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From the citizens of From ancient civilizations applying clay powder to their hair to commercial dry shampoo in the 1940s, people have spent their entire lives trying to bridge the gap between dirty hair and busy lives. I vividly remember my mother using baby powder in the 1980s, and my first purchase of a medicated dry shampoo in the early 2000s. It went on like spray paint and probably had enough chemical to kill a small animal, but it allowed me to skip a few days of difficult bathing, drying, and correcting the habit. This break was good for my sanity and my hair.
By 2022, commercial dry shampoo received its first black eye when companies like Procter & Gamble and Unilever voluntarily recalled their dry shampoo. the amount of benzene. Well-known pharmaceutical brands such as Dove, Nexxus, and Suave were suddenly seen as a cancer risk, which raised the question with many dry shampoos: What is really in these products?
Fortunately, since the recall many companies have tried to test their products for benzene and other harmful chemicals. Third-party testing is hard to find, but worthless Environmental Working Group (EWG) is independently supported and has a Skin Deep database tool for consumers to report harmful ingredients that may be in their cosmetics and personal care products. We have also included information on dry shampoos in this guide. However, if you’re looking for chemical-free ways to improve your look, check out the Dry Shampoo Options box below.
For more hair shopping advice, check out our tips at Best Hair Straighteners, Best Curling Irons, Best Hair Dryersand Best Diffusers for Curly Hair.
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I’ve been using dry shampoo for over 20 years. For this book I tried over 25 popular, popular brands on my dark, long, heat-straightened hair several times over the course of four months. I used them like I would any dry shampoo in my everyday life—after workouts, during busy work weeks, on trips. I also asked friends and family for opinions on different hair types and styles when I wanted a second—or third—opinion. I focused on efficiency (did my hair still look white at the end of the day?); flexibility of work; the presence of weight, sticking, or residue; price; how dry shampoo mixes quickly and well; and if the scent was light or long.
Tips for Using Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is a great way to add extra volume to your hair and will help reduce damage to your hair by reducing the frequency with which you need to heat it. However, dry shampoo can only go so far.
“Dry shampoo strips and cleanses the hair of its natural oils, but doesn’t remove much of the product,” says hairstylist Garren, co-founder of hair care company R+Co. It is best used on second or third day hair. In other words, don’t skip a weekly shower and expect dry shampoo to work a miracle. Dry shampoo should also not be used for more than a few days in a row, as frequent use can cause skin irritation and irritation.
Applying dry shampoo at night is another method that many experts recommend, as it can trap oil while you sleep – this is the best option for dry shampoos that tend to be thick. Garrren also suggests using a blow-dryer on cold after applying dry shampoo: “If your hair is too dark or brittle, and you have a lot of hair product, if you apply dry shampoo and don’t blow dry it.” the cold air can stay on top of the hair,” he said. This can make the hair stronger. It will not damage the hair, but it will make it dry or hard.
What’s Really In These Things?
There are many dry shampoos that claim to replace dry shampoo, but most of them work in the same way: absorbent, lifting, deodorizing, and, in the case of aerosol dry shampoo, an adjuvant. In the old days, most dry shampoos contained talc as an absorbent, which was often contaminated with asbestos. Some dry shampoos may still list it as an ingredient, but it’s not something we recommend doing.
Some companies add other natural, absorbent minerals in addition to the starch, such as kaolin clay, diatomaceous earth, zeolite, charcoal powder, or coal ash. I also tried other exotic types like pastes, liquid sprays, and lotions, although I didn’t find the last two particularly helpful for my hair. For each dry shampoo we recommend, I’ve tried to help demystify the product claims by listing the main ingredients that help absorb oil.
