10 Best Dry Shampoos, Tested in Our Labs

Backed by MIT research and developed by a team of hair stylists and biotech scientists, this fresh-smelling dry shampoo excelled in every test our Beauty Lab scientists threw at it. It scored best for making hair look fresh and clean, nabbed the second highest satisfaction score from consumers and top scores for being easy to brush through hair while not leaving it feeling powdery. It also got a rare perfect score for not leaving hair feeling sticky.

"Re-applying the product made my hair look full and great — not greasy," said one tester. "It was the most effective one I've ever tried, said another. "I almost wish it wasn't this good — it allowed me to go four days without showering and my hair still looked good."

Some testers noticed a slight white residue after use, but that should easily dissipate with a good brushing. Its price tag is steep, but we think given how well it performed in our tests, it's worth it.

A favorite of numerous Beauty Lab analysts, this affordable Dove pick is the one to reach for if you want hair that actually feels clean, not built-up or ashy.

Its fresh scent is reminiscent of the brand's clean-smelling soaps and shampoos. It did get a below average score for leaving visible residue on hair — and a few testers commented that it left a white residue, even on blonde hair — so make sure you take care to really brush it through and massage the product into the scalp and hair.

Even still, it's one of the closest things to a real shampoo you can get sans water — and it's what our beauty editors personally reach for when they restock on dry shampoo.

Take note: Certain batches of this product corresponding to production dates October 2021 and earlier were included in a recent voluntary recall by their manufacturer due to potential benzene contamination. Please check this list of affected lot numbers to compare to those of existing products in your home and on any products you were planning to purchase. Lot numbers can usually be found at the bottom of aerosol cans and/or on the product labels.

This powder shampoo doesn't require aerosol and in Lab tests, it didn't leave hair feeling sticky, gritty or dull while effectively absorbing oil.

Testers praised it for its great scent, and it scored tops for not irritating the scalp and being easy to brush through hair. "I loved the fine mist which disappeared instantly into my hair," said one tester, and others agreed, calling the silky powder light and refreshing. "I didn’t have to struggle to get rid of any white patches," even on dark hair, said another.

Just take note: Because it is a powder, some testers felt there was a learning curve and found it harder to apply than aerosol product.

Formulated with mineral clay to absorb oil from the scalp and hair, this affordable dry shampoo is best for when you want to zap grease but don't want to feel weighed down by product.

While we haven't Lab-tested this pick, Good Housekeeping Beauty Director April Franzino often finds herself reaching for this dry shampoo from Suave. "It leaves zero residue and feels like nothing on hair, yet absorbs oil and makes your hair look freshly washed," she says, though the strong scent may not appeal to everyone.

Take note: Certain batches of this product corresponding to production dates October 2021 and earlier were included in a recent voluntary recall by their manufacturer due to potential benzene contamination. Please check this list of affected lot numbers to compare to those of existing products in your home and on any products you were planning to purchase. Lot numbers can usually be found at the bottom of aerosol cans and/or on the product labels.

Like a tropical escape in a bottle, this coconut-scented spray earned impressive marks in our Lab tests. Testers confirmed it leaves hair looking and feeling clean without feeling sticky, gritty or powdery. It also got top scores for being easy to apply and brush through hair without irritating the scalp.

After use, "my hair looked very shiny and it felt very smooth and silky," said one tester, who loved that the product "made me feel like I had already showered and styled it. It felt and looked clean!" It won't add much volume to hair, but testers absolutely adored the "fresh, clean, island-y smell" that wasn't too overwhelming.

This cult-favorite dry shampoo has amassed over 10,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, where users swear it's the best dry shampoo out there, and at a relatively reasonable price. "You can barely see it once it goes on, but once you brush it through you'd have no idea it was even used," says one.

Our survey panel also unanimously voted it their favorite go-to dry shampoo. Meanwhile, in our Lab, testers also liked that it was suitable for sensitive scalps and easy to brush out, though it only got mediocre scores for adding volume to hair. Still, one tester raved: "Of the dry shampoos I've tried, this one worked the best in terms of making my hair look and feel less greasy while not coating it and making it sticky or tacky.”

Drybar is known for its infamous blowouts, so it's no surprise that the brand's dry shampoo is known for making those blowouts last.

If you have fine hair that skews greasy or oily, this is the dry shampoo for you: it adds volume, and the super absorbent rice powder formula soaks up every last trace of grease. When we tested the Clear Invisible iteration, and testers said, "my hair was shiny and healthy-looking."

This heavy-duty grease zapper can leave strands feeling a little chalky, but the great trade-off is that it adds volume and makes hair look freshly blown-out. The scent smells just like the salon, which most testers adored, calling it "almost woodsy," though some found the fragrance polarizing. It's pricey, but seriously powerful as a little goes a long way.

Those with dark brown or black hair know the struggle of using dry shampoo: the powder-based formula can leave your hair looking dull and chalky (and maybe worse than it did in the first place). That's where Batiste's Hint of Color line comes in. With a range of shades that match brunettes from light brown to deep brunette, these tinted dry shampoos blend seamlessly with dark hair. Some reviewers even use it to camouflage grays or color regrowth in a pinch, though note that Batiste dry shampoo didn't add much volume to hair in our Lab tests.

While we haven't Lab-tested this pick, our beauty editors say that Moroccanoil's dry shampoo is perfect for those with dry scalps or curly hair. It's formulated with ultra-fine rice starch that won't add grit to your hair, and the signature argan oil formula feels nourishing on the scalp and adds healthy shine to hair while still fully degreasing. That means no additional dryness or flaking, which can happen with use of other dry shampoos.

"The formula disappears completely with some massaging, you won't be stuck with any residue, and I absolutely love the signature scent" says one GH editor. This dry shampoo comes in two shades: a violet-tinged light formula to nix brassiness in blondes, and dark tones to seamlessly blend on brunettes.

This dry shampoo by Paul Mitchell got top scores from our consumer testers for ease of use and performance. "It made me feel like I just had a fresh nice blow dry at a salon," said one. "My scalp was never greasy, and made my coarse hair shiny." To wit: It was also the ultimate winner in our tests for not making hair dull. Our testers all loved the "subtle, fresh" scent, and several said they prefer it to the brand they currently use, though some said, "it made my scalp feel slightly gritty," and it didn't add a lot of volume to hair.

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