cool setting, before applying it. I know many people prefer to go with plain cocoa powder for brunette hair, which may work better with your hair. As far as I know there’s nothing that matches black hair perfectly.
What this works best for is when you have greasy roots, it refreshes them between shampoo days. Dry shampoo, even commercial ones, should not replace your regular wash days. Give it a try with a small amount before you wash your hair maybe, and see if it works for you 🙂
Thanks, Nayantara. I will try it once before washing my hair to check if it actually goes well with my hair. And I will make sure to use a blow dryer before applying it.
Nice to see this 🙂 I enjoy Vivawoman’s blog as well. Have you tried the Auravedic scalp relief oil? It’s supposed to control dandruff & itchy scalp. Would be nice to get a review from you
i am not sure i remember if i have used it already, will check on it and get back to you 🙂
Very Interesting. Never thought about dry shampoo.
Do we need to consult any specialist before trying this? or is it ok to just go with it?
no, you can just try it out! no need for a specialist here 🙂
Thank YOU.
Happy to hear that 🙂
🙂
The dry shampoo recipe is interesting. I have jet black hair. Will applying this make my hair color brownish? Also, when you apply cocoa powder on oily and sweaty scalp, doesn’t it melt and cause a sticky mess?
good one, Archana. lemme ask Nayantara and get back to you. btw, she does dry out her hair with hair dryer on a cold setting so i guess that prevents the cocoa to melt! 🙂
Hi Archana, the powder is brownish, my hair is more dark brown and it doesn’t really show up as most of it gets combed/ brushed out. Don’t use it on sweaty hair as it would just clump up, at least for me- I really sweat a lot when I work out, which is why I’ve stated in the article that I dry out my scalp with a blow dryer on the cool setting, before applying it. I know many people prefer to go with plain cocoa powder for brunette hair, which may work better with your hair. As far as I know there’s nothing that matches black hair perfectly.
What this works best for is when you have greasy roots, it refreshes them between shampoo days. Dry shampoo, even commercial ones, should not replace your regular wash days. Give it a try with a small amount before you wash your hair maybe, and see if it works for you 🙂
Thanks, Nayantara. I will try it once before washing my hair to check if it actually goes well with my hair. And I will make sure to use a blow dryer before applying it.