We Tested 24 Dry Shampoos — Here Are the Top 9 We Think You’ll Love

Many dry shampoos come in an aerosol can, but this can be off-putting for those who want an environmentally-friendly formula that’s easy to use.

K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo is a non-aerosol formula that sprays on wet and dries into an absorbent powder. Its unique formulation makes for an effective dry shampoo, which is why we nominated it the best non-aerosol dry shampoo out there.

You can expect a faint floral scent when using this product. But it doesn’t linger throughout the day and is rather inoffensive, so no worries about it causing headaches or overpowering your perfume.

Everyday Health editor Nicole Bonaccorso found this product’s performance impressive. “This does well to soak up oil. I noticed that my hair looked and felt cleaner,” she says.

Bonaccorso does warn it dries into a powder on the scalp. She found her hair appeared a bit “powdery,” and she got some powder residue on her fingertips. A quick brush through should help ease this issue.

Pro tip: Spray as close to the roots as possible to avoid drying out your tresses.

Dry shampoos can have harsh ingredients, making those who prioritize gentle and natural formulas hard-pressed to find a good fit.

Even worse, folks who have sensitive skin may feel they’re doomed to the cycle of having to wash their hair anytime it gets the slightest bit oily, thus drying out their scalp or using a dry shampoo that only irritates their skin further.

A formula free of these pollutants is key. Non-aerosol, gently scented, and vegan, this dry shampoo offers a hefty dose of powder to the scalp, making it ideal for those with fine hair.

I personally tested this formula. I am a Black woman with 3C curls, so I am never seeking products that promise volume or texture.

While I wasn’t the ideal candidate for this dry shampoo, I must admit it works very well. The application involves squeezing the bottle, which puffs out a large pouf of powder. Then, after waiting two minutes to soak in, you brush it through your hair.

I noticed my scalp was instantly refreshed. However, it did add a big boost of volume and texture, which often leaves my curly hair tangled. This information let me know it was a great fit for those with fine hair.

There is a bit of a learning curve with the application — be sure to hold the bottle about 10 inches away from your scalp for an even distribution of the powder.

We’re all about dry shampoos that focus on unique ingredients and deviate from the standard aerosol can, as they’re often gentler on the scalp and the environment.

That said, we are also all about dry shampoos that actually work. After all, what’s the use of an environmentally-sound product if it doesn’t work and will end up in the trash?

Everyday Health writer Ashley Ziegler was already familiar with this product long before we asked her to test it out. “I’ve been using this product regularly for the last couple years,” she says. She loves the scent. While those with scent sensitivities may appreciate that it doesn’t linger, she wishes it did because she thinks it smells that good.

But what has kept her coming back all these years is simple. It just works. “I think my hair looks great when I use this,” she explains. It also adds a bit of volume, refreshing her hair enough to go a bit longer between washes.

If you struggle to blend it in, consider trying out the brush designed to work with this product. Don’t get discouraged if it takes a few tries to get the hang of using the bottle. It’s a bit different since it’s a pump, but it is super easy once you get used to it.

Since dry shampoos are often sold at drugstores and big-box chains, it’s easy to assume there are no luxury options out there.

If you’re someone who loves an elevated experience, fret not. The Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo works well, is easy to apply, and is suitable for all hair types. Oribe is known for making high-end products with gentle yet effective ingredients, so we’re not surprised its dry shampoo is a hit.

Ziegler tried this product on her fine, straight hair. The first thing she noticed was its efficacy. “This is a really effective dry shampoo. It’s probably the best performing of all the products I tried,” she says.

It drastically altered the appearance of her hair. “It looked very clean,” she adds. This dry shampoo doesn’t add much texture or volume. For folks with curly textured hair like mine, that is fantastic news, but others may be looking for a lift with their dry shampoo, so it’s worth noting.

Heads-up: The scent is heavy and does linger. It wasn’t Ziegler’s favorite, though we found in our research that others enjoy it. Sensitive noses, beware.

Due to my long, thick, and curly hair, I am especially discriminating with dry shampoos. I’ve been burned too many times.

From product spraying on white, leaving me frantically massaging my roots to disperse the residue since brushing makes my hair frizzy, to tangled knots of hair multiplying thanks to formulas promising lots of texture and volume, I’ve been through the ringer.

When I sprayed Moroccanoil’s dry shampoo for dark tones, I was instantly pleased. The product was dispersed in a fine translucent mist. No texture or notable volume was added as a result. No white blotches on my roots, no tangles forming anywhere. For these reasons, and plenty more, we are excited to name this the best dry shampoo for curly hair.

I immediately noticed the dry shampoo’s gentle, spa-like scent was pleasant but not overpowering. I also appreciated that it was truly translucent on my roots.

Our only gripe with this product is its price tag: $30 for a 5.4-ounce bottle is a bit steep, especially if you plan on using it daily.

Dry shampoo can feel like dating. Between the search for trustworthy ingredients, a formula that enhances your hair, and something that actually works, it might feel like your options are slim or you end up with total duds.

Primally Pure is here to change that. This small but mighty formula may only come in a 1-ounce bottle (though you can get a 2-ounce bottle if you’re feeling wild), but it’s sure to sweep you off your feet. At least it totally wooed Everyday Health writer Raki Swanson.

Its emphasis on natural ingredients like arrowroot powder and kaolin clay, plus essential oils to make it smell fresh but not overpowering, are why we have dubbed this product the best natural formula dry shampoo out there.

Before we dig into Swanson’s experience, let us explain why her seal of approval feels significant. She has color-treated, thick curly hair that is gray, so her hair follicles are hollow. “This was my last shot at finding a good powder dry shampoo,” she says.

She shared that other dry shampoos she tried left her hair feeling cakey, sticky, and even white. Yet, this one left her hair feeling clean. Plus, there was no residue left behind, making this a truly translucent option.

“The scent lasts enough where you feel and smell clean on your head,” she says, singing many praises for the scent’s notes of grapefruit, lavender, and peppermint. She couldn’t say enough positive things about how clean and soft her hair felt.

“Most magical, best powder out there, absolutely perfection,” Swanson concludes.

Psst — she tried out the formula for Light Locks, but you can get the version for Dark Locks here.

What if you could team up with a lab to create a unique formula specifically tailored to your hair needs, resulting in a dry shampoo that addresses your hair the way you need?

With Prose, you now can. Prose is a company that creates custom-formulated products for your hair, face, and body. Turning away from mass-produced products that can leave plenty to be desired, Prose offers a unique option that meets all of your needs.

We especially love this for those who have unique needs, like psoriasis or dermatitis. There’s nothing else like the Prose Custom Dry Shampoo, which is why we’ve awarded it the best custom formula.

Getting started with Prose is a different experience from the beginning. Rather than heading over to your favorite online retailer and purchasing your dry shampoo of choice, you fill out a questionnaire. This questionnaire is designed to analyze over 80 factors, including your diet, location, and hair type, to create the best dry shampoo for you.

Then, your dry shampoo is sent your way. If Prose doesn’t quite knock it out of the park on the first try, you can get a refund. You also always have the option of giving feedback to help the Prose team fine-tune your formula.

“My hair did feel light and soft and not greasy. I liked how it made my hair look and feel,” says Andrew Swanson, who tested this product for Everyday Health. This was his first experience with dry shampoo, and he was generally pleased.

Swanson did find there was a learning curve with the pump applicator. He did have to apply twice on extra-long days. “This product does work. It removed grease and oil from my hair,” he shares, saying he was satisfied with his experience.

The viral Amika Perk Up Talc-Free Dry Shampoo has been making its rounds on the internet for a good reason: It simply works.

It can be rare to find a truly invisible formula. You’ll notice that even some of our most beloved formulas on this list are not invisible when applied. This can be problematic because non-invisible formulas can require some extra brushing and styling to have the product blend in.

If you have thick or curly hair, this can end up being a taxing process that’s just as inconvenient as washing your hair.

But Amika’s dry shampoo was so translucent, Bonaccorso ended up using more than needed because she was expecting to see a white residue left behind. Instead, it mopped up oil, left a lustrous sheen, and was easy to use.

Instead, Amika uses natural rice starch, and in some of its dry shampoo products, Amika uses arrowroot starch, tapioca starch, and bamboo stem extract. And there’s three versions available: Original; Ultra, which lends extra oil control; and Plus, which is intended to last longer.

“I tried the original. This [product] doesn’t leave any residue at all. This comes out pretty much translucent,” Bonaccorso says. The scent is very strong, and she referred to it as resembling perfume.

She also noticed the price tag and amount of product. “It’s kind of on the expensive side,” she admits, referring to the 5.3-ounce bottle. “But, it’s a big bottle. I would still buy it!” It’s worth noting that a 9.5-ounce bottle is available as well as a travel size at 1.8 ounces.

Whether you’re in a pinch or just want something simple and affordable, a good drugstore buy is always a win.

We think of a drugstore buy as affordable and easily accessed at pharmacies and big-box stores alike. Monday Haircare Original Dry Shampoo may seem like an upscale buy, thanks to its chic packaging and luxe gardenia scent, but it’s an inexpensive purchase at under $10. We love its price point, accessibility, and quality, winning our vote of best drugstore buy.

The first thing Swanson noticed was that this product is clear. “I did a test on my hand to see what it looks like without hair … It goes on clear,” she says. She also loved the shampoo’s gardenia scent. “The smell of gardenia is very pleasant, and I truly enjoyed it,” Swanson says.

The scent is gentle, though. “It lasted about an hour in my hair after I used it, but then it went away,” she says. “I kind of wish it lasted longer.”

There was no need to reapply, and she was more than satisfied with the product and even more pleased at its price point. She did notice that this product doesn’t add a lot of volume, but that may be a benefit for those who already have voluminous locks.