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For those who make a sport out of avoiding washing their hair (raises hand), dry shampoo spray is a godsend. However, in recent years, aerosol sprays have faced criticism. Thanks to social media, awareness has spread regarding the ingredients used in our beloved daily personal care products and their potential risks. As a result, many stores have removed aerosol-based dry shampoos from their shelves.
But why? Well, not only does their alcohol content tend to cause breakage and make the scalp feel dry and irritated, but they often contain benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, as well as environmentally harmful propellants like propane and butane, which are petroleum distillates derived from refining crude oil. However, as ignorance is bliss, knowledge is power. With information, we can make better choices, not only for ourselves but also for Mother Earth. We are maturing, learning and unlearning, and we need dry shampoos that follow suit.
Enter the era of powdered dry shampoo products. Let’s face it — we still need and love dry shampoo, both for those off days when our hair is a little greasy and for the texture and grip they provide, making styling easier. Powder dry shampoos offer a healthier and non-harmful alternative. Additionally, we appreciate that they last much longer, reducing waste and the need for frequent purchases, making them more environmentally friendly and satisfying. If you’re looking for the best aerosol-free dry shampoos to address all your hair concerns, keep reading for our recommendations.
Summary of best dry shampoos
Best for super-oily hair: dae Fairy Duster Volumizing Dry Shampoo Powder
Best brush-applicator option:Crown Affair The Dry Shampoo
Best fragrance-free option:Kristin Ess Fragrance-Free Shampoo Powder
Best Canadian brand:Voir Haircare She’s Like the Wind Invisible Dry Shampoo & Conditioner
Best compact option for travel:I DEW CARE Tap Secret
Best customized option: Prose Custom Dry Shampoo
Best for coloured hair:K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo
Best dry shampoos explained
Best for super-oily hair: dae Fairy Duster Volumizing Dry Shampoo Powder
Mojave yucca and prickly pear seed oil combine with other nutrient-packed plant-powders in dae’s dry shampoo that’s guaranteed to combat even the greasiest hair. This nutrient-packed powder is an industry fave for reviving hair while adding volume and a mild but pleasant citrusy aroma. The super-small pump dispenses product in a puff of fluff that doesn’t leave a huge mess, and we just love that it contains enough product for up to 600 pumps.
Active ingredients: Mojave yucca, prickly pear seed oil cactus flower extract
Benefits: Free of talc, parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone and sulfates
Size: 1 oz
Price: $41
Where to buy: Sephora | Dae Hair
Best brush-applicator option: Crown Affair The Dry Shampoo
Our only pick that doesn’t come in a squeeze or pump applicator, we appreciate that Crown Affair offers the option to purchase their dry shampoo with or without their kabuki brush. With a refreshing and invigorating fragrance derived from Japanese persimmon, a natural deodorizer and antioxidant, as well as bergamot, yuzu and lemongrass, you receive the benefits of both hair perfume and dry shampoo in one product touted for its efficacy and luxurious formula.
Active ingredients: Tapioca starch, rice starch, persimmon powder, baking soda
Benefits: Cruelty-free, vegan, free of sulfates and parabens
Size: 1.1 oz
Price: $57
Where to buy: Sephora | Crown Affair
Best fragrance-free option: Kristin Ess Fragrance Free Dry Shampoo Powder
This super-soft and lightweight dry shampoo powder stands out as our only fragrance-free option. It employs a blend of starches infused with neem leaf extract, known for its soothing properties against itching, and kaolin, which helps balance oil production and effectively combat scalp issues.It provides a refreshing cleanse and builds without causing hair to become gritty or dull. However, it is advisable to use it at arm’s length due to a tendency to dispense product forcefully through the precision nozzle.
Active ingredients: Corn starch, kaolin, tapioca starch, bentonite, rice starch
Benefits: Vegan, cruelty-free and free of added fragrance, sulfates, parabens, phthalates and silicones
Size: 1.3 oz
Price: $19
Where to buy:Well.ca
Best Canadian brand: Voir Haircare She’s Like the Wind Invisible Dry Shampoo & Conditioner
Active ingredients: Tapioca starch, corn starch, witch hazel
Benefits: Dry shampoo and conditioner in one, free of sulfates, phthalates, silicones, artificial colours, mineral oil and parabens
Size: 1.4 fl oz.
Price: $25
Where to buy:Amazon | Shoppers Drug Mart
Best compact option for travel: I DEW CARE Tap Secret Mattifying Dry Shampoo Powder
This dry shampoo powder won Allure’s Best of Beauty Award in 2022 for good reason. The unique design of the jar and attached poof makes application fun, easy and mess-free, and the compact size makes it our purse pick for freshening hair and scalp on the go. Just twist open the lid, and get tap happy. And the best part? The formula contains black ginseng and biotin which can stimulate hair follicles and promote hair growth, nourish the scalp and improve blood circulation, enhance hair thickness and soothe irritated scalp conditions such as dandruff or itching. However, this mattifying powder does change the texture of your hair and a little goes a long way, so we recommend it for those seeing that thicker, textured feeling.
Active Ingredients: Black ginseng
Benefits: Gluten-free, vegan and free of alcohol, parabens, sulfates and phthalates
Size: 0.24 oz
Price: $25
Where to buy: Amazon | I Dew Care
Best custom option: Prose Custom Dry Shampoo
Prose’s translucent, powder dry shampoo is our pick for wellness lovers seeking a more personalized approach to their hair care. After completing a quick online quiz, Prose formulates a holistic package of products and supplements tailored to your unique needs. This includes a custom-blended dry shampoo powder that refreshes the roots, extends hairstyles and cares for your scalp. Prose stands out with its natural active ingredients, such as tea tree oil, white clay, aloe vera juice and witch hazel. If you have specific hair or scalp concerns and find the idea of having your own formula appealing, Prose is our recommendation.
Active ingredients: Customized for you
Benefits: Ability to personalize, free of sulfates, parabens, GMOs, phthalates and alcohol
Size: 1.4 oz
Price: $37
Where to buy: Prose
Best for coloured hair:K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo
This non-aerosol shampoo is clinically proven to eliminate odor and reduce oil for up to three days – meaning you can go longer between washes and protect your colour. It’s also great for dark hair, as translucent microbeads absorb excess oil without leaving behind starchy buildup or a white cast. This formula may feel slightly damp when applied, but it dries down to offer hair an extra boost of volume and freshness. AirWash is also highly concentrated: apply just one to three sprays per section and build as needed.
Active ingredients: Translucent microbeads, Mediterranean microalgae
Benefits: OdorBIND technology traps and eliminates odor-causing molecules
Size: 4 oz
Price: $65
Where to buy: Sephora
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