The Best Dry Shampoos for Every Hair Concern
Tired of excess oil plaguing your second or third-day hair (or even the first day, during those summer months)? Us too! That’s why our beauty editor has put our strand-freshening collection of dry shampoos to the test, helping to minimise the guesswork so you can find the perfect formula to suit your hair type: from the best volumisers for fine, flat hair, to the fan-favourites for itchy, sensitive scalps (and everything inbetween)…
Best for all hair types
A real crowd pleaser, British Hair Timeless Cleansing Dry Shampoo extends your style into second day and beyond. The everyday formula is great for all hair types, working to absorb unwanted sebum oils from the scalp without leaving behind that chalky white residue. Want extra volume? Try spritzing onto freshly-washed locks to revive your roots in an instant!
Best for fine hair
If limp, oily roots are a regular occurrence for your fine strands, look for a multitasking dry shampoo with added body-boosting benefits. The Percy and Reed Volumising Dry Shampoo is enriched with ultra-fine cornflower powder to help absorb excess oil while delivering instant lift and texture, for bigger, fresher-looking tresses.
Editor’s Note: I have a lot of very fine hair which is prone to visible oil that flattens my strands at the root. This formula gives my second-day hair a new lease of life without making me feel like I have a load of product weighing down my scalp.
Best for oily hair
Hair at its oiliest? Don’t worry – you’ll just need a bottle of the Philip Kingsley One More Day Dry Shampoo to hand! Excess oils, sweat and odour don’t stand a chance against this clean-scented dry shampoo – it instantly offsets the appearance of greasy strands, providing an instant root refresh and a subtle shot of volume your locks will thank you for.
Editor’s Note: One of the most lightweight dry shampoos I’ve tried. Brushes through easily without leaving behind a chalky white residue. My top tip? Apply before bed so the formula can absorb those excess oils while you sleep.
Best for volume
Second-day hair losing all its vitality? Rahua Voluminous Dry Shampoo delivers an instant body boost, creating shape and dimension in flat hair while offsetting the oil, sweat and dirt from your scalp. Equipped with a 100% natural formula, the vegan dry shampoo has a light, clean scent that works to make your strands feel exactly the same, enriched with organic cassava root to support long-lasting, oil-free styles for longer.
Best for itchy scalps
Prone to a flaky or sensitive scalp? It makes sense you wouldn’t want to layer product on-top of your concerns – but the Philip Kingsley Flaky Itchy Dry Shampoo is the perfect, gentle pick-me-up for strands inbetween washes. The formula delivers calming and soothing benefits to the scalp, leaving locks feeling clean, fresh and comfortable in a matter of seconds.
Editor’s Note: This smells divine – one of the nicest-scented dry shampoos, in my opinion. I always assume products for itchy scalps will have a clinical smell, or no smell at all, but this one is lovely and doesn’t irritate me throughout the day.
Best for long hair
Designed to extend longer hair styles subject to excess sebum production, L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Dry Shampoo provides an airy, fresh feeling for up to 24-hours. What’s more? It’s enriched with vitamins and castor oil to help protect and nourish your strands, complete with the iconic Dream Lengths fragrance.
Editor’s Note: If you’re somebody with super-long locks prone to limp roots weighed down by oil, this one is great for quick touch-ups without the tell-tale chalky residue, providing lift for longer lengths as well as freshness. It smells amazing too!