InStyle Tested: The 5 Best Dry Shampoos of 2022 (2023)

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Klorane Oat Milk Dry Shampoo was the clear winner.

For

Kelsey Lentz

Kelsey is the Deputy Trade Editor for InStyle.com and People.com, where she covers all things beauty, lifestyle and entertainment. She has nearly four years of experience writing, producing and editing lifestyle content for digital publications.

Dotdash joined Meredith in October 2020 as Publishing Trade Producer for MyDomaine and The Spruce. She earned a B.A. in Print and Digital Journalism from Pennsylvania State University. Her work has been featured in The Hollywood Reporter, TV Insider, Nicki Swift, MyDomaine and Brides.

Before joining Dotdash Meredith, Kelsey was a freelance entertainment writer for Nicki Swift and an intern for The Hollywood Reporter and TV Guide Magazine. In October 2020, she joined Dotdash Meredith's Commerce team as Editorial Commerce Producer, where she produced, wrote and edited commerce-related content for MyDomaine and The Spruce. She then joined the beauty and style team as deputy editor for InStyle and People.

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Updated May 16, 2022 at 3:17 p.m

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(Video) We Tested 100 Dry Shampoos To Find Our Favorite 5 | Beauty | Refinery29

InStyle Tested: The 5 Best Dry Shampoos of 2022 (2)

Not only is washing your hair daily inconvenient (and time-consuming), but lathering it too often can do more harm than good, leaving you with dry strands or an irritated scalp. Dry shampoo is here to save the day (and your hair). This miracle product refreshes old hair from day one (or two or three) while wicking away oil, product build-up and sweat that can build up between washes.

To help you find the right formula for you, our beauty editors, who have a wide variety of hair types and needs, tested more than 20 popular dry shampoos to see which one brings problem strands to life the most.

ThatKlorane dry shampoo with oat milkIt was a favorite among all testers because it successfully absorbs excess oil without damaging the hair and is made with nourishing, botanical ingredients. They also loved the volume it gave to their tresses and the fact that it didn't leave a chalky white sheen.

According to testers, these are the best dry shampoos for days without a wash.

winner

Overall best:Klorane dry shampoo with oat milk
Best for thin fine hair:Kristin Ess Style Invigorating Dry Shampoo
Best for blondes:Moroccanoil dry shampoo for light tones
Best for brunettes:Billie Floof dry shampoo for brunettes
Best for Dry Hair:OGX Extra Strength Refresh + Restore Coconut Miracle Oil Dry Shampoo

Best overall: Klorane dry shampoo with oat milk

InStyle Tested: The 5 Best Dry Shampoos of 2022 (3)

View on Amazon ($18)

What we like:Vegetable ingredients are very gentle on the hair.

What we don't like:Dust takes a while to sink.

Our testers couldn't get enough of this Klorane dry shampoo. It scored well when it came to oil absorption, texture and invisibility, all hallmarks of a good dry shampoo. One tester was also impressed with how much strength it gives her hair. "My hair looked almost new, not greasy and with amazing volume at the roots," she said.

It's formulated with gentle, botanical ingredients like oat milk, corn and rice starches and silica that work together to soothe the scalp while absorbing dirt and excess oil. It's also free from parabens, sulfates and silicones, which is great for curly and color-treated hair.

Our testers found that the spray formula appears white at first and takes about two minutes to sink in, but running your fingers through your hair removes all traces of a white cast, and the end result is worth it.

Price at time of publication: $20

(Video) DRY SHAMPOO: Cheap vs Expensive

Size:3.2 fluid ounces🇧🇷 Fragrant:And| No sulfates:And| Not tested on animals:And

InStyle Tested: The 5 Best Dry Shampoos of 2022 (5)

Best for thin, fine hair: Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo

InStyle Tested: The 5 Best Dry Shampoos of 2022 (6)

Watch on Ulta ($15)

What we like:Adds a ton of volume and minimizes the look of split ends.

What we don't like:If you use it too often, your hair could dry out.

This dry shampoo from Kristin Ess does everything a dry shampoo should and then some. It uses absorbent ingredients to fight grease, eliminate odor and extend the distance between washes. It also contains a proprietary strengthening complex that smoothes the appearance of split ends and damaged hair cuticles while protecting strands from environmental stressors.

Our testers were fans of its vitamin-infused volumizing formula and its ability to go from flat to fabulous in just a few seconds from day-to-day hair, which will definitely come in handy for anyone with thin, fine hair. "It absorbed excess oil well and gave my hair a bit of volume from the roots," commented one tester. She also noted that it dries and wears off very quickly, making it the perfect product for quick on-the-go use. Unlike some dry shampoos, this one leaves no residue and scored a 5/5 on our chalk test.

It is safe to use on color treated or keratin treated hair as it is formulated without parabens, sulfates or phthalates. However, one reviewer noted that it contains alcohol, so it's best to use this dry shampoo once or twice a week to avoid drying out your hair.

Price at time of publication: $15

Size:4 fluid ounces🇧🇷 Fragrant:And| No sulfates:And| Not tested on animals:And

InStyle Tested: The 5 Best Dry Shampoos of 2022 (8)

Best for Blondes: Moroccanoil dry shampoo for light tones

InStyle Tested: The 5 Best Dry Shampoos of 2022 (9)

View of Sephora ($26)

(Video) BEST & WORST DRUGSTORE | Dry Shampoo

What we like:Enhances blonde tones in colored hair and combats brassiness.

What we don't like:Not ideal for oily or fine hair.

All of our blonde testers agree that this dry shampoo is the best for refreshing day-dreaming hair without changing its color or leaving a noticeable shine. Its formula contains the brand's signature argan oil infusion, which moisturizes and nourishes the hair, as well as rice starch, a naturally absorbent ingredient.

As well as restoring hair, this product also contains purple pigments to counteract brassiness and lighten tones in colour-treated hair.similar to a purple shampoo. Our bleached blonde tester raved about this benefit, saying, "My jaw dropped when I realized that this formula is purple and leaves a real tint in my hair. I feel cooler than ever and also completely oil-free.” Plus, once the spray sets, you won't even notice thanks to its invisible finish.

As if it couldn't get any better, testers also noted that it smelled amazing. The only downside our testers found is that the addition of argan oil makes it too heavy for fine or oily hair.

Price at time of publication: $26

Size:5.4 fluid ounces🇧🇷 Fragrant:And| No sulfates:And| Not tested on animals:And

InStyle Tested: The 5 Best Dry Shampoos of 2022 (11)

Best for brunettes: Billie Floof dry shampoo for brunettes

InStyle Tested: The 5 Best Dry Shampoos of 2022 (12)

Far and Billie ($14)

What we like:The amount applied is easy to control and leaves no white streaks on dark hair.

What we don't like:Curly hair is difficult to manage.

With a brown tint in its powder formula, this one is drythe shampoo is perfect for brunettes. It's packed with biotin to strengthen strands and rice starch to absorb oil. It also contains baking soda to allow for an even deeper clean. The powder dissolves effortlessly and residue-free in the hair and the brown tint ensures that even the darkest hair does not get the unwanted ghost stitch. And since it's not a spray but a non-aerosol powder, it's easier to control where it goes, allowing you to apply as much or as little as you like to areas that need a refresher. There is a light hair option and a dark hair option.

It even convinced one of our testers to switch to a spray-free dry shampoo. "I never thought I would love a dry shampoo powder but this product won me over. I loved how well it absorbed oil." She also loved the packaging that Billie is known for, noting that the small round bottle is "stylish enough for any vanity or bathroom counter."

Price at time of publication: $14

Size:1.2 fluid ounces🇧🇷 Fragrant:no| No sulfates:And| Not tested on animals:And

InStyle Tested: The 5 Best Dry Shampoos of 2022 (14)

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

InStyle Tested: The 5 Best Dry Shampoos of 2022 (15)

View on Amazon ($7)

What we like:It has moisturizing ingredients and leaves no residue.

What we don't like:Can weigh down fine hair.

This coconut oil-infused dry shampoo is a godsend for anyone with dry, brittle hair. The blend of Tiare Essence, Vanilla Extract and Coconut Oil is a team effort to absorb oil while providing plenty of moisture. The moisturizing formula got top marks from our curly and natural hair testers for revitalizing curls and curls without being overly drying or dusty.

While it might seem counterintuitive to use an oil-based product like dry shampoo, our testers found that it didn't leave hair greasy or sticky. It actually had the opposite effect: testers claimed hair felt softer, healthier, and softer. They also rated it a 4.3/5 for volume and said it gave their hair a decent amount of lift. The fresh scent was another feature the testers loved: it's pleasant yet subtle.

The only downside to this dry shampoo is that the oil-based formula can be a bit heavy for thin or fine hair.

Price at time of publication: $7

Size:5 fluid ounces🇧🇷 Fragrant:And| No sulfates:no| Not tested on animals:no

InStyle Tested: The 5 Best Dry Shampoos of 2022 (17)

Our testing process

Before conducting this review, we combed through product reviews and spoke to stylists to narrow down the list to 20 of the most promising dry shampoos. From there, our in-house team tested the dry shampoos in the lab to see how well they performed in the following categories; Ease of use, oil absorption, texture/feel, volume and visibility/chalk. We tested all different hair textures, from natural and thick to straight and fine, as well as different lengths and colors. We then pooled our knowledge of each product and took the time to carefully select our favourites.

What to consider

absorbent ingredients

The main goal of a dry shampoo is to absorb excess oil, product build-up and impurities and increase the time between washes. To do this, a dry shampoo needs absorbent ingredients such as clay, silica, zeolite, oats or starch. Look for products with any of these ingredients if you want to keep your hair from getting greasy on days when lathering your tresses isn't part of the plan.

Bulking Benefits

Dry shampoos can offer many other benefits besides oil control. A dry shampoo tooAdd volume to your hairA great advantage, since greasy hair becomes limp and often falls out. The oil-controlling powders in dry shampoo add texture at the roots, and that texture allows the roots to lift a bit. Also, the ingredients that give dry shampoo its hold lift the hairs on your head to create volume.

Aroma

Pay attention to whether a product is scented or not. If you're sensitive to scented products, it's best to go for an unscented option or something with a very subtle scent.

Your questions answered

How often should dry shampoo be used?

How often you use dry shampoo depends on your specific hair type, how greasy your hair gets, and how many times a week you wash your hair. "If your hair tends to get greasy quickly, you should start using dry shampoo as soon as your hair is completely dry after shampooing," she says.Gregga Prothero, master stylist and founder of Gregga LA. "It keeps the hair from getting too limp and greasy throughout the day." She adds, "For hair textures that need more moisture and tend to be drier, I would post-dry shampoo 2-3 days." apply after shampooing to allow some natural oils to disperse throughout the hair.”

How do you use dry shampoo?

The first step in applying a dry shampoo is to make sure your hair is completely dry. According to Prothero, any moisture "can mix with the dry shampoo and cause build-up." She also recommends not spraying directly on the part, instead "raising the hair on either side of the part and then spraying the dry shampoo on the temple, sideburns, and just below the crown area." She emphasizes that it's best to focus on areas that are lightly caked with oil.

(Video) How to Use Dry Shampoo On Greasy Hair & Add Volume/ Oily Hair Tips & Tricks

Is dry shampoo bad for your hair?

Although dry shampoo itself, like most beauty products, is not harmful, it should be used sparingly. "Dry shampoos are designed to help extend the time between washes, but they should only be used once between wash days and preferably only once a week," says Prothero. "If you use it continuously every day, it can create buildup that clogs your scalp's pores and leads to poor hair health."

What are InStyle selections?

Did you notice that?InStyle Picks seal of approvalat the beginning of this story? This means that our testing team has reviewed every product on this list using a unique methodology to ensure it is truly worth your time, money and attention. We can get free samples to try, but we never promise positive (or any!) coverage in return. Bottom line: InStyle Picks are products we love, and we've put them to the test to make sure you will too.

Want more product recommendations? From the premium concealer to the black pants you need for work, check out all of our productsInStyle selects content.