Dry shampoo is something of a superhero. Just imagine: You’re rushing to get ready in the morning, and your hair looks like it hasn’t been washed in days (it hasn’t). You definitely don’t have time for a shower, but you can’t leave your hair as is. Enter dry shampoo. A few spritzes can zap oiliness and make your hair look (and feel) freshly washed—without you having to step foot in the shower.
Of course, while popular, not everyone is familiar with dry shampoo and its purpose. At Hair.com, we often get questions like “What is dry shampoo used for?” and “Does dry shampoo clean hair?” Ahead, we’re demystifying dry shampoo with answers to these questions and much more. You’ll learn how this seemingly magical product works, how to revive greasy roots in just a couple of minutes, and discover a few of our favorite dry shampoos for different hair types. Keep reading for the full scoop.
What Is Dry Shampoo?
Dry shampoo is a type of haircare product used to absorb oil and refresh the appearance of your hair in between washes. The majority of formulas feature oil-absorbing ingredients like starches, clays, and alcohols to help reduce greasiness.
Most often, when people think of dry shampoo, they imagine aerosol sprays that resemble hairspray. This is one of the most popular types of dry shampoo, and they’re quite beginner-friendly. However, there are also waterless foams and loose powder options. While the consistencies can be quite different, the results tend to be similar: cleaner-looking hair.
What Does Dry Shampoo Do to Your Hair?
Think of dry shampoo as a quick fix for greasy-looking hair. It helps absorb oil, as well as sweat and even odors, so you can extend how long you go between washes. Dry shampoo uses can also include boosting volume and adding texture to your strands, making your hair easier to style.
Additionally, spritzing your roots with dry shampoo can help extend the life of your blowout and prevent damage caused by over-washing and heat styling. When our readers ask, “Is dry shampoo good for your hair?,” these are the benefits we tend to point to.
How Does Dry Shampoo Work?
Dry shampoo works by using oil-absorbing ingredients to reduce the sebum that builds up on your scalp and strands when they aren’t freshly shampooed. It doesn’t require water or surfactants to cleanse your hair and scalp, which is how a traditional shampoo works. Instead, dry shampoo soaks up impurities, which, in turn, helps make hair look and feel cleaner.
4 benefits of dry shampoo
- You can go longer between washes. Not everyone wants to wash their hair every day, and doing so can even be damaging for some hair types. With the right dry shampoo, you can revive second-, third-, and even fourth-day hair, allowing you to wash less often.
- It adds volume and texture. Even if hair doesn’t look particularly greasy, it can become limp and lifeless between washes. Dry shampoo can turn things around by restoring volume and adding texture to your strands.
- You can save time and effort. We can all stand to streamline our getting-ready routines, and dry shampoo can be a huge help in that respect. It’s so much faster to apply dry shampoo than it is to wash, dry, and style your hair. That’s why this product is such a staple for busy schedules and on-the-go use.
- It can help you maintain your color. The more you wash your hair, the faster color-treated tresses will fade. Using dry shampoo can help you space out your salon appointments and get more wear out of your hue.
Is Dry Shampoo Bad for Your Hair?
Dry shampoo isn’t bad for your hair. Think of it like a styling product that you use and then wash out with your next shampoo—the effects are usually short term. But it’s important to keep dry shampoo’s purpose in mind. Dry shampoo isn’t meant to replace traditional shampoo entirely, and if you use it too often (without lathering up in the shower), you may start to notice build-up, which can make your hair look dull, flat, and lifeless. You can use dry shampoo to extend the time between wash days, but you’ll still need a classic shampoo to keep your hair looking and feeling its best.
How To Use Dry Shampoo
Using dry shampoo is incredibly simple and takes next to no time. Here’s what we recommend doing for fresh-looking strands on the fly.
- Section your hair. To really get that refreshed effect, it’s important to split your hair into multiple sections so you can better target the greasiness. Pay particular attention to the areas that tend to be the most oily, like your crown.
- Apply the dry shampoo. Going section by section, apply the product, making sure to focus on your roots. If you’re using a spray, spritz it from six to eight inches away—spraying too close may lead to crunchy, overloaded hair. For a powder, sprinkle it directly onto your scalp or dust it onto your hair with a clean makeup brush. To use a foam, work it into your roots like you would a mousse.
- Wait. Give the formula a minute or two to work. This will allow it to better absorb oil.
- Massage or brush it in. Use your fingertips or a brush to evenly distribute the product and remove residue. This is especially essential if your dry shampoo leaves behind a powdery white layer—you don’t want to be caught with a white spot on the back of your head.
- Style. This part is all up to you. Now that your hair is refreshed, you can style it any way you like.
Pro tip: Sometimes, less is more. Applying too much dry shampoo may leave your hair looking lackluster and feeling weighed down. As such, we recommend starting with a small amount of product—you can always add more if you end up needing it.
The Best Dry Shampoo for Different Hair Types
- Oily hair: If you’re prone to greasy hair, dry shampoo will be your best friend. Specifically, stronger, oil-absorbing formulas, like Redken’s Deep Clean Dry Shampoo. It fights greasy roots, absorbing heavy oil on all hair types.
- Dry or curly hair: These hair types are distinct, but both tend to benefit from the same kinds of dry shampoos. Look for lightweight options that don’t leave hair feeling parched. The Pureology Style + Protect Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo is a great choice as it absorbs oil but isn’t drying. We’re also partial to Matrix Refresher Dry Shampoo, especially for curls, because it allows you to restyle up to fourth-day hair.
- Dark hair: Some dry shampoos can leave a white residue on darker hair. Opting for a tinted formula or one with an invisible finish can help nip this problem in the bud. We love Biolage’s All-In-One Intense Dry Shampoo because it’s designed for all hair colors, even the darkest of brunettes.
- Fine hair: To simultaneously revive and refresh fine hair, use a volumizing dry shampoo. You’ll also want to choose formulas that won’t weigh down your strands. Our top pick is Kerastase Fresh Affair Dry Shampoo, which helps hair feel clean with a lightweight touch.
Can You Bring Dry Shampoo on a Plane?
You can bring dry shampoo on an airplane—but there are some rules and restrictions. In the United States, you must adhere to the TSA’s guidelines. If your dry shampoo is an aerosol (i.e., most sprays) or a liquid/foam, it must be no bigger than 3.4 ounces to go in a carry-on bag. For smooth sailing at the airport, place your travel-sized beauty products, including dry shampoo, in a resealable quart-size bag that you can easily take out when you reach security.
If you have a larger dry shampoo you wish to travel with, place it in your checked luggage instead. Aerosols and liquids of any size can generally be checked. You also have the option of traveling with a loose powder dry shampoo—these can go in either your carry-on or checked bags because they don’t fall under the TSA’s rules for liquids, aerosols, and gels. Powders over 12 ounces may be subject to additional screening, but even jumbo, value-size dry shampoos are typically under 10 ounces. Just check your labels to be sure!
Next Up: 10 of Our Top Ways to Manage (and Prevent) Greasy Hair
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Header image credit (left to right): @matrix, @redken
