The Best Dry Shampoos
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From citizens of ancient civilizations rubbing clay powder into their hair to the first commercially available dry shampoo hitting the market in the 1940s, people have spent their entire lives trying to bridge the gap between dirty hair and busy lifestyles. I remember vividly my mom using baby powder in the 1980s, as well as my first purchase of drugstore dry shampoo in the early 2000s. It went on like spray paint and probably contained enough chemicals to poison a small animal, but it did the job of letting me skip a couple days of my arduous wash, dry, and straighten routine. This break was good for my sanity as well as my hair.
Come 2022, commercially produced dry shampoo received its first major black eye when companies like Procter & Gamble and Unilever conducted a voluntary recall of their dry shampoos for potentially elevated levels of benzene. Familiar drugstore brands like Dove, Nexxus, and Suave were suddenly seen as being a cancer risk, which raised the question with dry shampoos in general: What is actually in this stuff?
Thankfully, since the recall most companies have taken to testing their products for benzene and other harmful chemicals. Third-party testing is hard to come by, but the nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) is independently funded and has a Skin Deep database tool for consumers to parse what harmful ingredients might be lurking in their cosmetics and personal care products. We have included their data on specific dry shampoos in this guide. However, if you're looking for totally chemical-free ways to extend your style, check out the Alternatives to Dry Shampoo box below.
For more hairstyling buying advice, check out our guides to the Best Hair Straighteners, Best Curling Irons, Best Hair Dryers, and Best Diffusers for Curly Hair.
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How We Tested
I've been using dry shampoo for over 20 years. For this guide I tested more than 25 popular, widely available formulas on my thick, long, heat-straightened dark hair multiple times over the course of almost four months. I used them just as I would any dry shampoo in the course of my day-to-day life—after workouts, during busy work weeks, on trips. I also solicited the opinions of friends and family with different types and textures of hair when I needed a second—or third—opinion. I focused on effectiveness (did my hair still look clean at the end of the day?); ease of application; the presence of heaviness, stickiness, or residue; value; how quickly and well a dry shampoo blended in; and whether the scent was light or overwhelming.
Tips for Using Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is a great tool to extend your hard-won hairstyle and will help minimize damage to your hair by lessening the frequency with which you'll need to heat style. However, dry shampoo can only go so far.
“Dry shampoo releases and cleanses the hair of natural oils, but it won’t remove tons of product,” notes celebrity hairstylist Garren, cofounder of hair product company R+Co. “It’s best used on second- or third-day hair.” In other words, don't skip showering for a week and expect dry shampoo to work a miracle. Dry shampoo also shouldn't be used more than a couple of days in a row, as using it too often can cause scalp buildup and irritation.
Applying dry shampoo at night is another tactic many experts recommend, as it can work to absorb oils while you sleep—this is an especially good option for dry shampoos that tend to go on thick. Garrren also suggests running a blow-dryer on cold after applying dry shampoo: “If your hair is overly colored or brittle, and you have a lot of hairspray or product in it, if you apply dry shampoo and don’t blow it through with cold air, it can sit on top of the surface of the hair,” he said. "This can cause hair to be stiff. It won’t damage hair, but will make it feel dry or stiff.”
What Actually IS in This Stuff?
There are countless dry shampoos claiming to revolutionize the dry shampoo experience, but most work much the same way: absorbent starches, a carrier agent, fragrance, and, in the case of aerosol dry shampoos, a propellant. In the old days many dry shampoos contained talc as the absorbing agent, which was often contaminated with asbestos. Some dry shampoos may still list it as an ingredient, but none of the ones we recommend do.
Some companies add other natural, absorbent minerals in addition to starch, such as kaolin clay, diatomaceous earth, zeolite, charcoal powder, or even volcanic ash. I also tried some more unusual formulas such as a paste, liquid spray, and lotion, though I didn't find the latter two to be particularly effective for my hair. For each dry shampoo we recommend, I tried to help demystify the marketing claims by listing the main functional ingredients that help it absorb oil.
- Photograph: Kat Merck
Best Aerosol
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry ShampooLiving Proof's literature claims this cult-favorite dry shampoo "actually cleans hair” through a proprietary absorption and powder-removal process, and I believe it. I've been using the original Perfect Hair Day benzene-free aerosol for years, and Living Proof’s newer Advanced Clean formula gilds the lily with conditioners for an even more naturally clean look. Just spray on, wait 30 seconds, and massage in with your fingers for hair that looks like it was just washed and styled that morning.
If you have dark hair like I do, don't be alarmed by the white cast—it does work in quickly and effectively. The scent (which is supposedly time-released) is fairly neutral, and hair actually looks clean immediately and then well into the next day. It's also sulfate-free and safe to use on color-treated hair.
Main functional ingredients Starch, “microporous mineral blend” EWG rating for ingredient concerns (1-10, 1 being safest) 7 Ingredient of most concern per EWG Octafluorpopentyl methacrylate Cruelty free? Yes Talc free? Yes - Photograph: Kat Merck
Best Aerosol Runner-Up
Milk_Shake Lifestyling Dry ShampooAlso quite effective, this lightweight, powder-based spray fortified with hempseed oil leaves a minor white cast (especially visible on dark hair) but blends in quickly. It also gets high marks for being one of the cleanest-ingredient dry shampoos I tested—the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database rated it a rare “low hazard” for toxicity.
It does, however, have a rather intense and potentially divisive perfumy scent. I didn't mind it, but it caused my sports-playing tween son, who occasionally helped me test, to banish it from his bathroom after one use.
Main functional ingredients Starches EWG rating for ingredient concerns (1-10, 1 being safest) 2 Ingredients of most concern per EWG Sobutane, propane, silica Cruelty free? N/A Talc free? N/A
- Photograph: Kat Merck
Best Powder
Crown Affair the Dry ShampooI’ve used many powder dry shampoos over the years, and Crown Affair's generously sized jar is by far my favorite. It smells amazing (bergamot, yuzu, and lemongrass) and blends in quickly and effectively—even on my dark hair—with the included kabuki brush. I also appreciate that it's refillable (a new insert for the container runs $32), and the little shaker top twists closed for travel.
Main functional ingredients Tapioca starch, rice starch, persimmon powder EWG rating for ingredient concerns (1-10, 1 being safest) 4 Ingredient of most concern per EWG Cetrimonium chloride (preservative) Cruelty free? Yes Talc free? Yes - Photograph: Kat Merck
Best Powder Runner-Up
Klorane Dry Shampoo With Oat MilkKlorane as a company has been around since 1965, and I've had multiple friends rave to me about the effectiveness of this hypoallergenic, plant-based formula. They were right, and it's also a solid option for those with a sensitive scalp who are looking for something clean and non-aerosolized.
The small, 1.7-ounce white plastic bottle looks like a spray bottle, but the cap twists around to reveal a hole; squeeze it to release a puff of product. I found it slightly messier to use and more difficult to blend than Crown Affair's powder, but that's the only reason this category wasn't a tie.
★A bigger bottle: Bumble & Bumble's Pret-a-Powder ($34) is a little more expensive than the Klorane, but with a similar design and a slightly larger bottle at 2 ounces. WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell says that bottle can last her for years, and she loves it for her high-porosity hair that tends to soak up aerosol-based dry shampoos and beg for more. It does add a little volume and nicely spruces up curled or blown-out hair.
Main functional ingredients Rice starch, oat starch, kaolin EWG rating for ingredient concerns (1-10, 1 being safest) 3 Ingredients of most concern per EWG Silica, limonene Cruelty free? Yes Talc free? Yes
- Photograph: Kat Merck
Best Budget
Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry ShampooLike many other of the more effective dry shampoo sprays, this aerosol goes on alarmingly white but rubs in surprisingly quickly. (For brunettes, there is a tinted version, though I only tested the regular formula.)
It's much more lightweight than every other drugstore brand I tried and has a very light scent. I found it to be just as effective and long-lasting as other aerosol dry shampoos twice the price.
Main functional ingredients Starches EWG rating for ingredient concerns (1-10, 1 being safest) 7 (brunette) Ingredients of most concern per EWG Fragrance, propane Cruelty free? N/A Talc free? N/A - Photograph: Kat Merck
Best for Travel
R+Co Badlands Dry Shampoo PasteNo bulky aerosol cans, spillable gels, or messy powders here—this 2.2-ounce, TSA-approved pot with a unisex red-rock-landscape design won me over for its unique, zeolite-based paste formula that doubles as a sort of pomade. I also quite liked the scent, which could best be described as citrus green tea-ish. It was present but not overwhelming like some sprays’ scents can be.
Keep in mind this is also styling paste, so it will add some texture—a little goes a very long way, and adding too much can make your hair quite stiff. If you have long hair and/or don't need the texture, I've found that brushing it through helps.
Main functional ingredients Zeolite, diatomaceous earth, volcanic ash EWG rating for ingredient concerns (1-10, 1 being safest) 3 Ingredient of most concern per EWG Fragrance Cruelty free? Yes Talc free? Yes
- Photograph: Kat Merck
Best for Dark Hair
IGK First Class After DarkThis charcoal-based, tinted aerosol spray, while heavily scented, won top ranking in my tests for not going on too thick and lasting a whole day. Note that the color is more of a medium brown, so if your hair is either light brown or very dark brown to black, you will need to blend.
However, unlike cheaper tinted dry shampoo options like Dove's Care Between Washes Brunette, the avocado-coated pigment does not rub off on hands, hair tools, towels, or bedding. It's also safe for chemically treated and colored hair.
Main functional ingredients Rice starch, zeolite, charcoal powder, white tea powder EWG rating for ingredient concerns (1-10, 1 being safest) 5 Ingredients of most concern per EWG Butane, propane (propellants) Cruelty free? Yes Talc free? Yes 
Photograph: Kat MerckAlternatives to Dry Shampoo
Other Ways to Get Rid of GreaseVoloom Volumizing Iron for $140: Though it is intimidating-looking, this heat tool—which looks like a cross between a waffle iron and a flat iron—is one of the best chemical-free ways to add volume back into second- or third-day hair, especially shorter hairstyles. Lift the top layer of your hair up and use this for one second on the hair underneath; it crimps a sort of teased thatch that adds instant volume.
Oribe Oil Control Serene Scalp Shampoo for $52: Perhaps the easiest way to avoid the need for dry shampoo is to cut down on oil production in the first place. This shampoo is specifically designed with marine algae and a prebiotic to extend time between washes. While I felt like it only gave me an extra day, it's still a viable option for those looking to avoid dry shampoo altogether. Oribe also makes a companion Serene Scalp Dry Shampoo ($46), but its so-so effectiveness didn't justify the price.
Amika Rising Star Volumizing Finishing Spray for $29: If you wear your hair down and suffer from your style going flat after a day or two yet don't like the residue left by dry shampoo, this lightweight spray may be worth a try. It won't hold all day, but I was impressed with the increased volume it gave my day two hair, and the effect lasted a few hours.
A boar bristle brush: Some people like to use boar bristle brushes as an alternative to dry shampoo because you can more evenly distribute natural oils from top to bottom. I didn’t have the best luck with this, but I do like a boar bristle brush for smoothing my second- or third-day hair into a ponytail. Unlike other brushes, the natural boar bristles don’t cause my straightened hair to frizz. I use and love the Beauté Classic Repair & Shine brush ($320) from 150-year-old artisanal French brush maker Altesse. It’s an heirloom-quality brush and the last one I expect to own in my lifetime, but there are plenty of cheaper alternatives out there for those who aren’t ready to shell out three Franklins for a hairbrush.
Other Dry Shampoos We Tried
R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo for $37: I loved the landscape label on this generously sized aerosol spray but not the overpowering scent or lack of effectiveness.
Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo for $26: I'm a huge fan of the heat protectant from Oribe's Gold Lust line, but this powder-based spray went on so thick I looked like I had just finished plastering a house.
IGK First Class Charcoal Detox for $32: This charcoal- and white tea-containing spray left too much of a white cast for dark hair that was difficult to blend, but the tinted version did make our list.
IGK Direct Flight Style Preserving Matcha for $32: I really like the artsy packaging of this line of aerosols, but the oil-absorbing power didn’t last a whole day, and none of my testers (including myself) cared for the scent.
R+Co Bleu Retroactive Dry Shampoo for $52: This aerosol in a sleek aluminum bottle went on sheer and added shine, but my hair felt greasy again near the end of the day.
FoxyBae Brunette Breeze Dry Shampoo for $16: As someone with dark hair, I'm always on the lookout for excellent tinted dry shampoos. I appreciated the lightness of this generously sized, rice starch-based spray, but despite the “brunette” claim, it seemed to go on almost sheer and did not absorb oils particularly well.
R+Co Spiritualized Dry Shampoo Mist for $32: This is a unique liquid spray idea with suspended starches, but it didn’t seem to have any effect on my day two hair, let alone day three.
Chi Vibes Wake + Fake for $20: This powder-based aerosol spray went on alarmingly thick and chalky, and any attempts to blend it in left my hair full of flakes.
R+Co Vapor Lotion to Powder Dry Shampoo for $42: I was excited about this unique cream lotion, but I struggled to blend it into my dark hair. When I finally did, it left a strange residue that made my hair feel dirtier.
Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo for $28: I loved the fun bottle of this talc-free aerosol formula, but I had trouble blending this into my dark hair. Tiny flakes were visible when I finally did.
Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Original Dry Shampoo for $6: This drugstore aerosol staple went on far too thick, even for day three hair.
Sutra Heat Guard Dry Shampoo for $28: I loved that this dry shampoo doubled as a heat protectant, but it went on too thick and was too hard to blend in.
Batiste Dry Shampoo for $9: I actually like Batiste for its range of formulas and scents, but it settled a benzene-related class-action lawsuit this summer and has not addressed its current benzene situation on its website. Attempts to contact the company were unsuccessful.
Dove Dry Shampoo for $7: Another drugstore stalwart, this aerosol spray proved difficult to blend, and there's no readily available information as to whether the company has addressed its benzene recall.
IGK Jet Lag Weightless Dry Shampoo for $32: The scent was somewhat overwhelming, and it was just not effective for me or my testers.
Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo for $27: I'm a big Drybar fan, but this lightweight aerosol didn't absorb oil at all for me.
R+Co Skyline Dry Shampoo for $34: This was a close runner-up for Best Powder, but the pump-action applicator made too much of a mess, and it wasn't as absorbent as other formulas.
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