Health and Safety The 13 Best Dry Shampoos of 2023 Living Proof Perfect Hair Day will keep your hair fresh and dry By Alena Hall Alena Hall LinkedIn Alena Hall is a writer specializing in health, wellness, and fitness. Alena worked as a fitness trainer for two years. She also has experience in private yoga training. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 11, 2023 Reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by nutrition and exercise professionals. Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Tara Laferrara, CPT Reviewed by Tara Laferrara, CPT Tara Laferrara is a certified NASM personal trainer, yoga teacher, and fitness coach. She also created her own online training program, the TL Method. Learn about our Review Board Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Emily Swaim Fact checked by Emily Swaim LinkedIn Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Verywell / Lecia Landis A post-exercise hygiene routine can be challenging for folks who log their sweat sessions before work or during a brief lunch hour. No one wants to tackle the rest of the day with sweaty, oily, and greasy hair, but your limited number of workout minutes are precious, too. Enter the miracle worker: dry shampoo. Dry shampoo makes it easy to cut your post-exercise locker room time in half, providing a waterless way to refresh your hair in one quick step. It can be used both post- and pre-workout to absorb sweat and oil from the hair and scalp, as well as to repel odors that come with the gym-going territory. When looking for the perfect dry shampoo for your hair, it's important to consider your hair type, budget, and styling needs. We evaluated dry shampoos from the top brands with these features in mind, as well as price, scalp sensitivity, hair type, and more. A certified personal trainer from our Review Board also reviewed the contents of this article for accuracy surrounding dry shampoos and how to evaluate them. Based on our research, here are the best dry shampoos on the market. Verywell Fit FYI Unilever recalled certain dry shampoos that were produced before October 2021. The recall includes products from popular brands, including Dove, Nexxus, and Suave.The company issued this voluntary recall because of the potential presence of benzene. None of the recalled products are included in our list. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo at Walmart Jump to Review Best Budget: Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Dry Shampoo at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge: Bumble and Bumble Prêt-à-Powder at Walmart Jump to Review Best Drugstore: Batiste Dry Shampoo at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Scalp: Klorane Dry Shampoo at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Thick Hair: Ouai Dry Shampoo Foam at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Dark Hair: Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo for Dark Tones at Amazon Jump to Review Best Lightweight: Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Volume: Sexy Hair Volumizing Dry Shampoo at Amazon Jump to Review Best Natural: Briogeo Scalp Revival Dry Shampoo at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Fit Best Overall Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PhD) Dry Shampoo 4.9 Sephora View On Walmart View On Bed Bath & Beyond View On Anthropologie Living Proof is our top pick because the bottle is larger than most and freshens hair without too much grit. The 7.3-ounce canister is full of fast-absorbing powders that effectively soak up oil and sweat and quality odor neutralizers, leaving a light and fresh time-released scent behind. It’s also easy to remove from your hair when you don't have time for a deep cleaning, making it a healthy choice for your scalp. To use, shake the bottle extremely well, hold it 6 to 10 inches away from your hair, spray the dry shampoo in sweeping motions, wait 30 seconds, and then remove the product from your scalp by brushing through your hair. Price at time of publication: $43 The 10 Best Workout Headbands of 2023 Best Budget Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Dry Shampoo Ulta View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Beallsflorida.com Trade sweaty gym hair for beachy, texture-rich waves with this top budget buy. Each can contains 7 ounces of oil- and sweat-absorbing powder that is free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and dyes. It refreshes post-gym hair without leaving a dusty residue behind, and the light coconut scent smells both clean and fun. After shaking the can, hold it 8 to 10 inches away from your hair and spray the product generously on sweaty roots and greasy hair. Work it in with your fingers as necessary, use a hairbrush to evenly disperse the powder, and you’re all set. Price at time of publication: $5 Best Splurge Bumble and Bumble Prêt-à-Powder Très Invisible Dry Shampoo Blooming Dales View On Walmart View On Allbeauty.com View On Bloomingdales Meet the primo dry shampoo with a price tag to match. This 7.5-ounce can of lightly scented dry shampoo from Bumble and Bumble is formulated with French pink clay, which effectively absorbs excess oil from your roots to your ends without overdrying your hair or leaving it coated in a white film after tough workouts. Shake the can well, hold it 10 to 12 inches away from your hair, and apply as much as you need. Brush through your hair to distribute the product evenly and get ready to power through the remainder of your busy day. Price at time of publication: $29 Quick Tip “Surprisingly, dry shampoo works really well before a workout. It will adhere to your hair and gather oils and sweat as they are released, preventing your hair from getting as oily as it would from the get-go."—Michael Dueñas, Celebrity Hairstylist and Co-Founder of Support Creatives Best Drugstore Batiste Dry Shampoo 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Ulta Dry shampoo fans everywhere swear by this drugstore pick. Free of parabens, sulfates, aluminum, silicone, and dyes, this vegan-friendly dry shampoo targets post-exercise sweat and oil with ease, leaving a squeaky clean look and subtle fresh scent behind. Shake the 6.73-ounce can well before use. Hold it 10 to 12 inches away from sectioned hair, and spray the product on your roots. After massaging it in with your fingertips, brush through your hair to remove any remaining visible powder. Price at time of publication: $9 Best for Sensitive Scalp Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Macy's View On Skinstore.com Sensitive skin is even more reactive after exercise because the body is radiating heat, leaving pores wide open and ready to absorb any product that touches them. To be on the safe side, reach for this ultra-gentle, plant-based dry shampoo. Powered by oat milk, cornstarch, and rice starch, the ultra-fine powder quickly absorbs excess oil, dirt, and odor to give you clean post-workout hair in minutes. Shake the 3.2-ounce can well, hold it 10 inches away from your hair, and spray it evenly over your roots. Let it sit for 2 minutes before brushing your hair and heading to your next meeting. Price at time of publication: $20 The 11 Best Running Hats of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best for Thick Hair Ouai Dry Shampoo Foam View On Amazon View On Kohls.com View On Sephora For really thick hair, consider this foam application from Ouai, which helps you reach every sweaty, greasy spot on your scalp more effectively. The foam is free of parabens and sulfates, never leaves any white residue behind, and gives your hair a fresh boost with a light floral fragrance. After shaking the 5.3-ounce can, dispense a dollop of product the size of a ping pong ball into your hand and carefully dab it along your part and within the extra sweaty layers of your mane. Massage your hair and scalp as if you were actually taking a shower to distribute the product evenly. It will dry as you work it in, leaving you feeling fresh and clean. Price at time of publication: $28 Best for Dark Hair Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo for Dark Tones Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Kohls.com Worried about white dusty residue on your darker strands? This Moroccanoil formula, powered by ultra-fine rice starches, was specifically designed for dark hair colors. It absorbs oil from the hair and scalp without leaving a dull residue behind, and Moroccanoil’s light signature scent makes the hair feel even fresher and cleaner. Bonus: It also protects against UV damage. Shake the 5.4-ounce can well. Hold it 6 to 8 inches away from your roots and spray. Once it’s dry, massage the dry shampoo into your scalp and then brush it out. Price at time of publication: $26 The Best Hair Ties for Working Out Best Lightweight Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo 4.6 Amazon View On Amazon View On Ecosmetics.com View On Riteaid.com Enjoy salon quality at a drugstore price with this lightweight powder formula from Kristin Ess. It dispenses the perfect amount of product for you to achieve the ideal post-workout clean feel without creating unwanted buildup in your hair. Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and silicones, it's excellent at leaving your hair and scalp feeling fresh every time. Give the 4-ounce can a shake, spray it at your roots, gently tap the powder into your hair with your fingertips, and then brush through your mane to make the rest of the translucent powder disappear. Price at time of publication: $19 What Experts Say “When using dry shampoo, it’s important to give your hair, and most importantly your scalp, a deep cleaning regularly to remove buildup that is otherwise removed when you wash more often. If your scalp isn’t being cleared of buildup, over time it can lead to blocked follicles that can result in weakened hair and even hair loss. Your scalp needs to be able to breathe and needs circulation in order to produce healthy hair, and both are minimized when you use dry shampoo for many days at a time."—Erica Conan, Director of Education at ColorProof Color Care Authority Best for Volume Sexy Hair Volumizing Dry Shampoo View On Amazon View On Ecosmetics.com View On Jcpenney.com If you really need to revive your hair for a night out after your sweat session, this option from Big Sexy Hair won’t disappoint. The volumizing formula does a solid job of absorbing excess oil and impurities, leaving your hair looking fresh and event-ready. It even provides UV protection for your mane and scalp for when your important plans take you outdoors. Shake the 3.4-ounce canister well, hold it 8 inches away from your hair, and spray, focusing on your roots. Let it sit for 2 minutes to absorb oil, and then brush out any remaining product. Price at time of publication: $20 Best Natural Briogeo Scalp Revival Dry Shampoo Ulta View On Amazon View On Briogeohair.com View On Dermstore Powered by Binchotan charcoal, witch hazel, and biotin, this natural pick from Briogeo helps revitalize greasy hair after even the toughest of workouts. It’s free of parabens, sulfates, and gluten, and it gives your hair that coveted fresh feel typically reserved for the shower. Shake the 1.7-ounce bottle well before use. Hold it 5 inches away from your hair and squeeze to dispense the product on your roots. Let the dry shampoo sit for 2 minutes and then brush your hair thoroughly until any visible powder disappears. Price at time of publication: $25 Best with UV Protection Aloxxi Dry Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart A favorite among hairdressers, this product from Aloxxi not only refreshes hair after a sweaty workout but also provides important UV protection to the hair and scalp. It sprays on clear even for folks with darker hair tones, and its light green apple and herb fragrance feels light and clean. After shaking the 4.5-ounce can well, hold it 6 to 8 inches away from your hair and spray. Let the product dry before working it through your hair with your fingers. Finish with a quick brush through your hair, and tackle the rest of your day with confidence. Price at time of publication: $22 The Best Sun Protective Clothing for Safe Outdoor Activities Best Travel Size R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo Nordstrom View On Amazon View On Bloomingdales View On Bluemercury.com Dry shampoo is a must-have for the active adventurer, and this 1.6-ounce R+CO pick is tough on sweat and oil. Silica helps absorb and remove excess oil while rice protein maintains important moisture levels and vitamin E nourishes the hair. The product also comes in TSA-approved paste and powder versions if your travel plans involve flying. Whenever your hair is in need of some post-workout TLC, simply spray the product in particularly greasy spots, massage it in, and go about your world explorer ways. Price at time of publication: $7 The 12 Best Pieces of Portable Exercise Equipment of 2023 Best for Frequent Use ColorProof FreshStart Soft Dry Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Beautycarechoices.com If you’re a daily dry shampoo user, you need a formula that won’t lead to problematic product buildup on your scalp. That’s where this ultra-sheer formula from ColorProof comes to your post-workout rescue. Another expert favorite on this list, it does an excellent job of absorbing oil, sweat, and odor, leaving the hair feeling both clean and soft. After shaking the 5.1-ounce can, spray it on your hair, focusing on your roots. Massage it in with your fingertips and then brush your hair until the product is fully absorbed. Price at time of publication: $25 What to Look for in Dry Shampoo Type There are typically two types of dry shampoo. All are formulated to absorb oils, sweat, and odor. However, some have added texturizers that give a grip to the hair, and others provide a no-product feel, leaving the hair simply feeling clean. If you plan to use dry shampoo multiple days after workout sessions, you may want one without added texturizers because they increase the chance of buildup when using day after day. Active Ingredients Cornstarch is great at absorbing oils without leaving a white residue, and clays absorb excess oil well, too. Magnesium stearate is a good anti-caking agent that prevents the main oil-absorbing ingredient in your dry shampoo from looking white and clumpy. And, despite what some say, denatured alcohol is okay, too. It helps transport cornstarch and oil-absorbing clays out of the bottle and onto your scalp. Meanwhile, avoid strong artificial scents and perfumes. When your body is warm, your pores are wide open, and your body is more susceptible to a scent-related reaction. Application Method Most popular dry shampoos come in an aerosol spray for a more manageable, mess-free application. (That’s where the denatured alcohol comes in.) However, some people prefer a loose powder or a foam solution that you can apply directly to the roots at the scalp. Each option is perfectly fine—just pay attention to the application method of the product you pick so you aren’t surprised when it comes time to use it. Frequently Asked Questions How does dry shampoo work? Dry shampoos contain ingredients such as alcohol and starch that quickly absorb moisture and oil. Using dry shampoo can give your roots a refresh without needing to wash your hair with shampoo as often. This may protect your hair from being stripped of its natural oils too frequently.Dry shampoo can also provide volume due to the product coating the strands and reducing heavy oils. They often also provide fragrance. How do you use dry shampoo? How you use dry shampoo depends on the type. Aerosols are sprayed on the roots by holding the canister a few inches from your head and spraying while moving the canister along your roots. Separate your hair to get all of your roots.Next, use your fingers to rub the product into your roots. After a few minutes, brush the product through your hair. Powders are used much the same except you will shake the product onto your roots instead of spraying it. How does dry shampoo affect your hair? Dry shampoo absorbs oil from your roots so that you do not have to shampoo it. It also can provide volume as it coats your hair shafts. Dry shampoo does not clean your hair as regular shampoo does. To actually clean your hair, you may still need to use water-based shampoo. How often should you shampoo your hair? How often you shampoo your hair is a personal choice. It depends on your activity, such as exercise, which may lead to sweating and require more frequent washes. Every other day is acceptable for most people, but those with dryer or textured hair may wish to wash less frequently, such as once a week. Can I use dry shampoo on wet hair? Dry shampoo will not work on wet hair. Using dry shampoo on wet hair will lead to clumping and messy roots. Only use dry shampoo on dry hair. Instead, use products like mousses or sprays to add volume or texture to your roots when they are wet. Why Trust Verywell Fit As a seasoned health writer, Alena Hall understands how important it is to know exactly what you’re getting in a wellness product. Over the years, she has reviewed dozens of products, from athletic recovery aids to homeopathic essential oils to ever-trendy CBD topicals, to help readers like you discover products that can help you live your best life. 3 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Affairs O of R. Unilever issues voluntary u. S. Recall of select dry shampoos due to potential presence of benzene. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Baker LB. Physiology of sweat gland function: The roles of sweating and sweat composition in human health. Temperature (Austin). 2019;6(3):211-259. doi:10.1080/23328940.2019.1632145 Cleveland Clinic. Does dry shampoo actually keep your hair clean?. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! 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