The 15 Best Powder Dry Shampoos That You Must Try In 2023
Refresh your dull hair and get rid of the greasy scalp with these innovate formulas
Yvey ValcinHairstylist
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Yvey Valcin is a celebrated master stylist based in Seattle, WA, and was one of the highest rated stylists at the flagship Gene Juarez salon in Seattle. He is known for his superior cutting technique and has styled for top editorial and fas... more
Shiboli Chakraborti Certified Skin Care Coach
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Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce edito... more
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It is not always possible to wash your hair with water. But if it’s a chilly day or if you are getting late at work, how do you keep your hair fresh? Well, you can try the best powder dry shampoo to keep your hair strands refreshed and maintain clean hair and a healthy scalp. These shampoos effectively keep your oily roots clean and prevent fungal infections. You can also bring back life to dull-looking hair with these powder formulas.
The dry shampoos are extremely helpful on any lazy day. You can leave your hair without washing it for up to two days as the dry shampoo can take care of oily, sweaty, or dirty scalp. Dry shampoos made with toxin-free ingredients are really a boon for modern women. So, we have carefully made a list of the 15 best dry shampoos that will get you ready in just minutes! Keep scrolling!
In This Article
15 Best Powder Dry Shampoos
Best Long-Lasting:Handmade Heroes Drop Dead Gorgeous Dry Shampoo
Image: Handmade Heroes This dry shampoo from the Handmade Heroes removes excess oil, balances sebum production, and keeps your hair fresh and volumized. It rejuvenates your hair by absorbing oil, sweat, and dirt, while increasing the time between washes. It is infused with geranium oil that helps elevate your emotional wellness, reduces fatigue, and uplifts your senses. The lavender oil in the formula keeps your hair smelling fresh, and the rice powder absorbs excess oil and eliminates hair odor. This dry shampoo also contains activated coconut charcoal that refreshes every strand. It deodorizes your hair and adds volume.
Key Ingredients: Geranium oil, Lavender oil, Rice powder, and Activated coconut charcoal
Pros- Long-lasting effects
- Pleasant scent
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Preservative-free
- Synthetic fragrance-free
Cons
- Leaves a powdery residue
Pro Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has received 4,430 reviews on Amazon and is a popular choice among shoppers.
Best Color-Safe:Klorane Laboratories Dry Shampoo
Image: Klorane The Klorane Laboratories Dry Shampoo has an ultra-gentle formula that adds volume to your hair. It is enriched with active ingredients like organically harvested oat milk to soothe your scalp, corn, and rice starch for deep cleansing, and natural absorbent microspheres and silica to eliminate the excess oil and dirt. This dermatologist-tested instant dry shampoo helps mattify oily hair effortlessly. The fine powder does not leave any white residue and extends the life of your hairstyle and color. This environmentally-friendly and aerosol-free dry shampoo is suitable for all hair types. Here is an informative video about a tester’s experience.
Key Ingredients: Rice starch, Kaolin clay, Oat kernel flour, and Aluminum starch
Pros- Nice fragrance
- Safe for colored and chemically treated hair
- Vegan
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
- Triclosan-free
- Preservative-free
- Dermatologically tested
Cons
- May cause itching
Quick TipBest Travel-Friendly:Beauty By Earth Dry Shampoo & Volume Powder
Image: Beauty By Earth The Dry Shampoo & Volume Powder from Beauty By Earth is an excellent option for those who want to take a break from their regular shampoo routine and effortlessly tame frizzy hair. It quickly clears away all the grease, dirt, and oil without water. It refreshes your hair from the roots to the tips in seconds, eliminates odor and adds extra volume even on days when your hair looks flat.
This dry shampoo is packed with a powerful combination of active ingredients like kaolin clay and organic arrowroot. Kaolin clay absorbs excess oil and corn starch soothes irritation in the scalp. The antioxidant-rich lavender and baking soda infused in the product removes dirt from the scalp surface. The best part is that you can use this shampoo on the go, whenever you want.
Key Ingredients: Corn starch, Arrowroot powder, Kaolin clay, and Lavender oil
Pros- Blends well
- Vegan
- Organic
- Travel-friendly
- USDA certified
- Non-GMO
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Sulfate-free
- Artificial dye-free
- Artificial fragrance-free
Cons
- Leaves a powdery residue
Handmade Heroes Drop Dead Gorgeous Dry Shampoo Best Long-Lasting | Klorane Laboratories Dry Shampoo Best Color-Safe | Beauty By Earth Dry Shampoo & Volume Powder Best Travel-Friendly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Type | All | All | Oily |
| Dimensions | 1.97 x 1.97 x 3.94 inches | 1.97 x 1.97 x 4.25 inches | - |
| Weight | 2.36 Ounces | 1.76 Ounces | 2.5 Ounces |
| Package Dimensions6.54 x 1.61 x 1.54 inches | - | - | |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 4,430 | 1,825 | 1,114 |
| Price | $12.99 | $40 | $14.99 |
Best Vegan:Acure Dry Shampoo
Image: Acure The Acure Dry Shampoo has a natural formula designed to suit all hair types. It contains a refreshing blend of rosemary and peppermint that absorbs excess oil and removes dirt and impurities. It also improves the texture of your hair, while adding fullness and body to thin and flat hair. This cruelty-free dry shampoo will leave your hair cleansed and volumized. For more information about the product and to know the reviewer’s experience, check out this video.
Key Ingredients: Rosemary and Peppermint
Pros- Pleasant fragrance
- Does not leave residue
- 100% vegan
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Petroleum-free
- Formaldehyde-free
Cons
- Hard to blend
Pro TipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
There are more than 4,330 Amazon reviews attesting to the quality of the product and endorsing its value.
Best Fragrance:R+Co Skyline Dry Shampoo
The R+Co Skyline Dry Shampoo Powder provides much-needed freshness to unwashed hair. It dramatically refreshes your hair while adding grip and elevation to the strands. The lab-tested formula contains jojoba seed oil that conditions your hair and adds shine without causing oiliness. It also balances the sebum levels and maintains scalp health.
This dry shampoo also contains diatomaceous earth, a mineral compound that absorbs dirt, oil, and impurities. This professional-grade product gives a subtle texture to your strands and leaves the hair feeling fresh and clean. The burdock root extract in the shampoo helps eliminate flakiness, and its antioxidant properties also promote scalp health. This non-aerosol dry powder shampoo is infused with a wonderful fragrance consisting of notes of bergamot, lotus flower, wild fig, cyclamen, tonka beans, and cedarwood. The product has accumulated multiple reviews on Amazon, which further testify to its quality.
Key Ingredients: Diatomaceous earth, Jojoba seed oil, and Burdock root extract
Pros
- Light, clean fragrance
- Vegan
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Gluten-free
- Petrolatum-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Leaves a residue
Best Sulfate-Free: Best Organic:Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal+Biotin Dry Shampoo
Image: Briogeo If oily scalp and messy hair are bothering you, try the Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal+Biotin Dry Shampoo. The nourishing formula is enriched with clay and tapioca that absorb excess oil and alleviate impurities from your scalp and hair. It also contains binchotan charcoal that efficiently removes toxins, dirt, buildup, and bacteria from the scalp while making it healthy and refreshed. YouTuber Svetlana Kobaliya, a skin care and hair care aficionado, states, “This product helps your scalp, makes your hair look good at the same time, and makes it smell amazing.”
This dry shampoo is also infused with biotin that boosts hair volume and adds thickness to your hair. The witch hazel in the formula controls sebum production to keep the scalp oil-free. The shampoo comes in a travel-friendly bottle, and you can easily use it while on the go. Check this video to learn more about the product and for a detailed review.
Key Ingredients: Rice starch, Corn starch, Kaolin clay, Tapioca root starch, and Witch hazel
Pros- Color-safe
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Gluten-free
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Artificial dye-free
Cons
None
Best Easy To Apply:Aveda Shampowder Dry Shampoo
Image: Aveda The Aveda Shampowder Dry Shampoo is a 99% naturally derived powder that keeps your hair and scalp free of unwanted residues. A hair care aficionado, Rachel, says in a review on Health Hair Salon & Spa, “It’s a lot different than an aerosol. I really like how it gives it that refresh and it smells delicious. It gave my hair some more body” It is packed with montmorillonite clay that absorbs the excess oil and sebum from your scalp and hair, and tapioca starch which adds volume to your tresses and sets them in place. It neutralizes unpleasant odors and rejuvenates the senses. This easy-to-apply powder dry shampoo enhances the overall appearance of your hair.
Key Ingredients: Montmorillonite clay, Tapioca starch, and Silica
Pros- Plant-derived ingredients
- Talc-free
- Value for money
- Pleasant fragrance
Cons
- Might leave your hair feeling sticky
Best For All Hair Types:Act+Acre Plant-Based Dry Shampoo
Image: Act + Acre The Act+Acre Plant-Based Dry Shampoo has a potent formula that absorbs odor and oil, eliminates all the impurities, boosts hair volume, and improves the texture of your hair. It does not clog the hair follicles or cause scalp irritation. It refreshes your hair and detoxifies your scalp while nourishing it with 65+ minerals. The quick-absorbing formula is enriched with rice powder that absorbs oil and odor and fulvic acid that unclogs the hair follicles and promotes healthy hair growth. It is best suitable for darker hair colors like brown or black. Check out the product on Amazon for unbiased reviews from countless customers and make an informed decision.
Key Ingredients: Rice powder and Fulvic acid
Pros- Vegan
- Works on all hair types
- Clinically tested
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Phthalate-free
- Talc-free
- Alcohol-free
- Cruelty-free
- Synthetic fragrance-free
Cons
- Not adequate quantity
Best Non-Sticky:Verb Dry Shampoo
Image: Verb The Verb Dry Shampoo has a powder-based formula that removes excess oil and refreshes your scalp. Darlene Carr, a hair care and makeup-related video creator, exclaims, “ It smells so good. It really just dries up the oil and it is small enough to throw it in your purse. It absorbs a lot of oil so that my strands aren’t really sticking together” It boosts hair volume and prevents damage caused by too much washing and styling. The non-whitening formula is enriched with tapioca that instantly absorbs all the impurities and gives you a re-energized look. Thea, a skin care and lifestyle influencer on Instagram, mentions, “One thing I really like about this dry shampoo is that it’s pretty “invisible” where it leaves almost no white powder in my hair after use. I was expecting some residue as it’s marketed for lighter hair, but was pleasantly surprised! “ The shampoo also contains glycerin that locks in your hair’s natural moisture and softens it. The superfruit antioxidant-infused in this dry shampoo combats free radicals to keep your hair fresh and healthy.
Key Ingredients: Tapioca starch, Aluminum starch, and Glycerin
Pros- Non-sticky
- Vegan
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Gluten-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Might leave a white residue
Best For All Hair Colors:Lulu Organics Rose Musk Hair Powder
Image: Lulu Organics The Lulu Organics Rose Musk Hair Powder is suitable for dark and blonde hair. This cleansing formula gets its classic mild scent from the fusion of musky patchouli and Bulgarian rose. While adding volume to hair, this shampoo also imparts a pleasant and beachy rose fragrance. It also contains sandalwood and vetiver that eliminate odor and keep your hair smelling fresh for long. This quick-absorbing dry shampoo is travel-friendly and fits easily in your bag or purse. The bottle lasts for about 130 applications.
Key Ingredients: Organic corn starch, White clay, Baking soda, Organic horsetail powder, and Essential oils
Pros- Mild fragrance
- Preserves hair color
- Paraben-free
- Talc-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Hair stays greasy
Best Volumizing:Bumble And Bumble Pret-A-Powder Dry Shampoo
Image: Bumble And Bumble The Bumble And Bumble Pret-A-Powder Dry Shampoo offers extended washing time, adds volume, and gives more life to your hair. It comes with oil absorption and volume-boosting qualities. The potent dry cleanser works wonders on all hair textures and holds hair well all day long.
Key Ingredients: Corn starch, Tapioca starch, and Kernel flour
Pros- Light scent
- Light texture
- Blends easily
- Suits all hair types
Cons
- May make the hair greasy
Best Environment Friendly:Love Hair Volumizing Dry Shampoo
Image: Love Hair The Love Hair Volumizing Dry Shampoo is infused with herbal natural ingredients, including aloe gel, for shinier and thicker hair. The formula contains hair care ingredients like rosemary oil, chamomile oil, aloe vera, etc., that hydrate and restore your hair, remove intense sweat, oil, and grease, and revitalize the scalp. The dry shampoo leaves no white residue throughout your hair. IT simply freshens up your hair without needing to wash your hair. The premium formula is lightweight as well, and it doesn’t weigh down your hair.
Key Ingredients: Rosemary oil, Chamomile oil, and Aloe vera.
Pros- Sulfate-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Phthalate-free
- Organic
- Synthetic fragrance-free
- Long-lasting
- Color-safe
- Suitable for all hair and scalp types
- Easy to use
Cons
None
Best Heat Protection: John Frieda Volume Refresh Dry Shampoo
Skip the greasy hair feeling with the John Frieda Volume Refresh Dry Shampoo. It instantly refreshes your scalp and keeps your hair volumized between washes. The luxurious formula absorbs all the excess oil without leaving any visible residue. It has a light and fresh scent that feels soothing on application. The dry shampoo offers heat protection from styling tools for up to 220°C/428°F.
Key Ingredients: Rice starch
Pros
- Color-safe
- Residue-free
- Heat protectant
Cons
- Overwhelming scent
Best Matte Finish: Tigi Bed Head Oh Bee Hive Matte Dry Shampoo
The Tigi Bed Head Oh Bee Hive Matte Dry Shampoo has a super fine, powdery formula. It is infused with cornstarch that absorbs excess oil and keeps your hair from becoming greasy and heavy. It refreshes your scalp and hair, lifts greasiness, and leaves the strands with a natural-looking, matte finish.
This dry shampoo also enhances the texture of your hair and gives it a light hold. The refractive index matching technology delivers a clear and sheer finish to your hair. This unique product has a subtle vanilla fragrance that makes your hair smell good. This product also has countless positive customer reviews on Amazon.
Key Ingredients: Aluminum starch octenyl succinate
Pros
- Pleasant fragrance
- Suitable for all hair types and textures
- No white residue
Cons
- May make the hair feel stiff
Best USDA-Certified:Beauty By Earth Organic Dry Shampoo Powder
Image: Beauty By Earth The Beauty By Earth Organic Dry Shampoo Powder is a USDA-certified product. It absorbs dirt, grime, and excess sweat from your scalp and adds volume to your tresses. Only a little powder is enough to revitalize your greasy and weighed-down hair. This dry shampoo also moisturizes your hair and slows down the melanin depletion process to restore your natural hair color and shine. Use this dry shampoo to gain luscious, healthy-looking tresses in no time.
Key Ingredients: Corn starch, Arrowroot powder, Cocoa powder, Kaolin clay, Lavender oil, and Baking soda
Pros- USDA-certified
- Offers a cooling sensation
- Does not leave residue
- Cruelty-free
- Synthetic dye-free
- Synthetic-fragrance-free
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
Cons
- Difficult to squeeze the product out
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 1,117 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are so in awe of this product.
We know what made you gravitate towards dry shampoos – washing your hair every day is not an option, but your hair gets super greasy a day after shampooing! However, before investing in a dry shampoo for your hair, make sure the one you get meets your individual needs. Here is a list of things you must keep in mind before putting dry shampoos on your must-buy list.
What You Need To Know Before Purchasing A Dry Shampoo
Since dry shampoos stay in your hair for extended periods of time, it is a good idea to go for products that are paraben, sulfate, silicone and preservative-free. Go for ingredients like corn starch that absorbs oiliness, bentonite clay that moisturizes your tresses while removing toxins, and kaolin that removes dirt and other residue from your tresses.
If you wash your hair less than two times a week, you need to invest in a dry shampoo that will last you a long time. Frequent reapplication results in product build-up in your hair and scalp, resulting in dandruff. This is why dry shampoos that are long-lasting are the better choice.
There are dry shampoos created specifically for brunette and red hair. Opt for one that would not leave a light cast on your hair and scalp. Similarly, if you have blonde hair, opt for a dry shampoo marketed for light hair.
Avoid using a fragranced product on a sensitive scalp. Perfumes in dry shampoos can cause dryness and damage over time leading to hair loss. Since a dry shampoo is directly applied to the skin of the scalp, be wary of the chemicals in the product. If you are prone to allergies, you must do a patch test before application. Some people experience severe itching after applying dry shampoo, so make sure you aren’t allergic to the formulation.
Since it is the dry shampoo’s job to absorb the oil from your scalp and hair and make them appear oil-free between washes, it can make the hair dry and frizzy over time. Make sure you choose a product that will suit your hair type. Those with extremely dry and damaged hair should minimize the use of dry shampoos. Also, if you use this product regularly, it is important to deep condition your hair once a week and use a clarifying shampoo twice a month.
After you have picked up your favorite dry shampoo, depending on your hair type, you need to know the correct way of applying it to your hair. Follow these steps for best results after using a dry shampoo.
How To Use A Powder Dry Shampoo
- Prep And Part Your Hair
Grab a comb or a hairbrush and comb your hair well to ensure that it is tangle-free. Divide your hair into manageable sections. You can work in subsections according to your convenience by moving horizontally up or down, depending on where you want to start.
- Aim And Apply
The basic rule for applying powder dry shampoo is to aim at the roots of your hair and then apply. Put some powder on the bristles of your applicator brush. Keep the quantity in check and do not take too much of the product as it might leave a residue. Apply it in a dabbing motion in your scalp. Focus only on the oily parts of your hair and do not go overboard with the entire scalp. The amount of product needed will depend on how oily your scalp is.
- Distribute The Product
After applying the dry shampoo to the oily areas, use your fingertips to spread it evenly all over your scalp. Tousle your hair with your fingers. Do it wherever you have applied the product until there are no visible powder spots on your scalp.
- Brush Your Hair
Use your hairbrush to brush and style your hair. Now that your hair has become refreshed, voluminous, and soft, leave it down and enjoy oil-free, non-greasy hair for the next few days. Dry shampoo provides more grip and makes hair manageable, thus making it easy to brush and style. If you are curious about how it works, scroll down.
How Does A Powder Dry Shampoo Work?
Depending on your hair texture, dry shampoos make your strands look less oily between your wash days. They are not meant exclusively for cleansing your hair. They eliminate dirt and grease while removing excess oil. Dry shampoos are formulated with starch-based ingredients or alcohol to soak up all the sweat and oils from your scalp. Some dry shampoos also contain fragrances so that your hair feels fresh between washes.
Dry shampoo works differently for different types of hair.
- Natural Hair
If your hair is naturally dry with enhanced texture, get a dry shampoo that suits your hair type. If your hair is dark brown or black, dry shampoo might appear flaky or leave a visible residue. To solve this issue, you need to purchase a dry shampoo made specially for darker and natural hair.
- Curly Hair
Dry shampoo can also help remove impurities and freshen up coily hair or curly hair types. However, the application process has to be different from that of natural hair. You cannot use a brush or comb after applying dry shampoo on curly hair. This might make your curls look dry and frizzy instead of giving them a fresh and bouncy effect.
- Greasy Hair
Dry shampoo works most effectively on oily scalps. If your scalp gets oily and sweaty even after a quick workout session or due to weather changes, a dry shampoo might come in handy for a quick fix as a hair styling aid. A greasy scalp often blocks the follicles and prevents average hair growth. Using a dry shampoo can help prevent this.
The Bottom Line
Powder dry shampoos offer an excellent and convenient way to keep your hair fresh, odor-free, and lively without the need to wash frequently. These work wonders in replenishing the locks and eliminating dull texture for a luscious feel. If you are in the middle of a busy schedule and do not have time to wash your hair, you can always grab a dry powder shampoo. The products mentioned above are made with organic ingredients and keep your hair feeling clean and fresh. You can try the Handmade Heroes Drop Dead Gorgeous Dry Shampoo which absorbs excess oil and boosts hair volume, the Acure Dry Shampoo which adds fullness to flat hair and leaves over a mild fragrance, or the Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal+Biotin Dry Shampoo which deep cleanses the scalp and controls sebum production. Go ahead and pick your favorites and see the results for yourself!
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a passionate and dedicated haircare enthusiast who constantly endeavors to provide the best products for her readers. She has gone through numerous customer testimonials online and assembled this list of the choicest dry powder shampoos out there. These shampoos are vegan, free of harsh chemicals, and soften your hair, making them a must-have in one’s collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a powder dry shampoo?
Powder dry shampoo is a product that absorbs excess oil and eliminates dirt from your hair without the need for water. It contains corn starch powder to eliminate greasiness and leave your hair fresh.
Is powder dry shampoo better for your hair?
The dry shampoo contains starch-based ingredients and alcohol that absorb the excess oil and grease from your scalp. However, its frequent use can cause itching in your scalp.
Is a dry powder shampoo better than a spray?
If you are looking for a solution to combat grease, powder dry shampoos are a better option. They also work well for fine hair and are easy to apply. On the other hand, sprays work well for thicker hair types.
Can you use baby powder as a dry shampoo?
Yes. A majority of dry shampoos uses talc and baby powder and other ingredients and fragrances to eliminate oil. You can use any baby powder as an alternative to dry shampoo. All you need to do is sprinkle some powder onto your scalp and keep combing until the powder is no longer visible.
Which is better –aerosol or dry powder shampoo?
Powdered dry shampoos are better than aerosol sprays because they are formulated with fewer and cleaner ingredients. Aerosol sprays may be user-friendly, but they contain alcohol and synthetic fragrances, which are not suitable for your hair.
Can dry shampoo cause baldness?
Overuse of dry shampoos can cause buildup, irritate your scalp, and weaken the hair follicles, which in turn might cause hair fall.
Is it OK to use dry shampoo every day?
No, one should not use dry shampoo regularly as it can make the hair prone to breakage and lead to scalp and hair issues.
What are the side effects of dry shampoo?
Excessive use of dry hair shampoo can cause itchiness, scalp redness, dull hair, stubborn dandruff, or scalp pimples.
- Volumizing Dry Shampoos
- Hair Powder Sprays To Use If You Want Bouncy Hair
- Root Volumizing And Texturizing Hair Powders
