Ingredients:
Formulas with rice starch, tapioca starch, and kaolin clay are effective at absorbing oil without leaving behind residue, Mannah says. Many of our top picks, including Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo and Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, are formulated with rice starch, while Crown Affair Dry Shampoo utilizes tapioca starch.
Mannah recommends steering clear of dry shampoos containing chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and alcohol, as they can be drying, strip the hair of its natural oils, and lead to scalp irritation. Additionally, dry shampoos without silicone can help prevent product build up.
“Recent research also highlights the potential harm of benzene, emphasizing its association with cancer,” Mannah adds.
Color and finish:
For the best result, you’ll want to select a dry shampoo formula (both color and finish) according to your hair type. Dry shampoos typically come in powders or aerosol sprays and can be white or tinted before absorption. For darker hair colors, some of the white or tinted varieties can be more difficult to blend in and leave behind a visibly chalky residue. A clear or “invisible” option, such as the IGK Jet Lag Lightweight Invisible Dry Shampoo, is recommended in these cases.
Scent:
Unfortunately, most dry shampoos feature strong scents, so if you are sensitive to fragrance, you may have a harder time finding the right formula. However, we found that the Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk and Crown Affair Dry Shampoo to be delicately fragranced and therefore less likely to irritate.
If you want to mask odors, we loved the time-release fragrance of Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo, which offers a fresh citrus scent all day.
