As early as the 15th century, women have been using dry products to clean their hair and breathe new life into a days-old hairstyle.
In the earliest days of dry shampoo, women mostly used clay or starch to absorb extra oils in their hair. Now, most dry shampoos are made up of a blend of a starch and an active ingredient like carbon or alumina.
These active ingredients bind to the natural oils in your hair, while the starch makes it easy to brush out and remove. As a result, dry shampoo doesn’t actually clean your hair at its roots, but it will remove excess oils and leave you feeling fresh and reinvigorated for another busy day!
Finding the dry shampoo that works best with your hair type, however, can be a bit of a hassle, so we’ve put in the work for you! Depending on whether you have fine or thick hair, dry or naturally oily hair, or even the length and texture of the hair you have, you’ll need a different style of dry shampoo to get the results that you need.
If you have oily hair, look for a dry shampoo that promises lots of volume to counteract the natural weight of your hairstyle. For dry hair, try a shampoo that offers either a foam spray or a lightweight mist, so that your hair won’t look too clogged-up by the shampoo itself.
For sensitive scalps, look for a natural shampoo that doesn’t use a lot of potentially irritating chemicals, and if you have curly hair, look for a dry shampoo that can be worked through the hair without needing to brush it out!
1. Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
Absorb oil and refresh hair without washing it with Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo. This talc-free formula doesn’t leave white residue in your hair, adding volume and naturally cleaning hair for a just washed look.
2. Batiste Original Dry Shampoo
Shake, spray and go! Batiste Original Dry Shampoo goes a long way in absorbing oil and adding volume to your locks to make them lustrous and luxurious days after your last wash. Use daily or as needed for fresh, clean feeling hair every day of the week.
3. Bumble And Bumble Pret A Powder Tres Invisible (Nourishing) Dry Shampoo
Discover extended style with Bumble And Bumble Pret A Powder Tres Invisible (Nourishing) Dry Shampoo. Get rid of oily hair and dry ends with the hibiscus extract formula that nourishes hair.
For those days out in the sun, protect against harmful UV rays as well, further protecting against dry hair.
4. Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo
For light hair, give Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo a try for maximum oil absorption with micro-fine rice powders. For darker hair, they also have a Detox Brunettes Dry Shampoo, both in their original scent of jasmine, sandalwood and Madagascar vanilla for amazing smelling hair that looks full and fabulous.
5. IGK First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo
For your dirtiest and oiliest days, IGK First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo uses charcoal for a heavy-duty oil absorbing, dirt lifting formula. Calm your scalp while strengthening your hair with the added white tea powder for healthier looking hair between washes.
6. John Frieda Luxurious Volume Volume Refresh Dry Shampoo
Kick fine hair out with John Frieda Luxurious Volume Volume Refresh Dry Shampoo for just styled, voluminous hair. Ultra fine rice starch soaks up oil that is weighing your hair down, leaving fresh, full hair behind.
7. Klorane Oat Milk Ultra Gentle Dry Shampoo
Klorane Oat Milk Ultra Gentle Dry Shampoo contains a plant-based formula that gently cleans hair. Soothe and protect hair while cleaning and adding much needed volume between hair wash days to rid it of oil, dirt and odors.
8. Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo
For look at me hair, get Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo. This bottle deposits more powder for a more voluminous hair that is easy to style. The scent is fabulous, lasting all day for little bursts of sweetness as your hair moves.
9. Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
Keep your hair clean longer with Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo that is cornstarch-free for a look that doesn’t attract dirt. With science on their side, get truly clean hair that also smells great through the triple-action cleaning technology in this formula.
10. Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones
Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones is great for those with darker hair. Also available for lighter hair, the signature Moroccanoil scent and instant absorbing formula will have you wanting more.
No residue and protection against UV damage, this is great for year-round, daily use between washes that will keep your hair as deep and vibrant as if it were just washed.
11. Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Dry Shampoo
Love that second day hair beyond the second day with Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Dry Shampoo. It provides a beachy texture for plush, voluminous hair that feels cleaner once the formula absorbs excess oil.
12. Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo
Another favorite by NYM, get style in less time. Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo is perfect for styling your hair as normal without having to wash it. Perfect hair has never been easier.
13. OGX Refresh Revitalize Extra Strength Argan Oil Of Morocco Dry Shampoo
Renew your locks and your hairstyle for silky strands with OGX Refresh Revitalize Extra Strength Argan Oil Of Morocco Dry Shampoo. Transform flat and oily hair with this oil-absorbing formula that revitalizes hair with Argan oil and silk proteins.
14. R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo
Love the untamed look rather than something perfectly stylized? Get R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo to add volume and body to your hair while removing and absorbing oil.