6 Best Natural & Non-Toxic Dry Shampoo Made with Organic Ingredients
We all know the feeling. You’re late for work, and your hair really is starting to look a little on the greasy side. What do you do?
Break out that dry shampoo! Good dry shampoo works miracles and honestly, most of us can’t remember life without it.
Yet have you ever asked yourself what is this magical product made of? Are all of the ingredients healthy and eco-friendly?
The truth is, some conventional dry shampoo brands could be doing a lot better, which is why using a natural dry shampoo is always a good choice.
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Are There Harmful Chemicals in Traditional Dry Shampoos?
The truth is, that many dry shampoos have potentially harmful ingredients.
While we might expect our beauty products to be safe to use, the reality is that this isn’t always the case.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common ingredients that you might just want to avoid.
Propane/Butane: Aerosol dry shampoo spray might be convenient, but it really isn’t that healthy for you. Both propane and butane are used in aerosol bottles, and both can be harmful. Not only this, but when you are using an aerosol, it means that you will be breathing the dry shampoo ingredients into your lungs, which really isn’t something you want.
Aluminum: Many traditional dry shampoos contain aluminum, which is something that you want to avoid ingesting or putting on your skin. Heavy metal poisoning can occur at surprisingly small doses, and unfortunately, aluminum is found in many conventional beauty and care products, including deodorants. It can cause headaches and nausea and has even been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Parabens and Phthalates: Parabens are a traditional preservative used in many cosmetic products, and phthalates are used as a binding agent. Both of these ingredients have potentially harmful effects, and should be avoided were possible. Unfortunately, traditional dry shampoo often contains both of these, which is why opting for a natural, nontoxic dry shampoos is a great option.
What are the Environmental Impacts of Dry Shampoo Packaging?
We’ve already discussed why aerosols aren’t that good for your health, but they also have environmental impacts to consider as well.
Liquid petroleum gases are the gases used in aerosol cans, and they are all very damaging to the ozone layer.
I don’t need to tell you how important it is to keep the ozone layer intact to help fight climate change, so avoiding aerosols is all a part of this.
Generally, these canisters can be difficult to recycle as well, which means they have another environmental impact – waste.
What to Look for in a Natural Dry Shampoo
If you want the best out of your new natural dry shampoo, then there are a few things that you can look for to ensure you get the best product.
Natural dry shampoos will always have some form of starch or natural alternative to help soak up grease and oil.
These can include arrowroot powder, kaolin clay, cornstarch, natural fragrance, and organic ingredients.
Examples include citrus peel and cocoa for a lovely freshly washed smell. A little should always go a long way with natural dry shampoo, so you shouldn’t need a refill very often!
Tips for Using Natural Dry Shampoo
One of the differences when using even the best natural dry shampoo is the application.
It really is super simple however, and once you get the hang of it you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it years ago.
For best results be sure to choose a dry shampoo that is a color that will easily blend in depending on if you have darker hair or lighter hair.
Step 1: Using a makeup brush, dust a small amount of dry shampoo along your roots. It’s best to start with a small amount and you can add more if needed. You can also add some to any area of your hair that you want to add more volume.
Step 2: Gently work the dry shampoo into your scalp and roots. If you’re looking more volume, try flipping your hair upside down while you do this.
Step 3: You can brush the dry shampoo out and then style, or you can just style as usual without brushing it out. You’ll soon work out what’s best for your hair type.
6 Natural Dry Shampoos to Try
Knowing which non-toxic dry shampoo is right for you can be tricky, so I’ve put together six of my favorites to make picking one that little bit easier.
All of these eco-friendly dry shampoo brands use sustainable materials, low waste packaging, and make their products in the United States.
Primally Pure’s Botanical Dry Shampoo
Primally Pure’s dry shampoo is handmade in Southern California.
The ingredients in their all natural Dry Shampoo, including kaolin clay and organic arrowroot powder, absorb moisture while adding texture + volume and organic essential oils of Lavender, Grapefruit and Peppermint provide natural cleansing properties while soothing the scalp and stimulating hair growth.
Primally Pure works with small family farms to ensure high quality and ethically sourced wildcrafted botanicals in their hair and skincare products.
Primally Pure’s dry shampoo comes in two different formulas, light and dark. Their dry shampoo can be purchased for $14.
EcoRoots Plant-Based Dry Shampoo
Formulated with high-performing plant-based ingredients, EcoRoots zero waste dry shampoo absorbs oil, adds instant volume while revitalizing your hair. There are no fragrances added to this dry shampoo, but it does contain a subtle natural scent from Aloe Vera.
This dry shampoo is made in small batches in the USA and comes in a glass jar that can easily be recycled or reused once you’ve used all the dry shampoo!
Among the Flowers Eco-friendly Natural Dry Shampoo
Among the Flowers is a team of 13 women, nestled in the foothills of the sierra nevada connecting with the beauty and healing of natural ingredients found in their bath and body products.
This natural dry shampoo features a blend of root and herb powders in two sweet scents for light or dark hair tones. Formulated to banish greasy, day 2 roots while keeping hair healthy and free of toxins.
These options are great so your dry shampoo is sure to match your hair color.
The packaging is compostable too!
Fat and the Moon’s Non-toxic Lavender Dry Shampoo
Fat and the Moon dry shampoo is great for all hair colors. Made without parabens, phthalates, or other toxins, it contains no aluminum and is vegan and cruelty free.
The ingredients in this hair product include organic cocoa powder, organic arrowroot powder, kaolin clay, lavender essential oil.
The essential oils added to it gives it a wonderful scent, so not only will it soak up excess oil, but it will also keep your hair smelling fresh as well.
Arriving in a recyclable container, it’s both non-toxic and a great eco-friendly option for tackling that greasy hair.
Captain Blankenship’s Organic Dry Shampoo That Gives Back
Made using only organic, fair-trade and sustainably harvested ingredients, Captain Blankenship is a great talc-free dry shampoo made with aluminum free baking soda, organic arrowroot powder and kaolin clay.
The best part is the beach rose scent from geranium and palmarosa essential oils.
As a proud women-led company, Captain Blankenship is also a member of 1% for the Planet and their dry shampoo comes in a compostable tube.
Twinkle Apothecary's Zero Waste Dry Shampoo
This dry shampoo powder from Twinkle Apothecary has a lot going for it. T
winkle Apothecary's dry shampoo powder formula is a blend of rice flour, arrowroot, tapioca, kaolin clay, and baking soda that absorb oil and moisture while adding texture and volume, but without the powder-y residue - making it great for blondes, brunettes, and everything in-between.
Ethically harvested Australian sandalwood powder, and essential oils of ylang ylang and lemongrass are added not only for their warm and fresh scent.
Not only is it made with 100% natural ingredients that are perfect for soaking up oils, it also comes in a great little glass jar – perfect for refilling. Refills come in a compostable bag, so you know that by purchasing it, you’re being kind to the environment.
This dry shampoo can be purchased for $5-$24 depending on the size of the jar.
Twinkle Apothecary also features other hair care products including hair oil, wave spray, and more.
Hopefully, this article has taught you something about the potential dangers of aerosol dry shampoo – both to your health and the environment.
Switching to a natural, nontoxic dry shampoo can be dauting, but once you get the hang of the application, you’ll never want to go back.
We hope these brands helped show you some of the best organic dry shampoos for when you skip those wash days, but still want that fresh feeling.
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