Who needs a shower when you have magic in a can? Dry shampoos are one of the hottest categories in haircare right now, with products available for every texture type, hair color, and budget.
These water-free cleansers refresh hair and absorb excess oil, extending the time between shampoos. They are perfect for people on the go, providing a way to freshen up anytime, anywhere. Because traditional shampoo requires less frequent washing, dry shampoos help maintain the vibrancy of those who color their hair.
They can also provide styling benefits by adding texture and volume.
Dry Shampoo 101
Dry shampoos were developed in Asia in the late 15th century, using powdered clay and rice starch to absorb excess oil from the hair. Minipoo was introduced in the 1940s.
But it was a product called Psssst! that put the dry shampoo category on the map. It was launched in the 1950s and became popular in the 1970s. A reformulated version of Psssst! It is still available.
Washing hair less frequently with water and traditional shampoo can help prolong the vibrancy of dyed or treated hair colors, making dry shampoo a popular choice for maintaining salon results.
Using Dry Shampoo
To get the best results, dry shampoos should be used in the following way:
- Part your hair and use your fingers or a comb to create sections in your hair, focusing on areas where it tends to get oily or greasy, such as the roots.
- Massage into the scalp, using your fingertips to gently massage the dry shampoo into your scalp and roots. This helps distribute the product and absorbs excess oil.
- Allow the dry shampoo to sit on your hair for a couple of minutes to absorb oil and refresh your hair.
- If your hair still feels oily or greasy, you can repeat the process in additional sections or as necessary until you achieve the desired level of freshness.
- Applied too much? Use a blowdryer to get rid of excess product.
Dry shampoos are now available in various forms. Aerosol sprays and mists are convenient for quick application and offer even distribution, while powders are great for targeting specific areas and adding volume. Foams provide a virtually weightless option ideal for those with fine hair. Many are available in formulas for light or dark hair. There are even overnight dry shampoos that work while you sleep.
With so many offerings, how do you choose the right one? Here are a few of our faves:
Best All-Purpose Options
1. BIG SexyHair Dry Shampoo:
This dry shampoo is formulated for all hair types. Its residue-free, transparent formula absorbs oils, impurities, and product buildup.
2. Virtue Healthy Hair Refresh Dry Shampoo
Virtue® Labs Dry Shampoo is a lightweight, foam-to-powder dry shampoo that removes build-up, oil, and odor while reviving your style with each use. This invisible, super-light formula was created without any heavy styling ingredients that can add more build-up.
3. Innersense Refresh Dry Shampoo
This innovative foam-to-powder dry shampoo refreshes hair between washes and nourishes the scalp and hair with propellent-free, clean scalp-soothing ingredients! Tapioca Starch absorbs excess oil; witch hazel helps prevent a powdery residue and soothe the scalp, and Quinoa and Organic Honey leave the hair with shine and balanced hydration
4. Cake Beauty The Do Good’r Dry Shampoo
This lemon cookie-scented ‘’Do Gooder’ Volumizing Dry Shampoo leaves it feeling clean, revived, and volumized by adding natural oil-absorbing ingredients like Corn Starch.
For Dry Hair
Best For Protective Styles
5. R+Co Spiritualized Dry Shampoo Mist
This unique mist has a revolutionary micellar formula soothing for itchy or dry scalps. With moisturizing castor oil and glycerin, it’s ideal for cleansing while wearing braids, weaves, or wigs.
6. Taliah Waajid Refresh And So Clean? Bamboo, Avocado And Peppermint Dry Gel Shampoo
This cleansing, revitalizing dry gel shampoo gently purifies and refreshes the scalp, helping to reduce hair follicle irritation while in a protective style. Infused with avocado, peppermint, and witch hazel, Refresh and So Clean works like a gentle astringent to renew all areas of the scalp, leaving hair follicles nourished and conditioned.
Best Powders
7. Crown Affair – The Dry Shampoo
Made from persimmon powder and tapioca starch, this natural, aerosol-free formula gently absorbs oils from the scalp without harsh chemicals. The kabuki brush allows the powder to be seamlessly applied to any areas of your scalp that feel most greasy or oily, helping extend your wash day.
8. STMNT Spray Powder
The lightweight formula delivers instant root lift, volume, impressive grip, and an extreme matte finish. It features Staygold’s signature scent: an invigorating mix of citrus and peppermint, aquatic, and woody notes.
9. Billie Floof Dry Shampoo – Non-Aerosol Volumizing Powder
This superfine powder soaks up oil and blends into your roots effortlessly. It’s packed with biotin to plump strands, rice starch gently soaks up oil and impurities, baking soda traps grease, and keeps the scalp clean.
10. Verb Dry Shampoo Powder
Formulated with tapioca starch and glycerine, this translucent formula refreshes hair and absorbs oil (reducing sebum by 28% in one spray and 45% after two, according to tests) while boosting the body.
11. Oribe Serene Scalp Oil Control Dry Shampoo Powder
This luxurious, ultra-absorbing, silkening, dry shampoo powder mattifies the scalp and reduces excess sebum. A specialty starch blend and kaolin clay absorb oil, dirt, and product buildup, while mango leaf extract helps support a healthy scalp microbiome.
Best For Darker Hair
12. Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo for Dark Tones
This dry shampoo contains ultra-fine, oil-absorbing rice starch that removes buildup and odor, leaving hair instantly clean and refreshed. Its UV-protecting, argan oil-infused formula breaks down instantly, leaving no dull residue and maintaining the natural richness of dark, brunette tones.
13. Kitsch Volumizing Rice Protein Dry Shampoo – For Dark Hair
This unique dark-tinted powder is enriched with rice protein, niacinamide, and ashwagandha. It has a built-in puff for easy application.
Best For Oily Hair
14. Amika Perk Up Ultra Oil Control Dry Shampoo
Amika’s newest dry shampoo has superior oil removal and is designed to extend the style for strands that demand a daily (or every other day) wash. It is specially formulated for extra oily scalps and has been clinically shown to remove oil.
Best for Fine Hair
15. Klorane Volumizing Dry Shampoo with Flax
This style-extender maximizes the texture, fullness, and hold of fine hair while lifting hair at the roots for immediate and long-lasting “8-hour” volume. It’s ideal for fine, flat hair that loses shape or goes flat despite the best of styling efforts.
16. Dove Care Between Washes Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo
This dry shampoo was created especially for flat hair that can be oily, a little limp, or weighed down between washes. The formula delivers 25 percent more purifying natural tapioca to remove oil and odor between washes. At $7 a bottle, it’s a budget-friendly option.
17. Olaplex Nº.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo
This healthy scalp dry shampoo leaves hair looking and feeling clean and is clinically proven not to clog follicles. It is Formulated with Rambutan Seed Extract, Ultra-Fine Micro Starch, and patented OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology™.
18. Not Your Mother’s Plump For Joy Body Building Dry Shampoo
This dry shampoo spray is formulated with natural barley and rice starches to provide ultimate oil absorption while pumping up the volume. And with its orange mango scent, it will leave your locks smelling delicious.
The Something-for-Everyone Dry Shampoo Brand
19. Batiste Dry Shampoos
Batiste has built a brand around dry shampoos with various formulations. They are available in tropical, rose gold, and floral scents. And there’s even the Batiste Overnight Deep Cleanse Dry Shampoo that works while you sleep and Volumizing and Texturizing formulas.
