The Very Best Dry Shampoos

Ingredients: Oat milk | Powder

Four of the hairstylists we spoke with cited this product from Klorane as their go-to for an all-around good dry shampoo. Celebrity hairstylist Anthony Campbell, the owner of Campbell & Campbell salon, told us it is “lightweight and great for all hair types.” Hairstylist Benjamin Talbott agrees that this dry shampoo works for a variety of hair types and for people with “seriously greasy scalps.” As he explains, “the oat milk in this formula works as an astringent to dry up excess oil while also adding a softness to hair.” This dry shampoo is a bit better for the environment because it’s released as a powder, not an aerosol spray. Talbott notes that this means you should “go easy with this” when applying to prevent any product buildup. Hairstylists Henry De La Paz and Aviva Jansen Perea also recommended this dry shampoo, with Perea adding that Klorane’s oil-control dry shampoo would be worth considering if you find your scalp gets super-oily after a “particularly sweaty workout or during the hot summer months.” (It contains all the same ingredients plus nettle extract, which helps regulate oil production.)

Ingredients: Rice powders | Spray

Usually, a dry shampoo would give my hair an extra day or two between washes. But since using the Drybar dry shampoo, I can easily get away with washing my hair once a week. (As someone that’s had to wash their hair every other day since being a teenager, this is no small feat.) What makes this dry shampoo stand out is that it doesn’t just neutralize grease, but gives the hair a plumper, fuller look from the scalp down. I don’t notice any itchiness or build-up when I use it two or three days on the run, and if I go over my hair with a round brush and a hairdryer after applying a layer, my hair still looks freshly done – even on day five. I love the smell, which is a subtle and not-at-all sickly vanilla, and even enjoy how the buttery yellow can looks when it’s perched on my shelf. I really can’t recommend this stuff enough.

Ingredients: Rice starch | Spray

Because oily and greasy hair can already look flat, hitting it with an additional volumizing product on top of dry shampoo can make it look even limper. Instead, De La Paz recommends using this dry shampoo from Sexy Hair to reduce oil and get some volume in the process. “You’ll get the va-va-voom volume without the product buildup,” he says. If you get this, he notes you’ll want to apply it a bit differently: In order to get maximum volume, you have to let this dry shampoo sit on your hair for two minutes before brushing it out or styling.

Ingredients: Rice starch, argan oil | Spray

Because many dry shampoos leave a white cast on darker-toned hair, the hairstylists say dark-haired folks should seek out one specifically formulated for their hair color, like this dry shampoo recommended by Talbott. The spray is formulated with ultrafine rice starch that immediately dissolves as it’s massaged into the scalp, preventing any dandrufflike residue from showing on roots. Talbott adds that it’s “infused with argan oil and UV filters, which help moisturize and prevent sun damage.” In addition to being great for dark-colored hair, he adds it’s also “an ideal choice for natural kinky, coily, or textured hair, as it won’t cause shrinkage.” Hairstylist Sahar Hissami, the owner of Maeve in June salon, also recommends this product, telling us it has an appealing “fresh smell.”

Ingredients: Rice starch, argan oil | Spray

For dark-haired people looking for something less expensive, Perea recommends this dry shampoo from Kristin Ess that she uses on clients before they step in front of a camera. “This product lets me breathe easy knowing that when the cameras flash, they won’t pick up any of the white powder,” she says. Unlike the Moroccanoil spray, which comes out white, this actually has a neutral brown tint to help it blend into darker hair colors. De la Paz also told us about this dry shampoo, noting it lacks sulfates and parabens and contains vitamins that he says help nourish hair that has been damaged from years of dyeing or being styled with heat.

Ingredients: Various starches | Spray

Curly hair requires a lot of moisture, so using a dry shampoo might seem counterintuitive. But Talbott says this one works particularly well for hair that’s “thick, kinky, and curly.” The ultralightweight translucent formula won’t dry or weigh down delicate curls, and with notes of water lily, green stem, and juniper wood, it also smells “sublime, like a breath of fresh air,” he promises.

Ingredients: Corn and tapioca starch, chamomile extract | Powder

Stylist Haley Campise loves reaching for a nonaerosol dry shampoo like this Hairstory powder. “The powder absorbs oil and adds a bit of texture for more volume, which is really great for fine hair,” she says. “It’s easy to apply and lasts incredibly long since it is not an aerosol,” which also makes it less damaging to the environment. Her final tip to extend the longevity of your blowout is to apply the powder after cleansing, before oil gets even a chance to build.

Ingredients: Rice starch | Spray

“This spray will create instant undone texture and volume with a soft, weightless finish,” says hair colorist Tara Burke. The spray uses a mixture of starches to absorb excess oil across the scalp — but as the product is designed to be lightweight and resist building up, it can also be spritzed through the ends of the hair for added volume from root to tip. It works best on second- or third-day straight and wavy hair, when there’s just a hint of oil. Burke loves that the spray becomes imperceptible, absorbing without leaving any powdery residue.

Ingredients: Potent form of silica | Powder

Our experts mentioned various dry shampoos from R+Co, but the Skyline Dry-Shampoo Powder came up the most. One of its fans is Campbell, who says it’s not only great for minimizing gunk built up from sweat but also for “extending your blow-dry or style for the next couple of days.” The same ingredient that absorbs oil — diatomaceous earth — also adds a bit of texture and grip to hair, which is what helps extend a style. This dry shampoo also contains jojoba-seed oil to help condition hair and add a bit of shine. Hairstylist Jasmine Burnside calls it her “all-time favorite dry shampoo” because, like the Klorane product that tops our list, this is a powder, not an aerosol spray. “I find it way more effective than an aerosol at absorbing excess oil from your scalp.” Like the Hairstory dry shampoo, this powder’s concentrated formula makes the product last longer. “I have had one bottle for almost two years,” says Burnside, who cautions it may not be the best for darker-colored hair because you “really have to work it” if you apply too much or too close to your scalp.

Ingredients: Various starches, bamboo and rice silk | Spray

Two hairstylists raved about Oribe’s dry shampoo. Hissami describes it as “smelling like a luxurious perfume,” and De La Paz promises it’s “worth every penny.” The fragrance is based on Oribe’s signature Côte d’Azur scent, which includes notes of bergamot, jasmine, and sandalwood. While the smell is palpable, the experts say it’s not too overwhelming. The formula, which works for all hair types and textures, contains a blend of starches and is translucent, allowing it to quickly absorb oil and treat scalp impurities without weighing hair down or leaving white spots.

Ingredients: Citrus oil, antioxidants | Spray

“This is a hardworking dry shampoo that instantly invigorates and deodorizes hair back to fresh, bouncy locks with a combination of citrus oils, vitamins, and antioxidants,” says hairstylist Maria Elizabeth. “Plus, every time someone hugs me after I’ve used this product, they always compliment me on my scent.” Like Campise, Elizabeth’s ultimate dry shampoo tip is to “pregame” the hair: “Apply your dry shampoo before your hair gets too oily.” If you’re on your way to an exercise class, for example, “dry-shampoo your hair before your workout. Getting ahead of your oil will make all the difference in your hair’s unwashed appearance.”

Ingredients: Various starches, vitamin B5 | Spray 

Burke likes that this Redken spray leaves no film. “It’s free of silicons, sulfates, talc, and fragrance, a perfect formula for absorbing excess oil without the risk of product residue,” she says. And the added vitamin B5 should provide some nourishment for your hair with each application.

Ingredients: Charcoal, white-tea powder | Spray

Those familiar with charcoal masks for the face or skin will recognize the ingredient in this dry shampoo that Hissami recommends to anyone in need of something more heavy-duty. She says the formula combines charcoal with white-tea powder to create a dry shampoo that “deeply cleanses your scalp,” regardless of hair type or texture. Its marquee ingredient helps to lift dirt and absorb excess oil, while the white-tea powder acts as a calming agent to prevent any irritation.

Ingredients: Starches, aloe vera | Spray

Talbott calls this “the perfect solution if you have dandruff or scaly scalp issues.” As he explains, “it’s been formulated to target the root cause of dandruff and clears up any excess sebum, keeping you balanced and refreshed.” The product absorbs oil with a blend of starches, while ingredients like bisabolol (a derivative of chamomile), niacinamide, aloe vera, and methyl lactate (a cooling agent) all work together to soothe and calm inflammation as well as improve the scalp’s appearance.

Ingredients: Rice starch | Foam

A foam might seem like an odd texture for dry shampoo, but Perea says it’s actually fantastic for volume, especially if you have thin, fine hair. “You give the can a really good shake and pump out a golf-ball-size amount of foam and rub it on the scalp,” she says. “The wetness will dissipate and provide a lift that is hard to achieve with powder.” The foamy consistency, she adds, makes it easier to dictate where the product goes. Plus, “this stuff smells amazing,” Perea says.