best dry shampoo.1721968651
The Best Dry Shampoo
If you’re trying to avoid over-washing (which can cause hair color to fade), a good dry shampoo is an absolute must. The best ones are non-toxic and have a fresh scent that won’t weigh your hair down.
This natural, vegan dry shampoo is free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates. It’s also Leaping Bunny and PETA certified.
1. It Refreshes Scalp and Hair
Around a decade ago, dry shampoo revolutionized the haircare industry, offering a quick and easy way to keep your hair looking fresh in between washes. However, the average product is filled with a ton of ingredients that may irritate your scalp and cause long-term issues. Luckily, the best dry shampoos are free of harmful chemicals and instead contain natural ingredients that refresh the scalp and add volume.
This popular pick from Batiste contains super finely milled rice and cassava powders, which instantly soak up oil at the roots. It also uses a plant-based, odor-eliminating ingredient called persimmon to help keep your hair smelling fresh. What’s more, unlike most dry shampoo powders, this one comes with a spray nozzle that allows you to control where you apply the product.
The formula for this dry shampoo has been specifically crafted to work on all hair textures, including thicker, textured hair. It contains charcoal, which helps lift dirt and absorb excess sebum, as well as white tea seed extract, which acts as a natural deodorizer. It’s free of sulfates and parabens and is safe to use on color-treated hair, too.
This dry shampoo is perfect for those who have a sensitive scalp and want to minimize the amount of time they go between washes. It doesn’t have any harsh ingredients, and it contains a plant-based hydrating ingredient called larch arabinoides, which works to moisturize your hair and scalp. It also has a soft, delicate scent that won’t irritate your skin.
2. It Adds Volume and Texture
A good dry shampoo should help extend a blowout or refresh your hair when you’re not feeling up to washing (just make sure you follow the instructions). But it can also add some serious volume and texture to fine, thin strands. The best picks are lightweight, leave no residue, and have a light fragrance. Plus, they’re free best dry shampoo of ingredients like talc, fragrance, dyes, parabens and phthalates that can wreak havoc on your hair.
Typically, dry shampoos work by depositing oil-absorbing ingredients like silica, rice starch, charcoal, clay or volcanic minerals into dry hair, which absorb shine and product build-up without adding water. This helps create a more natural and voluminous look while absorbing any excess oils that can cause a dull, lifeless scalp.
If you have textured hair, a dry shampoo formulated for your specific texture is a must. This one, for example, is infused with shea butter and arrowroot powder to moisturize and provide a boost of volume while reducing buildup and odor.
This dry shampoo is a great option for those who want the ease of an aerosol can but don’t mind skipping the chemicals. It’s formulated with shea butter to help protect and nourish your locks, and it has a light, airy scent that includes notes of citrus, orange blossom, and vanilla. This spray-on dry shampoo is the only one on our list that doesn’t contain benzyl benzoate, which can damage the scalp and eyes and can trigger allergies. Instead, it uses a nontoxic preservative to keep the formula fresh.
3. It’s Non-Toxic
Whether you’re short on time, don’t want to wash your hair daily, or have color-treated locks, dry shampoo is your friend. But many brands contain chemicals that can harm your health and wreak havoc on the planet. Some, like benzene, are known carcinogens that can cause cancer over prolonged exposure, while others clog pores and may trigger scalp irritation. The best dry shampoo is non-toxic, and we’ve compiled safe, clean options to help you keep your hair fresh without damaging your scalp or the environment.
Our favorite benzene-free dry shampoo is Billie’s “Floof.” It uses rice starch to absorb oil and a little baking soda to zap grease, making it ideal for those with normal to oily strands. Plus, the slim nozzle allows you to get an even, thorough application every time. And, if you’re sensitive to fragrances, Billie offers unscented formulas too.
Another good choice is Briogeo’s Scalp Revival Dry Shampoo, which detoxifies both scalp and hair with kaolin clay, witch hazel, and rice starch. And, unlike other benzene-free dry shampoos, this one doesn’t leave behind a powdery residue or have a heavy scent. Plus, it has an anti-fade complex to protect your color between washes. It’s also available in different shades to match your natural hair color, and it comes with a reusable pouch for convenient travel.
4. It’s Effective
The best dry shampoos soak up excess oil and product build-up without getting your hair wet, so they can be a lifesaver when you’re between wash days or need a quick refresh post-workout. They usually work by depositing a blend of oil-absorbing ingredients (like silica, charcoal, rice starch, or clay) into the scalp and hair to absorb shine and reduce grease. The formulas come in sprays or powders, and you can choose the option that works best for your hair type and lifestyle.
Good Housekeeping Beauty Director April Franzino is a big fan of Klorane’s non-toxic formula, which is made with oat milk to refresh and deodorize the scalp while also adding volume. She says it smells nice but doesn’t leave behind a dusty white residue, moroccan oil hair mask and the spray applicator makes it easy to get just the right amount on your scalp and roots.
Another great option is this powder dry shampoo from Briogeo, which has a sleek black-and-white design and comes in a slim spritz bottle that’s ideal for travel. It dispenses a fine, powdery substance that’s infused with mineral clay to soak up oil and zap grease while also strengthening strands with biotin. It’s available in light and dark shades to match most hair colors, and one tester said it has a pleasant, clean scent that doesn’t have the chemical-smelling vibe of some other products.