Your guide for using dry shampoo to combat greasy hair

In case no one ever told you, you don't have to wash your hair every day.

Skipping the daily wash might actually be beneficial for most hair types. Our scalp's natural oil helps keep hair moisturized and healthy. When you overwash your hair, it strips your scalp of its natural oils and can cause your luscious locks to become dry and brittle, leading to breakage, according to Dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal . 

How often you wash your hair depends on your hair type. Someone with tightly curled, coarse and curled locks can go much longer without a wash than someone with thin, fine hair, Dr. Khetarpal writes.

Wherever your hair falls on the spectrum, dry shampoo can be one of the best ways to keep your hair looking fresh between wash days.

Watch this video for some of my top tips for using dry shampoo on your hair.

Does dry shampoo help with greasy hair?

Yes, dry shampoo helps with greasy hair. It contains powders that soak up some of the natural oils on your scalp, which can weigh your hair down and make it greasy.

Dry shampoo helps your hair look and smell fresh, but it doesn't clean your hair and shouldn't be used as an alternative to regular shampoo.

Best dry shampoo

The best dry shampoo is the one that works for your hair. The brands I love may not work for you, and vice versa. Finding the right one often takes some trial and error. While you're searching for the holy grail, consider buying mini or travel sizes so you can test a product without committing to the full size.

Some brands offer invisible, light and dark options for your hair, actual names may vary. This refers to the shade of the formulation: Invisible comes out colorless, light is closer to white and dark is brown. Which one you buy is up to you, but as someone with dark hair, I prefer the invisible or light formulations, mainly for these two reasons:

1. I think the brunette formulations make my hair look greasier.

2. The darker colored spray can transfer to your clothes, hands, pillowcase or other surfaces and leave behind brown residue. 

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How to use dry shampoo

Instructions for using dry shampoo may vary slightly by brand, but the process is pretty simple.

1. Shake the can. 

2. Spray your roots holding the can a few inches from your hair. Flip your hair around to get as much root coverage as possible.

3. Let it sit for a few minutes. I like to apply dry shampoo as the first step in my getting-ready routine so it has plenty of time to soak up oils.

4. Rub it in with your fingers until it blends in. This step is especially important if you have dark hair and use a lighter-colored dry shampoo. Otherwise, you'll look like you have large gray patches in your hair.

5. Brush it through your hair and style as needed.   

Dry shampoo alternatives

If you're in a pinch and don't have any dry shampoo, you can also use a sprinkle of baby powder or cornstarch on your roots. Like store-bought products, let it sit before rubbing it in and brushing it through your hair.

Another alternative for combating greasy hair is micellar water. Dab it onto a cotton round, then dab it onto your roots. Fluff your hair with your hands and let it dry.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Your guide for using dry shampoo to combat greasy hair

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