Is Dry Shampoo Really That Bad To Use?

We’ve all skipped a wash day at some point and have had to hit our roots with some dry shampoo to soak up the grease. No big deal. Using dry shampoo in place of cleansing is a great quick fix when your scalp gets oily and you can’t (or don’t want to) get it wet just yet. But as with everything, moderation is key. 

“It isn’t that dry shampoo is bad for you; it’s just that it needs to be used in the context it is intended — a temporary application and not to replace normal shampooing,” Jodi Logerfero, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, explains. “Dry shampoo is a short-term remedy when you don’t have the time to take care of your hair.” 

Dry shampoo, which usually contains ingredients such as cornstarch or rice starch, absorbs the oils your scalp produces that make it greasy. As a bonus, it can also add texture and volume to your roots, which is great if you’re using it to preserve a voluminous blowout. “Dry shampoos have evolved into the ultimate styling tool,” trichologist and Colour Collective founder Kerry E. Yates says. But use it too much, and you can compromise the health of your scalp. 

“If you overuse dry shampoo, you can get some product buildup on your scalp and hair. Your scalp can become irritated, inflamed, flaky, and itchy,” Logerfero says. “Shampooing helps remove dirt, debris, oil, odors, and other chemicals from both the scalp and hair. Using a dry shampoo does not do that.” Think of dry shampoo as a once-to-twice-a-week thing, depending on your hair type. Cleansing in the shower is what removes the gunk so that your hair and scalp can remain healthy. 

“Dry shampoo customers should not go for days or weeks without washing their hair,” Yates advises. “Repeatedly applying dry shampoo to the roots will ultimately lead to follicle-clogging, unhealthy scalp conditions, and, sadly, hair loss.” So while dry shampoo in moderation won’t necessarily ruin your hair, overuse without regular shampooing may cause issues. Don’t be afraid to use it, but don’t forget to wash your hair regularly, too.