No Time for a Shower? Here Are the 12 Best Oil-Absorbing Dry Shampoos
Everyone suffers from a case of oily roots at one point or another. In the moments when you find yourself with dirty hair and no time to wash, you've got options: You could choose to embrace your slick strands by creating a hairstyle where greasy hair is actually a benefit (hello, braided updos), or you could quickly eliminate the grease with a few spritzes of dry shampoo.
This miracle beauty product uses starch-based active ingredients to soak up excess and oil, sweat, and dirt at the roots. Aside from giving your hairstyle extra staying power, it can also promote healthier hair overall by helping you go longer between wash days. And as anyone with color-treated hair knows, extending the time between washes also means your color will last longer.
One pro tip to keep in mind, though, as you begin to spray those greasy roots away is this: As amazing as dry shampoo can be, it can also cause product build-up over time, which may weigh the hair down, especially if you have curly hair or fine hair. To combat this, try using a clarifying shampoo about once a month for a deep clean that can eliminate all that build-up so you can start fresh.
Ready to discover the best dry shampoos to make oily hair history? We've selected 12 of our favorite time-saving, hair-strengthening formulas below—half of which received glowing Ipster reviews in past Glam Bags.
1. Best for Sensitive Scalps: KLORANE Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
This paraben and sulfate-free dry shampoo is an IPSY staff fave for good reason. The award-winning formula offers an instant pick-me-up for pretty much all hair types and textures, curly hair included. While silica zaps dirt, oil, and odor, organically harvested oat milk soothes sensitive and overactive scalps while also protecting your tresses from environmental damage.
Ipster Jedikitty calls it “one of my fave brands!!!!! Extends the life of a great blow-out,” while another Ipster says, “This stuff was the BOMB! It worked really well and had a nice, clean scent to it.”
2. Best Shine-Boosting Dry Shampoo: EVA NYC Freshen Up Dry Shampoo
Hair looking a little dull between washes? No problem. This weightless spray offers a boost of shine, volume, and texture as it absorbs excess oil. Natural rice starch adds a gentle body to strands without any white residue, while vitamin C and fatty acids amp up your shine factor. A single spritz is all you need, and the vanilla scent is intoxicating.
One Ipster proclaims, “This is the best dry shampoo I have ever used. Much better than the high-end products. And it smells amazing!” And another Ipster says, “Smells sooooooo good! Worked wonderfully! Most dry shampoos leave my hair dry instead of oily, but this one took it from oily to smooth and clean looking. 👌 Absolutely loved it.”
3. Best Dry Shampoo for Super Dirty Hair: IGK HAIR First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo
You know those moments when your hair is so dirty you begin to wonder if it's too big of a job for dry shampoo to tackle? That's exactly when this formula comes in handy. In addition to cutting through grease to make your hair appear cleaner, this dry shampoo actually cleanses the hair using detoxifying charcoal. It's a total lifesaver on those mornings when you only have a 10-minute window between the end of your a.m. workout sesh and your first work meeting of the day.
One Ipster says, “Love this!!! I bought the full size because of it. I love dry shampoo and this one is just on a different level. Also, I like the scent. So many are so strong but this isn’t.” Another Ipster says it’s “very nice for second-day hair. Nice light smell as well.”
4. Best Foaming Dry Shampoo: OUAI HAIRCARE Dry Shampoo Foam
Here's another innovative formula that cleanses as it refreshes your roots, adding instant shine and volume. Because this is a foaming formula, you won’t be stuck with any powdery white residue. Even those with super dark hair can use this absorbent foam without worry. It also comes with two key ingredients to assist in creating healthier hair over time: diatomaceous earth, a natural silica-rich rock that thickens and softens hair, and panthenol, which hydrates, conditions, and protects hair from breakage.
One enthusiastic Ipster writes, "This is everything! I am forever changed by this foam dry shampoo! It works so well! What even is it? Magic!" Another adds, "My new favorite dry shampoo. Great scent and I like that I can control where it goes rather than a powder or spray."
5. Best Volumizing Dry Shampoo: CAKE BEAUTY The Do Gooder Volumizing Dry Shampoo
If you have naturally straight or fine hair, try using this volumizing dry shampoo to add instant lift. In addition to its volumizing benefits, this paraben-, sulfate-, and talc-free formula cleanses, revives, and refreshes hair that’s in need of a boost. Plus, its blend of natural and eco-certified corn starches is designed to deliver non-greasy roots with minimal buildup.
The results are so good it even won over a dry-shampoo skeptic. Ipster lacarver20 writes "For someone who doesn't generally like dry shampoo, I was impressed." Another Ipster adds, "I live by dry shampoos and loved the texture and smell of this one!"
6. Best Dry Shampoo for All Hair Types: ORIBE HAIR CARE Gold Lust Dry Shampoo
This dry shampoo is the ultimate dose of luxury on those lazy days when you want to look as glam as possible while exerting as little effort as possible. ORIBE's signature complex (a blend of watermelon, lychee, and Edelweiss flower extracts) protects hair from oxidative stress while also keeping your natural color strong and vibrant. A blend of translucent starches and celery seed extract cut through grease to make your hair look and feel freshly washed, and bamboo and rice silks leave the hair feeling soft and touchable. Yes, you should still use actual shampoo on your hair every few days, but we fully understand why you might be considering only using this luxe option on your hair from here on out.
After trying out this dry shampoo, one Ipster wrote, “I love the way it makes my hair feel. It works so well.” Another adds, "it didn't leave white streaks like other dry shampoos. My hair felt healthy after use.”
7. Best Dry Shampoo with Long-Term Benefits: BRIOGEO HAIR CARE Scalp Revival Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo
In addition to curbing greasy roots instantly, this vegan formula also works to balance oil production over time. The secret: a dose of witch hazel, a natural astringent that helps to regulate sebum (the skin's natural oil). In addition to witch hazel, the formula also uses charcoal to remove impurities, biotin to strengthen, and a combo of clay, tapioca, and rice starches to absorb any grease. This is healthy hair at its finest (and easiest).
8. Best-Smelling Dry Shampoo: OUAI HAIRCARE Super Dry Shampoo
If you're missing that fresh scent you get after washing with shampoo and conditioner, try this scented formula from OUAI. In addition to checking off all the boxes of a great dry shampoo (expertly absorbs oil, adds lift and shine), this option features OUAI's iconic Melrose Place scent, a velvety-rich rose fragrance infused with bergamot, lychee, white musk, champagne, and more. It's a fast-track ticket to feeling luxurious on days when your hair feels like anything but.
9. Best Dry Shampoo for Dark Hair: BUMBLE AND BUMBLE Brownish Hair Powder
If you often struggle with dry shampoo leaving white residue on your dark roots, you might try a dry shampoo made just for your hair color. This formula from BUMBLE & BUMBLE features a brown tint so that it blends seamlessly into your rich hair color. Finally, you can enjoy all the perks of this product without any ashy undertones.
10. Most Layerable Dry Shampoo: AMIKA Perk Up Dry Shampoo
This bestselling dry shampoo has it all: It's color-safe, fit for all hair types, oil-absorbent, and leaves no white residue behind. But what truly sets this formula apart is the superfine mist, which allows you to layer it on day after day. With just a quick spritz of this, you'll be amazed at how long you can go without a shampoo and conditioner sesh.
11. Best Drugstore Dry Shampoo: NOT YOUR MOTHER'S Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo
An effective dry shampoo doesn't have to break the bank. This affordable option from the beloved drugstore brand NOT YOUR MOTHER'S instantly absorbs excess oil for lifted, revived roots and more free time on your social calendar. With a light matte finish, no residue, and a refreshing fragrance, it's a budget-friendly way to secure top-dollar hair.
12. Best Dry Shampoo for Dry Hair: MOROCCANOIL Dry Shampoo Dark Tones
Oily roots and dry ends can be a tricky combo to address. If your hair is damaged or dry, you might try this argan oil-infused formula. The naturally hydrating oil addresses dryness while rice starch tackles build up and odor. All in all, hair is left refreshed, moisturized, and full of volume and shine.
P.S. This is another tinted formula for all the brunettes out there, but MOROCCANOIL also makes a version for those with lighter hair tones.
Ready to discover even more great products for your hair type? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started. Already an Ipster? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and Twitter @IPSY.
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