The 8 Best Dry Shampoos of 2023

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Best Dry Shampoo PEOPLE Tested — Photo: PEOPLE / Tamara Staples

Whether you want to keep your hair's appearance up between washes or just need a refresh after a workout, there are plenty of reasons to spritz on dry shampoo – but not all brands are created equal. PEOPLE Tested sampled over a dozen bottles to determine the best dry shampoo on the market.

To get the best of the tress saviors, fourtesters (whose hair varied in thickness, length, and shade) rubbed a bit of coconut oil into their roots to mimic a few days post-wash. From there, they spritzed their hair, let the dry shampoo set, and brushed it through to see how well the sprays absorbed oil and volumized roots. Testers also assessed how well the sprays brushed away into their tresses for a silky-smooth feel with no visible residue.

The winner — Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk — happens to be beloved by well-tressed stars including Miranda Kerr.

These three dry shampoos (all paraben and sulfate-free!) were considered the best that PEOPLE Tested.

Best Overall: Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk

Buy on Amazon Buy on Ulta Buy on Dermstore

Pros

Super absorbent
Has a clean, bright scent

Cons

Takes about minutes for the spray to set
Initially leaves a white residue

After rigorous rounds of testing, this dry shampoo was the top pick across all hair types. We loved the cooling sensation left after application and were wowed by the volume it delivered to limp roots. Multiple testers agreed that they were impressed with its super-absorbency without drying out the scalp, which one tester pointed out was "vital for natural [hair] textures."

It's worth noting that the dry shampoo dispersed wet, and came out with a white cast. After waiting about two minutes to dry down and massaging though, the product all but disappeared and sucked away oils. No trace was left but a cheerful, clean scent and refreshed feeling.

"My hair feels like hair!" one reviewer exclaimed.

The only caveats could be the extended wait time and initial chalky white cast, which could prove problematic for those in a rush or with very dark hair. All in all, Klorane was the fave for its powerful buildup removal and lightweight revitalization.

Price at time of publish: $20

Type: Aerosol | Size: 3.2 oz. | Scent: Floral

Best Budget: Anomaly Haircare Dry Shampoo

Buy on Target Buy on Walmart

Pros

Adds incredible volume
Clear formula that does not leave residue
Aluminum can is recyclable

Cons

May take longer than a minute to set in

Our tester quickly fell in love with this dry shampoo from Anomaly thanks to its volumizing benefits. "My thin hair has never experienced this much volume before," she says. "It was a shock to see a product lift my hair up so much while looking and feeling natural."

And in terms of oil absorption? Our tests revealed it worked well in that department, too, allowing the hair to feel dry and oil-free, without that dreaded "crispiness" that some dry shampoos leave. With all of the above in mind, the around-$7 price point seems like a steal.

Price at time of publish: $7.19

Type: Aerosol | Size: 5 oz. | Scent: Light

Best Splurge: Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo

Buy on Amazon Buy on Sephora Buy on Dermstore

Pros

Its signature scent smells luxurious
Formula lifts at the root
Provides a soft and silky feel

Cons

Scent could affect those who are sensitive to strong smells

If you're looking to add a little bit of luxury to your beauty lineup, invest in this weightless wonder to skip a wash and feel like you just left the salon. Reviewers were struck by the luxe feeling straight out of the can, noting that the formula wet their tresses, but dried away quickly. After the dry shampoo was brushed out, hair felt soft and silky, notably infused with the signature scent of this haircare brand loved by stars including Meghan Markle and Kendall Jenner.

Testers swooned over the oomph the Oribe spray delivered, with one reviewer writing that it "looks, feels, and smells luxurious." The brand's signature scent, Côte d'Azur, was developed in collaboration with one of the oldest French fragrance houses — and features notes of Calabrian bergamot, white butterfly jasmine, and sandalwood. However, it may not be ideal for those who are sensitive to strong, perfumey smells. In the end, it comes down to personal preference whether the robust aroma would create a good or bad hair day – and if the price is worth it.

It's worth noting that while it is the most expensive option on the list, it's also the option with the highest volume of product, so it will definitely last you a while, even if you do use dry shampoo often. If you want to get the look and channel your inner Hollywood goddess for less, though, try the more affordable travel size.

Price at time of publish: $48

Type: Aerosol | Size: 6.3 oz. | Scent: Oribe's signature scent, Côte d'Azur

Best for Light Hair: Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Light Tones

Buy It! $26; Sephora.com

Pros

Absorbs oil and dries almost immediately
Clean, fresh scent
No chalkiness

Cons

Does leave hair with a purple tint, which may not be preferred by all

After three days of not washing her hair, our blonde tester used this Moroccanoil dry shampoo and was impressed with the result. "[The dry shampoo] took a pea-sized amount of coconut oil out of my hair, so it put in work," she says. "I don't feel oily at all." She rated this "10/10 for absorbing oil," which really is the most you can ask for in a dry shampoo.

On top of that, she was elated that the spray comes out purple — and left an "icy" look on her bleach-blonde hair. "I'm elated every time a blonde-specific product makes my hair look icier or purple, blue, or pink," she notes. "I don't know if every bleach blonde would want this feature, but, personally, I am obsessed."

Price at time of publish: $26

Type: Aerosol | Size: 3.2 oz. | Scent: Clean

Best for Dark Hair: Billie Floof Dry Shampoo for Brunettes

Buy It! $14; mybillie.com

Pros

Absorbs oil without leaving any residue
Clean and fresh scent
No chalkiness

Cons

Using too much product could cause buildup and weigh down hair
Gritty texture
Can stain hands

If you're a brunette that prefers a powder dry shampoo over an aerosol, we recommend Billie's Floof Dry Shampoo. Packaged in a spherical bottle, the unscented powder absorbed oil really well for our testers, who all had different shades and textures of dark hair.

One tester did say the brown-colored powder did stain her hands, but that it wasn't a deal-breaker, since the powder did make her hair look dry and clean. We also found that if you add too much powder it could weigh the hair down, so you need to make sure to use the right amount for your hair type to reap its benefits.

"I never thought I would love a powder dry shampoo, but this product converted me," says one of our testers. "I loved how well it absorbed oil, and the packaging is chic enough for any vanity or bathroom counter."

Price at time of publish: $14

Type: Powder | Size: 1.2 oz. | Scent: Unscented

Best for Platinum Hair: Verb Dry Shampoo for Light Hair

Buy It! $20; amazon.com

Pros

Leaves behind zero wetness or residue
Achieves the "icy" look without the purple tint
Pleasant, clean scent

Cons

Our tester noticed a small amount of oil that didn't get absorbed

For those with bright white or platinum hair, this vegan dry shampoo by Verb does the job. Overall, it achieves that "icy" look that platinum blondes love, without leaving a purple tint. And, of course, it absorbed the majority of oil without leaving behind any wetness or residue.

While it did overall absorb well, our tester did notice there was a slight bit of oil leftover in her hair after applying the shampoo. "I can see a very small amount left, but that's with me examining super close up in the mirror," she says. "I would be comfortable going out in public with the level of oil left in my hair and on my scalp, as it's only noticeable to me."

For a volumizing spray that works well and is offered at an affordable price point, we think this is totally worth it for the blondes.

Price at time of publish: $20

Type: Aerosol | Size: 4.5 oz. | Scent: Fresh

Best Powder: Bumble and Bumble Prêt-à-Powder

Buy It! $30; sephora.com

Pros

Absorbs oil super well
Lightweight feel
Leaves hair feeling soft

Cons

Slightly messy to apply
Could leave white residue for some

If you prefer a powder-based dry shampoo, the Bumble and bumble Prêt-à-Powder is "incredibly effective at absorbing oil," according to our tests. The product is packaged in a flexible plastic bottle that was overall easy to pour out — although one tester warns it can come out too quickly if you aren't careful.

With a lightweight "baby powder" feel, the white formula left a bit of residue for some, while others thought it blended in well to their hair after some work — we recommend massaging it well into the hair and scalp for best results.

However, because this dry shampoo was super effective at absorbing oil and added some volume at the root, too, we think it's well worth the price. "I would use it in a heartbeat," says one of our testers.

Price at time of publish: $30

Type: Powder | Size: 2 oz. | Scent: Light

Best Nourishing: OGX Extra Strength Refresh & Restore + Coconut Miracle Oil Dry Shampoo

Buy It! $7.89; target.com

What makes this OGX dry shampoo stand out from the pack is the added coconut oil, which isn't common in dry shampoos. "Adding an oil-based product to oily hair may seem like a disaster waiting to happen, but it is the opposite," one of our testers notes. "My hair feels healthy while looking cleaner than before."

Instead of drying out your hair as some dry shampoos can do, it is meant to absorb the resting oil on your hair and replace it with nourishing coconut oil, an ingredient that is great for taming frizz and sealing in moisture. Our testers said that while their hair still felt a bit oily (which makes sense, as there is oil in the formula), it didn't look it at all, with one even saying it performed the best out of all the dry shampoos she tested — which is quite a testament for such a budget-friendly product. Our tests showed it worked especially well for those with thinner hair and curly hair, thanks to the volume boost and frizz control.

"I love OGX products, and this was no exception," one tester declared. "I really liked how well it absorbed oil and how it left my curls soft and vibrant."

Price at time of publish: $7.89

Type: Aerosol | Size: 5 oz. | Scent: Vanilla

OGX Extra Strength Refresh — PEOPLE / TAMARA STAPLES

Things to Consider Before Buying Dry Shampoo

Hair Type

Look in the mirror and assess your tresses — what are you working with? Consider type and texture, as well as how you typically style your hair. Those with thinner hair should look to labels that deliver extra oomph (we recommend Anomaly Dry Shampoo for that), while workout warriors who squeeze out days between washes should select a spray with great oil absorption, like the Bumble and bumble Prêt-à-Powder. For dark hair, invisible or tinted formulas might be a must, and anyone with color-treated hair should confirm that the spray is color-safe.

Price

Think about bang for your buck: how many days a week do you need dry shampoo? Sold in small but mighty packaging, the ounce size on standard cans can be deceiving, as only a little bit of formula goes a long way. A drugstore option might be best for someone with Rapunzel-length locks, while someone with a short and sleek style could justify the splurgier buy (enter the Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo), as they're using less product on the regular.

Beauty Routine

How much time does it really take you to get ready? If you have the luxury of getting glam, waiting for a waterless shampoo to set before combing through won't be a biggie. If you're sprinting out the door every day, however, a fast-working formula is the way to go.

How We Tested Dry Shampoos

Four beauty testers, whose hair varied in thickness, length, texture, and shade, tried 21 dry shampoos in total for PEOPLE Tested. The testers ran a pea-sized amount of coconut oil evenly across the scalp to make hair oily, then spritzed the dry shampoo on their heads from 10 inches away. After applying and brushing the formula through, the testers checked for ease of use, oil absorption, volume, texture, and leftover residue, so you can choose which spray is best for you and your roots.

FAQs

What is the difference between powder- and aerosol-based dry shampoos?

The biggest difference is the ingredient list. Aerosols use alcohol-based formulas to absorb oil from the scalp and add volume to the hair, while powders use starch-based formulas. Powder products typically last longer than aerosol sprays, which could save you money if you use a lot of dry shampoo, while aerosol formulas may be better for styling (and are typically easier to apply). In the end, it all comes down to personal preference: what ingredients you want to add to your scalp and how you typically style your hair.

Is expensive dry shampoo worth it?

Oribe's Gold Lust Dry Shampoo is by far the most expensive option on our list, and we can back up its benefits from absorption power to the infamous luxurious scent. However, there are plenty of less expensive options on our list that do the job, so an expensive dry shampoo isn't necessary if all you're wanting are results.

Is using dry shampoo good for your hair?

Using dry shampoo properly is safe for most people. In terms of benefits, dry shampoo can reduce the need to shampoo hair every day which is not recommended.

How long does dry shampoo last in hair?

Since dry shampoo is a styler, not a cleanser, the product stays in your hair until removed with shampoo and water. This is why it can cause irritation to the scalp if used too often without being cleansed properly. It is recommended to wash hair with shampoo and water a few times a week depending on your hair needs.

What Is People Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don't stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we've awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

Want more product recommendations? Check out all of our People Tested content.