The Best Dry Shampoo

Buying Guide

Anyone who cares about their hair knows that you sometimes need to give it a little tough love. The regular routine of makeup, shaving and showering is bad enough when it’s just once every morning. But what if you’ve woken up in a hurry and you’ve only got minutes to spare? What if your afternoon break doesn’t include time for both a workout and a shower?

If you’re savvy about hair care, you already know the answer. Dry shampoo was created for just these situations. As the pace of daily life gets more and more hectic, showers become a luxury we can’t always afford.

What is dry shampoo and how does it work?

Dry shampoo, as the name implies, goes on dry as an aerosol or powder. Using alcohol derivatives or starch-based ingredients (or both), it absorbs any excess oil that has accumulated in your hair, either through your daily grind or a recent workout. The result is hair that regains its bounciness and body in minutes.

That’s a lifesaver for those on the go, but it’s important to remember that dry shampoo doesn’t actually clean your hair the way regular shampoo does. It may allow you to get away with an extra two or three days without going under the showerhead, but it shouldn’t be a substitute for the occasional cleaning. Depending on the consistency of your hair, it might even be a bit healthier to alternate shower days with a quick spray. While dry shampoo won’t clean your hair, it also won’t dry it out as thoroughly as regular shampoo will. It’s nice to let your hair keep its natural oils, so many users like to alternate showers on every third day with two days of the dry stuff.

Of the two forms of dry shampoo, most prefer aerosol. It’s easy to see why once you’ve used it: It goes on quickly and easily, which is half the point. You simply spray it onto your hair, brush it through and you’re on your way.

Powders may require a bit more care. You’ll have to sprinkle it onto the areas that you need and make sure to get good coverage all the way around by brushing it into your hair as you go. On the upside, you can usually expect a bottle of powder to last longer than an aerosol dry shampoo.

If you’re trying to do your part for the environment, you might want to lean toward powdered dry shampoo. Aerosols made in the US haven’t contained ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) since the 1970s, but they may use hydrocarbons or other compressed gases — not nearly as bad of a carbon footprint, but still something to consider. If you’re health-conscious, keep an eye out for shampoos (both aerosol or powder) that contain hormone-disrupting parabens.

MORE: What to look for in shampoo if you’ve got dry, damaged hair