Are you looking for the best shampoo for oily hair? As someone with fine hair who feels the need to wash my hair at the first sight of oil, I know the importance of a good dry shampoo. I am always on the looking for dry shampoos that will absorb oil and odors and keep my hair looking and feeling fresh between washes.
That’s why I tested tons of different dry shampoos to find the best 13 dry shampoos for oily hair! From mist to aerosol to product specific for light hair and dark hair, I’m sharing my top dry shampoos here!
Short on time? My absolute favorite is the Living Proof Perfect Hair Dy Advance Clean for a fresh out of the shower feel! It’s light and doesn’t leave any texture or build up in your hair.
How I Put These Products to the Test
I used all the products listed below over several months. I tested each of these products on my fine, relatively thin hair. I work out daily so these dry shampoos had to deal with dirty, sweaty hair! I paid attention to how clean my hair felt and how long I could go between washes.
What Really Helps With Oily Hair
Dry shampoo works by absorbing the oil in your hair. It doesn’t actually truly clean your hair like regular shampoo so it doesn’t replace washing your hair. It just gives you extra time between washes. Dry shampoo is something you can add into your hair care routine – it won’t replace regular shampoo.
Regular shampoo washes dirt and oil off your hair and down the drain. Dry shampoo soaks oil rather than washing it away. It’s usually made with alcohol or starch, which are oil absorbing ingredients. These also help soak up any grease in your hair, keeping it fresh without you having to wash your hair in the shower. Kaolin and bentonite clays can absorb oils and help create some grip and texture.
Many dry shampoos are made with harsh chemicals, so stay away from anything that’s made with butane, isobutane, or propane. Hair care is still a top priority when using dry shampoo!
Best Dry Shampoo for Oily Hair (By Category)
This post contains affiliate links.
Your scalp and hair make natural oils to keep them healthy, but if you feel like you have excess oil production that gives you greasy roots and hair, one of these dry shampoos are some of the best options to consider.
1. Best Overall: Living Proof Perfect Hair Dy Advance Clean
- Cleans as well as a rinse-out shampoo
- Adds softness and shine
- No visible or textured residue
- Talc-free
Yes, you’ll see 2 options for Living Proof dry shampoo on this list but that’s because they are the best of the best! I have been using the original dry shampoo (which is #2) for years and it does the best job at absorbing oil. I was recently introduced to the advance clean formula and let me tell you – there’s nothing better!
This is the best dry shampoo that actually cleans your hair and soaks up all of the excess oil. It will feel like you just got out of the shower with a clean scalp and freshly washed hair. It has a light scent and gives you a soft finish with no added texture.
- Texture free
- Light scent
- More expensive, high-end opton
2. Runner Up: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
- Absorbs and removes oil, sweat and odor
- Makes hair look, feel and smell clean
- Delivers a fresh scent throughout the day
If scent is important to you, go with this version of Living Proof’s dry shampoo! It’ll leave your hair smelling, looking, and feeling clean, while also working quickly to absorb oil and sweat.
Like I mentioned above, this has been one of my favorite dry shampoos for 5+ years and I will always have a can handy. This one still cleans your roots but gives it a more textured feel than the advance clean formula.
If you’re deciding between the two, I would get the Advanced Clean if you want a fresh out of the shower, no texture feel. On the other hand, if you like some texture to your hair (especially if it is fine), this is great at not only cleaning the roots but adding some texture.
- Light scent
- Light texture
- Great for thin hair
3. Best for Fine Hair: Oribe’s Gold Lust Dry Shampoo
- Quickly cleanses, prevents damage and extends blowouts
- Intensely hydrates and nourishes dry, damaged hair
- Absorbs product buildup, oil, and impurities with translucent powders while soothing scalp and restoring strength and softness.
- Fragrance-retention technology means our signature scent stays with you all day.
While expensive, Oribe’s Gold Lust dry shampoo is definitely one of my favorites (as well as Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray to pump up limp hair).
This spray will absorb oil and leave just a bit of texture to it. It also soothes your scalp due to its mixture of lavender and chamomile extracts.
The scent on this one is subtle and not the least bit overpowering! Some Oribe products can be very potent but I don’t notice it all with this one. It goes on feeling wet but it quickly dries and absorbs.
- Light texture
- Soothing to scalp
- Subtle scent
4. Best for Sensitive Scalps: Klorane Dry Shampoo with Flax
- Gently cleans hair in minutes
- Eliminates oil, dirt and odors
- Refreshes hair between washes. Extends style and color
- Instantly adds volume and texture
- Ultra-fine powder. No white residue
- Ultra-gentle. Plant-based ingredients
- Hypoallergenic. Vegan
Yes, even those with greasy hair plus a sensitive scalp can still find a great dry shampoo that will work for them! Made with flax and plant-based ingredients, Klorane’s dry shampoo is gentle on skin while also providing volume and preventing dandruff.
This one has only a slight white color to it which disappears almost on contact. It actually feels almost cold when you spray it on your roots! This one leaves no grit or texture to it, just fresh clean hair.
- Plant based ingredients
- Great for sensitive skin/scalp
- No texture
5. Best All Natural: Hair Dance Dry Shampoo Powder
- All Natural, Vegan, Cruelty-Free
- Made in USA
- NO talc, parabens, baking soda, or phtalates
- Non aerosol
If you’re seeking a dry shampoo with natural ingredients, this powder form is an excellent choice! It’s a cruelty-free and vegan formula and has a light lavender scent from essential oils. The lavender smell is very slight – I can only smell it if I smell my fingers after rubbing it in.
Even though it’s a small bottle, a little goes a long way. If you shake it directly on to your hair, be super careful! A lot can come out at once and leave a bit of a white residue if that happens. Rubbing and brushing can take care of it but you don’t want too much product in one spot if you can avoid it.
- All natural, vegan ingredients
- Light lavender scent
- Be cautious when using as it comes out quickly
6. Best Drugstore: Batiste Dry Shampoo Original
- Clean and Classic Scent. Can be used on various types and colors of hair
- Offers an Instant Fix by Removing Excess Oil and Grease
- Leaves Hair Refreshed and Full of Body and Texture Without an Overpowering Fragrance
This classic dry shampoo is a fan favorite that you can’t go wrong with. It’ll absorb your oil, give your hair some volume, and finish it off with a fresh scent. For under $10, it’s the best shampoo for a budget!
This is the OG of dry shampoo and there’s a reason it’s an award winning product! My one issue with this one is the smell. It says it has a classic fresh scent but it has an overpowering chemical smell at the onset. It dies off fairly quickly but it is pretty intense!
If your store doesn’t care Batiste you could consider is Not Your Mother’s brand. I have used Clean Freak in a pinch and it works fine!
- Fantastic price
- Temporary strong smell
- Gives hair volume
7. Easiest to Apply Powder: VERB Dry Shampoo Powder
If you’d prefer a powder-based dry shampoo, consider this one from Verb. It still has all the great benefits of a spray shampoo, like oil absorption and added volume.
The one difference about this one over the Hair Dance one is that this one has a spray dispenser! You simply twist the cap to reveal the dispenser and squeeze the bottle. I find that it can be a bit of mess if you don’t tilt your head down to really expose just the part you want the powder to get on.
If you get too much you can either brush it out or use a hair dryer to remove some of the excess powder. This one has a really gentle scent to it.
- Powder based
- Squeeze bottle
- Takes some trial and error to apply neatly
8. Best Mist Formula: R+Co Spiritualized Dry Shampoo Mist
- Cleanses and hydrates with no powder residue
- Soothes itchy or dry scalp
- Helps remove build up
- Refreshes hair, especially while wearing braids, weaves and wigs
- Paraben-free, sulfate-free, cruelty-free, gluten free, vegan
If you’re wanting to stay away from aerosol dry shampoo but don’t want to use a powder, go for this unique dry shampoo that is a mist formula. It’ll keep your hair looking fresh without any powdery residue left behind.
This is especially good for using if you have your hair styled in braids, blowout, or other hair styles and want to extend your style and soak up excess oil. This is particularly nice for touch ups throughout the week.
- Unique misting dry shampoo
- Great for using in styled hair
- Clear formula that works for any hair
9. Great for Every Hair Color: R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo
- Adds volume and body
- Absorbs extra oil and adds texture
- Includes Rice Protein, Vitamin E, and Pro-Vitamin B5 for healthy conditioned hair
- Paraben Free, Sulfate Free, Petrolatum and Mineral Oil Free, Cruelty Free, Gluten Free, Vegan
I had to include the typical dry shampoo from R+Co because I love all things from R+Co, including this dry shampoo! This is my go-to option when I travel and it’s great for every hair type and every hair color.
What makes this one different than others is it has Pro-Vitamin B5 to help condition and thicken your hair. I don’t find that this one has as much thickening power as some of the others but it definitely helps my hair feel clean and conditioned.
- Formula provides conditioning to hair
- Hair feels very clean after use
- Perfect size for traveling
10. Freshest Scent: Amika Perk Up Talc-Free Dry Shampoo
- Color safe, keratin safe, no gluten contributors
- Certified vegan, cruelty free
- Includes rice starch for volume and sea buckthorn for nourishment
- Talc Free
- Absorbs oil
Looking at the ingredients is important. Amika’s dry shampoo is talc-free and made with things like rice starch and sea buckthorn. It is one of the most highly rated dry shampoos on Amazon with over 15k reviews and over 20k purchases just in the last month!
I absolutely love the scent of this one over all of the others. It’s fresh and light and not overpowering. This one leaves just a bit of texture to your hair and no residue.
- Residue free
- Light texture
- Light, pleasant scent
11. Best Lightweight: Tresemme Volumizing Dry Shampoo
TRESemmé Volumizing Dry Shampoo for oily hair delivers hair volume to achieve your perfect look, even without traditional shampoo
Not only is this dry shampoo a drugstore favorite, it’s also a nice lightweight formula that won’t weigh your hair down. Made with mineral clay and citrus, your hair will be fresh and volumized. Your hair (and your wallet!) will be happy!
I’ve used this one off and on for over 5 years! It doesn’t have quite the volume boost as some of the others but at the price it’s a great inexpensive option. Some people even say this is a great dupe for Bumble and Bumble!
- Favorite drugstore dry shampoo
- Budget friendly
- Works great, light scent
12. Best for Light Hair: Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Light Tones
- Instantly cleanses and refreshes thanks to ultra-fine rice starches
- Contains subtle violet pigments to help balance brassiness
- Fragranced with the signature Moroccanoil scent
If you’re a blonde haired gal, this one is for you! This one is pretty amazing because it has violet undertones to balance brassiness. I’ve never seen anything like it!
It’s great for nourishing the scalp, adding shine, and degreasing the hair. It’s made with ultra-fine rice starches and argan oil to ensure that your hair is left without residue, dryness, or flaking.
If you’re a dark hair gal, head to the next one!
- Perfect for blonde hair
- Undertones help brighten hair
- Leaves hair fresh
13. Best for Dark Hair: Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones
- A spray created specifically for dark hair!
- Ultra-fine rice starches absorb oil and product buildup
- Features the signature Moroccanoil scent
Ok dark hair gals, here’s your pick! This spray eliminates any risk of having a white cast show through on your darker hair.
Like the light hair versions, it’s also perfect for nourishing the scalp, adding shine, and degreasing the hair. It’s also made with ultra-fine rice starches and argan oil to ensure that your hair is left without residue, dryness, or flaking.
- Best option for brown hair
- Nourishes scalp
- Leaves hair fresh
First off, decide if you want a dry shampoo with a scent or not. That can help cut your search down a lot.
Also decide if you want a dry shampoo that comes in the form of a powder or spray. A spray can be a little bit easier to use, but it is made with aerosol. Powders are generally more natural and work well with fine hair. Whichever type you use, you want one that doesn’t leave any white residue.
Tips to Make Dry Shampoo Work Better
Once you’ve selected a product to try on your greasy strands, make sure you’re using it right to get the best results. Adding dry shampoo to hair that already has a lot of product build up can cause problems. I recommend starting with clean hair, If you use a lot of hair products, use a clarifying shampoo and then follow up with conditioner.
You are now ready to start using dry shampoo. Make sure you start with dry hair. Don’t spray dry shampoo in over-greasy or sweaty hair. You may need to blow dry your hair to get it dry enough after a work out. Start using on day 2 or 3.
Aim the product at your roots, not the ends of your hair. This way it targets your scalp where oil is produced.
Allow the dry shampoo to absorb for a few minutes and then use your fingers to work it into your scalp so there won’t be any residue. You can even try putting the dry shampoo in your hair at night and allow it to work its magic as you sleep. In the morning, brush and style.
For full detailed instructions, check out my blog post on how to use dry shampoo. I got most of the tips from my hair stylist!
FAQs
Did you give the dry shampoo time to absorb the oils before brushing it out? Did you massage the dry shampoo into your scalp? If you answered “yes” to these questions, you may need to try a different brand.
Its possible you waited too long and your hair needs to be washed. Try using dry shampoo starting on day 2 or 3.
Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones is the best option for dark hair of the ones I tested. You could also try Briogeo Dry Shampoo Puff in Brunette.
There are so many different types of dry shampoo on the market that you’re bound to find the formula that works best for your hair. Switch things up with a different brand each time you run out to experiment and find your favorite.
No matter what dry shampoo you decide to use, I hope you love it!. After all, what’s better than fresh hair and fewer wash days?
Have oily skin? Here are the best setting sprays for you!
Need more hair tips? Try the best hair straightening products or volumizing products. And here’s how to organize all those hair products.
Looking for dry shampoo alternatives? Here’s 10!