13 Best Dry Shampoos of 2023

Whether it’s not having enough time or risking the health of our hair, daily washing is a luxury many of us can’t afford. Thankfully, dry shampoo exists. The best dry shampoos not only do the dirty work of absorbing oils, but many boast ingredients that add volume and a fresh scent to emulate that freshly washed look and feel. 

While most people reach for dry shampoos between washes, don’t forget that if you get the right formula, you can also use dry shampoo to add some oomph to hair that’s normally fine or limp. And In case you missed it, dry conditioners are also a thing. Here are the best dry shampoos to help you last longer between washes.

Best dry shampoos overview:

• Best overall: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
• Best budget: Dove Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo
• Best drugstore: Batiste Original Dry Shampoo
• Best splurge: Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo
• Best for curly hair: Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo
• Best for oily hair: Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo
• Best for dry hair: OGX Extra Strength Refresh + Restore Coconut Miracle Oil Dry Shampoo
• Best for all hair types: Big Sexy Hair Dry Shampoo 
• Best value: Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo
• Best mist: R+Co Spiritualized Dry Shampoo Mist 
• Best scent: Not Your Mothers Clean Freak Tapioca Dry Shampoo 
• Best powder: Billie Floof Dry Shampoo 
• Best volumizing: Eva NYC Freshen Up Invisible Dry Shampoo

How we chose the best dry shampoos

To compile this list, we researched manufacturer specifications, including ingredients, formulas, and more, to create a short list of the top dry shampoos. Then, we combed through detailed product descriptions, ratings, and reviews to find the best dry shampoos for each category.

Our picks for the best dry shampoos

Designed to mimic the effects of washing your hair with shampoo and water, Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo expertly absorbs oil, sweat, and odor for a freshly washed feel. Formulated with fast-absorbing starch and a microporous mineral blend that sucks up excess sweat and oil like a boss, this dry shampoo gives soap and water a good run for their money. 

Plus, Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo leaves your hair with a light citrus scent that’s time-released for freshness that lasts all day. This dry shampoo is our top overall pick because it adds volume, is suitable for all hair types (including color-treated hair) and doesn’t leave behind a sticky or chalky finish.

Scent: Light citrus | Residue: No | Size: 9.9 oz

As you’d expect, Dove’s Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo cleans your second or third-day hair by absorbing excess oil. However, this one does it without obliterating your budget, so it hits our list as the best dry shampoo for those keeping a keen eye on their debits.

Created specifically for fine hair that’s prone to oiliness, this lightweight formula soaks up oil between washes, nourishes your hair with each spray, and restores your hair’s bounce and volume back to day-one status.  

Scent: Fresh | Residue: Yes | Size: 5 oz

With a burst of orange, bergamot, rose, and lavender (the color of the year), Batiste’s Original Dry Shampoo effortlessly tackles second and third-day hair oils, restoring your crown to its day one glory. And you don’t have to take our word for it; this dry shampoo has thousands of five-star reviews to back up its claims. 

While some reviewers said the scent was fresh and appealing, others said it was overpowering. But that shouldn’t be a problem because Batiste offers a comprehensive selection of dry shampoos (23 in all), including Pink Pineapple and Exotic coconut. If that weren’t plenty, you can also choose the color option that works with your hair — Brilliant Blonde or Beautiful Brunette.

Scent: Assorted | Residue: Yes | Size: 50 ml

Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo is a worthy contender if your budget can handle a splurge. Translucent powders power this dry shampoo to absorb oils, product buildup, and other impurities. 

Oribe’s Gold Lust Dry Shampoo is also formulated with fragrance-retention technology, so the light, fresh scent stays with you all day and doesn’t add texture or weight — it just nourishes your hair, leaving it bouncy and soft. This dry shampoo has hundreds of five-star reviews, and while many said there was no white cast, some reported a heavy feel and wet effect.

Scent: Light | Residue: Yes | Size: 6 oz

Jumping on a new trend in dry shampoos, Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo is available in two formulations — one for dark hair tones and one for light tones. Beyond its color specificity, this dry shampoo contains ultra-fine, oil-absorbing rice starch that effectively removes buildup and odor, leaving your hair clean and first-day fresh.

This dry shampoo is argan oil-infused and UV-protecting. It also has a light, fresh scent and doesn’t leave behind a heavy residue white cast.

Scent: Fresh | Residue: No | Size: 5.4 oz

Drybar’s Detox should probably be on your list if your hair tends to get oily. This dry shampoo employs micro-fine rice powders to absorb oil and lift your hair from the roots. Golden root extract also boosts moisture and prevents damage and breakage. 
Digging through reviews, we found that some folks loved the scent while others found it overpowering. The good news is that Drybar has a few delicious scents to choose from, including Coconut Colada, Pineapple Mimosa, and Vanilla Bourbon.

Scent: Coconut Colada, Pineapple Mimosa, Vanilla Bourbon, and more | Residue: Yes | Size: 1.40 oz

Dry hair and dry shampoos are usually not a good combo, but OGX’s Extra Strength Refresh & Restore + Coconut Miracle Oil Dry Shampoo changes that. This dry shampoo is infused with coconut oil, essence of tiare, and vanilla bean extract.

Altogether, these ingredients add up to one of the best dry shampoos to absorb oils and revive your hair with bouncy volume and incredible texture. For a few added bonuses, OGX’s Extra Strength Refresh & Restore + Coconut Miracle doesn’t leave a white cast, and it smells divine.

Scent: Coconut | Residue: Yes | Size: 5 oz

Another OG brand, Big Sexy Hair has been around for about 25 years, so it knows a thing or two about hair care. 

And, of course, one of the many offerings in its line is a dry shampoo that remains a fan favorite. This dry shampoo is suitable for all hair types and is residue-free. It removes hair oils and leaves behind volume, body, and a fresh citrus scent.

Scent: Citrus | Residue: No | Size: 3.4 oz

​​The Redken brand is an oldie but goody, and it’s kept pace with the latest and greatest to include dry shampoo. With key ingredients like rice and tapioca starch, this dry shampoo fights oily roots with enough power to refresh even fourth-day hair. And for those who like to feel their beauty products at work, Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo cleans with a fresh, cooling sensation. 

While a few reviews said it left a white case, there were plenty more indicating it didn’t leave a chalky feel. We also found that some reviewers felt that the fragrance was light and fresh, while others said it was strong and overwhelming.

Scent: Strong | Residue: No | Size: 3.2 oz

For those who’d rather steer clear of aerosols and dry shampoo powders, R+Co Spiritualized Mist is a novel approach to dry shampoo that’s not to be missed. This micellar formula is infused with glycerin, castor oil, and silica, and the result is a fine silky mist that absorbs oil, strengthens hair, and infuses moisture. 

With notes of bergamot, lotus flower, and tonka beans, you can expect a light, fresh scent. And according to the reviews, R+Co Spiritualized Mist won’t leave your hair stiff or gritty.

Scent: Light, refreshing | Residue: No | Size: 1.7 fl oz

Formulated with tapioca, barley, and rice starches, Not Your Mothers Clean Freak Tapioca Dry Shampoo expertly absorbs oil, leaving your hair soft and fresh as a day-one wash. 

This dry shampoo is lightweight, it doesn’t leave behind a white cast or residue, but users should expect a sweet, warm sugar scent. While this scent typically has a broad appeal, some noted it’s a bit too much. 

Scent: Warm sugar | Residue: No | Size: 7 oz

If aerosols aren’t your bag for dry shampoo, you might try Billie’s Floof Dry Shampoo powder. Infused with biotin to plump and smooth hair strands, rice starch to soak up oil, and baking soda to clean your scalp, this aerosol alternative is certainly worthy of a closer look. 

If you’re thinking that shaking a powder onto your hair would likely be disastrous, it looks like a mixed bag in the reviews. While plenty have shouted their love for Billie’s Floof from the rooftops, some have indicated that the delivery system needs to go back to R & D. This dry shampoo doesn’t leave a white cast or residue, and users can choose between powders for light and dark hair.

Scent: Unscented | Residue: No | Size: 1.2 oz

Everyone wants voluminous hair (even on day three), and Eva NYC delivers with its Freshen Up Invisible Dry Shampoo. Suitable for all hair types (even keratin, Brazilian, and color-treated hair), this invisible formula leans on argan oil and plant proteins to absorb oils and odor and hydrate your hair. 

Under the cap, users will find a pleasant fragrance with top notes of freesia and plum, middle notes of white flowers like jasmine and gardenia, and woody dry down courtesy of bourbon vanilla and white musk. Eva NYC’s Freshen Up Invisible Dry Shampoo doesn’t leave a white cast but does leave hair with high volume.

Scent: Signature Eva NYC (freesia, white flowers, woody) | Residue: No | Size: 5.3 oz

Have day one hair on day three

Dry shampoos are an excellent option for those who don’t have the time to wash their hair every day or are looking to keep the damage from daily washing in check. Often powered by oil-absorbing ingredients like silica and rice starches, these hair care products can restore the bounce and shine of a day-one wash. 

To get started, you might try our pick as the best dry shampoo overall, Living Proof’s Perfect hair Day. This dry shampoo beautifully absorbs oil and odor and leaves behind a light citrus scent. It doesn’t leave any sticky residue or white cast, and it adds volume, so you can easily fake a freshly washed look. 

How to pick the right dry shampoos for you

When shopping for dry shampoos, the two biggest factors in your decision should be the ingredients and the formula. We’re talking about dry shampoo here, so oil-absorbing ingredients are key, but the formula and delivery system are matters of personal preference. 

Ingredients

Silica

Often used as an anti-caking agent, silica keeps your favorite dry shampoo spraying as it should. In powder formulas, it prevents clumping. Silica also has oil-absorbing properties, and while more research is needed, there’s evidence to suggest that it can help strengthen and repair damaged hair. 

Clay

Clay is a well-known absorbent, and it’s that very property that makes it such a desirable ingredient in dry shampoos. While kaolin and bentonite clays are excellent oil absorbers, bentonite clay might have a slight edge because it can add a little lift to flat roots. 

Charcoal

Like silica and clay, charcoal is also well-known for its absorbency. When used in dry shampoo, charcoal does the heavy lifting to absorb excess oil and other impurities from your hair and scalp. 

Baking soda

Baking soda is a pantry staple that has as many applications in your home as it does in your beauty routine. Commonly used as a leavening agent in baked goods, this humble powder absorbs oils and odor like a rockstar. Beyond its absorbent properties, baking soda is also known for its gentle yet effective scouring ability, loosely translating to a cleaner scalp free of buildup. 

Formula

Aerosol

Aerosols are by far the most popular formulation for dry shampoos. Using them is as easy as holding the can 8-10 inches away from your hair and spraying the dry shampoo onto your roots. After that, massage the product thoroughly with your fingertips, brush through, and style your hair as usual. This delivery method is often the easiest as well. 

Gel

As you might expect, gels can be a bit heavier than aerosols, so it’s probably best to start with just a little and add more as needed. If you go big too soon, you might end up with wet hair and more than you bargained for. 

Foam

While foams are lighter than gels, they’re also wet to begin with (like gels), so starting with a light touch is key. You can always add more if needed but can’t take it away. 

Powder

Taking the term dry shampoo to a whole new level, powders may be the new kids on the block, but they’re proving to be pretty popular. While some users love the concept of just shake and go, others are underwhelmed (and maybe even a little annoyed) with the application process. 

Shaking a powder onto the top of your head is easy enough, but getting coverage on the sides may be an issue — often enough to be a deal-breaker for some.   

Mist

Like powders, dry shampoo mists are also relatively new. As you might suspect, mists are ultralight and a seductive option for dry shampoo delivery. Mists fall somewhere between an aerosol and powder, so if you regularly use dry shampoos, there might be a bit of a learning curve.

Alternative dry shampoo products

If the dry shampoos outlined above don’t exactly cut the mustard for you, here are a few more worthwhile options.

• Vegamour GRO Dry Shampoo
• Verb Dry Shampoo Light 
• Ouai Super Dry Shampoo
• IGK First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo

FAQ

Is it healthy to use dry shampoo? 

Dry shampoos are generally safe to use. Just keep in mind that using them too often can lead to more buildup and itching. So while they’re good in a pinch, they’re not a permanent replacement for standard shampoo and water — you should still be washing your hair, too.

What’s better than dry shampoo?

If you’re concerned about the ingredients or irritants in dry shampoos, you could use baby powder or cornstarch. Remember, though: These products can only address oily hair and scalps; they make no promises regarding white casts and residue. 

Which dry shampoo is the least damaging?

According to our research, Drybar’s Detox Dry Shampoo is likely the least damaging. This dry shampoo uses micro-fine rice powders to absorb oil and golden root extract to boost moisture, protect your hair, and prevent damage and breakage.