For most people, dry shampoo is great in a pinch when you need to soak up some excess oil. For curly girls, there are a few reasons to avoid dry shampoo. While dry shampoos are great for soaking up excess oil or moisture such as sweat from working out, they can dry out your scalp and strands. They also usually need to be brushed out to avoid a collection of white flakes at the root which can be a problem if you are dry brushing your curls. There are curl-friendly options for dry shampoo, but some naturalistas choose to skip this product category altogether. If you want the same benefits without the actual dry shampoo product, here are a few alternatives to dry shampoo.
Dry Texturizer
One way to avoid dry shampoo is to use a dry texturizer. When your hair is weighed down with dirt, it can become flat. If you give it a little texturizer in between washes instead of using dry shampoo, you will automatically help restore some of that texture and body. A few good ones for this would be AG Hair Cosmetics Texture Dry Wax Matte Finishing Mist or Macadamia Professional Texturizing Salt Spray. They both provide texture without drying out your hair and can help give it a cleaner look until wash day.
Refreshing Spray
Another one of the best alternatives to dry shampoo is a refreshing spray. A refresher is a gentle way to achieve second day curls without the sometimes-harsh dryness of dry shampoos. The process of refreshing your ends or the length of your hair typically creates volume and lift throughout the hair – especially helpful when your curls have gone flat at the roots. A few good ones for this purpose would be Ouidad Botanical Boost Moisture Infusing & Refreshing Spray, MopTop Herbal Detangler & Refresher, and Uncle Funky’s Daughter Defunk Hair Refresher Tonic.
Dry Conditioner
Dry shampoo and dry conditioner are two different things. Dry shampoo is used to absorb excess oil from your scalp and roots, while dry conditioner is used to add luster and moisture to your strands. People with straighter texture may find that partway through the week their hair looks oily and in need of a wash. For curly and coily textures, you may find instead that your hair looks dry and parched mid-week, and in this event you may want to reach for a dry conditioner to create that just-washed look without using a wet product. A few popular options for this type of product would be Amika Silken Up Dry Conditioner or Tigi Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Conditioner because they both offer a glossy sheen with the added benefit of moisture restoration for a second-day hair vibe.
DIY Options
Of course, there are alternatives to dry shampoo that you might already have in your pantry. Best of all, most of them don’t even need to be made into a recipe and can be used as a stand-in for dry shampoo. For example, applying just a little bit of cornstarch or baby powder to your roots can help absorb excess moisture and give hair a cleaner look. You can also use one cup of oatmeal with one cup of baking soda to create a dry shampoo. The oatmeal helps loosen up dirt and oils while the baking soda absorbs them. If you have dark hair you may find that light powder formulas are too visible on your hair, in which case you can use this DIY cocoa dry shampoo recipe for a darker tint.
