If you love dyeing your hair, it’s inevitable that you will get some hair dye on your skin. In this post, I will share with you a few methods that you can use to remove hair dye from your skin effectively.

I’ve included methods to remove hair dye from the skin even after the dye is dried.  If you don’t want to use rubbing alcohol, especially along your hairline, I’ve included ways you can remove hair dye using natural and gentle ingredients.

How to Remove Hair Dye From Skin After It Dries

The best way to remove hair dye from the skin after it dries is to buff the area with toothpaste and then rinse the area with warm water.

You can also try to use an exfoliating scrub, nail polish remover, shampoo, or makeup remover. The one thing you don’t want to use is just water. Water will cause the dye to further set. You can use water to rinse off after trying one of these tricks below.

The Toothpaste Method

Toothpaste contains abrasive ingredients like dehydrated silica gels, hydrated aluminum oxides, magnesium carbonate, phosphate salts, and silicates. These ingredients are abrasive enough to remove hair dye off your skin but also gentle enough to not damage your skin.

Follow These Simple Steps To Remove Hair Dye with Toothpaste:

1. Coat a toothbrush with non-gel toothpaste.
2. Gently buff away the stain. You can use your fingers, cotton pad, or Q-tip.
3. Rinse the area with warm water
4. Repeat steps 1-3 if necessary.

Try an Exfoliating Scrub

Face and body scrubs are usually made of gentle abrasives that work well to remove dirt and oil from your skin. They can also work great for removing hair dye as well.

If you don’t want to use over the counter products, I have written a detailed guide on how to make exfoliating body scrubs at home.  I’ve included 5 easy recipes in that post. Check it out if you have time.

Follow These Simple Steps To Remove Hair Dye from Skin Using Exfoliating Scrubs:

1. Gently massage the scrub over the stain for 30 seconds.
2. Rinse with warm water.
3. Apply a hydrating cleanser.
4. Follow up with a moisturizer.

You may need to repeat this process for 2-3 days before the stain is completely removed.

Try Nail Polish Remover

Many nail polish removers made with isopropyl alcohol can be used to remove hair dye after it dries. Isopropyl alcohol is a great degreasing agent that helps to break down the stain, making it easier to remove.

Follow These Simple Steps To Remove Hair Dye from Skin Using Nail Polish Remover:

1. Dab a cotton ball in nail polish and gently rub the stain.
2. Rinse the area with warm water.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the stain is removed
4. Follow-up with a moisturizer.

Try Shampoo

Many shampoos contain sulfates and the two main types of sulfates found in shampoos are sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. These sulfates create a lathering effect which helps to remove oil and dirt from your hair.  When used on the skin, they can also be used as a gentle stain remover that works great for removing hair dye.

Here’s How to Remove Hair Dye From Skin Using Shampoo:

1. Saturate a washcloth with shampoo (just shampoo, no water) then rub. The stain should lift right off.
2. Rinse the area with warm water.
3. Follow-up with a moisturizer.

Try Makeup Remover

Makeup removers are designed to dissolve makeup that adheres to the skin. Most makeup removers are oil-based with ingredients like hydrocarbon, ester, and silicone oil. Makeup removers can be used to dissolve hair dye on your skin, making it easier to remove.

Here’s How to Remove Hair Dye from Skin Using Makeup Remover:

1. Saturate a cotton ball and gently rub away the stain. Apply light pressure.
2. Take a clean soft cloth, rinse it under warm water and gently wipe away at the stained area.
3. Rinse area with warm water
4. Follow-up with a moisturizer

Makeup removing wipes can be used as well. Wipes containing eucalyptus oils are good at breaking down dyes without drying your skin.

How to Remove Hair Dye from Skin Around Hairline

The best way to remove hair dye from the skin around the hairline is to use olive oil. This ensures that you protect your hairline from damage while effectively dissolving and removing the hair dye from your skin.  Other effective methods include using vaseline and milk.

To remove hair dye from skin without removing it from hair, be sure to pull your hair back to avoid getting anything mixed in with your new fresh color.

These methods also work great if you’re looking to remove hair dye from skin without rubbing alcohol.

The Olive Oil Method

Olive oil can help to dissolve hair dye left on your hairline. Its primary chemical elements are oleic acid, palmitic acid, and squalene. These emollients have great softening properties that help to soften your hair. Olive oil may take a little longer to work, but it is a very gentle method.

Follow These Steps:

1. Saturate a cotton ball with olive oil or use your finger and gently rub it into the dyed area.
2. Put on a shower cap to protect the area.
3. Leave it on for 30 mins.
4. Rinse with warm water.
5. Follow-up with a moisturizer.

Try Vaseline

Vaseline is petroleum jelly-based and a great emollient that works great at dissolving hair dye on the skin. It’s also gentle on the hairline, and won’t damage your hair.

Here’s How to Use Vaseline to Remove Hair Dye from Skin Around Hairline:

1. Use your finger to apply Vaseline to the hairline.
2. Rub gently.
3. Wipe with a washcloth.
4.  Repeat if necessary.

Try Milk

That’s right, milk is actually a great way to get hair color out of your skin, it is also safe for your hairline.  Hair dyes that are made from organic compounds prefer to remain in their organic phase. Milk is a colloidal system that has an organic phase. This means that the organic compounds in hair dye are more attracted to milk than water.  Use fatty milk (whole milk) for the best results.

Here’s How to use Milk to Remove Hair Dye from Skin Around Hairline:

1. Pour a 2 tbs. of milk into a small bowl.
2. Saturate a cotton ball and rub it onto the affected area. Do this for around 2 – 5 mins. You should begin to see the hair dye lift from your hairline.
3. Repeat step 2 until all hair dye is removed.
4. Rinse with warm water
5. Follow-up with your facial moisturizer.

How to Remove Hair Dye From Skin with Baking Soda

Baking soda is slightly abrasive which makes them ideal for scrubbing hair dye from the skin.

Here’s How to Remove Hair Dye From Skin with Baking Soda:

1. In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with water to make a thick paste.
2. Rub the paste into the hair-dyed area and work it in well.
3. Rinse with warm water
4. Repeat steps 2 -3 until the hair dye is removed.
5. Follow-up with a moisturizer.