Dry shampoo has become a staple in modern hair care routines, offering a quick and convenient way to refresh hair without the need for water. This article delves into the world of dry shampoos, providing insights, reviews, and recommendations to help you find the perfect product for your hair type and lifestyle.
Many people wash their hair every day, but as every hairstylist has told me, washing your hair every day dries it out, stripping it of natural oils, and dehydrating your scalp with every wash. Washing my hair daily isn't always feasible, so having an arsenal of the best dry shampoos at the ready is helpful. According to dermatologist Lynne Goldberg, I shouldn't feel guilty about skipping wash day because shampooing daily could do more harm than good to your hair and scalp.
Dry shampoo is the convenient way to extend the time between wet washes, maintaining hair health and color vibrancy.
Typically formulated as either an aerosol spray or powder, dry shampoo absorbs excess oil from the scalp and roots, helping to refresh hair between washes and boosting volume. They normally contain starches, clays, or other absorbent elements that effectively lift and eliminate oil, leaving the hair looking as though it's been freshly washed.
Formulas with rice starch, tapioca starch, and kaolin clay are effective at absorbing oil without leaving behind residue, Mannah says. Many of our top picks, including Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo and Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, are formulated with rice starch, while Crown Affair The Dry Shampoo utilizes tapioca starch.
Read also: Is Royal Crown Still Relevant?
Mannah recommends steering clear of dry shampoos containing chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and alcohol, as they can be drying, strip the hair of its natural oils, and lead to scalp irritation. Additionally, dry shampoos without silicone can help prevent product build up. Recent research also highlights the potential harm of benzene, emphasizing its association with cancer.
Dry shampoos typically come in powders or aerosol sprays and can be white or tinted before absorption.
For the best result, you'll want to select a dry shampoo formula (both color and finish) according to your hair type. For darker hair colors, some of the white or tinted varieties can be more difficult to blend in and leave behind a visibly chalky residue. A clear or "invisible" option, such as the IGK Jet Lag Lightweight Invisible Dry Shampoo, is recommended in these cases.
Unfortunately, most dry shampoos feature strong scents, so if you are sensitive to fragrance, you may have a harder time finding the right formula.
The widely available Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Dry Shampoo (Unscented) has an elegant formula, providing reliable shine reduction at a budget price. Unlike nearly every aerosol formula we tried, this dry shampoo combines highly absorbent rice starch with the nearly invisible mineral silica, usually found only in pricier formulas. The propulsive spray shoots out a near-transparent fine cone mist. And this shampoo sprays evenly at every angle, including upside down-ideal for getting at the nape. The result is hair that’s both visibly de-greased and refreshed yet not sticky or stiff.
Read also: Glamorous History of Swedish Crown Combs
The ingredients are minimal but effective. Many aerosol dry shampoos are loaded with dozens of ingredients, like propellants, thickeners, and fragrances. Not Your Mother’s has just eight, so you’re getting more of the oil absorbers that get the job done. And we were especially impressed that the formula includes both rice starch and silica, rarely found in budget formulas.
Rice starch was in the majority of dry shampoos we tested, and it’s favored for its small particle size and high absorption level. However, according to cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos, all starches have an irregular shape that can ultimately feel gritty on the scalp. By combining rice starch with silica (a mineral absorber that can be manufactured to be round), a dry shampoo can have a silkier feel on the hair shaft. “That technology usually comes at a higher cost,” Dobos added. The other 10 contenders with silica that we tested were nearly all double or triple the cost of the Not Your Mother’s shampoo. And only three combined rice starch and silica, including another of our favorites, Crown Affair The Dry Shampoo.
Hair feels soft and flexible, not stiff or crunchy. This dry shampoo’s powerful aerosol blast leaves the slightest white cast, which readily brushes away on both light and dark hair (there’s a dark-tint formula, too). And because it soaks up the heavy grease weighing down roots, you do get a little lift. Other aerosol formulas we tested (Dove Volume & Fullness Advanced Dry Shampoo, Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo, R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo) effectively absorbed shine, but they left hair either tacky or overly volumized.
Though some people may consider a dry shampoo as an added styling element, for people who simply want cleaner-looking strands, the nearly imperceptible Not Your Mother’s was a fave. “I could just style my hair like usual,” one tester wrote.
Most powder and aerosol dry shampoos contain fragrance. That makes sense because people with “dirty” hair might also aim to freshen stale smells. But some people also avoid synthetic fragrances because of their link to health concerns, like migraines. “Not Your Mother’s unscented is a game changer,” said one tester, a longtime user of Batiste’s Dry Shampoo who’d never been able to stand the scents, which she found cloying and overly synthetic. And even though this dry shampoo is unscented, we found that it still neutralized stale smells.
Read also: Romantic Braided Elegance
Not Your Mother’s shampoo is currently about $9 for 7 ounces, and the value doesn’t get much better. So this is a great go-to for someone who relies on dry shampoo as a regular part of their hair-care routine. Supervising editor Hannah Morrill uses Not Your Mother’s once or twice a week, and she said a can lasts at least three months.
The scented versions don’t smell great. While the original citrus fragrance is inoffensive, our testers found the warm sugar variant to be stomach-turning. We had no trouble sourcing the unscented version in many local chain stores, but it could be easy to pick up the wrong can and be unpleasantly surprised.
If you use the product more than once between washes, a little residue is inevitable, especially if you run your fingernails along your scalp. We’ve never noticed visual buildup or any lingering issues after using a regular shampoo.
The particles and chemicals in aerosol products can irritate the lungs; this is of special concern to anyone with asthma or allergies. Not Your Mother’s shampoo contains isobutane and hydrofluorocarbon 152A, which might be irritating to lungs when inhaled in high concentrations. Those with respiratory concerns will want to use caution around any aerosols.
At less than a quarter of an ounce, a jar of I Dew Care Tap Secret Mattifying Dry Shampoo Powder effortlessly takes down oil and shine. Yet it’s barely bigger than a golf ball, so it’s perfect to throw in a gym bag, purse, or carry-on. With just a few gentle taps, the macaron-shaped cushion disperses controlled poufs of a microfine powder. This product is ideal for hitting small sections like a hairline or part, and it has the widest color range of any dry shampoos we tried. People with sustainability concerns will also appreciate the non-aerosol, refillable package.
The powder is supremely silky and fine, and a little goes a long way. The mineral blend-silica, mica, and kaolin-is notably fine and absorbent, and this dry shampoo is the only nearly starch-free formula we tried. If you get even a few flecks on your hands, palms feel dry and smooth, like after handling clay. On the scalp, the fine powder soaks up even heavy, streaky grease: One tester was amazed how the tiniest dab erased a two-workout buildup of sweat.
If you pat too vigorously, the powder scatters. But when you use a light, delicate touch-almost a bounce-this product is a precise spot treatment for shiny patches and oil-laden zones. Testers even said it reminded them of mattifying their face with translucent powder. None of the other dry shampoos we tried were small enough to toss in a purse or dopp kit. If your hair gets greasy throughout the day, or you don’t want to wash it when you’re traveling, this one is a great option.
The I Dew Care powder comes in five shades, more than any dry shampoo we tried. Testers with blonde, red, brown, and black strands found the original powder to be imperceptible, especially after a comb-through. But some still appreciated the believable and nuanced tinted options. One panelist noted how the dark brown version masked gray at her temples, an unintended upside.
The top and the bottom of the I Dew Care jar twist off (the top to reveal the sponge, the bottom to refill the powder). A few distracted panelists unwittingly unscrewed the bottom, spilling powder everywhere. Anyone paying attention likely won’t have this problem, but it’s worth watching out for, and the learning curve is worth it since this jar is refillable and recyclable (the entire jar assembly is #7 plastic, which some municipalities recycle). Our other jarred pick, Crown Affair The Dry Shampoo, has a fussier, more foolproof, more expensive jar.
Refills are currently about $12, only a few dollars less than the original product, so they don’t offer a significant savings. And they’re only available in translucent, not the colored versions.
The precise applicator isn’t great for covering large areas, at least not quickly.
Pigment from the tinted powders can transfer to the hairline and fingertips. But it doesn’t stain, and it brushes away readily.
Crown Affair The Dry Shampoo was the second-priciest dry shampoo we tested, and at first glance, the big jar of loose powder looked messy. So we were skeptical. But the twist-open canister, fluffy-yet-firm kabuki brush, very finely milled powder, and dreamy scent won us over. Plus, it works exceptionally well. One tester raved, “I try to only wash my hair twice a week, but I work out every day. This basically eliminates the sweat that can weigh down my roots.” Crown Affair provided the most luxurious and pleasant dry shampoo experience of the bunch, elevating a somewhat drudgery-prone task to a pampering treat.
Similar to the Not Your Mother’s aerosol, the Crown Affair shampoo combines rice and silica silylate, a perfectly absorbent, unchalky duo, and even though it’s a creamy tan color in the jar, it disappears into the scalp. One tester with deep brown hair noted, “I got a little powder on my hairline that was easy to brush away. I didn’t notice any grittiness or graininess when I ran my hands through it later.” This dry shampoo doesn’t deliver sky-high volume, but it boosts roots without any unwanted weight or stickiness. Of the options we tested-even our other picks-this one felt the lightest, and it was the least noticeable in our hair.
Crown Affair’s twist-open jar artfully dispenses (and contains) powder. But it’s somewhat of a process: Take off the lid, remove the kabuki-style brush, and swivel the sifter. Return the lid, overturn the jar, and shake. The silky nylon bristles pick up just the right amount of powder to target the hairline, part, and roots, and to mattify without dulling your hair.
Lots of dry shampoos we tried and liked-including a variation of Not Your Mother’s-had unpleasant, dealbreaker scents. Crown Affair’s fragrance-bergamot, yuzu, and lemongrass-is transcendent. The scent is light and citrusy, like that of a fancy hotel lobby or an upscale salon. Rather than masking unwanted odors, this dry shampoo infuses a mellow freshness. “I liked the scent so much it made me want to make up reasons to use the dry shampoo,” one tester admitted.
The powder’s interior vessel is easy to twist out, and refills sell for 10 bucks less than a new jar. Also, the #5 plastic refills are accepted in many municipal recycling programs. (No plastic product is without an environmental impact, but this is an extra consideration for consumers who prioritize sustainability concerns.)
Getting the product out and onto the hair-uncap, twist, recap, shake, uncap, brush on-is a little involved; though some didn’t mind the ritual, others made note of this.
Even though our testers raved about the coverage, if you have long or thick hair, a lot of grease, and not a lot of time, an aerosol product is more efficient.
If you want an aerosol with a lovely scent: Amika Perk Up has a zippy citrus fragrance and performs beautifully, blasting away grease without a hint of residue or grit. You’ll also get a little oomph at the roots, but nothing distracting or overly poofed. If you don’t mind spending a little more for a very pretty canister and an even better scent, it’s a great option.
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo stands above the rest. Beloved by me, our editors, and professionals alike, its fast-absorbing powders offer an easy application that actively cleans the hair and scalp of oil, sweat, and odor.
Unlike its competitors that simply mask the fact that you haven't washed your hair, PhD dry shampoo actively works to clean your scalp and strands from the moment it touches your head. It's formulated with fast-absorbing powders, plus the brand's patented Healthy Hair Molecule that keeps hair fresher longer by extracting powders, oil, and dirt.
For best results, the key is to let the spray sit for 30 seconds upon application before massaging it into the scalp with your fingers. This allows the formula to clean and deodorize the scalp and hair properly. The only caveat of Living Proof's Perfect Hair Dry Shampoo is arguably its scent, which some reviewers feel is too strong.
A much more affordable option than our overall pick, the Batiste Dry Shampoo is available in over 15 fragrances, three color-based sprays, and one volumizing formula. However, I stuck with the original for this test, which won an Allure Best of Beauty award in 2020.
The waterless formula absorbs dirt and grease to revitalize hair and has been enhanced with keratin proteins to keep strands strong and protected from environmental stressors. This particular spray boasts a citrusy scent.
What's nice about the Batiste Dry Shampoo is there's no wait between when you apply the spray and when you should massage it into the scalp.
Crown Affair's dry shampoo is lauded for its weightless formula and chic, innovative packaging. The finely milled powder takes no time to absorb, partially due to the kabuki brush, which allows for targeted application. This product provides light volume and refreshes the hair and scalp. It's lightweight enough to be applied to freshly washed hair to amp up volume or enhance certain styles, particularly for those with fine, thin hair.
Unlike traditional spray cans, Briogeo's dry shampoo applies a cloud of white powder when you squeeze the bottle over your strands. It takes two minutes to set and another minute or two to style, but if you have that time to spare, I can't recommend the Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo enough.
This powder formula dry shampoo is made to work on all hair textures - straight, wavy, curly, and coily - but it's specifically designed for those with naturally oily hair (like mine). It's a detoxifying blend formulated with binchotan charcoal to draw out impurities and any buildup that might clog the pores and nutrient-rich biotin, bamboo extracts, and witch hazel to regulate oil production.
Upon application, the white cast looks daunting, but it's actually lightweight and blends in easily. Reviewers say it's gentle on sensitive scalps, too. However, while Briogeo's formula gets five stars from me, the applicator isn't great.
With over 1,100 reviews and just shy of a 5-star rating on Amazon alone, Eva NYC's lightweight, waterless spray absorbs excess oil and enhances shine, but its true claim to fame is the level of volume it offers lifeless strands. It doesn't just freshen up hair, it completely re-styles it. The magical formula contains argan oil, which is rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, and E, plus plant protein for added hydration. Reviewers note the spray smells "heavenly," and that a few spritzes resulted in soft, bouncy hair.
Not only does this spray formula eliminate excess oils with its proprietary powder blend, but it also instills moisture into the scalp and strands with amla oil. What's more, amla oil (derived from the Indian Gooseberry) gives hair a soft, visibly sheer finish, so dry tresses feel hydrated and clean, and look it too.
In addition to these rockstar ingredients, kiwi extract is also highlighted as a standout addition that lifts residue from hair.
Arey's dry shampoo powder absorbs oil and adds volume while nourishing the hair. Aluminum starch quickly absorbs oil and adds grip, while silica helps to volumize.
If you want to combat hair thinning and cleanse and refresh your scalp between washes, this pick from Vegamour's GRO line might be a game changer for your hair routine. Containing organically grown phytoactives that support hair density and increase active hair follicles, the brand claims you can expect to see fuller, thicker hair in as quickly as three months of use.
This lightweight dry shampoo boasts a completely invisible formula, so there's no blending time required - making it the perfect solution for dark hair. Finely milled volcanic ash absorbs seamlessly and helps to cleanse and purify, while ginger root and mango extracts soften the hair and boost shine.
tags: #crown #dry #shampoo #review
