Bid Adieu to Toxins & Bad Hair Days With These Natural Dry Shampoos!

Last Updated on September 30, 2024 by Our Editors

If there’s one shortcut we’d say was worth taking in personal care regimens, it’d be dry shampoo. 

Think about it. You’re just out of a workout, but need a quick style up before heading out. Or, you’re in the middle of a hectic schedule and don’t have the time for a rinse. Or, you just decide to skip wash day for once. In all these situations, we’d all reach for one product—dry shampoo.

However, commercial dry shampoos are full of toxins and harmful ingredients that damage the scalp and hair. 

If you’re looking to get yourself some dry shampoo, it’s worth investing in an organic, all-natural variant. 

In this list, you will learn the importance of using non-toxic dry shampoos and get to know the best natural dry shampoos that are amazing and 100% organic. Keep reading!

Is Using Dry Shampoo Good For Your Hair?

However, if you’re someone who has to often rely on dry shampoos to keep your hair fresh, you might’ve wondered if it’s healthy for your hair.

After all, personal care products like dry shampoo come in direct contact with our skin for extended periods. 

It’s essential to ensure they are safe and do not harm your health in any way.

It’s the same with dry shampoo.

The bad news is that most conventional store-bought dry shampoos are terrible for your scalp. 

They contain a ton of chemicals and talc, that, when used on your scalp and hair for a long time will cause problems ranging from smaller to more serious ones.

It Can Clog Your Pores

Dry shampoo doesn’t clean your scalp. It merely absorbs the oil and grime, making it look less obvious. If you stay for long periods without washing, the dry shampoo molecules (which have harsh chemicals) will get accumulated in your pores, clogging them. 

It might even cause folliculitis, a bacterial infection in the hair follicles. 

It Can Break Your Hair

Aerosol dry shampoo has strong chemicals and alcohol that cause hair fibers to dry out. Dry hair easily snags and tangles, leading to constant breakage.

It Can Lead to Serious Diseases like Cancer

Conventional dry shampoo powders often contain talc. Talc, in its natural form, contains carcinogenic particles. 

Even though no research yet has proven that dry shampoo causes cancer, it’s best to avoid products with talc, since there can’t be a 100% guarantee.

The gist of the matter is that using dry shampoo isn’t bad, per se.

Products like dry shampoo are essential in our current hectic lives, and even healthy when used appropriately. Especially, if you have curly or coily hair that needs to retain moisture longer without being washed time and again.

But it’s important to ensure that you use only the safest, natural dry shampoos that have none of the harsh ingredients that put your health at risk. 

Ingredients to Avoid in Dry Shampoos!

Even dry shampoos are not averse to synthetic and harmful ingredients that can actually damage your hair instead of making them better. It is better to stay abreast about what exactly you should avoid when you are looking for a natural and safe dry shampoo for your mane. Watch out for these no-no ingredients in your purchase!

Talc

It makes perfect sense that dry shampoos would have talc—given their excellent absorbent abilities. Until you learn about the shady side of talc. 

It has asbestos fibers that contain carcinogens that cause respiratory toxicity and cancer.

Silicones

Silicones are very common in personal care products and, unfortunately, also very toxic. 

They act as traps or barriers that cause oil, dirt, and dead skin cells to remain in the pores, causing breakouts and infections. 

Phenoxyethanol 

This is a common ingredient used in personal care products as an antibacterial preservative that does nothing for your health or skin.

It’s known to cause allergies and irritation when used on sensitive skin.

Alcohol

Alcohol is an excellent drying agent, hence it’s used in most commercial dry shampoos. 

However, alcohol ends up absorbing even the natural oils in the scalp, leading to damaged scalp and hair, dandruff, and hair breakage. 

Petroleum (Butane, Isobutane, Propane)

This gas is what jets your dry shampoo towards your roots at top speed. It is present in almost all aerosol containers. 

You might already know how harmful LPG gas is to our ozone layer. Apart from that, it can even cause headaches and nausea when applied to the skin/scalp.

So, while there is no need to ditch an essential product like dry shampoo, it’s in your best interest if you avoid commercial ones and go straight for organic, all-natural dry shampoos that do an equally amazing job of controlling oil and grease in a much healthier manner. 

9 Best Natural Dry Shampoos For Fresh Hair

These dry shampoos are organic, vegan, cruelty-free, smell amazing, and control the grease and grime perfectly, saving you an extra day or two between washes. 

Hair Dance Volumizing Dry Shampoo in Lavender 

Image: myhairdance.com

Why we like it:

This is one of the best dry shampoos we’ve ever come across. The product is vegan, cruelty-free, made in the USA, and free of all artificial fragrances and harsh chemicals. 

It is also one of the most budget-friendly options on the list.

It has a sweet, mild lavender scent, blends well with dark hair, and does not leave a sticky residue on fingertips post use. A little of this product goes a long way, so you won’t run out any time soon. 

It’s simple, clean, controls oil pretty well, and is budget-friendly. What more do you need from a dry shampoo?!

SHOP HAIR DANCE DRY SHAMPOO

Lulu Organics Hair Powder Lavender + Clary Sage

Image: instagram.com/lulu_organics

Why we like it:

The cute vintage packaging sold us on this one. But, apart from that, the product itself is an amazing dry shampoo. 

For starters, it’s vegan, gluten-free, handmade, and child-safe. 

This organic dry shampoo powder has a super pleasant fragrance, is easy to blend into all hair types, and comes in a large container—hence, lasts a long time. 9 out of 10 times, you will come back to it again. 

And the coolest part is, there are seven fragrance types available. All wonderfully scented with essential oils. Try a variant below. 

SHOP LULU ORGANICS DRY SHAMPOO

Franklin + Whitman Dry Shampoo

Image: franklinandwhitman.com

Why we like it: 

This non-toxic dry shampoo has a super clean formula and is one of our go-tos. The brand is not only vegan and cruelty-free but also donates 5% of the product’s proceeds to dog rescue organizations. What more do we puppy lovers need?

Kidding. We still need an awesome dry shampoo, and Franklin + Whitman does a wonderful job. 

The dry shampoo powder is available in 2 variants, for dark and light hair shades, it has a mild scent, and comes in convenient, recyclable packaging. 

If a fuss-free organic dry shampoo is what you’re looking for, this one’s for you.

SHOP FRANKLIN + WHITMAN DRY SHAMPOO

Handmade Heroes Drop Dead Gorgeous Dry Shampoo

Image: handmade-heroes.com

Why we like it: 

The organic dry shampoo from Handmade Heroes is a fan favorite, and for good reason. The product is 100% vegan and cruelty-free, and free of harsh chemicals and synthetics. 

The shampoo powder has a mild formula and is extremely suitable for sensitive scalps. It blends easily, instantly freshens up, and adds volume to limp hair.

If you’re often in a hurry and need a safe, fast-working dry shampoo, get this from the link below.

SHOP HANDMADE HEROES DRY SHAMPOO 

Rahua Voluminous Dry Shampoo

Image: rahua.com

Why we like it:

While this product is a little bit on the pricey side, it’s well deserved. Many users rave about this dry shampoo and we can assure you, it’s amazing.

About the product’s sustainability—Rahua is a carbon-neutral beauty company offering eco-friendly skincare and cosmetics. The product is 100% plant-based, organic, and cruelty-free.

This is one of the most easily blendable dry shampoos we’ve used. The clean scent is super pleasant, and you can feel all the grease in your scalp being absorbed instantly. 

This is your go-to for days you wanna look like you just had a blowout, even when you haven’t washed your hair for days. Trust us, nobody will be able to tell (apart from us) ;))

SHOP RAHUA DRY SHAMPOO

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo

Image: briogeohair.com

Why we like it:

We love this product for days when we want to prolong our blowout and get rid of the grease and grime from the roots. 

The non-toxic dry shampoo powder is vegan, cruelty-free, 100% plant-based, and works on all hair types—straight, wavy, curly, or coily. 

The product has a bit more scent than others on this list, so note that down if it’s something you’re bothered about. 

But, apart from that, it does an excellent job of soaking up all the grime and instantly freshens the hair, saving you 2 days’ worth of washes. 

SHOP BRIOGEO DRY SHAMPOO 

Primally Pure Natural Dry Shampoo (Light Locks)

Image: primallypure.com

Why we like it:

This is one of the best dry shampoos for blonde/light-colored hair. Its clean formulation is 100% organic, vegan, cruelty-free, and suitable for all hair types.

The product smells amazing, and the cocoa powder in it creates a slightly off-white tone that makes it easier to blend into gray or blonde hair. 

This is overall, an amazing natural dry shampoo. If you’re not very particular about preferences, and just want something clean and functional, get this below.

SHOP PRIMALLY PURE DRY SHAMPOO

Beauty by Earth Organic Dry Shampoo

Image: beautybyearth.com

Why we like it: 

This natural dry shampoo from Beauty by Earth is one of our favs, mainly because of the super convenient packaging. 

It has a pointed tip and you can just tilt the bottle and squeeze fine powder onto your hair parts, without having to put it on your fingertips first. 

The dry shampoo is USDA Organic Certified, Leaping Bunny Certified, and free of all harsh chemicals.

The lavender gives it a mild, fresh fragrance, the natural starches make it easy to blend, and there’s a travel-size bottle available to pop in your bag, and take it on the go.

SHOP BEAUTY BY EARTH DRY SHAMPOO

Acure Dry Shampoo

Image: acure.com 

Why we like it:

This is one of the most well-known organic dry shampoos out there and for good reason. If you choose one dry shampoo from the list, let this be it. It’s 100% Vegan, USDA Organic Certified, and free of chemicals and synthetics.

The product is easy to use, blends well in all hair shades, smells amazing, and works quickly, absorbing all grease and grime in the process. 

The best part? The price point. Agreed, budget-friendly is not always the most effective, but this natural dry shampoo right here, is the definition of value for money, hands down.

SHOP ACURE DRY SHAMPOO 

Homemade Dry Shampoo Recipe—A Fun and Healthy DIY

While the above natural dry shampoo products are amazing and work well, it’s still fun to try making things on your own at times. 

And, we’re all about DIYs. DIY-ing is an essential part of sustainability. 

Here are 3 versatile homemade dry shampoo recipes for all hair types and needs:

DIY Dry Shampoo – All Hair Colors

Ingredients Needed:

• Arrowroot powder/Cornstarch – 3 tablespoons 
• Activated Charcoal – ½ tablespoon
• Cocoa Powder – 1 tablespoon 
• Essential Oil of Choice for Fragrance (optional) – 6 drops

Process: Mix the dry ingredients until well combined, add drops of the essential oil/oils, and mix again until completely blended. 

Usage: Store in an airtight container and apply to roots on greasy hair days with a kabuki makeup brush or your fingertips (ensure you only use a clean brush or fingertips while dipping in the homemade dry shampoo).

DIY Dry Shampoo – Blonde/Light Hair 

Ingredients needed:

• Arrowroot powder/Cornstarch – 2 tablespoons 
• Cocoa Powder – 1 tablespoon 
• Bentonite Clay – 1 tablespoon
• Essential Oil of Choice for Fragrance (optional) – 6 drops

Process and Usage: Follow the steps listed for the recipe above. 

DIY Dry Shampoo – Dark Brown/Black Hair 

Ingredients needed:

• Arrowroot powder/Cornstarch – 2 tablespoons 
• Activated Charcoal – 1 tablespoon 
• Cocoa Powder – 1 tablespoon
• Essential Oil of Choice for Fragrance (optional) – 6 drops

Process and Usage: Follow the steps listed for the first recipe above. 

DIY Dry Shampoo – Auburn/Red Hair 

Ingredients needed:

• Arrowroot powder/Cornstarch – 2 tablespoons 
• Cinnamon powder – 1 tablespoon 
• Cocoa powder – ½ tablespoon
• Essential Oil of Choice for Fragrance (optional) – 6 drops

Process and Usage: Follow the steps listed for the first recipe above. 

Essential Points to Note and Best Tips To Use DIY Dry Shampoo

• Ensure to use only organic ingredients when you’re making your DIY Dry Shampoo. As non-organic ones might contain synthetics that can harm your scalp and hair health.

• Increase/decrease the quantity of respective coloring powders (Activated Charcoal, Cinnamon Powder, Cocoa Powder, etc.) depending on the shade and intensity you require. It’s best to not make your DRY shampoo too dark, as blending it will become troublesome.

• If you choose to use essential oils for fragrance, consider lemongrass, peppermint, lavender, and orange, for a fresh scent that won’t grate on your nerves. You can, of course, use any other favorites as well.

• When you’re making homemade DRY shampoo for the first time, make a small batch. That way it will be used up quickly and won’t get moldy. Also, please be sure to use an airtight container. 

• If you like it, and for extra convenience, you can use an empty shaker container at hand (salt and pepper containers work) to keep your DIY dry shampoo in. You can use the container to directly sprinkle shampoo on your hair whenever you want to use it.

• Use a hairdryer to disperse the shampoo into the roots and hair quickly. This is especially helpful when you’re in a hurry.

• For ash blonde or fantasy colored hair, you can use only arrowroot powder and bentonite clay to make your dry shampoo. Do not use any colorant powders, as they’ll mess up your hair shade.

Conclusion

We hope this feature gave you the titbits on why using natural dry shampoos is so crucial and helped you select the best one for yourself. 

And of course, you can try one of the DIY recipes as well!

At Be Zen, we are passionate about helping you make conscious choices with ease while keeping it pocket-friendly. We do so with these helpful articles and our super useful Chrome extension.

You just add it to your browser and it conveniently pops up with sustainable, ethical, and affordable alternatives to personal care products on e-commerce sites. Watch this video to know more, and get the extension here.