DIY Dry Shampoo with Essential Oils & Safe Ingredients

QUICK SUMMARY

Homemade dry shampoo is a simple, non-toxic powder that absorbs excess oil at the roots, adds volume, and helps freshen your hair between washes. Instead of aerosol propellants, talc, and mystery fragrance, this DIY dry shampoo uses pantry staples like arrowroot powder or organic cornstarch, optional baking soda, natural colorants, and essential oils for hair care.

Dry shampoo does not replace regular shampooing with water, but it is a wonderful busy-day tool for workouts, errands, travel, and those moments when you want clean-looking hair without a full wash-and-style routine. The best part? You can customize it for blonde, brunette, gray, or auburn hair.

My favorite essential oils for dry shampoo include rosemary, peppermint, tea tree, lavender, Roman chamomile, and geranium. Used wisely, they help your hair smell amazing while supporting a healthy-looking scalp and a toxin-free beauty routine.

Some natural dry shampoo alternatives are on the market, but making it yourself is way easier on your wallet. When you add in a few essential oils for hair care, you have an amazing, non-toxic dry shampoo that lasts for months. You might even have the ingredients in your pantry!

Dry shampoo is one of my must-haves! I love taking it to the gym to help soak excess moisture after a workout. As a natural living enthusiast, the last thing I want to do is spray a store-bought aerosol can of questionable ingredients right near my face and scalp. This recipe keeps my hair fresh, full of volume, and free from the mystery fragrance and propellants found in so many conventional products.

Here’s the thing: dry shampoo is not meant to actually cleanse your scalp. Dermatologists point out that it absorbs oil but does not replace regular shampooing with water (1). Used the right way, though, it can be a fantastic beauty hack for busy moms, athletes, travelers, teens, and anyone working toward a lower-tox lifestyle.

Why Use Dry Shampoo?

Dry shampoo is a quick, practical way to refresh your hair between wash days. It absorbs excess oil, gives the roots a fuller look, and helps your hair smell clean without soaking, washing, drying, and styling from scratch.

Reality check: dry shampoo should not become your whole hair care routine. Think of it as a helpful bridge between washes, especially when life gets full.

Extends Time Between Washes

Dry shampoo absorbs excess oil and makes the hair look clean. This means you can extend the time between washes when that makes sense for your hair type, lifestyle, and scalp needs. For some women, washing less often helps reduce dryness and keeps hair looking stronger, shinier, and easier to style.

After the initial adjustment period, many people who wash their hair less often find their locks more manageable. With dry shampoo, no one has to know you didn’t wash your hair that morning!

Dry shampoo doubles as a texturizer. The powder formula sticks to the hair, making it appear fuller. In fact, dry shampoo is a daily styling must for some people because of the volume it gives.

Mama Z Pro Tip: After curling your hair, comb the curls out with your fingers. Add a bit of my dry shampoo to the roots of your hair and massage it into the scalp. Voila! Instant beachy waves.

Saves Time

I love a good shower routine as much as the next person, but there are some days when it’s just not possible. Rather than sacrificing my hairdo, I’d much rather absorb excess oil with dry shampoo and style as usual! Dry shampoo saves so much time, and thanks to essential oils, it makes my hair smell amazing.

If you have little ones who play hard, a tiny amount of dry shampoo can make them look presentable before running errands. You’ll feel great knowing your kids aren’t exposed to aerosol propellants, talc, or artificial fragrance.

This is an excellent hack for busy moms, and with color options to match each hair type, you avoid the dreaded “gray hair” look.

Helps Reduce Your Toxic Beauty Load

Your scalp is skin, and what you put on it matters. One of the easiest ways to start creating a healthier home is to replace products you use every week with simple, homemade alternatives. Dry shampoo is an easy win.

If you’re already learning how to choose natural beauty products, this DIY is a great place to start. It is budget-friendly, beginner-friendly, and completely customizable.

Toxins in Beauty Products

Store-bought dry shampoo, especially in an aerosol can, is one beauty product I prefer to avoid. Here are just a few toxins you may find in conventional dry shampoo.

Liquified Petroleum Gas

LPG is added to aerosol hair products to help push ingredients out of the bottle. It can include gases such as propane, butane, and isobutane. According to NIOSH, LPG exposure can cause dizziness, drowsiness, asphyxia, and frostbite from liquid contact (2).

This is important because dry shampoo is usually sprayed close to your face, in a bathroom, and often in a hurry. Aerosol cans may be quick and easy, but they can also be hard to control, so you’re more likely to inhale or spray your dry shampoo where you don’t want to.

There have also been voluntary recalls of several aerosol dry shampoos because of potentially elevated benzene, a known human carcinogen, with the propellant identified as the likely source in one recall (3). That does not mean every aerosol dry shampoo has the same issue, but it does reinforce why I would rather skip aerosol formulas altogether.

Talc

Talc is one of the main absorbents used in many powder-based body care products. The biggest concern is contamination. The American Cancer Society explains that talc containing asbestos is generally accepted as capable of causing cancer if inhaled, while the evidence about asbestos-free talc is less clear (4).

Even asbestos-free talc has inhalation concerns. NIOSH lists inhalation as an exposure route for talc and identifies the eyes, respiratory system, and cardiovascular system as target organs (5). Usually, dry shampoo is applied in a small room, such as a bathroom, making it easy to breathe in the formula each time you use it.

In this DIY, we use absorbing powders that are simple, effective, and talc-free.

Artificial Fragrances

Synthetic fragrance is added to dry shampoo to make it smell appealing to consumers. The problem is that “fragrance” can represent a long list of undisclosed chemicals, and fragrance allergy is a real issue for many people. A 2024 review noted that fragrance contact allergy affects a meaningful percentage of the general population, with one European estimate at 4.5% when patch tested with several fragrance markers (6).

These allergic reactions can show up as an itchy scalp, irritated skin, red eyes, headaches, or migraines. The worst part is you never know exactly what toxins lie under the general “fragrance” label.

With essential oils, you still need to use wisdom, but you get to choose the aroma and keep the formula simple.

Dry Shampoo Ingredients

You may be surprised to know that this DIY features ingredients straight from the pantry. Here’s what you need.

Arrowroot Powder or Organic Corn starch: Instead of talc, this recipe uses arrowroot or corn starch to absorb oils and create a fuller look. Even though this is a lighter powder, it absorbs well into the scalp and doesn’t leave a residue when you use the right shade for your hair.

Baking Soda: This is an optional ingredient. Baking soda can help absorb odors, which makes it helpful after workouts or on humid days. Because baking soda is alkaline and scalp pH matters, use the amount listed, blend well, and skip it if your scalp is dry, irritated, freshly colored, or sensitive (7).

Colorants: The best part about this recipe is that you can customize it to fit any hair color. Dark-haired ladies can use cacao powder, blondes can use this recipe as is, and auburn-haired girls can add paprika and cinnamon.

Storage Container: A refillable makeup brush, powder sifter, or small glass jar works well. I like a container that lets me apply a small amount at a time because the goal is fresh roots, not powdery hair.

The Best Essential Oils for Hair

Essential oils make this recipe unforgettable. The best thing about EOs is that you can use them to target specific hair and scalp goals. Here’s a list of essential oils I prefer.

• Peppermint – Helps with blood flow and is invigorating. In an animal study, topical peppermint oil promoted hair growth without toxic signs (8).
• Geranium and rosemary – Makes hair smooth and silky. In a human randomized comparative trial, rosemary oil performed similarly to 2% minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia after six months (9).
• Tea tree – Is antifungal and can help support a healthier-feeling scalp. In a randomized trial, a 5% tea tree oil shampoo improved dandruff severity scores by 41% compared with 11% in the placebo group (10). It was one of my favorite essential oils when I experienced post-pregnancy hair loss.
• Lavender & Roman chamomile – Soothes skin and helps dry skin. Research reviews on lavender essential oil show promising skin-supporting and wound-healing activity, including collagen and tissue remodeling pathways (11).

Note: This is one recipe where you can’t use any essential oil you want. Stay clear of “hot” oils like clove, oregano, lemongrass, and cinnamon bark. They can be aggravating to the skin, especially when applied to the scalp and left there.

If you’re making this for children, I recommend keeping it extra gentle. Lavender and Roman chamomile are my go-to options. Skip peppermint for young children, and always use less rather than more.

If you’re planning to spend time outside, stay away from phototoxic oils like those in the citrus family. For a complete list of phototoxic oils, see our citrus essential oil report.

Make Dry Shampoo With Essential Oils for Hair

This recipe comes together in minutes and can be customized for different hair colors. It pairs beautifully with your natural hair routine, especially if you’re also making homemade shampoo and conditioner with essential oils.

Dry Shampoo Recipe

Author Mama Z

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Quantity

2x4x6x

Ingredients

• ¼ cup organic arrowroot powder OR corn starch
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 4-8 drops essential oil per ounce of final product**
• For dark hair: Add up to ¼ cup cacao powder depending on hair color
• For auburn hair: Add up to a tablespoon cinnamon and 2 teaspoons paprika, depending on hair color

Supplies

• Food processor OR blender
• Refillable makeup brush OR powder sifter

Instructions

 

• Add the arrowroot powder, baking soda, colorants, and essential oils to a food processor or blender. Blend until the mixture reaches a fine powder consistency.
• Add the dry shampoo to a refillable makeup brush or powder sifter.
• To use, dispense a little powder and apply it to the roots of your hair.
• Let sit for a minute or two, then use your fingertips to distribute the mixture throughout your hair evenly.

Notes

*For dark hair: Add up to ¼ cup cacao powder, depending on hair color
For auburn hair: Add up to a tablespoon of cinnamon and 2 teaspoons paprika, depending on hair color

**Essential oils for hair care include: peppermint, geranium, rosemary, tea tree, lavender, and Roman chamomile.

Step One: Combine All Ingredients

Add the arrowroot powder, baking soda, colorants, and essential oils to a food processor or blender. Blend until the mixture reaches a fine powder consistency.

This step matters because essential oils need to be evenly distributed throughout the powder. You do not want concentrated drops sitting in one spot, especially in a product that touches your scalp.

Step Two: Apply to Roots

Add the dry shampoo to a refillable makeup brush or powder sifter. To use, dispense a little powder and apply it to the roots of your hair.

Let sit for a minute or two, then use your fingertips to distribute the mixture throughout your hair evenly. Brush through if needed, and add a touch more only where your roots still look oily.

Application: Start with less than you think you need. You can always add more, but too much dry shampoo can make hair look dull. For best results, use it as a refresh between washes, not as a replacement for washing your hair and scalp.

Homemade Dry Shampoo FAQs

What is homemade dry shampoo made of?

Homemade dry shampoo is usually made with an absorbent powder, such as arrowroot powder or organic cornstarch, plus optional baking soda, natural colorants, and essential oils. This recipe is talc-free, aerosol-free, and easy to customize for your hair color.

Does dry shampoo actually clean your hair?

No. Dry shampoo absorbs oil and helps hair look fresher, but it does not truly clean your scalp or remove buildup. You still need regular shampoo and water to cleanse your hair and scalp (1).

Can I use dry shampoo after a workout?

Yes! This is one of my favorite ways to use it. Let your scalp cool down, blot away excess sweat if needed, then apply a small amount to the roots. It helps absorb moisture and makes your hair easier to style before you head out the door.

What essential oils are best for dry shampoo?

My favorites are rosemary, lavender, Roman chamomile, tea tree, geranium, and peppermint. Rosemary and peppermint are great for an invigorating hair blend, tea tree is helpful for scalp freshness, and lavender or Roman chamomile are gentle choices for sensitive scalps.

Can brunettes use homemade dry shampoo?

Absolutely. Add cacao powder a little at a time until the shade blends into your roots. Auburn hair can use small amounts of cacao, cinnamon, or paprika. Blonde or gray hair can usually use the base recipe without colorants.

How often should I use dry shampoo?

Use it as needed between washes. If your scalp becomes itchy, flaky, dull, or coated, take that as your sign to wash with water and a gentle shampoo. Dry shampoo is a tool, not your entire hair care routine.

Is this dry shampoo safe for kids?

It can be, especially if you keep the essential oils gentle and use a very small amount. For kids, I prefer lavender or Roman chamomile. Avoid getting powder near the eyes, nose, and mouth, and do not use peppermint on young children.

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