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The best dry shampoos for all hair types, according to 500 panellists
Banish bad (and greasy) hair days with these tried and tested heroes
Tested by Nora MerikFormer Beauty and Grooming Tester
It's a tale as old as time — you've had a quick shower and decided to skip washing and styling your hair. Then you look in the mirror before you leave the house and are instantly filled with regret. Those greasy roots suddenly look in desperate need of zhuzhing up. It's time to reach for the best dry shampoo.
Dry shampoo has been reversing bad hair days and helping us delay hair wash day for years, and we're forever grateful. A quick spritz of the magic stuff and you've instantly given yourself some breathing room.
However, it can be hard to choose between all the brands on the market. So, our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute recruited a panel of readers to get spritzing and give us their honest feedback.
Here are their top picks at a glance, but read on for our complete guide to this beauty best friend.
How we test
The Good Housekeeping Institute put 24 different dry shampoos to the test with the help of a panel of 500 people over a two-week period. Panellists were asked to assess the effectiveness of each product, giving feedback on whether it left their hair feeling less greasy and fresher overall. They were also asked to consider the product's design and how their hair looked and felt after use.
In the lab, we applied artificial sebum to hair switches and measured the amount of sebum using a Sebumeter. We then applied each dry shampoo to the switches and measured again, to see how effective they were at reducing greasiness. You'll find all the top-rated products marked with the GHI Approved logo below.
We've also included some editors' picks underneath from our team of beauty experts. They're trying and testing new launches every day to bring you the buzziest new buys that genuinely work.
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
Score: 89/100
Our winning dry shampoo is a bit of a cult buy, not only because of the brand's cool aesthetic and its fresh and slightly floral smell, but also its impressive performance. Testers found it very effective at removing grease and sebum, while leaving hair with a touch of texture and a long-lasting scent.
Only a small amount of product is needed, it was easy to distribute through the hair and it left our testers’ locks feeling “shiny and fresh” all day. For most of our panel, it didn't leave a chalky finish or feel claggy on the scalp, but those with darker hair did notice a white cast, and some found the product left a slight residue.
Key specifications
| Size (ml) | 198 |
|---|---|
| Cruelty free | Yes |
| Hair type | All hair types |
| Product type | Aerosol |
Schwarzkopf got2b Fresh It Up Extra Fresh Dry Shampoo
Score: 85/10
This affordable dry shampoo was praised by our panel as it didn’t leave a white cast after use, while it scored highly in the lab for reducing hair’s greasy appearance.
Most testers liked its fresh citrus scent. However, some found that the de-greasing effects didn't last throughout the day, but that's perhaps understandable given the price.
Key specifications
| Size (ml) | 300 |
|---|---|
| Cruelty free | No |
| Hair type | All hair types |
| Product type | Aerosol |
Score: 83/100
Klorane's dry shampoo is enriched with extract of oat milk, which moisturises hair, while still helping it to look less greasy and oily.
Testers reported seeing an overall improvement in the appearance of their hair, saying they noticed extra body and a decrease in the amount of sebum. Some said it left a slight white residue, but after brushing thoroughly, this quickly dissipated.
Key specifications
| Size (ml) | 150 |
|---|---|
| Cruelty free | No |
| Hair type | All hair types |
| Product type | Aerosol |
Score: 82/100
In between washes, finer hair can often become lank and greasy, but this dry shampoo is the perfect pick-me-up if you want to give it some extra bounce. Testers said it extended the amount of time they could go in-between washes with just a few sprays, and it left their hair feeling clean, fresh and weightless.
Its formula includes keratin, which also helps to nourish the hair. Everyone loved its “fresh and pleasant” gardenia scent, although some felt the spray left their hair looking slightly dull and a bit tacky.
Key specifications
| Size (ml) | 200 |
|---|---|
| Cruelty free | Yes |
| Hair type | All hair type |
| Product type | Aerosol |
Score: 81/100
You may think things have taken a retro turn, as the powder formula in this range feels a little like talcum powder, but this dry shampoo is far more modern and smarter than some of its spray can competition.
Panellists praised the lightweight formula, which didn’t feel sticky or heavy on their hair. They found it convenient for carrying round in a handbag because of its size, and it added texture and volume to roots on days where they looked lacklustre.
One tester thought it was ideal for “freshening up hair after exercise on a non-hair wash day” and another said it was impressive at soaking up sun cream and sweat on holiday between washes – plus it won’t use up your liquid allowance.
Key specifications
| Size (ml) | 14g |
|---|---|
| Cruelty free | Yes |
| Hair type | All |
| Product type | Powder dry shampoo/style extender |
Olaplex No.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo
Score: 81/100
For those with dark hair, white casts can be a real pain when it comes to dry shampoos. But Olaplex has answered our woes with this clear spray. Our testers loved that it's completely invisible, and it doesn't leave a cast. It’s also very lightweight and “doesn't feel heavy or powdery in hair,” according to one panellist.
Not only did it absorb grease, but testers also found it added long-lasting volume, with some even commenting on how much thicker it made their hair look. Others said they experienced added bounce, and the fragrance was long-lasting.
Key specifications
| Size (ml) | 250 |
|---|---|
| Cruelty free | Yes |
| Hair type | All hair types |
| Product type | Aerosol |
Score: 81/100
This coconut-scented dry shampoo scored highly with testers not only for its smell, which reminded us of holidays, but also its performance. It has a weightless feel once applied, and it boosted the volume of our testers’ hair too.
However, a few people said it left their hair feeling dry and they had to reapply throughout the day because their locks started to look a little flat.
Key specifications
| Size (ml) | 200 |
|---|---|
| Cruelty free | Yes |
| Hair type: | All hair types |
| Product type | Aerosol |
Score: 79/100
As one of the original dry shampoo brands, most people will be familiar with Batiste. This budget-friendly option is simple to use — testers said it sprays well and is easy to comb out — although, as is often the case, those with very dark hair found it left a chalky residue in places.
Some also found the fragrance a little too overbearing. However, it was praised for “immediately absorbing sebum” and for how long it lasted, with very little product needed to do the job.
Key specifications
| Size (ml) | 200 |
|---|---|
| Cruelty free | Yes |
| Hair type | For all hair types |
| Product type | Aerosol |
Score: 78/100
As the only foam dry shampoo in the list, this one sets itself apart when it comes to design. Once dried, testers said there wasn't any unpleasant residue, and hair didn't feel heavy, although some said their strands were a little sticky.
Positively, testers weren’t left with a white cast. They liked the soft floral scent and it left locks feeling fresher and cleaner. The foam also went a long way and helped boost volume.
Key specifications
| Size (ml) | 200 |
|---|---|
| Cruelty free | Yes |
| Hair type | All hair types |
| Product type | Foam |
Score: 77/100
With a fruity and floral scent, testers scored this dry shampoo highly for how quickly and easily it absorbed into their hair and helped remove excess grease.
They also found it didn't leave any noticeable marks behind, and left their hair feeling and looking fresher. On the downside, it didn't help add much volume, though.
Key specifications
| Size (ml) | 200 |
|---|---|
| Cruelty free | Yes |
| Hair type | All hair types |
| Product type | Aerosol |
Score: 74/100
For finer hair, this lighter textured spray helps prevent any stickiness and won’t feel too heavy.
Testers did find they had to use more of the product as it was so light but said this still didn't weigh down their hair. The panel also commented that it added volume and texture and helped locks look cleaner.
Key specifications
| Size (ml) | 200 |
|---|---|
| Cruelty free | Yes |
| Hair type | All hair types |
| Product type | Aerosol |
Score: 73/100
If you ever feel like your hair is harder to style after using a spritz of dry shampoo, our testers said they actually found it easier after using this spray.
Comments included: “It didn't feel too heavy on my hair”, “It brushed through nicely and my hair felt really soft,” “It definitely removed all the oiliness [from my hair]” and “It added volume and texture.”
The fragrance was quite divisive though, with some finding it pleasant while others said it was overpowering and lingered a very long time.
Key specifications
| Size (ml) | 250 |
|---|---|
| Cruelty free | Yes |
| Hair type | All hair types |
| Product type | Aerosol |
Editors' picks
It’s not often a truly innovative, first-to-market formulation comes along that changes the whole category for good, but K18 is nothing if not a market disruptor. This liquid spray may be expensive but it genuinely will change your life. Well, as much as a dry shampoo can.
If you’re someone who regularly breaks a sweat, whether at a spin class, chasing kids around or running for the bus, the brand’s brilliant smart-release biotechnology uses microbeads to soak up excess oil, add a subtle fresh scent and just make hair look less greasy, without any white cast or potential scalp-stripping effects.
If you like to exercise most days, have darker roots than ends, or are in the (highly exclusive, extremely inconvenient) oily hair club, here’s your next handbag essential. You’re welcome.
Key specifications
| Size (ml) | 118 |
|---|---|
| Cruelty free | Yes |
| Hair type | All |
| Product type | Spray |
There’s nothing worse than leaving the house with dandruff-esque dry shampoo remnants sat in your parting and peppered throughout your hair. But, as we learn that going a little longer between washes (within reason) could be good for our overall hair health, a high-tech dry shampoo has never been more crucial. Thankfully, hair god Jonathan Van Ness has answered our prayers with their latest release.
This lightweight spray rubs in quickly and disperses evenly throughout the hair. Our writer, Maddie Evans, says her hair looks freshly washed after use, even if it’s a few days since it last saw the shower head. It absorbs excess oil and adds a little volumising zhuzz to locks, replicating what her hair looks like the day after she’s showered. The micellar solution is the not-so-secret ingredient, as it gently cleanses the hair and scalp without needing to be rinsed.
Key specifications
| Size (ml) | 148g |
|---|---|
| Cruelty free | Yes |
| Hair type | All |
| Product type | Aerosol |
Throwing it back to when your parent might have used talcum powder to cover up greasy roots before school (just us?), this peptide puff from Hair Gain isn't your typical dry shampoo. Like the Bumble and Bumble option above, it's a flour-like powder that comes bursting with volume-enhancing powers and grease-wicking abilities.
It gets plenty of scalp health points for not being an aerosol, and the little puff pad on top that you use to apply the powder with is really cute, while – crucially – preventing spillage.
Key specifications
| Size (ml) | 5g |
|---|---|
| Cruelty free | Yes |
| Hair type | All |
| Product type | Powder |
FAQs
The origins of dry shampoo
You may think dry shampoo is a relatively new addition to the haircare world, as brands like Batiste have taken the market by storm with their aerosols over the past few decades. But dry shampoo has been solving our hair woes for far, far longer.
“Dry shampoo has been around since the early 1900s, but came into commercial use around 1940,” explains clinical trichologist Victoria Scott, from the Institute of Trichologists.
The formula was originally used “for wigs, to maintain styles that couldn’t be washed and styled daily, or for hair that was high maintenance,” she adds.
Dry shampoo dos and don'ts
Although dry shampoo feels like an easy fix-all, it's not intended for everyday use and shouldn’t replace shampooing your hair with water. Consistent use of dry shampoo can damage hair, as Scott explains.
“Dry shampoos don’t only reduce the hydrophobic qualities of oils and sebum, they also dehydrate the follicle, and can cause breakage from a loss of tensile strength in the hair,” she says. So, how should you use it?
Do:
- Use for a quick refresh in between washes.
- Use to absorb oil — whether you produce too much, or your style is affected by an excess of oil.
- Massage it into the roots and scalp.
Don’t:
- Use as a replacement for regular washing. Overuse can cause hair and scalp damage, irritation, and even hair loss from blocked follicles.
- Spray too close. Always spray towards the hair and scalp from 12 inches (30cm) away, to ensure even application and avoid white residue.
Is dry shampoo bad for me?
When used occasionally in between hair washing days, dry shampoo isn't harmful. However, it shouldn't be used as a replacement for your regular shampoo and conditioner, as it can dehydrate and damage the follicles, Scott warns.
Can you use it on wet hair?
Despite some hacks on social media recommending the use of dry shampoo on wet hair, all that’s going to do is dehydrate the hair and reduce any moisture you have put in during washing.
“This can have a long-term impact on the quality and condition of your hair and scalp,” Scott explains. “Dry shampoo should only be used as the name implies, on dry hair, due to its absorbency qualities.”
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
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