Dry Shampoo Safety Review: Is It Safe To Use?

Do you find greasy hair frequently and regular hair wash is the last resort?

Dry shampoo can act as a lifesaver.

It can be an instant solution to your greasy scalp, helping you to get rid of dirt, grime, and sweat build-up and give your hair a bouncy and refreshed look.

Being an instant solution, the popularity of dry shampoo has grown among people. However, as its popularity grows, so do concerns about its safety. This comprehensive review aims to delve into the safety of dry shampoo, its benefits, potential harm, ingredients, correct usage, suitability for different hair types, myths, alternatives, and recommendations for sensitive scalps.

What is dry shampoo?

Dry shampoo is a type of hybrid shampoo in powdered form that reduces the oily texture of hair without getting your hair wet. The key ingredients present in dry shampoo include corn starch or rice starch. The ingredients in dry shampoo generally absorb the excess sebum produced, keeping your hair and scalp dry. These are often used to attain a fresh look in humid climates, to increase the effect of blowouts, etc. 

Although dry shampoo offers a grease-free and refreshed look to your hair, regular hair is mandatory to remove the accumulated dirt and oil from the scalp. Excessive use of dry shampoo can dry out your scalp, leading to irritation in your scalp. It can even clog the hair follicles and rashes on the scalp.

Is Dry Shampoo Safe?

Frequent questions are raised about dry shampoo being safe or not. While providing a quick effect to the greasy hair, dry shampoo has its drawbacks as well. Hence, it is advised to use dry shampoo as a stopgap not as a scalp-cleansing agent. If you are a person who uses dry shampoo or is looking forward to using it, note down the points below before you do so.

• The idea behind dry shampoo is to keep your hair fresh and not clean.
• Prolonged use of dry shampoo can even cause irritation and inflammation as it leaves a residue behind which can unclog the pores if not cleaned out properly.
• Dry shampoo makes your scalp and hair dry making it vulnerable to breakage.
• Always check for the presence of allergens among ingredients before using the product directly.
• Remember to wash your hair with normal shampoo and conditioner in between to remove any dirt and product accumulation on the scalp and hair.

The Benefits of Dry Shampoo: Quick, Convenient, and Effective

So, why do people love dry shampoo so much? For its quick effects, of course!

Dry shampoo is an instant solution to greasy and oily hair, making your hair look bouncy and voluminous within minutes. Spraying a few shots at the crown area and temple area will make your hair look good and fresh without any use of water. 

Furthermore, dry shampoo is a great solution for people who like to wash their hair less frequently than others. These include people with curly or coiled hair and women going through menopause as they need to retain moisture in their hair. 

Assessing the Risks: Is Dry Shampoo Harmful?

While dry shampoo is generally safe, it can damage your hair if overused. When used in the right amount and in the right manner, the risks can be minimized. Let's take a deeper look at the risks of overusing dry shampoo:

1. Clog pores: Reminding again, dry shampoo is not a cleaning product. Although it absorbs the excess oil present, it doesn’t necessarily remove dirt. This powdery product can accumulate on your scalp and clog hair follicles if not cleaned properly with a hair wash. This can even lead to fungal infection/folliculitis.
   Are clogged pores, troubling you?
   Get some insights from this comprehensive guide to minimize pores.
2. Hair breakage: Dry shampoo is an aerosol hair care product that contains alcohol. When the hair is combed after application of dry shampoo, the hair fibers tend to break due to dryness. Due to this, excessive use of dry shampoo is not recommended by dermatologists.
3. Dandruff and scaly skin: Irregular hair washing can lead to dry scalp thereby resulting in scaly and dandruff-prone scalp. When dry shampoo is left on the scalp, it doesn’t only cause buildup, but the oil it absorbs is also left with it on the scalp. Additionally, oil feeds on a kind of fungus called Malassezia, which can result in seborrheic dermatitis.

To get rid of dandruff-prone scalp, read here: Get Rid Of Dandruff With Expert-Recommended Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Decoding Dry Shampoo Ingredients

Understanding what’s in your dry shampoo is key to ensuring its safety and effectiveness. 

1. Laminaria saccharina extract/ Corn starch: It is a white powder that helps in the absorption of sebum from the scalp.
2. Cetrimonium Chloride: Cetrimonium Chloride conditions the hair and reduces static, smoothening the hair.
3. Maranta Arundinacea Root Powder (Arrowroot Powder): The arrowroot powder is extracted from the roots of the Arrowroot Plant and helps in the effective absorption of oils from the scalp along with corn starch.
4. Benzyl Benzoate: Although a toxin, some dry shampoos use Benzyl Benzoate as a solvent and fragrance.
5. Kaolin: Known as an ideal ingredient that acts as a mild abrasive, Kaolin clarifies hair by excess oil absorption. Kaolin is a clay mineral and is safe for sensitive skin also.
6. Kaolin Clay: Acts as a mild abrasive to clarify hair while absorbing excess oil.
7. Isobutane and propane: Isobutane is a propellant that helps the ingredients to expel from the aerosol can. Isobutane can be harmful if used in excessive amounts and the vapours can irritate and burn the skin and eyes.
8. Alcohol Denat: Alcohol denat or Denatured alcohol plays a major role in dry shampoo to draw moisture and sebum from the scalp and give your hair a fresh look. However, an excess amount of the ingredient when mixed with methanol, seeps through your skin causing dryness and disturbed skin barrier.
9. Glycerin: Generally, dry shampoo results in scalp dryness. But, a few products use glycerin to increase moisturization. It also adds definition to curly and wavy hairs by minimizing frizz.
10. Synthetic fragrances: Any skin or hair care product that contains fragrance is harmful. Ingredients used to add fragrance to a product can promote skin conditions like psoriasis, irritation and allergies.

Personalizing Dry Shampoo Application by Hair Type

Dry shampoo works best for greasy hair. The chances of your hair getting oily after a good workout session or when exposed to humidity are high. In these cases, dry shampoo comes in handy as an instant solution. 

For natural or dry hair, you will need a sparing amount of the product. Naturally black or brown-haired people should remember to check for flaky residues before going out after dry shampoo application. Dry shampoo for darker hair tones is also available in the market.

Curly hair people might need to follow a different procedure when it comes to dry shampoo application. Curly hair should not be combed or brushed after the application of dry shampoo as it will make your hair look more frizzy instead of fresh and bouncy.

Alternative Approaches to Refreshing Hair

If dry shampoo isn't your thing, there are plenty of alternatives to make your hair look refreshed, bouncy, and voluminous:

1. Corn starch: A small amount of corn starch can be applied to your hairline to eliminate the excess oils on the scalp. For those with darker hair colour, cocoa powder can be mixed with cornstarch and used instead of cornstarch to avoid the white residue.
2. Baking soda: Another household ingredient that can help with greasy hair is baking soda. This ingredient can be mixed with cornstarch and sprinkled on the scalp and hairline to diminish the oily look.
3. Baby powder: Brushing baby powder through your hair can also reduce the oily hair look. The ingredients in the powder absorb oils from the scalp. Although this is a quick fix, baby powder contains fragrances and talc which are harmful to hair. Hence is not recommended for regular use.
4. Setting powder: A translucent setting powder can be used to fix oily hair quickly by following the blush, brush, and tap steps. Hair has to be washed afterward as this product can leave a cakey residue and buildup on the scalp.
5. Blotting papers: Blotting paper is a makeup product that works well to dab and remove oil from the scalp as well.
6. Apple cider vinegar: Mix a few drops of apple cider with water and spray it on the hair evenly to reduce the oiliness.

Gentle and Effective Dry Shampoos for Sensitive Scalps

Sensitive scalps require appropriate dry shampoo. Look for shampoos with a gentle soothing effect that is also hypoallergenic, chemical, and fragrance-free. Dry shampoos that contain chamomile flower extract, aloe vera extract, or oat extract can have an extra soothing effect on hair and scalp as compared to regular ones. Carry out a patch test every time you want to apply a new product to your hair to avoid irritation in your scalp.

Enhancing Hair Health Alongside Dry Shampoo

Although dry shampoo is a convenient and effective solution to greasy hair, it is not a product that can keep your scalp healthy every day. The amount of dirt and product accumulation on the scalp will not be lowered with dry shampoo. This product absorbs the excess oil from the scalp efficiently but increases the chances of clogged pores and has to be used correctly to attain results that do not compromise your hair’s health.

Dry shampoo works well on greasy hair that occurs as a result of excess sweating or humidity. Remember that routine shampooing and hair washing are necessary to keep your scalp and hair healthy. When it comes to dry shampoo, choose high-quality products that suit individual hair types and textures to enjoy the advantages of dry shampoo while keeping your hair and scalp in optimal condition.