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If you like to skip traditional daily washes, dry shampoo will definitely be your best friend. This instant degreaser is also crucial for anyone who wants to freshen up after a workout or a long day without getting hair wet. But which dry shampoo is right for you? That depends on your hair type, hair color, how oily your roots get between washes, and, of course, your personal preference.
Meet the Expert
Dr. Kari Williams is a board-certified trichologist and licensed cosmetologist. She is also a member of DevaCurl’s Expert Curl Council.
According to Dr. Kari Williams, a board-certified trichologist and licensed cosmetologist, dry shampoos do not actually cleanse the hair. "Dry shampoos are typically used to make the hair less oily, absorb sweat, and disguise odor," she explains. Additionally, she says that "long-term use of dry shampoo can cause a dry, itchy scalp," so use them in moderation.
In any case, if you use dry shampoo somewhat regularly, you might end up going through a can or bottle relatively quickly. That's why it's good to have some budget-friendly options at the ready. We rounded up some affordable favorites that cater to different hair types and are super-effective at reviving tired, oily strands.
Read on for the best drugstore dry shampoos.
Best Overall: Batiste Dry Shampoo
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Clean and classic fragrance
Includes keratin
Effectively adds volume
Feels drying to some
Batiste has been in the dry shampoo game for over 30 years—way before many of us even knew it was a thing. And after all these years, the brand remains a standby amongst beauty fanatics and beginners alike. The powdery, waterless formula absorbs grease and dirt, leaving you with a revitalized, volumized mane. When you comb it through, the powder dissolves and all but disappears. The original formula features a subtle, musky lavender scent that smells pretty amazing too.
Active Ingredients: Butane, Isobutane | Hair Type: All | Free of: Parabens, Alcohol, Sulfates | Size: 4.2 or 8.4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Budget: Dove Volume and Fullness Dry Shampoo
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Courtesy of Amazon
Lightweight
Absorbs instantly
Straight-forward formula
Leaves residue
If you're looking for an impressive product with a low price tag, you can't go wrong with this dry shampoo. The lightweight, straightforward formula has become a fan-favorite over the last few years, and it's easy to see why. Just a few spritzes are enough to absorb oil and leave your tresses feeling clean and refreshed, even after several days without a regular shampoo.
Active Ingredients: Propane, Isobutane | Hair Type: Oily | Free of: Parabens, Sulfates | Size: 5.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Oily Hair: Garnier Pure Clean Dry Shampoo
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Courtesy of Walmart
Texture-free
Restores a fresh-washed feel
Full of botanical extracts
Doesn't create much volume
The main concept behind dry shampoo is to address oily hair between washes, but if yours is oilier than average, this dry shampoo has your name on it. The silicon-free formula is ideal for greasier locks, as it soaks up oil and removes dirt without weighing it down. Just shake the can and spray it through your hair, holding it about 8 inches from your head. Then comb it through, and voilà! You've got non-greasy, voluminous, clean-looking hair.
Active Ingredients: Propane, Butane | Hair Type: All | Free of: Parabens, Silicones, Sulfates | Size: 3.4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Fine Hair: Nexxus Dry Shampoo Refreshing Mist for Volume
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Courtesy of Amazon
Makes hair feel fresh
Residue-free
Unscented
Looks dull to some
If you're working with fine hair, reach for Nexxus Dry Shampoo Refreshing Mist. Thin hair tends to appear oily faster than thicker hair. But this absorbent formula is just the thing to relieve your locks from a greasy, sweaty, weighed-down look between washes. It adds volume and perks up even the finest hair without leaving behind any powder or visible residue.
Active Ingredients: Isobutane, Propane | Hair Type: All | Free of: Parabens, Silicones, Sulfates | Size: 5.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Thick Hair: Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
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Courtesy of Ulta
Plant-based
Gentle enough for daily use
Recyclable packaging
Smells bad to some
This award-winning product has a plant-based formula that includes organically harvested oat milk, as well as rice and corn starches. Although it's notably lightweight, Klorane gets right to work on even the thickest heads of hair. The ultra-fine powdery mist makes your hair look, feel, and smell clean without any chalky residue. It's also ideal for anyone looking to extend the life of their blowout.
Active Ingredients: Butane, Propane | Hair Type: All | Free of: Parabens, Preservatives, Silicones, Sulfates | Size: 3.2 or 5.4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Curly Hair: OGX Coconut Miracle Oil Dry Shampoo
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ulta
Infused with extra moisture
Gives bounce to curls
Protecting
Leaves a bit of residue
Curly-haired folks can benefit from using this super-nourishing formula that contains coconut oil and glycerin, in addition to starches that soak up oil. It's the perfect balance of absorbent, protecting, and hydrating. Your curls will be bouncy, shiny, and fresh without any grease or frizz.
Active Ingredients: Isobutane, Propane | Hair Type: All | Free of: Parabens, Silicones, Sulfates | Size: 5.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Natural Hair: Tresemmé Between Washes Fresh & Clean Dry Shampoo
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Courtesy of Ulta
Tapioca-based
Infused with a vitamin blend
Works quickly
Not very effective for some
This extra-fine formula is ideal for natural hair and is lightweight enough to use often so you can go longer between washes. Containing naturally absorbent tapioca powder and filled with vitamins and citrus extracts, this dry shampoo helps to revitalize thick, curly, and textured hair. Bonus: a couple of sprays go a long way.
Active Ingredients: Tapioca Starch | Hair Type: Oily | Free of: Parabens | Size: 5.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Hair Growth: Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo
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Amazon
Key Ingredients
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient required for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of the body, including the skin, but we cannot produce it on our own. For the skin, it helps to boost collagen, lighten discoloration, and fight free radicals.
Vitamin-enriched
Has a strengthening complex
Instantly eliminates odors
Not much product in the bottle
To give your hair-growth journey a boost, use this dry shampoo between traditional washes. Infused with strengthening Vitamin C and oil-absorbing rice starch, this product refreshes second-day hair and nourishes split ends while protecting strands from environmental stresses. It's also totally translucent, so the only person who'll know you skipped a wash is you.
Active Ingredients: Butane, Propane | Hair Type: All | Free of: Parabens, Phthalates, Silicones, Sulfates | Size: 4.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Dark Hair: Batiste with a Hint of Color Divine Dark
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Courtesy of Walmart
Cleans thoroughly
Adds volume
Gentle
Smells too strong to some
Although the best dry shampoos don't leave any visible residue, the formulas are usually powdery by nature, which can be a little more noticeable on dark locks. That's why this blend is ideal for those with deep brown or black hair. The tinted formula blends seamlessly with darker hair colors, and there's also a lighter version available for medium brown tones. Like the original formula, this dry shampoo instantly absorbs oil, refreshes dull strands, and adds the perfect amount of volume.
Active Ingredients: Butane, Propane | Hair Type: All | Free of: Parabens, Phthalates, Silicones, Sulfates | Size: 4.2 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Light Hair: Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Dry Shampoo
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Courtesy of Not Your Mother's
Fresh, linen scent
Vegan-friendly
Adds volume
May feel greasy
If your hair is blond, gray, silver, white, or otherwise light, check out this Byrdie-editor favorite. The appeal of this product is clear—literally. It quickly absorbs oil and leaves locks feeling clean without any visible residue, and the matte finish complements light-colored hair. Just spray it throughout your hair, focusing on the roots. Then wait about a minute, run a comb through your hair, and style as you normally do.
Active Ingredients: Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Propane | Hair Type: All | Free of: Parabens, Phthalates, Silicones, Sulfates, Gluten | Size: 4.2 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Volumizing: Freeman Psssst! Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo
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Extends blowout
Reviving
Prolongs color life
Sprayer may leak a bit
This dry shampoo is another classic that's been around since the '70s. It's formulated specifically to deliver volume and fullness to unwashed, lifeless hair. The weightless product contains rice starch, chia seeds, and cloudberry. A few sprays are enough to refresh limp strands, eliminate greasiness, and give your hair an overall boost.
Active Ingredients: Butane, Propane | Hair Type: Dry | Free of: Sulfates | Size: 5.3 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Unknown | Byrdie Clean: Yes
What To Look For in a Dry Shampoo
Hydrating Ingredients
Dry shampoos get a bad rap for drying out super-parched strands. If your hair is on the drier side, you'll want to look for formulas that contain conditioning ingredients like panthenol, coconut oil, or glycerin, to name a few, to keep strands hydrated, not crispy. Many formulas contain oil-absorbing ingredients balanced with nourishing hydrators to keep hair soft.
Value
Many of us use dry shampoo on the reg, whether it's on rushed mornings before commutes or going from the gym to a date. So it's important to consider price per ounce since you'll probably go through a can fairly quickly. Fortunately, there are plenty of drugstore options for under $10 on this list.
Scent
Dry shampoos work well to disguise second-day hair odor, so you'll want to pick one with a fresh scent that you love. Whether you prefer fruity, floral, or clean fragrances, find one with a scent you love to keep hair smelling fresh between washes.
Tinted or Clear
Given that dry shampoos usually have a powdery texture, they can sometimes leave a residue on the roots. This is usually more noticeable on brunette and black shades. If it bothers you, look for a tinted option made for your color. Or, go for a translucent dry shampoo that won't leave any tell-tale residue.
Why Trust Byrdie
Theresa Holland is a freelance writer covering beauty and wellness for Byrdie, focusing on budget-friendly options and drugstore products. She has a BS in Business from Portland State University.
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