The 8 Best Dry Shampoos for Oily Hair, Tested and Reviewed

We stand behind the claim that everyone should have a good dry shampoo in their arsenal— especially if lathering up daily isnt your jam. Dr. Kari Williams, a doctor of trichology, explains that while these mists and powders dont actually cleanse, they "make the hair less oily, absorb sweat, and disguise odor." Were here for that.

To determine the best options for oily scalps and slick strands, we tested over 20 formulas in The Lab. Each formula was rated from one to five for its oil-absorbing abilities, texture, feel, ease of use, volumizing power, and finish. We paid special attention to formulas designed to be effective on greasy locks, because with oily hair, skipping washes is a little trickier to pull off. We also consulted a trichologist to help inform our choices on this roundup. We found that with a few spritzes of the right dry shampoo, no one but you will know youre rocking second- or third-day hair.

Important to Know

In light of the recent recalls concerning benzene-contaminated dry shampoos, we have removed any potentially impacted products from this round-up, including TRESemmé Pro Pure Dry Shampoo, which was in the original version of this list. We will continue to update these stories as more information becomes available.

Ahead, find the best dry shampoos for oily hair that freshen up your do in no time flat.

Our Top PicksBest Overall:Klorane Dry Shampoo at AmazonJump to ReviewBest Powder:Bumble and Bumble Prêt-a-Powder at AmazonJump to ReviewBest for Platinum Hair:Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Light Tones at AmazonJump to ReviewBest for Blondes:Verb Dry Shampoo for Light Hair at AmazonJump to ReviewBest for Brunettes:Billie Floof Dry Shampoo at AmazonJump to ReviewBest for Natural Hair:Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo at AmazonJump to ReviewBest Volumizing:Anomaly Dry Shampoo at WalmartJump to ReviewBest Invisible:Drybar Detox Clear Invisible Dry Shampoo at AmazonJump to Review

Best Overall

Klorane Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk

Ulta

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After five testers tried it out, Kloranes award-winning dry shampoo was a clear winner. It earned a 4.5/5 for oil absorption, a 5/5 for ease of use, a 4.4/5 for invisibility, and a 4.6/5 for volume. Though one person observed a slight white residue, they said its easily combed away and blends well.

Formulated for all hair types and textures, this gentle, earth-sourced formula leans on starch and silica to tackle excess oil and odors while oat milk works to soothe the scalp.1Our testers appreciated that the ultra-fine powder sops up grease from your roots but doesnt leave you with a dry, chalky feeling. After spraying it on and brushing it through, one tester said she felt as if she hadnt used any dry shampoo at all—her hair seemed clean and free of buildup.

• Active Ingredients:Organically harvested oat milk, corn starch, rice starch, natural absorbent microspheres, silica
• Hair Type: All
• Free of:Parabens, sulfates, preservatives, silicones, sodium chloride, phenoxyethanol, triclosan, MIT
• Size: 5.4 ounces
• Cruelty-Free: Yes

What Our Testers Say

"Sometimes I can go overboard with adding products and sealing oils to my hair when styling, and I can imagine using this product to absorb the excess without stripping my coils." —Latifah Miles, Product Tester

Best Powder

Bumble and Bumble Prêt-a-Powder

Sephora

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If youre partial to powders, Prêt-à-Powder is your new best friend. Three testers tried this unique dry shampoo in The Lab, where it earned a 4.2/5 average for oil absorption. Though its a tad messy, it scored a 4.5/5 for ease of use, which is pretty great for a loose powder.

While it wasnt as volumizing as others, we gave it a 4.7/5 for texture and invisibility on account of its virtually undetectable finish. Our testers also liked that the 2-ounce non-aerosol container is perfect for travel and likely wont leak in a bag.

• Active Ingredients:Polysilicone-22, zea mays (corn) starch, tapioca starch, avena sativa (oat) kernel flour, silica
• Hair Type: All
• Free of:Parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, formaldehyde
• Size: 0.5 ounces, 2 ounces
• Cruelty-Free: Yes

What Our Editors Say

"I thought this dry shampoo was incredibly effective at absorbing oil. Even though it was slightly messy to apply, I would use it in a heartbeat." —Avery Stone, Associate Director, Commerce

Best for Platinum Hair

Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Light Tones

Amazon

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For those with platinum, silver, or white hair, we highly recommend Moroccanoil Light Tones. This divine dry shampoo clocked 5/5s for oil absorption, invisibility, and texture and a 4.5 for volume.

Rice starch absorbs product buildup and grease, while argan oil smooths and nourishes bleached strands.23Our platinum-haired tester appreciated that it sprays purple out of the can, like your favorite purple toning shampoo for neutralizing brassiness.

• Active Ingredients: Argan oil, rice starch
• Hair Type: All
• Free of:Sulfates, SLS, SLES, parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, triclocarban
• Size: 1.7 fluid ounces, 5.4 fluid ounces
• Cruelty-Free: Yes

What Our Testers Say

"​​Not to be dramatic, but my jaw dropped when I realized this formula was purple and left an actual tint on my hair. I feel icier than ever and completely oil-free, too." —Taylor Rock, Product Tester

Best for Blondes

Verb Dry Shampoo for Light Hair

Sephora

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Calling all blondes! Our tester gave Verb Dry Shampoo a 4 for absorbency, noting that it soaked up a majority of oil in her hair. It earned 5/5s for ease of use and invisibility and 4/5s for volume and texture.

Formulated for light locks, the ultra-fine lavender powder does an impeccable job not only refreshing unwashed hair but also giving it the icy-cool tone you crave. Additionally, our tester appreciated that the clean scent wasnt overpowering.

• Active Ingredients: Glycerin
• Hair Type: Curly, fine, straight, thick, wavy
• Free of: Parabens, gluten, sulfates
• Size: 4.5 ounces
• Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Brunettes

Billie Floof Dry Shampoo

Billie

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Our three testers gave Billie Floof a 4.5/5 average score for absorbency and a 4.7/5 for invisibility. Though the curvy container isnt the most convenient, the loose powder earned a 4/5 for ease of use.

This dry shampoo calls on rice starch and baking soda to absorb grease, plus biotin to encourage healthy growth.42Our testers said the brown-ish clay hue blends well in both brunette and dirty-blonde hair, though they noted it may not be ideal for super-dark manes.

• Active Ingredients: Biotin, rice starch, baking soda
• Hair Type: All
• Free of: Parabens, sulfates
• Size:1.2 ounces
• Cruelty-Free: Yes

What Our Testers Say

"Inside this unique-shaped bottle is a perfect powder for brunettes." —Samantha Aronson, Product Tester

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Best for Natural Hair

Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo

Amazon

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Were big fans of this Kristin Ess dry shampoo for natural hair. After trying it out in The Lab, our tester, who has 4b curls, gave it a 4.5/5 for absorbency and ease of use and a 5/5 for the finish, noting that it didnt leave behind a chalky white residue.

Upon running her fingers over her roots, she didnt feel any remaining grease, either: "I think it sucked up excess oil and gave my hair a bit of volume," she said. "I can imagine using it when I have a ton of product buildup and need a refreshed look." In addition to all-star absorber starch, the moody matte can is full of plant-based strengtheners, including wheat protein and keratin.

• Active Ingredients: Zip-Up Technology
• Hair Type: All
• Free of: Sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicones
• Size:4 ounces
• Cruelty-Free: Yes

What Our Testers Say

"It sucked up excess oils and gave my coils some volume at the root." —Latifah Miles, Product Tester

These Dry Shampoos Work Like a Charm on Textured Hair

Best Volumizing

Anomaly Dry Shampoo

Target

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If its fullness you crave, Anomaly is your best bet. After testing it in The Lab, we gave it a 4.25/5 for oil absorption and 5/5s for invisibility and ease of use. As for volumizing power, our team awarded it a 4.5/5, noting the "crazy volume" and Dolly Parton-level fullness.

This dry shampoo boasts a blend of plant-derived absorbers, including kaolin clay, rice starch, scalp-cleansing charcoal, and plumping tapioca.5Whats more, our testers gave it a perfect 5/5 for invisibility and ease of use and a 4.5/5 for texture.

• Active Ingredients: Tea tree oil, rice starch
• Hair Type: All
• Free of: Parabens
• Size: 5 ounces
• Cruelty-Free:Yes

What Our Testers Say

"My thin hair has never experienced this much volume before. It was a shock to see a product lift my hair up so much while looking and feeling natural." —Samantha Aronson, Product Tester

Best Invisible

Drybar Detox Clear Invisible Dry Shampoo

Amazon

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Living up to its name, Drybars Detox Clear Dry Shampoo flaunts a 100% sheer, truly undetectable finish. Our testers gave it a 4.25/5 for invisibility, noting that it didnt leave streaks or a chalky residue.

Since it contains a small amount of plant oils, its not the best for degreasing, but overall, we gave it a 3.75/5 for absorbency. Though the fresh, slightly sweet scent lingers for a few hours, our testers said its pleasant and not overpowering.

• Active Ingredients:Proprietary powder blend, potato starch, kiwi extract, alma oil
• Hair Type: All
• Free of:Parabens, sulfates, phthalates, keratin, gluten, nut, nut oil, honey
• Size: 3.5 ounces
• Cruelty-Free: Yes

Final Verdict

Our best overall pick is Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk. It boasts exceptional oil absorption, delivers excellent volume, and blends beautifully on various hair colors and textures. Looking for something a bit more affordable? You cant go wrong with Anamoly Dry Shampoo, which earned 5/5s for invisibility and ease of use, and leaves you with clean-feeling hair.

How We Tested

Before heading over to The Lab, we took our time researching formulations, combing through reviews, and interviewing experts, including a board-certified trichologist. Our in-house team chose over 20 dry shampoos and tested them on various hair types, textures, lengths, and colors.

Each option was given a score between one and five based on itsoil absorption, texture/feel, visibility/chalkiness, volume, and ease of use. We then compiled our insights and narrowed down the list to those that work best on oily hair.

Other Options We Tested

Briogeo Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo

We liked the pleasant aroma, aerosol-free container, and clean formula of Briogeos dry shampoo. Having said that, it has a somewhat chalky feel and applying it can get messy, as its prone to getting on your hands. And although the silvery hue might be OK for cool-toned hair, its not ideal for brunettes.

L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Air Volume Dry Shampoo

This drugstore formula does a decent job absorbing oil and sweat from your scalp, and it doesnt deposit a chalky residue. However, our testers noted that it comes out of the bottle a little too fast and has a perfumy smell. We think there are better options for drugstore dry shampoos on the market.

Not Your Mothers Clean Freak Dry Shampoo

Not Your Mothers Clean Freak leaves behind a mild white residue, so its not the best option for the dark-haired camp. Our testers liked the texture and commented on the nice light scent, but overall, they felt it was nothing special.

What to Look For in a Dry Shampoo for Oily Hair

Absorbent ingredients

When buying dry shampoo for oily hair, youll want to look for a formula with absorbent ingredients. Starch, clay, charcoal, silica, tapioca, and baking soda not only soak up grease and absorb sweat, but they can also help control odors.52678

Your hair color

You should also consider your hair color, as tinted and chalkier formulas arent ideal for everyone. A white residue usually isnt an issue for people with blonde, white, platinum, silver, or otherwise light locks. (There are also some purple-tinted powders if you want an icier look). However, those with brunette or black hair will want to look for either an invisible finish or something with a brown tint.

Scent

Many dry shampoos are fragranced (some more heavily than others). If youre sensitive to strong smells, you may want to look for a fragrance-free formula. On the other hand, scents can help mask the odor of unwashed hair, in which case a nice-smelling dry shampoo could be your best bet.

FAQ

How do you use dry shampoo for oily hair?

“Apply a small amount to hair before it gets oily and sweaty—this allows the oil to absorb into the dry shampoo, not into your scalp,” explains Lizzie Caplan, a master stylist at Soon Beauty Lab. “Gently massage the dry shampoo to disperse the product.”

Is dry shampoo good for oily hair?

Dry shampoo can be used by all hair types. Oily hair may find it especially helpful to soak up grease and excess oil to refresh strands. A lightweight dry shampoo can help give life to oily hair, according to Caplan. “But overuse can promote an overproduction of oil,” she explains.

We Tested More Than 20 Dry Shampoos In Our Lab—These 6 Performed Best