Is using cornstarch as dry shampoo safe? Applying cornstarch to the scalp with a makeup brush instead of using dry shampoo is generally safe, according to hair-care experts.
Moderation is the key when using cornstarch in your haircare routine. The risk of adverse outcomes (including dulling of the hair color, undesirable buildup, and scalp issues) is exacerbated when you use too much cornstarch on your hair.
An oldie but a goodie, “baby powder is known as being a reliable dry shampoo alternative, as it was used before dry shampoos were popular,” Engelman says.
Dry shampoo can be an answer to your how-to get rid of oily scalp and can be a lifesaver when you can't wash your hair. It's the only product that makes hair appear clean even if it hasn't been washed. A few minutes of blow-drying and a spritz of dry shampoo will do the trick.
Additionally, Rose urges people to continue to wash their scalp regularly if they use cornstarch as a dry shampoo replacement. "Although your scalp will look and smell clean from the cornstarch, it's important to remember that it isn't actually clean," she says.
Baby powder is the multipurpose beauty product that has been handling greasy scalp problems for centuries. And it still can. Just sprinkle a little along parting lines and rub in. Grease be gone!
Use Baby Powder
Some of us use the trick to grab some baby powder instead of dry shampoo. But don't go crazy and dump a whole lot of powder directly on your hair. Instead, sprinkle some baby powder on a tissue, place it over your roots and scrunch it together with your fingers to spread it evenly on the roots.
Natural dry shampoo can be made with clay, starch, powders, or colloidal oatmeal. Arrowroot starch works well to absorb oil and disappear into your roots. Some people also use baking soda, although the texture can be grainy and easy to see.
Remove stains: Dry or mixed into a thick paste with water, cornstarch can remove many kinds of stains on rugs, furniture, clothing, and other fabric items. Leave the paste on until it dries before brushing or vacuuming. A cornstarch paste even works to remove blood and grease stains.
Hunt recommends a simple recipe of mixing cocoa powder with baking soda, as "these two together will absorb oil and give roots some volume." Ingredients: 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1 tablespoon cocoa powder. "You may have to adjust the mixture until you get the ratio that matches your roots the best," Hunt advises.
Basic fluffy slime recipe
Here's how to make it: Put 1/2 cup shampoo and 1/4 cup of cornstarch in a bowl. Mix well. Add 3 drops of food coloring (optional).
"You can train your scalp to be less greasy in the course of three to four days, however, it will take some time for your body to fully adjust," Potempa says. "Take some time to do research about the type of hair you have and establish a new routine that gives your body enough time to adjust to the change."
The benefits of water-only washing
Over time, hair becomes more accustomed to a water-only cleanse, so your natural sebum and hair oils will decrease overtime if you are consistent with a water only routine. Meaning your hair will be less greasy in between wash days.
The propellant used in dry shampoo usually consists of butane, isobutane, and propane, which makes up 70–90% of the total composition. Dry shampoos often contain anionic surfactants that do not dissolve in water.
Getting the Starch Out
Most starch is made of corn (think: cornstarch like you'd use in cooking) or wheat, and is designed to disperse in the wash. Just soak the garment in cold, warm or hot water, depending on the fabric care instructions; follow the soaking with a regular wash cycle.
Sprinkle the fabric with a thick coating of cornstarch. This will quickly absorb the majority of the grease. Leave on the stain for 15 minutes, then add a few drops of water to create a paste. Rub into the stain with fingertips, then launder in a cold-water cycle.
If you're out of deodorant or want a DIY alternative, try cornstarch. Thanks to its moisture-absorbing properties, it acts as a natural deodorant to decrease sweat and odor.
Dry shampoo disguises the grease and the dirt, and when this is left in the hair for too long it can result in an itchy, dry scalp. For that reason, it should only really be used as a quick fix, rather than part of a regular hair care routine.
While I'm not the typical dry shampoo user or fan, Quai's Dry Shampoo (by celebrity hair expert Jen Atkin, and stylist of Kim Kardashian) has to be one of the best haircare products I have tried, in terms of quality, scent, how long it lasts, and how refreshing and texturing it is.
“All I use is the hair oil and then let my hair dry naturally.” She also teased that she has an A+ shampoo and conditioner in the works that she's been testing behind-the-scenes. Oh, that's not all though: She also has a non-aerosol dry shampoo and a weekly deep conditioning mask in production.