The Science of Dry Shampoo How Does it Work?

For years, dry shampoo has been a favorite haircare product, but how does dry shampoo work exactly? Dry shampoo is made up of fast-absorbing powders that soak up excess oil from the hair to leave it feeling, smelling, and looking clean. It’s perfect for any hair type, from thick or fine hair to curly or straight hair. It’s available in several options, including aerosol spray, powder, and clear formulas. Unfortunately, not all dry shampoos take care of cleaning the hair. So, if you’re wondering, does dry shampoo work? The answer is that it depends on the dry shampoo.
Most dry shampoo products soak up oil and sweat and leave behind a powdery residue that can often be difficult to remove. However, our dry shampoo was designed to offer similar benefits of shampooing your hair in the shower without the hassle, unlike other dry shampoo formulas. It absorbs oil, sweat, and odor to leave behind clean hair for longer.
So, How Does it Work?
Hair follicles cover your scalp and in addition to producing hair, they produce sebum. The production of this natural oil is key for softening your hair texture and protecting your skin. However, when you go about your day, your hair follicles can produce a buildup of sebum leading to oily-looking hair.
Typically, washing your hair with a regular shampoo or using a dry scalp treatment helps clean your scalp from this dirt and oil buildup. However, it isn’t always convenient or necessarily healthy to wash your hair too frequently. Thus, this leads people to use dry shampoo as a waterless alternative to diminishing the greasy hair appearance.
So, how does dry shampoo do that? Simply put, the starches in formulas absorb the oil buildup in your hair. When your scalp produces an excess of sebum, dry shampoo application makes for a great way to hide oily hair.
Dry shampoo aside, how often should you wash your hair? This depends on a few factors like your hair type and texture. However, it’s best to try leaving a day between washes.

What Does Dry Shampoo Do?
Now that you know more about how dry shampoo works, we’ll dive into what it does for you.
Acts as a “Quick Fix” Shampoo.
The main attraction of using a regular or powder dry shampoo is its ability to keep the hair clean between washes. There are days when there’s simply no time to wash and dry the hair before heading out the door. Dry shampoo offers up a quick fix that gets the job done just as well. The hair is left looking and feeling good in a convenient, efficient way. If you have fine hair or are dealing with oily roots during your morning routine, you can opt for a dry shampoo formula that can help give your hair a little extra volume.
Makes Your Hair Smell Clean.
It’s one thing to hide unwashed or dirty hair, but what about the smell? Unwashed hair can smell less than desirable, making you think the only option is washing your hair in the shower. However, with Living Proof’s Perfect hair Day™ (PhD) dry shampoo, your hair will look, feel, and smell clean. Our dry shampoo has an odor-neutralizing formula that delivers a time-released fragrance for great-smelling hair whenever you’re on the go.
Works as the Perfect Addition to Haircare.
An additional benefit is that regular or powder dry shampoo can play well with other hair products. Using a dry shampoo product as part of your routine won’t break down any of your other hair styling products. Its primary job is to absorb and remove oil, sweat, and odor from your hair. It works with other products like a hair volumizing spray or root lifting spray without limiting their effect or creating a buildup on your hair. Whether used on its own or part of your full haircare routine, dry shampoo adapts to all situations.
The reason why so many swear by having dry shampoo as a must-have hair care product is because of its versatility. It cleans, freshens, and gives a boost to the hair without weighing it down or covering the hair’s natural texture. Limp locks can get a beachy wave mini makeover, and curly hair gets its bounce back and preserves its curls. As a complement to any hair type, nothing quite beats the variety of dry shampoo uses.
Works to Preserve Color-treated Hair.
Dry shampoo can work wonders on any hair color, too. If you don’t have time to wash your hair on a given day, you can use dry shampoo, as it won’t fade or affect your hair color. Instead, dry shampoo may actually help preserve your hair color since it replaces a regular wash where your regular shampoo and water routine may fade out your color.
The reason why so many swear by having dry shampoo as a must-have haircare product is because of its versatility. It cleans, freshens, and gives a boost to the hair without weighing it down or covering the hair’s natural texture. Limp locks can get a beachy wave mini makeover, and curly hair can get its bounce back. As a complement to any hair type, nothing quite beats the variety of dry shampoo uses.

The Science Behind Perfect hair Day™ Dry Shampoo
Now, what’s the secret behind our dry shampoo that makes it different from every other one out there? Through science and innovation, we’re able to bring solutions to some of the hair’s toughest challenges. By researching and experimenting, we carry products that allow everyone to enjoy the best version of their hair. The patented technology of the PhD Dry Shampoo benefits the hair in ways other dry shampoos simply do not. Instead of simply masking the oil in dirty hair, it actually cleans the hair.
Original vs. Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo
Our PhD Perfect hair Day™ Dry Shampoo helps clean your hair while giving it a second-day lived-in look and feel. If you’re looking for a freshly-washed feel, our PhD Perfect hair Day™ Advanced Dry Shampoo helps clean your hair and provides other benefits like conditioning and enhanced softness and shine for a freshness you can feel.
Breakthrough Ingredients.
Unlike other dry shampoos, our PhD dry shampoo combines odor neutralizing and time-released fragrance elements that work combine to absorb oil and sweat, remove powder residue, and leave your hair smelling, looking, and feeling clean.
If you’re going days without washing your hair, you can still leave it looking its best. It’s designed to work for all types and lengths of hair and is color-safe and safe for chemically-treated hair as well.

Tips for Achieving the Best Results
For your dry shampoo to be effective, the application process is key. If you’re curious about how to use dry shampoo to get the best results, here are a few, simple haircare tips to follow:
+ Shake to ensure the product is evenly distributed in the can.
+ Hold the canister at least six inches away from the scalp to ensure a more even distribution and limit product and scalp buildup.
+ Apply primarily to your roots on dry hair, since that’s where the hair tends to be oiliest and dirtiest.
+ Divide your hair into sections to ensure every area and hidden layer is covered.
+ Once you see the white powder, let the product sit for 30 seconds and actively clean your hair!
+ Massage the dry shampoo through the hair to remove powders.
+ Remove excess powder with your fingers, a boar’s bristle brush, or a blow dryer on the lowest setting.
+ Keep dry shampoo in your bag for touch-ups as needed throughout the day. You can use our travel-size dry shampoo for clean hair whenever you’re on the go.
For anyone strapped for time but still concerned about the condition of their hair, travel size dry shampoo is an effective go-to product to always have on hand.
Get the Most Out of Your Dry Shampoo
Think of dry shampoo as self-care for your hair that frees up time in your day with just a few sprays. Still wondering how and when to use dry shampoo? As long as your hair isn’t damp or wet, you can use dry shampoo whenever your hair needs to be cleansed and refreshed. Dry shampoo can help clean hair and remove excess oil since it may reduce the frequency of how often you wash your hair with a regular shampoo.
Post-workout, let the sweat dry from your hair first to avoid applying it to wet hair, and then apply for a quick clean. Apply to the roots of dry hair to absorb excess oil, sweat, and odor and leave it smelling good. Or, apply dry shampoo in the morning and let it sink in before moving on to styling. At night, apply dry shampoo and work the hair into a loose braid or bun. You’ll wake up the next day with cleaner hair before you head out the door.
Find out how dry shampoo works best for your hair. If you want to limit the frequency with which you wash your hair in the shower, then dry shampoo is a stand-in that mimics the same effect and benefits. Used in rotation with your regular shampoo and conditioner routine, you can cut your prep time down significantly and leave your hair looking and feeling its best. Dry shampooing is an easy alternative to conventional shampoo for when you’re on the go.
Ready to say goodbye to greasy hair between washings? Rather than spending time scoping out different types of shampoo, add our dry shampoo to your haircare routine for beautiful, healthier hair. If you’re looking for other ways to spruce up your haircare routine, shop our hair products online to add to your collection.