Skip to content
Home » Can You Use Baby Powder As A Dry Shampoo?

Can You Use Baby Powder As A Dry Shampoo?

IN factThere aren’t always enough hours in the day to spend to shampooing your hair. We understand. Everyone has been there. As a result, dry shampoo is a hair care need that comes into play only when your greasy roots cause your hair to be stringy or lack body.

We also know that there are a lot of beauty hacks on TikTok and Instagram. One of the most common is the use of baby powder as a dry shampoo. We wanted to conduct a deep dive to discover how professionals regarded putting baby powder to the scalp because it is likely a cheaper solution and one you can go for if you’ve ran out of your go-to dry shampoo.

So we chatted with Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, and Kari Williams, Ph.D., a trichologist. Continue reading to learn what they had to say.

GET TO KNOW THE EXPERT

  • Hadley King, MD, is a dermatologist who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology. She is also a clinical instructor of dermatology at Cornell University’s Weill Medical College.
  • Kari Williams, Ph.D., is a board-certified trichologist, licensed cosmetologist, and Expert Curl Council member at DevaCurl.

Dry Shampoo vs. Baby Powder

You might be wondering what the distinctions between baby powder and dry shampoos are. In fact, there are quite a few, to be sure. Also, there are variances in dry shampoo formulations. “There are several sorts of dry shampoo,” explains King. “Some absorb oil using starch, while others utilize alcohol.”

Dry shampoos manufactured with starch, according to King, are more equivalent to baby powder. However, dry shampoos and powders based on starch do not wash the scalp.” They may trap germs and yeast and lead to acne or seborrheic dermatitis if applied too regularly or in large quantities.

Also, bear in mind that the mineral talc may be included in certain dry shampoos and baby powders. Talc can include asbestos in its natural condition, which has been linked to various malignancies.”

  Get it now on Amazon.com

The Advantages of Using Baby Powder as a Dry Shampoo

Our two experts had opposing views on this, but we believe they are both worth discussing. To begin, King advises avoiding substances such as butane, propane, isobutane, siloxane, silicones, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, phenoxyethanol cetrimonium chloride, parabens, and sulfates, which she claims are less common in baby powders.

These chemicals, however, can be found in certain dry shampoos. She does not advocate using baby powder on a regular basis, even if it is made without the components in King’s list. Instead, she recommends using it in tiny doses no more than twice a week.

Williams recommends removing baby powder from your hair care routine totally. “I would not recommend using baby powder as a dry shampoo alternative,” she says. “When introducing items not intended for use on the scalp, there are possible dangers that might damage the health of the scalp.”

She underlines how crucial this is for anyone who has undetected scalp issues that might cause irritation or inflammation.

Considerations for Hair and Scalp

Williams says “technically” baby powder might be used to reduce odor and oil from the hair until your next wash day if you don’t have any scalp issues. “I propose a product created for this necessity,” she says.

Williams advises against using baby powder if you have an underlying scalp issue or are experiencing scalp pain such as excessive accumulation, flaking, or itching.

How to Make a Baby Powder Dry Shampoo?

Because baby powder isn’t made for hair or scalp use, using it on your scalp demands a less is more mentality. Section the hair, then massage a little quantity of baby powder into the scalp with your fingertips. Allow the powder to absorb the oil for a few minutes before brushing your hair to eliminate any white residue.

The Bottom Line

According to our experts, applying baby powder on your scalp should not be a regular component of your hair care routine. In a pinch, though, employing the baby powder in your medical cabinet can solve your greasy hair problems. Meanwhile, here are our top selections for the finest dry shampoos for the scalp and hair.