Super Simple (And Cheap) DIY Dry Shampoo Recipe
Want to make your own dry shampoo? Check out this DIY dry shampoo recipe. It is super easy to make and you can make it for less than $1.25!
DIY Dry Shampoo Recipe
So a few weeks ago I published a post about 5 all-natural dry shampoos that I love and recommend.
I had spent hours researching and months testing products determined to find a dry shampoo that wouldn’t slowly kill me (just kidding……..kinda).
And not only did I find one, but I found five. You can read all about them here.
But as I was putting together that post I noticed how simple the ingredient lists were on these dry shampoos and I decided to put together my own DIY dry shampoo.
(This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure statement here.)
But What’s So Bad About Dry Shampoo?
If you haven’t read this post yet, I highly recommend you do so. I go into more detail about the dangers of dry shampoo.
But to put it simply most dry shampoos are filled with highly toxic chemicals that can really harm your health.
You can download the Think Dirty app and scan your favorite dry shampoo to find out what toxins might be lurking inside.
Know Better Do Better
After I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in 2018 I realized I needed to be my own health advocate. My doctor recommended that I go on medication.
But after learning that the medication would only decrease my symptoms and wouldn’t actually cure me or stop my immune system from attacking itself, I decided I needed to do my own research to determine what was best for my health.
One of the things I discovered was how harmful many of the products I use every day were to my health. And ever since then I’ve been on a mission to eliminate them one by one.
Unfortunately, some natural products can be kind of pricey.
And although I still recommend and stand behind the dry shampoos I mentioned in this post I wanted to create a cheaper version (price breakdown below).
DIY Dry Shampoo Ingredients
This DIY dry shampoo recipe only contains 5 ingredients (6 for dark hair). I chose the ingredients based on price, effectiveness, and of course safety.
I wanted to create a dry shampoo that contained affordable, toxic-free ingredients and I wanted the DIY dry shampoo to work just as well, if not better than the products you find at your local drugstore.
You can read all about the ingredients below.
Arrowroot Powder
Arrowroot powder is a starchy substance extracted from the root of a tropical plant known as Maranta arundinacea.
It is very light and soft. Its main purpose is to absorb the oil from your hair and scalp without being overly drying.
Not only is it toxin-free but it’s also naturally gluten-free, grain-free, vegan, and paleo-friendly.
Baking Soda
Baking soda also helps with oil absorption.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender oil will not only make your hair smell amazing, but it also helps to moisturize and nourish the hair.
Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary essential oil helps to give the hair volume, prevents excess oiliness on the scalp, and reduces inflammation in hair follicles.
Cedarwood Essential Oil
Cedarwood essential oil helps to support hair growth and provides moisture to the scalp.
Cacao or Cocoa Powder (For Dark Hair Only)
You will want to add cacao or cocoa powder if you have dark hair. It will help the dry shampoo blend better.
DIY Dry Shampoo Recipe
1/4 cup Arrowroot Powder
1/2 Tablespoon Baking Soda
2 Tablespoons Cacao or Cocoa Powder (for dark hair only)
3 Drops Cedarwood Essential Oil
3 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
3 Drops Rosemary Essential Oil
DIY Dry Shampoo Directions
- Add 1/4 cup of arrowroot powder to a glass bowl
- Add 1/2 a tablespoon of baking soda to the glass bowl
- Add 2 tablespoons of cacao or cocoa powder to the glass bowl only if you have dark hair. Otherwise, skip this step!
- Mix together
- Add 3 drops of each essential oil
- Mix again
- Add the mixture into a container of your choice. I just use an old spice jar. But a salt shaker like this or this would work perfectly!
How to Apply DIY Dry Shampoo
I always apply dry shampoo before bed. That way it has time to absorb fully and no powdery residue can be seen.
I sprinkle the dry shampoo on the sections of my hair that need it the most then I use a makeup brush like this one to blend it in. Easy peasy!
DIY Dry Shampoo Price Breakdown
Arrowroot powder is $4.49 (at Thrive Market) for 16 ounces. Which breaks down to $.281 per ounce and we only used 2 ounces. So the total cost is $.56.
Baking soda is $1.89 (at Thrive Market) for 16 ounces. Which breaks down to $.12 per ounce and we only used a quarter of an ounce. So the total cost is $.03.
Plant Therapy Rosemary Essential oil is $9.95. Each 10ml bottle contains approximately 200 drops which break down to around $.05 per drop. And we’re only using 3 drops. So the total cost is $.15.
Plant Therapy Lavender Essential oil is $7.49. Each 10ml bottle contains approximately 200 drops which break down to around $.04 per drop. And we’re only using 3 drops. So the total cost is $.12.
Plant Therapy Cedarwood Essential oil is $9.95. Each 15ml bottle contains approximately 200 drops which break down to around $.05 per drop. And we’re only using 3 drops. So the total cost is $.15.
So the total cost to make this DIY dry shampoo is less than $1.25. I personally like to double the recipe so I don’t have to make it as often.
But even if you double the recipe it still costs way less than any all-natural dry shampoo you would find at the store or on Etsy. And it lasts forever.
Thrive Market
I purchase the arrowroot powder and baking soda at Thrive Market.
They do have a membership fee similar to Costco but in my opinion, it is 100% worth it!
To be honest, the only reason I signed up with Thrive Market was that they were offering a free trial membership plus 25% off my first purchase.
I had every intention of canceling my account after that initial purchase but once I saw how great their prices were I decided it was completely worth the membership fee and I’ve been a member ever since.
They sell many healthy, toxic-free foods and products at discounted prices. The membership fee is $59.95 a year which is less than $5 a month.
Thrive Market also offers a monthly membership plan that is $9.95 a month. If you choose the annual plan it breaks down to about $5 a month. So the annual plan is a much better deal.
But the monthly plan is great for people who don’t want to make the yearly commitment. But keep in mind, you can get a full refund on either plan if you cancel within 30 days.
You can click here to read my full Thrive Market Review.
If you don’t love Thrive Market you can cancel before the 30 days to avoid the membership fee.
Essential Oils
The essential oils in this DIY dry shampoo recipe are not 100% necessary.
If you decide to leave out the essential oils, the dry shampoo will not have the additional benefits the essential oils provide and it will not smell good but it will still work.
If you do not already have essential oils I know the initial investment can seem like a lot. And that is exactly what it is…..an investment.
When you purchase essential oils you are investing in your health and overall well-being.
You can learn what essential oils are and exactly how they work here.
If you are trying to live a more natural, toxin-free life you need essential oils. You can use them for so many different things.
I love Florihana essential oils and that is what I use most of the time when I make this dry shampoo. If you’re not familiar with Florihana essential oils you can check out my full Florihana essential oils review.
On occasion, I will also use Plant Therapy or Simply Earth essential oils. It just depends on what I have on hand. Sometimes it will be a blend of all three brands.
If you decide to buy from Simply Earth you can use the code HAPPYHEARTFREE to receive a $40 Simply Earth gift card + a big bonus box with the purchase of your first recipe box, all for only $39.99!!!!
If you are not familiar with Simply Earth or their recipe box you can check out last month’s box here.
I really hope that this DIY dry shampoo works well for you. Let me know how you like it!
