Why Use Dry Shampoo? The Pros, Cons, & Brand Choices

I did my research on dry shampoo—lots of research—and it's paid off big time. I've never had healthier hair!

What Is Dry Shampoo?

Dry shampoo is an oil-absorbing powder, usually starch or talc-based, that absorbs excess dirt and grease in your hair without the use of water (you should definitely not use water with dry shampoos).

How to Apply:

Sprinkle the powder onto your scalp and massage it in for no less than one minute. You can grab a brush or a wide-tooth comb and brush it down the length of your hair if you'd like, but this step isn't crucial, and some beauty bloggers don't recommend it. But hey, others do.

So what's the end result?

Clean, healthy hair without the adverse effects of water and sulfates within "wet shampoos."

Why Use Dry Shampoo: The Pro's, Con's, and Brand Choices

By now you probably know that washing your hair daily is bad for you. It strips away the natural oils that keep your hair healthy and well moisturized. So if you wash your hair every day, my advice: STOP!

"I have to wash my hair every day because it gets oily and gross if I don't."

Most women, and even men, say this all the time. If you're one of these people, I feel your pain. I have a roommate who practices good hair care methods, and she loathes the days when she doesn't wash her hair.

But there is a solution, and it has been around since Twiggy popularized it in the '60s!

It's called dry shampoo.

5 More Benefits of Dry Shampoo

You know the main reason people use dry shampoos; to clean their hair without stripping it of its natural oils. But take a look at five other benefits of dry shampoos that make it a staple in women's hair care routine.

1. Convenience: really, who wants to wash their hair every day, especially when you workout often?
2. Eliminates heat: after you've washed your hair, what's the first thing you do? Blow-dry, which is often followed by flat ironing. Excessive heat creates damaged, irreparable ends.
3. Moisture: Dry shampoo removes out the oils in your scalp, not your hair.
4. Volume: So many beauty bloggers keep dry shampoos on hand to create volume before styling. Perfect for women with fine hair.
5. Goodbye Grease: Dry shampoos clean your hair to avoid the greasy look.

Organic Dry Shampoo

Choosing the Right Brand

I don't recommend buying the cheap brands because the baking soda often contains aluminum. But I'm also about saving cash, so luxury brands that are $30 is a no-go in my opinion. In all of my articles, I stress the importance of natural ingredients. But why is that? Natural ingredients work efficiently without harmful effects. They're also cruelty-free and good for the environment-an added bonus.

A good product with great reviews is Cosmo Verde's herbal and organic dry shampoo. It's affordable but works as effectively as name brands—better than name brands, is what I say. Cosmo Verde's dry shampoo includes ingredients such as organic chamomile powder, lavender flower powder, and brown rice powder, to name a few. Do a little research and see just how these ingredients benefit your hair. The results will amaze you.

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With Pros Come Cons

We've looked at the pros. Now let's talk about the cons.

Foremost, dry shampooing isn't a complete replacement for hair washing. It does the job of removing dirt and oil, but not as efficiently as "wet shampooing." It gives you that much-needed break, but make no mistake: you still need to wash your hair. Over time, the dirt and oil will accumulate and make your hair look dirty and unhealthy.

If you suffer from dry skin, such as dandruff, avoid dry shampoos. It will only aggravate your problem.

Another con of dry shampoo can be easily prevented, which I briefly mentioned with the organic shampoo earlier. Not all shampoos are created equal. The cheap brands that women buy often contain aluminum, which is bad for your hair. The toxicity data is overwhelming, and while some may say harmful effects are avoidable, I'm a wary customer.

Other dry shampoos stick to your scalp, leaving powder and flakes. From experience, I've found that these flakes appear at the most inopportune times.

Dry Shampoo Hair Staple

Bottom line?

Invest wisely. Look at the ingredients, read the reviews, and ask questions on hair care forums before you make your purchase. I suggested Cosmo Verde's organic dry shampoo because:

1. It works
2. It's affordable
3. It offers organic, natural ingredients
4. No aluminum and parabens (yay!)

But what if that's not the dry shampoo you're looking for? Do your homework, and find the best dry shampoo for you and your hair. You will find one. Dry shampoos are making a comeback and are increasingly becoming a staple in hair care routines.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2013 Ria Rankine

Comments

Faith Peoples on January 10, 2017:

I only use dry shampoo when I straighten my hair because I don't want it curl. Is there a difference between liquid dry shampoo and powder dry shampoo?

Ria Rankine (author) from Oregon on July 10, 2013:

I agree. It's terrible for your hair. But sweat, oil and grime does build up, which is why dry shampoos come in handy. There were mentions that it wouldn't work for curly texture, but since that rumor has been squashed, I'm completely on this dry shampoo bandwagon.

stacytm from London on July 10, 2013:

I don't believe you should wash your hair everyday, and I even like to co-wash (no shampoo just conditioner)