Never Use Dry Shampoo As A Substitute For Washing Your Hair — Here’s Why

The “skinification” of hair has been trending for a few years now, encouraging us to spend more focus (and money) on the importance of scalp care for overall hair health. The theory is that washing your hair less frequently and using fewer chemicals can lead to healthier hair with less breakage and longer, stronger strands.

With the rising popularity of dry shampoo, many people have reduced the frequency of washing their hair in the shower. But what happens when we obsessively use (or even over-use) dry shampoo and forgo washing for days in a row?

We spoke with trichologists and hair stylists to ask about the potential dangers of overusing dry shampoo.

The answer is complicated. Dry shampoo is not necessarily bad for your scalp or hair, but if your scalp is already dry, it will likely dry it out even more.

Then there’s the issue of how often you use it and whether you clean your scalp correctly at least once per week to remove product buildup. The same applies to all products that can create buildup in the scalp and hair.

“Dry shampoo isn’t inherently bad for hair, but frequent use can lead to buildup on the scalp, potentially causing irritation or imbalance [of the scalp]. It should be used as a temporary solution rather than a replacement for washing, which can impact scalp health over time,” said Sara Hallajian, an IAT-certified trichologist based in Santa Monica.

Dry shampoo works by absorbing the oil in the hair, while also adding volume at the roots, providing grip and helping to preserve a hairstyle.

“One of the main ingredients is alcohol denat; a combination of ethanol and a denaturing agent that can draw any moisture or oils away from the scalp and hair. In addition, butane, isobutane and propane make up about 70-90% of dry shampoos, but some of that is how it is packaged,” explained Gretchen Friese, a hair stylist and trichologist at BosleyMD.

Some of the key oil-absorbing ingredients include starches, like rice or corn starch and clays, such as kaolin or bentonite, added Hallajian.

The first thing that happens is product buildup in the scalp, which eventually blocks the hair follicles and slows down the hair growth cycle. You may think this isn’t too important, but in reality, halting hair growth can lead to issues such as hair loss, breakage, and dryness.

“People who don’t wash their hair enough [and overuse dry shampoo] can clog the follicles, which can cause hair loss,” said Friese.

Overuse is relative to the oiliness of your scalp, your hair type and thickness; “The finer the hair, the more quickly it tends to become oily, because its flat cuticle layers don’t absorb oil as effectively, allowing sebum to sit on the surface. In contrast, curly and coily hair, which is naturally drier due to its more lifted cuticle structure, absorbs oil more efficiently and typically doesn’t require dry shampoo as often,” said Hallajian.

If you have scalp conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff or excessive dryness, you should avoid dry shampoo altogether, as it can exacerbate these issues, she added.

“If you use it too often and don’t wash your scalp regularly, it can lead to buildup, which might clog pores and irritate your scalp,” explained Laura Polko, celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of Laura Polko Los Angeles. “That’s where the rumor of it being really bad for you came from. So, it’s totally fine to use dry shampoo when you need it, just don’t rely on it as a substitute for washing your hair.”

Spraying dry shampoo before bed might not be the best idea, as leaving it on for too long can cause buildup and dryness, the experts agreed.

“While it’s fine for a few hours during the day, it’s still a product that you’re putting on your scalp to add volume and growth at the root, so, at some point, it’s going to clog things up if you overuse it,” said Polko.

“I would not recommend using dry shampoo for an overnight ‘hack’ to replace washing. Many people sweat overnight, so using shampoo [instead of dry shampoo] is the best way to cleanse the scalp,” said Hallajian.

While baby powder was an alternative used by previous generations, experts don’t recommend using it, even though it can help absorb oil.

“Many contain talc, which is a respiratory concern. Cornstarch-based options are better, but they can still create buildup. It’s best to use a product formulated specifically for scalp health,” noted Hallajian.

“It’s safer to stick with dry shampoo, which is specifically made for hair and won’t cause those kinds of issues,” Polko agreed.

Hallajian recommended another alternative for a quick hair refresh that won’t cause buildup: “Scalp tonics or mists with ingredients like witch hazel, tea tree, or salicylic acid refresh the scalp and scalp scrubs and clarifying shampoos used weekly can also help regulate oil production naturally.”

As mentioned, the main issues arise from overuse and improper cleansing of the scalp. Using a specifically formulated product once or twice a week is generally OK.

“I recommend only using it once between washes to avoid clogging up the hair follicles and ideally washing it out within 36 hours,” said Friese. This applies to all hair types.

“Use it when you need it — maybe once or twice between washes,” said Polko, “but make sure you’re still washing your hair regularly to keep your scalp healthy.”

Looking for a reviewer-favorite dry shampoo? Read our full review here.