TikTokers use cornstarch as a dry shampoo replacement

TikTokers use cornstarch as a dry shampoo replacement

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Dry shampoo can be a huge time saver when it comes to refreshing hair between actual washes. However, a recent recall of big-name dry shampoo products due to benzene, a human carcinogen, may make you reconsider your spray of choice. If that's the case, you may have come across a hair care hack that's been gaining steam on TikTok: using cornstarch as dry shampoo.

Yes, instead of heading to Sephora, according to popular videos on TikTok, you can simply grab a can of cornstarch from your pantry to give oily, greasy hair new life between shampoos. For example, user Isabella Traboscia, an esthetician who goes by @elevenesthetician, shared a clip of herself applying cornstarch to the roots of her hair with a thick makeup brush.

"If you have greasy hair, I'm going to change your life," she says in the video, which currently has more than 1.7 million views. After realizing that she has tried all kinds of drugstores and high-end dry shampoo products, she offers cornstarch as a $2 alternative that works better than traditional beauty products and claims she can go eight days without washing her hair thanks to the pantry essential.

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A search for “cornstarch dry shampoo” on the app brings up a variety of similar videos in which users claim cornstarch is a fantastic dry shampoo alternative that is both cheaper and more natural than traditional options. But does this TikTok trend really work and is it safe? Read on to see what three hair care experts have to say about whether you can use cornstarch as a dry shampoo.

What is dry shampoo?

Dry shampoo is a beauty product that comes in the form of spray, powder, gel and foam. Spray aerosol cans of dry shampoo — the popular option at the center of the recent recall — are alcohol or starch based, the Cleveland Clinic reports. While dry shampoo doesn't cleanse the scalp like real shampoo, it does absorb grease, sweat, and oil in hair and can add volume.

While it's generally okay to use dry shampoo occasionally between washes, using a lot over time can lead to the buildup of dirt and oil on the scalp, which can clog hair follicles, Penny James, a certified trichologist and founder of Penny James Salon, previously told Shape. Dry shampoo can also cause inflammatory scalp problems like seborrheic dermatitis because it can trap fungus, explained William Gaunitz,a certified trichologist and founder of Advanced Trichology.

Does using cornstarch as dry shampoo work?

ICYDK, corn starch, comes from the endosperm of the corn kernel and is the most commonly used starch. In the kitchen, it can help thicken soups and sauces, but it can also absorb oil, grease, and sweat from hair and scalp, similar to dry shampoo.

“Cornstarch is known for its moisture-absorbing properties,” says Anabel Kingsley, brand president and consulting trichologist for Philip Kingsley. In fact, cornstarch is found in many ingredient lists of dry shampoo products because it binds to fatty acid chains found in scalp sebum (aka oil), adds Taylor Rose, certified trichologist, IAT.

“It works similarly to dry shampoo by adding volume and thickness to hair and leaving your scalp and hair looking and smelling clean (although it doesn't actually clean your scalp/hair) without the harsh chemicals commonly found in dry shampoos,” says Rose.

Best of all, the method works for all hair textures, the pros confirm. However, those with finer hair and oily scalps will likely have the most success with using cornstarch as a dry shampoo replacement. “People with finer hair textures will find that their hair gets greasy faster than any other hair texture because they have a lot more hair on their head than any other hair texture,” explains Kingsley. “With each of these hair follicles attached to an sebaceous gland, more oil is produced.”

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Although it absorbs excess oil, cornstarch is not a one-to-one replacement for dry shampoo. “After a day or two of not washing your hair, the sebum that secretes on your scalp collects dead skin cells, dirt, and sweat, which can give off a dirty hair smell,” explains Kingsley. "While cornstarch may absorb the oil, it will not prevent odors from being released, nor will it contain properties to soothe or soothe the scalp."

“Cornstarch can leave more residue and texture,” adds Michael Dueñas, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Veluer Creative. That's because it's coarser than traditional dry shampoo, which is made from translucent starch blends. "Store-bought dry shampoo usually contains ingredients that protect your hair from free radicals and other harmful elements," he continues.

Plus, as some TikTok users point out, the cornstarch dry shampoo method can get a little messy and leave white spots on clothes.

Is using cornstarch as dry shampoo safe?

Applying cornstarch to the scalp with a makeup brush instead of using dry shampoo is generally safe, according to hair care experts. However, there are a few things to consider before trying this TikTok beauty trend.

"A soft-bristled brush would cause minimal abrasion to the scalp, so [it] wouldn't be harmful in that regard; however, it can harbor bacteria," explains Kingsley, who recommends avoiding this technique unless you can ensure your brush is completely clean.

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Additionally, Rose encourages people to continue washing their scalp regularly when using cornstarch as a dry shampoo replacement. "Although your scalp may look and smell clean from the cornstarch, it's important to remember that it's not actually clean," she says. “I recommend washing your hair/scalp at least twice a week to allow your follicles to breathe and maintain a healthy scalp environment.”

Dueñas also points out the potential for buildup caused by applying cornstarch to the scalp with a makeup brush, but notes that the practice itself is not dangerous. “It would be extremely rare to have a reaction to that,” he says.

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While it's not an alternative to regular shampooing, applying cornstarch directly to the scalp or with a clean makeup brush is a relatively safe and effective way to refresh hair between washes.

Additionally, according to Kingsley, regular shampooing is “the best alternative to dry shampoo” to ensure a clean scalp and strands. You can also look for dry shampoo products with natural ingredients if this DIY hack isn't for you. As always, if you have specific hair or scalp concerns, speak to a professional before trying anything new.