Dry shampoo is a powdered substance that is used to clean the hair when it is not possible or practical to use water and traditional shampoos. There are a number of simple recipes that can be used at home to create powdered shampoo. In addition, there are several commercial dry shampoo products on the market, including a few types that are formulated as aerosol products.

The idea behind dry shampoo is to remove excess oil from hair follicles without having to actually wash the hair using a traditional shampoo and water. It is not unusual for households to keep a small amount of dry shampoo on hand as part of an emergency hygiene kit. In the event that water is not available, the dry shampoo compound can be applied and provide at least a partial cleansing of the hair.

All homemade and commercial dry shampoo products contain some type of powder. The powder is worked into the hair in a manner that is similar to the application of wet shampoos. This allows the powder compound to begin absorbing the excess oil present on the surface of the hair follicles. After leaving the dry shampoo in place for a short period of time, the residue is brushed or combed out of the hair. The end result is that the shampoo powder, or shampowder, removes a significant amount of oil and the hair will appear healthy and manageable for several hours.

Since the 1970’s, dry shampoo products have been available as powders that are sprinkled into the hair as well as spray products that are sold in aerosol cans. Along with these commercial products, it is possible to make home versions of dry shampoo using items such as talcum powder and various herbs and spices. While some of the home versions may leave behind tiny particles that dull the sheen of the hair, there are home recipes that provide a temporary luster to the hair that is very similar to that of using a good quality wet shampoo.

The use of dry shampoo should not be considered a permanent substitute for using wet shampoos. While dry shampoo works very well for the occasional application when shampooing using water is not an option, the product does not clean as thoroughly as wet shampoos. Over time, this will leave a residue that dry shampoo is unable to absorb properly. For this reason, dry shampoo should only be used from time to time rather than on a daily basis.