Cornstarch for Hair Is the Dry Shampoo Various You By no means Knew You Wanted

While you consider cornstarch, chances are high your thoughts goes to the kitchen. Nevertheless it seems that this ingredient belongs in your magnificence cupboard, too, as cornstarch has advantages that tackle all kinds of hair points. It is an accessible, cheap ingredient that—whereas greatest referred to as a DIY different to dry shampoo—truly has a variety of functions to spice up the appear and feel of your strands. We spoke to 2 licensed trichologists to get all the main points, from the advantages to easy methods to use it. Maintain studying to study all you’ll want to find out about cornstarch for hair.

Meet the Skilled

• Meerika Khanna is an authorized trichologist, beauty formulator, and the founding father of haircare model Rthvi.
• Megan Brooks is an authorized trichologist at IHS Hair Substitute London.

Cornstarch for Hair

Kind of ingredient: Absorbent

Primary advantages: Provides quantity, extends wash time, absorbs sebum, and minimizes frizz

Who ought to use it: Anybody with oily hair, straight or wavy hair, or unfastened curls. It is not splendid for tight curls or coils, delicate scalps, or dry hair varieties.

How typically to make use of it: Every day to weekly

Works effectively with: Baking soda, coconut oil

Do not use with: Dry shampoo

What Is Cornstarch?

Cornstarch is a gentle, white powder constituted of corn, separated from the guts of the kernel. It is generally utilized in cooking as a flour different or thickener, and for hair, the ingredient can soak up extra oil, increase quantity, and extra.

Advantages of Cornstarch for Hair

Cornstarch can do a wide range of nice issues on your hair, with probably the most notable being oil absorption, forming a protecting barrier, and boosting quantity. Extra about these and different advantages are as follows:

• Manages sebum: “Cornstarch is an efficient treatment for the overproduction of sebum, notably for these with oily scalp and hair,” explains licensed trichologist Meerika Khanna. “The distinctive oil-absorbing properties assist management extra oil and sebum.” Licensed trichologist Megan Brooks provides that “the high-quality, powdery texture of cornstarch acts as a sponge, clinging to the oils that may make your hair seem greasy and limp.”
• Soothes your scalp: In case you have an itchy scalp, cornstarch would possibly aid you discover reduction. “It might probably assist alleviate irritation and itchiness, making it an acceptable choice for these with delicate or dandruff-prone scalps,” Brooks tells us.
• Locks in moisture: Irrespective of the climate, cornstarch might help. “When utilized to your hair, it varieties a protecting barrier that seals in hydration,” Brooks says. “This helps to stop extreme moisture loss, making your hair much less susceptible to dryness, frizz, and injury.” She provides that it additionally helps the cuticle to put flat as a substitute of staying raised and open, whereas Khanna notes that it is notably efficient for frizz in humid circumstances.
• Provides quantity: Limp hair will get a lift with the usage of cornstarch. “For these with high-quality or skinny hair searching for to spice up fullness and quantity, cornstarch is a pure volumizer,” Khanna says. “It imparts noticeable quantity by lifting the roots and including fullness to the hair.”
• Extends time between washes: All of us have days once we’d fairly use dry shampoo than spend additional time within the bathe, and cornstarch can act in its place. “Cornstarch works nice as a pure dry shampoo and helps lengthen the intervals between hair washes,” Khanna tells us. “It successfully refreshes hair, lowering the necessity for frequent washing.”
• A chemical-free different: Many dry shampoos have a number of elements which you could’t even pronounce—you would possibly bear in mind if you happen to had been following the current recall. “Dry shampoo has develop into an prompt go-to for a lot of hair care routines, however industrial choices can include chemical substances and aerosols that will not be appropriate for all hair varieties or the surroundings,” Brooks explains. She says that cornstarch is much less more likely to trigger irritation than dry shampoo as a result of its soothing nature.

Whereas cornstarch is a family ingredient and never particularly made for haircare, you needn’t purchase any particular model of it to make use of in your scalp or hair, and the common field or tin you discover on the grocery retailer will do exactly high-quality. So if you have already got it in your kitchen, be at liberty to strive it any time you are out of dry shampoo or wish to take a look at the advantages.

Hair Kind Issues

When you would possibly marvel if cornstarch is barely appropriate for very oily scalps, it will possibly truly be useful for a big selection of hair varieties. Whereas it is nice for shiny hair, it will possibly additionally assist high-quality and frizzy hair, in addition to straight, wavy, and loosely curly textures. It is good for anybody searching for quantity: “It provides quantity and texture to in any other case lackluster locks,” Brooks tells us. “By sprinkling a small quantity of cornstarch onto the roots and massaging it in, you possibly can immediately carry the hair and create the phantasm of thicker, fuller strands.”

For wavy, curly, or frizzy hair, “cornstarch’s texturizing properties add grip and construction to your hair, making it simpler to model and management,” Brooks says. “It might probably assist outline curls or waves, giving your hair a smoother and extra polished look.”

Cornstarch is not for everybody, although: In case your scalp is dry, contaminated, or susceptible to dandruff, you must keep away from it. “Cornstarch’s moisture-absorbing properties can worsen dryness, making it unsuitable for people searching for hydration,” Khanna warns. She says to keep away from it in case your scalp is overly delicate, too: “Delicate scalps might react negatively to product build-up or improper use, requiring cautious software and thorough elimination to stop discomfort.”

In case you have color-treated hair, cornstarch is not splendid for you. “Cornstarch is a white powdery substance, which may go away a visual residue on coloured hair, making it look boring or ashy,” Brooks tells us. “In case you have vibrant-colored hair, be cautious when utilizing cornstarch.”

Lastly, keep away from cornstarch when you’ve got tight curls or coils: “People with very tight or tight curls might discover it difficult to distribute cornstarch evenly as a result of distinctive texture of their hair,” Brooks explains. “Making use of powders like cornstarch might result in uneven outcomes and make it troublesome to attain the specified consequence.”

The right way to Use Cornstarch for Hair

As an absorbent ingredient, cornstarch is one thing you may usually apply to your roots, however it’s also possible to apply it to the lengths of your hair for quantity or frizz management. Minimal prep is critical, as effectively, so all you want is to have it readily available earlier than making an attempt the beneath makes use of.

• As a pre-shampoo scalp remedy: Khanna says to “apply a cornstarch-based scalp masks to assist management extra sebum manufacturing” earlier than shampooing, explaining that “this masks might be particularly useful for these with oily scalps.” To make the masks, “combine cornstarch with water to create a paste, apply to the scalp, and go away it on for a couple of minutes earlier than rinsing totally,” she tells us.
• As dry shampoo: Arguably one of the crucial widespread makes use of of cornstarch for hair, the ingredient works effectively for oil management as a dry shampoo. To make use of it, Brooks says to first brush or detangle your hair, then “begin with a small quantity of cornstarch—a couple of teaspoon or much less, relying on the size and thickness of your hair.” After that, merely “pour the cornstarch into your arms or use a small container to regulate the quantity,” and “utilizing your fingertips, gently therapeutic massage it into the roots of your hair, specializing in areas that are inclined to get oily or the place you wish to add quantity.” She provides that “when you’ve got high-quality hair, that is usually on the crown and alongside the parting.” After that, distribute the product with a brush or comb to keep away from white spots.
• To spice up quantity: Including cornstarch on to your conditioner can provide you a lift of quantity. “Combine a small quantity of cornstarch along with your common conditioner,” Khanna says. “Apply this combination to your hair, specializing in the roots and areas the place you need extra quantity. Rinse it out totally to take pleasure in a voluminous impact.”
• To cut back frizz: Should you’re seeking to cut back frizz on humid days or in any other case, a cornstarch rinse might be an efficient manner to take action. “Create a cornstarch rinse by mixing it with water till it varieties a liquid resolution,” Khanna explains. “After shampooing and conditioning, pour the cornstarch rinse over your hair. It acts as a pure frizz management methodology, serving to to keep up smoother and extra manageable hair.”

The Closing Takeaway

Cornstarch’s absorbent properties have made it well-liked as a dry shampoo different, however it additionally has a number of different advantages, from boosting quantity to attaining smoother strands. Whereas it really works throughout a variety of hair varieties and is pretty easy to make use of, these with dry or delicate scalps, color-treated hair, or curly and coily hair varieties might wish to keep away from it or proceed with warning, because the ingredient could cause irritation or work in opposition to your hair’s look in these circumstances. That being mentioned, for these it really works effectively for, cornstarch is an inexpensive, multipurpose ingredient that can provide your hair a lift whether or not you are out of sure merchandise or searching for an at-home resolution.

FAQ

• How do you make cornstarch for hair?
  

  To make use of cornstarch as a dry shampoo, you needn’t combine it with something—it is good as is. To make use of it as a hair masks for quantity, add a small quantity to your conditioner.

• Is cornstarch good for low-porosity hair?
  

  Sure, cornstarch can work effectively on low-porosity hair.

• Does cornstarch lose its effectiveness?
  

  Cornstarch would not lose its effectiveness over time, so long as it isn’t expired. All the time verify your merchandise for “greatest by” dates, however cornstarch ought to final for years within the cabinet.

• Does cornstarch have therapeutic properties?
  

  Cornstarch would not have any therapeutic properties. That mentioned, it might assist soothe an irritated scalp, so long as your scalp is not dry or contaminated.

7 Loopy Methods to Use Cornstarch in Your Magnificence Routine