Is dry shampoo bad for your hair?

Lately dry shampoo has been a trending subject. There isn’t a reputable hair care brand that doesn’t sell their own version of dry shampoo and lots of bloggers have been jumping on the dry shampoo train and sharing the benefits of not having to wash/style their hair as often due to the magic of this starch and alcohol filled product. I’ve even heard some people brag about going weeks between washes and preaching the benefits of using dry shampoo to make their blowouts last for days. Due to all of this, I too got swept up in the dry shampoo craze and was using it regularly (I wash my hair every 3 days). I noticed my hair health start to visibly decline and that my natural shedding was increasing. I started to research the products I was using regularly and found some interesting information about dry shampoo that I felt compelled to share. There are some scary (and gross) facts surrounding the regular use of dry shampoo and how it in fact can be super detrimental to your scalp health and overall impede the growth of your hair. Although I feel that cutting out the product cold turkey is a bit drastic, I’ve been doing my best to use dry shampoos extremely sparingly. I do think it’s important to be educated about the common ingredients in dry shampoos and learn how to use the product correctly to minimize damage.

Here’s what I found out.

Dry Shampoo Does Not Cleanse Your Scalp

Dry shampoo is commonly formulated with alcohols or starches which are ingredients used to soak up the excess oil in your hair. Often times dry shampoos will also have perfumes used to mask the smell of dirty hair or to give hair a fresher scent. Girl, if your hair smells any type of way it means its been too long since you’ve sudsed up. Although you may feel like since you can’t see the oil anymore that you have cleaner hair after using dry shampoo, all of these harmful ingredients actually train your hair to stop producing the oil necessary to maintain a healthy scalp. Although it could be seen as unsavory to have greasy hair, it is healthier just to wash your strands the traditional way than to add another layer of product onto your hair shaft and scalp. Overall, adding another layer onto your already dirty hair is not a solution, it is a bandaid, and can cause long-term and potentially serious problems for your hair.

Dry Shampoo and Hair Loss

Alcohol based dry shampoo may not leave as much of a deposit as the starchy powdery options, but it is notorious for making hair brittle and weak, if you regularly reach for dry shampoo you may notice your hair growing at a slower rate. This is due to breakage caused by the brittleness that these drying products cause.

Most dry shampoos leave behind a powdery/matte finish. To remove the visible powder you might brush through your hair so it is less visible, while leaving just enough product on your scalp to soak up the oil. Even though you can’t see the product, the dry shampoo left behind on your scalp leaves a layer or buildup that will clog your hair follicles over time and will ultimately impede hair growth, especially if you use dry shampoo on a daily or pretty regular basis. You wouldn’t continue to layer your makeup over and over each day without washing your face, the same goes for the skin on your scalp. Not to mention if you are already cleansing your hair with a shampoo that has silicones or other ingredients that may be left behind on your scalp, this is just another layer of buildup to worry about. Over time you may even start to notice rashes (dermatitis) or flaky patches. Product build-up also causes hair to stick or clump together, this can cause 2-3 times the hair to shed when you brush your hair since they are stuck together.

If you insist on using dry shampoo 2 or more days in a row, make sure you are using a good clarifying shampoo to get rid of the build-up and bacteria in rotation with your regular, daily shampoo.

How to Use Dry Shampoo Correctly

Dry shampoo is meant for the strand of the hair. You shouldn’t be applying it directly to the scalp or root area. When applied as directed, on hair with no dampness and brushed through to remove as much excess as possible, dry shampoo can add a great layer of grit to clean hair to help your curls stay put longer, or give a little volume and texture to your strands. From what I’ve read if you’re a real dry shampoo addict, you should wash your hair every second day to minimize the build-up, aka you probably need to wash your hair MORE if you’re using dry shampoo on the reg. If you’ve paid for a blow out or you have a lot of hair, it can be tempting to try to extend the life of your style for a few extra days, but definitely not at the expense of your long-term hair health. I promise, it’s not worth it.

What To Do Instead Of Using Dry Shampoo

I’m sure you’re wondering how I get away with 2-3 day hair without using a dry shampoo. Well, check out my Instagram feed, do you see a trend? Y’all think I just like to wear a hat for the fashion statement? But really, a hat is one great way to hide the extra oil of second day hair. Sometimes I’ll put my hair up in a messy bun or pony tail, and sometimes I’ll even just wash around my hairline if I’m in a pinch. Overall, if I know I might feel the urge to dry shampoo, I just suck it up and wash my hair, and my hair has been thanking me for it! I have never had more healthy (or long) hair than I do since I’ve cut down on heat styling and dry shampoo.

We all put so much effort into skin care, I think it’s time to share the love with our scalp!

Makeup Remover

I only use two different makeup removers and I have for years! These are the only products that never really rotate out of my routine. They work well for me and I have no need to change up this step, so without futher ado, here’s where I start my skincare routine!

I always remove my eye-makeup and brows first. Right now I am using the Target brand version of the Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover, but it is literally the exact same product, ingredients and all. I soak a cotton round with product and hold it on my eye for a few seconds to dissolve the makeup and then swipe it away. I try my hardest not to rub because, wrinkles.

I use the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water to remove the rest of my face makeup, and it works like a dream and is incredibly gentle, perfect for sensitive skin. I always go over my face twice to make sure I get as much makeup removed as possible before I cleanse. It makes no sense to use an expensive cleanser on skin that has a layer of foundation still on, you will not get as good of results, I promise. Take the extra time to remove your makeup if you wear it daily, it is worth the extra step for healthier skin.

Facial Cleanser

I have tried so many different cleansers, I am pretty picky about what I use to wash my face! I recently started using the Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser. I need a daily cleanser that will scrub off the day really well since I wear waterproof makeup that can be stubborn at times. This cleanser does such a good job in the evening when I use it with my Clarisonic brush! You can use it with any manual exfoliating brush for the same effect. Speaking of face brushes I’ve been wanting to try the Foreo Luna, I’m planning to buy it this year at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!

In the mornings, I like to use a super gentle cleanser that won’t strip my skin of moisture but will wash away any bacteria that may have accumulated from my pillow/sheets (gross, I know. It’s a thing though)! I find if I wash and moisturize my face in the morning my makeup goes on better too. I love to use the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. You can get it at basically any drugstore, or Ulta. It’s super gentle and won’t strip your skin, or leave it feeling tight and uncomfortable.

Exfoliating Brushes

As mentioned above, I use a Clarisonic Mia brush (linked is the newest version) to cleanse and exfoliate my face every 3-ish days. Not joke, I’ve had this brush since I turned 21. It is SO old and I can’t believe it’s still kickin’! But girl’s shown no sign of slowing down so I plan to use it until it dies because I love the deep clean it gives. Cleansing brushes are so important to remove the build-up of dead skin cells and to encourage cell regeneration by removing the dull surface layer. I also find that I can’t remove every last trace of makeup with just my hands. An exfoliating brush allows for a super deep clean to remove any last trace of remaining products on the skin for the ultimate clean and to allow for maximum product absorption of moisturizers and oils. I haven’t been able to find another brush that offers similar results to the Clarisonic but I have yet to try the Foreo Luna. I have heard great things about it and I would love to replace my super old Clarisonic for a product where I won’t have to continue repurchasing brush head replacements. Plus, can anyone confirm that Clarisonic is struggling as a company these days? I heard they laid off a bunch of people a few years ago and are maybe slowly disappearing, but it’s all hearsay.

Exfoliating Product

Not going to lie I really didn’t see the purpose of this product when I first got it. I tried it a few times but it just didn’t work for me. I realized later on that I wasn’t applying enough product or leaving it on my skin for long enough, and once I got more patient and tried these tactics, this product quickly became a regular in my routine! I love using this gentle exfoliant on days where I want to exchange my Clarisonic brush for a milder exfoliation. Peter Thomas Roth’s FIRMx Peeling Gel is a great product to use for any skin type, and is also fun to use! Not only does the product have ingredients such as pineapple and pomegranate, it also includes enzymes that exfoliate the skin for a smooth complexion without leaving your skin tight and dry, or irritated. It peels off as you rub it in which is also an enjoyable experience. I’ve noticed it reduce the size of my pores, decrease overall dryness, and make my skin more radiant and youthful!

Moisturizer

I just switched from my all time favorite Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream moisturizer to this Tula Aqua Infusion Gel Creme. I was super skeptical, but I had heard great things about Tula products from more than a handful of friends so I figured it was worth a try. I was pleasantly surprised and have switched from my PTR moisturizer to use this one morning and evening! It is a super lightweight formula but still very moisturizing. It gives me a great amount of hydration without feeling heavy at all and it absorbs so fast! I’ve found that my skin has been smoother and makeup goes on easier and less cake-y when I use this moisturizer since it doesn’t even feel like anything is on my skin after I use it! I am obsessed! If you all want to try it out use my coupon code

JULIANNE20

for 20% off!

Self-Tan

I figured I’d share my little secret weapon since I use it weekly and it technically is a skincare item! Tanceuticals CC Color Correct Self Tanning Face Lotion has been a staple in my skincare arsenal for going on three years! I get the “Dark” color and use it on its own or even 50/50 mixed into my moisturizer for the perfect glowy tan all week long! I reapply it every few days or so to maintain. I love this brand because they pride themselves in using good ingredients, plus they don’t seem to leave that weird fake tan smell that other tanning products are well knows for!

Undereye Cream

I got this product as a sample last summer and have been using it ever since, I can’t believe there’s still even product left in the container, but I’m going with it! This Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Eye Cream is so amazing because it decreases the look of fine lines, puffiness, dark circles, amongst other things. I find that I look much more awake when I use a vitamin C product under my eyes and this product is 50x more powerful than traditional vitamin C making it super effective! I live for this stuff, and I never thought I’d be one to have to use an eye cream daily, but I can’t go a day without this stuff!

Acne Products

Although I have pesky blackheads in my T-zone, I don’t get acne very regularly. I will get sporadic breakouts here and there, but nothing super unmanageable. These Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Pads have salicylic acid and glycolic acid to clarify the skin and help combat visible blackheads or the occasional breakout. I like to swipe a pad over my face when I feel like my skin is acting up (once every couple weeks for a few days). They help to tighten and clarify skin while providing a subtle exfoliation with the texture on the pads. They also smell like peach bellini!

Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads

This Neutrogena Red & Blue Light Therapy Acne Spot Treatment is a fun tool that I never thought would actually work (I am quite pessimistic when it comes to gimmicky stuff). I found myself so desperate when I got a breakout before an important networking event last summer that I was willing to try anything to get rid of the nasty blemish. I was shocked after the first time I used this and saw VISIBLE results. I guess the red and blue lights kill bacteria and reduce inflammation in order to target and treat a breakout effectively and quickly. I use this thing regularly when I get a breakout and it really helps to make it go away faster than anything else I’ve tried!

If you made it this far, I LOVE YOU! Thank you for reading! I hope you were able to gain a little bit of information of some awesome products and how I am able to take care of my skin in the Springtime. Comment below what your favorite skincare product is!

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