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Freshly washed and blown-out hair makes me feel 100 percent more confident and ready to face anyone and anything. On the other hand, sporting greasy strands is a truly humbling experience, and on those unfortunate days, I can barely look at myself in the mirror. I’ve also been blessed (cursed) with oily hair since my teen years. Unless I am religious about periodically clarifying my scalp with the right formulas, my hair will be oily and stringy within about 24 hours post-wash. Thankfully, there’s a solution for us oily-haired girls who can’t bring themselves to shampoo and condition their strands every single day, and it’s a little thing called dry shampoo.
For the uninitiated, the best dry shampoos for oily hair “clean and freshen hair without the need for water. It typically comes in the form of a powder or aerosol spray and works by absorbing excess oil and grease from the scalp and hair, giving it a cleaner and more voluminous appearance. Dry Shampoo allows you to extend the time between regular washes, saving you time and reducing damage from over-washing,” explains Dianna Cohen, the founder, and CEO of Crown Affair. In other words, if you’re tired of shampooing as often as you do, dry shampoos can make your hair look, smell, and feel clean within minutes—it’s like a wash day in a bottle.
There are certain dry shampoos that are particularly well-equipped to deal with greasy manes. I discussed dry shampoo with Cohen, consulted other editors for their favorites, and read through plenty of customer reviews to find the 11 best dry shampoos for oily hair that’ll help you fake clean strands.
Crown Affair The Refillable Dry Shampoo
Pros
- Comes with applicator brush
Cons
- Can get messy if not properly handled
Haley Williams is reportedly a huge fan of this dry shampoo—and for good reason. The non-aerosol formula features Japanese persimmon powder, which wicks away oil and deodorizes the scalp to replicate the feeling of just-washed hair. You can use your fingers to apply it where needed or use the included brush to sweep it all over.
Key ingredients: Persimmon-derived tannic acid, tsubaki seed oil, tapioca starch
Size: 1.1 oz.
Sephora rating: 4.7/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I’ve always hated the feeling of dry shampoo in my hair; many formulas seem to coat the strands, making your hair feel dirtier even as they suck up the excess oil. I’m also not the biggest fan of aerosols because I somehow breathe a huge cloud of anything I’m spraying and get a headache. This dry shampoo solves all of those problems. For instance, it feels like virtually nothing when applied, and the powder comes in a jar so that you can apply exactly how much you want without worrying about getting it absolutely everywhere. It also doesn’t have an overwhelming scent, which I deeply appreciate.” —Carol Lee, associate beauty ecommerce editor
Pros
- Lightweight on strands
Cons
- Can run out quickly
You’ve probably seen this dry shampoo on virtually every list of French pharmacy essentials. The Klorane dry shampoo, a beauty editor darling, absorbs oil within seconds of your first spritz. It’s virtually invisible and adds volume by lifting the roots. There’s a non-aerosol version, too, if you prefer.
Key ingredients: Oat milk, corn and rice starch, silica
Size: 3.2 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I used to see this shampoo everywhere backstage during fashion week and wondered what all the hype was about. Having gone through several bottles myself, I turn to it as a workhorse because it isn’t sticky or strong-smelling and works with just a few spritzes to give life back to limp or oily-looking hair. It also feels light and not gritty.” —Kathleen Hou, ELLE beauty director
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience AirWash Dry Shampoo
Pros
- Not heavy scented
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Some reviewers reported a faulty dispenser
The non-aerosol mist utilizes microalgae to reduce oil production and a proprietary technology to banish odor. Plus, fans say that the effects last for days, so you may not even have to apply it as often as other formulas.
Key ingredients: OdorBIND™ biotechnology, microalgae
Size: 4 oz.
Sephora rating: 4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I feel like before this dry shampoo, I’d never found a formula that actually made my hair feel clean before. This one not only makes my hair look clean, but it also gives it the bouncy, light feeling of freshly washing it, even when I use it after a workout.” —Katie Berohn, ELLE beauty editor
Pros
- Talc- and silicone-free
Cons
- Can run out quickly
Living Proof’s dry shampoo has garnered a cult following over the years, thanks to its lightweight yet effective formula. As it soaks up all of the oil that’s accumulated on your scalp and strands, the product slowly releases a fresh, gentle scent that masks the fact that you haven’t shampooed in days.
Key ingredients: Starch, mineral blend
Size: 5.5 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “This dry shampoo is the closest thing to a shampoo in a bottle. I really like that it makes hair feel clean—not just less greasy. It’s clean-feeling enough that you can run your hands through your hair after using. If I were ever to go camping (hahaha), I would bring this with me.” —Kathleen Hou
Pros
- Great value
Cons
- Original version can leave a slight white cast
Batiste’s dry shampoo is a true drugstore classic—it’s affordable, it comes in a variety of scents, and it works. The brand has also updated the formula to add strand-strengthening keratin. If you have darker hair, there are tinted versions of the product as well to help you avoid a dusty white cast. Here, read our full review of the Batiste Dry Shampoo.
Key ingredients: Rice starch, keratin
Size: 6.35 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “This was the first dry shampoo I ever tried, and I know that that’s not a unique experience. While it’s not the fanciest formula out there, it gets the job done. Plus, it’s always nice to have a product that’s widely available that you can always rely on.” —Carol Lee
Olaplex No. 4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo
Pros
- Pleasant scent
Cons
- Reviewers noted that you need to use a lot of product each time
As expected, Olaplex’s dry shampoo contains the same technology that strengthens and replenishes hair bonds found in most of the brand’s other products. Other notable ingredients include rambutan seed extract, which eliminates odor, and starch, which gets rid of grease without leaving an uncomfortable residue.
Key ingredients: Rambutan seed extract, microstarch
Size: 1.69 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This dry shampoo works so quickly to remove any look of grease, it is lightweight, and has a very mild smell that dissipates completely. It doesn’t look chalky and leaves no residue. This is my new go-to dry shampoo!”
Amika Perk Up Ultra Oil Control Dry Shampoo
Pros
- Lightweight formula
- Pleasant scent
Cons
- Some reviewers noted that packaging can be leaky
Even the most oily hair doesn’t stand a chance against this option from Amika. A combination of tapioca starch and bamboo stem extract zaps away excess sebum, oil, and undesirable oil from the scalp, so you can push back wash day for at least another 24 hours.
Key ingredients: Tapioca starch, bamboo stem extract, rosebay flower extract
Size: 5.3 oz.
Sephora rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “I developed really thin hair after having thyroid cancer, and this has made my now fine hair get very oily. I’m trying to move away from products containing talc, so I thought I would give the mini size a try, and I’m glad I did. I sprayed it on the roots, rubbed it in, and my brown hair was as good as new without any white residue. It also lasts for several days, so you wouldn’t need to reapply unless you felt it was needed. I know it’s also not a feature, but it did improve the volume of my hair at the scalp, probably because there was no oil to weigh it down. I started buying the full-size cans because I like it so much.”
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo
Pros
- TSA-approved
Cons
- There can be a slight white cast on dark hair
Meet your new essential travel companion: the mini version of the Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo. The squeeze bottle houses a concoction of tapioca, rice, and clay starches that collaborate to keep hair grease-free. You canslip it into your purse or toiletries bag so you can stay prepared.
Key ingredients: Binchotan charcoal, biotin, witch hazel
Size: 1.7 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Seriously the best for your money. My dark hair shows grease fast, and it handles it so well. There’s a little white cast, but it’s not super noticeable, and part of it is just me not working it in fully. This stuff lasted me like four months, whereas my old aerosol dry shampoo was a monthly expense for me.”
Pros
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Can get messy
No matter your hair texture, you’ll appreciate the volumizing and refreshing powers of this dry shampoo. When the formula mattifies your hair, it adds grip and lift, resulting in thicker and more luscious-looking hair.
Key ingredients: Matricaria, lavender, evening primrose
Size: 1.35oz oz.
Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have been using this product for about two years, and I love it. Until I started using it, I had no choice but to wash my oily (and now fine) hair every day, and it had been that way my whole life (I’m in my 40s). This product keeps my grease under control and adds tons of volume. And the scent is very light. I have a sensitive nose. Smells give me headaches, and I have found most other dry shampoos to be highly perfumed.”
Dae Fairy Duster Volumizing Dry Shampoo Powder
Pros
- Talc-free
Cons
- Can leave a white cast
The Dae Fairy Duster Volumizing Dry Shampoo Powder does much more than fight greasiness—it strengthens and nourishes hair with prickly pear seed oil and cactus flower extract. Additionally, Mojave yucca gently cleanses as it sits on the scalp.
Key ingredients: Mojave yucca, prickly pear seed oil, cactus flower extract
Size: 1 oz.
Sephora rating: 4/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “I have the oiliest hair ever—I’m talking about 10 hours after I wash it, it’s greasy. This dry shampoo is the best dry shampoo ever. I’ve tried probably every dry shampoo out there, and this is the best.”
Pros
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Can get a little messy
Dry shampoos like this one come in handy when you have a hairstyle or blowout you’d like to preserve for a few more days. An application of this montmorillonite clay- and tapioca starch-infused product will revive your tresses, letting you hold onto the style for a little while longer.
Key ingredients: Corn starch, tapioca starch, oat kernel flour
Size: 2 oz.
Aveda rating: 3.2/5 stars
An Aveda reviewer says: “I have no idea how this isn’t 100 percent five-star reviews. It works fabulously and lasts. I’ve tried all the aerosols, and this slaps them away. I have a ton of fine, naturally curly hair but dry it straight. With this product, I can go four to five days between washes.”
How often can you use dry shampoo?
According to Cohen, you should be able to use the Crown Affair Dry Shampoo every single night. Her favorite trick is to apply it before going to sleep so that the powder absorbs all the excess oil overnight. However, “if you’re using an aerosol or non-clean dry shampoo, ensure you are regularly washing (eg. every few days) your hair with water and a gentle shampoo to remove any build-up and maintain scalp health,” she says. While washing your hair less often can be great for your strands, not clarifying your scalp as often as you should can lead to hair loss, flakiness, and other issues down the line.
Does dry shampoo have any negative side effects?
Overall, you should be careful about which formula you land on for your mane. “Using the wrong dry shampoo can lead to dryness with your hair and can strip away natural oils that are necessary for healthy hair. If you don’t use a better quality dry shampoo, some individuals may experience scalp irritation or sensitivity, especially if they have a sensitive scalp or are allergic to certain ingredients in the product,” explains Cohen.
“Your scalp is an extension of the face on your skin. If you’re someone with sensitive skin, you might experience irritation or allergic reactions to certain ingredients in dry shampoos, such as fragrances, alcohols, or preservatives,” she adds.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee spoke to a trusted hair expert and other editors about the best dry shampoos for oily hair. She also combed through reviews for top-rated options, assessing each one based on their features and customer evaluations.
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