How does dry shampoo work?

Dry shampoos typically work by depositing oil-absorbing ingredients like silica, rice starch, charcoal, clay, or volcanic minerals into dry hair, generally at the roots. These mop up shine and excess product build-up without the need for water. The result is hair that feels cleaner, lighter, and more voluminous.

How do you apply dry shampoo?

Hold your product 10 or so inches away from your head, spray into the root area (or wherever you want to reduce grease), and wait a full two minutes. Once done, work into the hair with fingers, a brush, or your hairdryer, then revel in your full, soft, clean hair.

Is dry shampoo bad for your hair?

Too much dry shampoo can cause irritation or build-up in some hair types, so be sure to treat them as a backup to hair washing and not as a replacement (as tempting as it may be).

The 11 Best Dry Shampoos of 2022

We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Dry Shampoo Test — Byrdie / Tamara Staples

While lots of people wash their hair every day, lathering up too often could leave you with brittle locks or a dry, irritated scalp. The solution? Dry shampoo. As board-certified trichologist and licensed cosmetologist Dr. Kari Williams tells Byrdie, these sprays, mists, and powders don't actually cleanse your hair. Instead, she explains, "Dry shampoos are typically used to make the hair less oily, absorb sweat, and disguise odor." (Though there are some fragrance-free formulas, this is why they're often scented.)

Byrdie Tested & Approved

Out of all the dry shampoos we tested in The Lab, Klorane's Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk was our absolute favorite for its unbeatable oil-absorbing and volume-boosting abilities. For a more budget-friendly option, TRESemmé's Pro Pure Dry Shampoo was another favorite.

Further, Dr. Williams says, "Long-term use of dry shampoo can cause a dry, itchy scalp." Yes, this is the same potential issue that can arise with washing your hair too often in the shower. To avoid irritation and maintain a healthy level of oil, it's all about balance. For instance, some people use regular shampoo and dry shampoo on alternating days.

To help you figure out the best formula for your hair type and color, we tried more than 20 dry shampoos in The Lab, our testing facility located in Industry City, Brooklyn. Each option was rated on a scale of one to five (with one being the worst and five being the best) for its ease of use, oil-absorbing abilities, texture, volumizing power, and finish.

Scroll down for the best dry shampoos out there today.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk at Amazon

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Best Budget:

TRESemmé Pro Pure Dry Shampoo at Amazon

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Best Powder:

Billie Floof Dry Shampoo at Mybillie.com

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Best Scent:

Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo at Amazon

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Best for Blondes:

Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo for Light Tones at Amazon

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Best for Brunettes:

Dove Care Between Washes Brunette Dry Shampoo at Walmart

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Best Splurge:

Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo at Nordstrom

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Best for Dry Hair:

OGX Coconut Miracle Oil Dry Shampoo at Ulta

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Best for Natural Hair:

Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo at Amazon

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Best for Fine Hair:

Nexxus Dry Shampoo for Volume at Walgreens

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In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
How We Tested
Other Options We Tested
What To Look For
Why Trust Byrdie

4.7

Ulta

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The Klorane Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk Gave My Hair Just Enough Boost

What We Like

Award-winning formula
Excellent volume
Excellent oil absorption
Blends well

What We Don't Like

Temporary white residue

Our testers' number one pick is Klorane, hands down. Five reviewers tried it out in The Lab, and all in all, they were very pleased. This award-winning dry shampoo scored an average of 5/5 for ease of use, a 4.5/5 for oil absorption, a 4.6/5 for volume, and a 4.4/5 for invisibility. While one tester said it left a slight white residue, they also noted that it's easily brushed away and blends well.

Suitable for all hair types, this ultra-gentle, plant-based formula calls on starch and silica to tackle oil and odors while organically harvested oat milk soothes the scalp. Our testers liked that the fine powder soaked up grease from the roots but didn't leave hair feeling dry or chalky. One tester also commented that it felt as if she didn't use any dry shampoo at all.

Size: 5.4 ounces | Scent: Generic | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

What Our Testers Say

"This product made my oily patch blend in perfectly with the rest of my hair." —Samantha Aronson, Product Tester

Amazon

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What We Like

Budget-friendly
Sets on impact
No residue

What We Don’t Like

Nothing

Some of the best dry shampoos only cost a few bucks, like this option from TRESemmé. Our testers gave it 5/5 for ease of use, oil absorption, and finish. It earned 4.75/5 for texture and 4.25/5 for volume.

One tester noted that this dry shampoo doesn't leave the hair feeling wet or chalky and that it sets on impact with an invisible finish. Its formula—which contains mineral clay (bentonite clay), starch, and silica—mops up oil with ease and leaves hair looking like it was washed in the shower.

Size: 4.3 ounces | Scent: Clean | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

TRESemmÃ© Pro Pure Dry Shampoo — Byrdie /Tamara Staples

What Our Editors Say

"It may look like I washed my hair, but I can promise you I did not. This dry shampoo is just that good." —Taylor Rock, Associate Editor

4.2

Billie

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What We Like

Two shades
Excellent oil absorption
Blends well

What We Don’t Like

Small amount
Inconvenient container

If you prefer aerosol-free powders, Floof is your best bet. After being tested by three people in The Lab, it earned an average rating of 4.5/5 for oil absorption, a 4.7/5 for invisibility, and a 4/5 for ease of use, which is pretty impressive for a loose powder.

This dry shampoo—which comes in a cute, round bottle—absorbs grease with baking soda and rice starch, then works on strengthening your strands with biotin. It also comes in a light- or dark-hair option, and upon trying the brunette version, one tester noted that the brownish-clay color blends beautifully.

Size: 1.2 ounces | Scent: None | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

What Our Testers Say

"Inside this unique shaped bottle is a perfect powder for brunettes." —Samantha Aronson, Product Tester

4.1

Amazon

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What We Like

Excellent oil absorption
Volumizing
Invisible finish

What We Don't Like

Leaves hair slightly stiff
Nozzle is tricky to press

Amika's Perk Up Dry Shampoo is more than just a pretty container. This dry shampoo scored a 4.5/5 for its oil-absorbing capabilities and a 5/5 for visibility, thanks to the totally clear finish.

While our tester said the fruity-vanilla fragrance is strong, she loved it and appreciated that it dissipated throughout the day, similar to perfume. But the formula really worked, too. Our reviewer noted that it left her hair feeling clean with a little extra oomph: "It absorbed the oil quickly and my hair and scalp felt more refreshed," she said.

Size: 5.3 ounces | Scent: Fruity/vanilla | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

4.7

Amazon

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What We Like

Excellent oil absorption
Volumizing
Invisible finish

What We Don’t Like

Potentially too heavy for fine hair

For those with blonde, platinum, white, or gray hair, we suggest Moroccanoil Light Tones. It includes rice starch, which soaks up grease and product buildup, while argan oil nourishes and smooths for healthier-looking locks.

This brilliant dry shampoo earned 5/5s for absorbency, texture, and invisibility, plus a 4.5/5 for volume. Our platinum-haired tester appreciated that the powdery formula sprays purple out of the can, like an in-shower purple toning shampoo that cancels brassiness. However, just a heads up—the oil content might weigh down fine hair.

Size: 5.4 ounces | Scent: Clean/fresh | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo for Light Tones — Byrdie / Tamara Staples

What Our Editors Say

"Not to be dramatic, but my jaw dropped when I realized this formula was purple and left an actual tint on my hair. I feel icier than ever and completely oil-free, too." —Taylor Rock, Associate Editor

4.3

Walmart

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What We Like

Budget-friendly
Sets quickly
Nice texture

What We Don’t Like

Not particularly refreshing

Calling all brown-haired beauties! Dove's wallet-friendly Between Washes Brunette dry shampoo clocked a 5/5 for ease of use and an impressive 4.75/5 for invisibility. As our tester explained, it leaves a brown cast instead of a chalky white residue.

While it scored a 3.5/5 for absorption and a 3.75/5 for volume, the lightweight, no-nonsense formula sets quickly and leaves hair feeling oh-so-clean. Another tester noted that it distributed the remaining oil throughout her mane and left it feeling super soft.

Size: 5 ounces | Scent: Clean | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

dove dry shampoo in use — BYRDIE / TAMARA STAPLES

4.4

Nordstrom

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What We Like

Volumizing
Invisible finish
Smells amazing

What We Don’t Like

Expensive

Hairstylist Sophia Nawabi is a big fan of this Oribe dry shampoo. "It absorbs product buildup, oil, and impurities with translucent powders," she tells Byrdie. The brand's Gold Lust Dry Shampoo was a hit with our testers, too: It earned a 4/5 for absorbency, a 4.5/5 for volumizing power, and a 4.75/5 for invisibility.

Though it's undoubtedly pricey, it might be worth the splurge. "I loved this product," said one tester. "It looks and feels luxurious. And, most importantly, it was effective at absorbing oil and adding volume at my roots." Our testers also thought that the brand's signature Côte d'Azur scent was pretty incredible, too.

Key Ingredients: Starch, rice powder | Size: 8.7 ounces | Scent: Côte d'Azur | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

4.6

Ulta

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What We Like

Budget-friendly
Invisible finish
Surprisingly absorbent

What We Don’t Like

Potentially too heavy for fine hair

For those dealing with dry, brittle strands, we recommend OGX. After hands-on testing in The Lab by three people, the brand's Coconut Miracle Oil formula was awarded a 4.8/5 for ease of use, a 4.7/5 for feel, a 4.3/5 for volume, and a perfect 5/5 score for invisibility.

Since it contains coconut oil, it might be too heavy for folks with thin hair. However, our testers noted that it doesn't leave you with a greasy feel and does a great job refreshing second-day hair.

Size: 5 ounces | Scent: Coconut/floral | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

What Our Testers Say

"Adding an oil-based product to oily hair may seem like a disaster waiting to happen, but it is the opposite! My hair feels healthy while looking cleaner than before." —Samantha Aronson, Product Tester

4.6

Amazon

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What We Like

Sets quickly
Invisible finish
Strengthening

What We Don’t Like

Not ideal for daily use

Our tester, who has 4b curls, was a fan of how this Kristin Ess dry shampoo worked for her hair. She awarded it a 4.5/5 for ease of use and absorbency, and a 5/5 for invisibility, noting that it dried quickly and didn't leave behind a white residue. "I think it sucked up excess oil and gave my hair a bit of volume," she noted. "I can imagine using it when I have a ton of product buildup and need a refreshed look."

In addition to absorbent starch, the sleek, moody can is chock full of strengthening ingredients like keratin, wheat protein, and pea protein. Since it contains alcohol, our tester said she'd use it sparingly as not to dry out all the oils produced naturally by her scalp.

Size: 4 ounces | Scent: Fresh | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo — Byrdie / Tamara Staples

What Our Testers Say

"It sucked up excess oils and gave my coils some volume at the root." —Latifah Miles, Product Tester

4.3

Amazon

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What We Like

Budget-friendly
Invisible finish
Strengthening

What We Don’t Like

Not exceptionally absorbent

Have fine hair? Reach for Nexxus Refreshing Mist. While some dry shampoos can weigh down thin strands, this stellar formula gets to work soaking up grease and sweat, strengthening with keratin and wheat protein, and leaving you with a subtle volume boost.

Our testers gave it a 5/5 for invisibility, a 4.75/5 for ease of use, and a 4.5/5 for texture. While this dry shampoo only earned a 3.25/5 for oil absorption, one fine-haired tester said she'd use it daily. "After two coats, my hair looked as if I had freshly blow-dried it—at least from far away!"

Size: 5 ounces | Scent: Fresh | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Nexxus Dry Shampoo Refreshing Mist for Volume — Byrdie / Tamara Staples

4.6

Target

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What We Like

Budget-friendly
Dries quickly
Invisible finish

What We Don’t Like

Not ideal for daily use

If it's fullness you're after, go with Anomaly. After trying it out in The Lab, our testers gave it a 4.5/5 for volumizing power, with one noting that it leaves a crazy amount of Dolly Parton-level volume. With a 4.25/5 for absorbency, this user-friendly dry shampoo also does excellent work soaking up grease.

The all-star ingredients list includes tried-and-true absorbers like rice starch and kaolin clay, plus plumping tapioca and scalp-cleansing charcoal. It also earned a perfect 5/5-5 score for invisibility. Our testers gave it a 4.5 for texture and feel, explaining that it doesn't leave hair feeling crispy.

Size: 5 ounces | Scent: Fresh/light | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

What Our Testers Say

"My thin hair has never experienced this much volume before. It was a shock to see a product lift my hair so much while looking and feeling natural." —Samantha Aronson, Product Tester

Final Verdict

Klorane's Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk was the clear winner in our testing in The Lab. It offered superb oil absorption and excellent volume, plus it blends easily on various hair types, colors, and textures. For those on a budget, we highly recommend TRESemmé's Pro Pure Dry Shampoo, which scored 5/5s for ease of use, oil absorption, and invisibility and leaves hair feeling exceptionally clean.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Kari Williams is a board-certified trichologist, licensed cosmetologist, Black hair care expert, and the creator of Goddess Locs. She is based in Los Angeles.

How We Tested

We took our time researching dry shampoos, reading product reviews, and interviewing multiple experts, including a trichologist and a hairstylist, for recommendations and insight into formulations. Our in-house team selected more than 20 formulas and tested them in The Lab on different hair types, lengths, textures, thicknesses, and colors.

Each product was rated on a scale of one to five based on its ease of use, oil absorption, texture/feel, volume, and visibility/chalkiness. Then we compiled our insights and narrowed down our favorites.

Other Options We Tested

IGK First Class Detoxifying Charcoal Shampoo

Considering it contains charcoal, this IGK dry shampoo was unfortunately not very absorbent and left a bit of greasiness behind. Though it was easy enough to use and dries clear, our testers also noted that it's reminiscent of hairspray on account of the flowery fragrance and sticky consistency.

L'Oreal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Air Volume Dry Shampoo

This L'Oreal Paris Elvive drugstore dry shampoo gets the job done in terms of absorbing grease and sweat, and it doesn't leave behind a white residue. However, our testers said it comes out a little too fast and smells a bit perfumy. In the end, it just wasn't our favorite.

Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Dry Shampoo

Not Your Mother's Clean Freak deposits a mild white residue, which isn't ideal for non-blondes. Though it has a decent texture and a nice light scent, it wasn't the most absorbent. Overall, our testers felt this dry shampoo was nothing special.

Briogeo Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo

We appreciate the pleasant scent, clean formula, and aerosol-free container of Briogeo's dry shampoo. However, applying it was a bit messy—it tends to spray onto your hands, not your hair—and has a somewhat chalky texture. Also, while the silvery color could be OK for light and cool-toned hair, it's not ideal for brunettes.

What To Look For When Buying Dry Shampoo

Absorbent Ingredients

When shopping around for dry shampoo, you'll find options containing absorbent ingredients like starch, silica, clay, charcoal, tapioca, and baking soda. In addition to soaking up grease and sweat, they can help control odors and even offer a scalp-cleansing effect.

Color and finish

Depending on your hair color and personal preferences, you may want a clear finish, a tinted formula, or something in between. Bear in mind that many dry shampoos leave a chalky residue, and while this can work for those with blonde, platinum, silver, or otherwise light hair, the dark-haired set will want to look for a tinted or "invisible" dry shampoo to avoid a powdered-wig look.

Scent

Some dry shampoos are heavily fragranced, so if you're sensitive to strong perfumes, it might be best to opt for an unscented formula. On the flip side, if masking the odor of second- or third-day hair is your endgame, try an option with a fresh, clean scent (we won't tell if you don't).

FAQ

How does dry shampoo work?

Dry shampoos typically work by depositing oil-absorbing ingredients like silica, rice starch, charcoal, clay, or volcanic minerals into dry hair, generally at the roots. These mop up shine and excess product build-up without the need for water. The result is hair that feels cleaner, lighter, and more voluminous.
How do you apply dry shampoo?

Hold your product 10 or so inches away from your head, spray into the root area (or wherever you want to reduce grease), and wait a full two minutes. Once done, work into the hair with fingers, a brush, or your hairdryer, then revel in your full, soft, clean hair.

LEARN MORE: If You Aren't Using Dry Shampoo Like This, Are You Really Using It?
Is dry shampoo bad for your hair?

Too much dry shampoo can cause irritation or build-up in some hair types, so be sure to treat them as a backup to hair washing and not as a replacement (as tempting as it may be).

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Theresa Holland is a freelance copywriter specializing in cosmetics. With insight from a board-certified trichologist and a hairstylist in mind, she compiled testing insights from The Lab, combed through product specs, checked ingredients lists, referenced several peer-reviewed studies, and rounded up our favorites. From the above, she is a fan of Klorane, Oribe, Dove, and Amika. Theresa covers haircare, skincare, makeup, and fitness products at Byrdie.

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