What to know about dry shampoo?

From prolonging a blowout to getting your strands in shape after a workout (or before a surprise Zoom meeting), dry shampoo can be a real lifesaver. But just because you’re using it regularly doesn’t mean you don’t have questions! And as luck would have it, we’ve got answers. Read on to find out everything you need to know about using dry shampoo correctly.

How does dry shampoo work?

Dry shampoos absorb excess oil, product buildup, and odor to help give hair a freshly washed appearance. Most contain some kind of starch-based active ingredient that soak up the bad stuff, plus a fragrance to keep hair smelling clean.

Am I using dry shampoo correctly?

On the surface, using dry shampoo seems easy enough. You spray it in, give your hair a quick tousle, and head out the door—right? The answer is, not quite. The ideal dry shampoo application process goes a little something like this:

• Always use on dry hair. If your hair is slightly sweaty post-workout, quickly touch it up with a hair dryer.

• Shake before you spray.

• Hold at least 6–8 inches away from your head.

• Don’t apply all over—concentrate on the roots, where grease and buildup tends to accumulate.

• Let it absorb for 1–2 minutes.

• Make sure to massage it in using the same technique you would for an in-shower shampoo. This helps eliminate any residue (and give you a volume boost while you’re at it).

• Brush it out.

Another common mistake? 

Using too much dry shampoo. In excess, it can leave your hair dull, weighed down, or with an unpleasant texture. Though how much is too much differs by hair type, it’s generally a good idea to start with less than you think you need. After all, you can always add more—it’s much harder to take it away.

How often can I use dry shampoo?

Though it varies by hair type and lifestyle, it’s a good rule of thumb to avoid using dry shampoo more than two days in a row. It’s important to remember that dry shampoo is not a replacement for regular shampoo. Though they have the same effect from a visual standpoint, they work differently. To really get the grime out of your hair for good, you should rely on in-shower shampoo. This gives your hair and scalp the fresh start they need to look and feel their healthiest. If you’re struggling with excess oil and becoming dry shampoo-codependent as a result, try oily scalp treatment. It’s formulated to purify, revitalize, and rebalance an oily scalp by helping to control oils, sweat, and buildup.

What other benefits does dry shampoo have?

For starters, it helps you rely less on regular shampoo. While you don’t want to go overboard on dry shampoo, you also don’t want to go overboard on washing. (Like everything in life, it’s a balance!) Too much shampoo can strip your hair of the natural oils that keep it looking and feeling soft, healthy, and smooth. Dry shampoo can also help zhoosh up your look, restoring lift to a second-day blowout or adding texture to flat hair.

The right dry shampoo can even help improve your hair’s appearance. For instance, ours comes in two versions for different hair colors. Dry Shampoo Light Tones is formulated with subtle violent pigments to help balance brassiness in light-colored hair, and Dry Shampoo Dark Toneswon’t leave a dull residue on brunette hair (a common problem with many formulas, which are often white in color). Both have argan oil-infused, UV-protecting formulas to give a subtle shine boost and healthy look and feel.