Hannah Holway
While finding your go-to dry shampoo might sound like an easy feat, it can actually require a fair amount of trial and error to find one that performs well for those with a particularly oily hair type.
Many of us have one of the best dry shampoos stashed away inside our bathroom cupboards at all times, but they are an even more of an essential for those who battle greasy strands. As explained by Tyler Moore, expert stylist at Live True London, oily hair "is caused by a build-up of sebum along the hair follicle. How much oil you produce depends on your hair type and genetics, but can be made worse by other factors".
Thankfully, the range of dry shampoos has never been more plentiful than it is now, with options to suit a variety of hair types, needs and budgets. So, we made it our mission to test a variety of buys available on the market, in order to find the top options that keep oily, greasy hair looking fresher for longer.
Best dry shampoo for oily hair deals
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The best dry shampoos for oily hair, tested by us
RRP: £24.95 | Finish: Invisible | Ingredients: Rice starch, orange peel oil, grapefruit peel oil
There's something seriously magic about Living Proof's Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo. After a spritz of the product, it was almost like I blinked and I instantly had freshly washed hair. This gem didn't succumb to any itchiness or fading. It boasted true staying power all day long, working to not only banish my once greasy locks but also boosting volume. It also didn't leave any visible white residue, which is a major plus as a brunette. Although it's on the pricier side, I'd say the quality of the formula is well worth the investment.
Reviewed by: Sennen Prickett
Pros
- Leaves hair looking volumised and freshly washed
- No chalky white residue
- Doesn't cause any itchiness throughout the day
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Is on the pricey side
RRP: £28 | Finish: Invisible | Ingredients: Seed extract, citric acid, micro starch
After testing this lightweight-feeling formula for several months, I can safely say that there’s really nothing else like it. No matter how much you spray onto your roots, the product that comes out is truly invisible, with absolutely no white cast transferring to your hair. After a few months' of regular use, it still feels like there’s a lot left, meaning you get more bang for your buck. Like the rest of Olaplex’s range, it’s completely vegan, as well as being free from sulphates, parabens, and phthalates, too.
Reviewed by: Hannah Holway
Pros
- Features Olaplex's bond-building technology for damaged hair
- Genuinely invisible finish
- Lightweight bottle
- Subtle, fresh smell
Cons
- Not the cheapest option
RRP: £3.59 | Finish: Light, powdery | Ingredients: Rice starch, keratin, fragrance of peony, orange peel
If you’ve ever used a dry shampoo before, chances are it will have been Batiste. This Blush version is more heavyweight compared to their other lineup, which means it's easy to get quick results and extra volume on oily roots, although it does leave white patches when not holding the bottle at arm’s length. While this budget option probably won’t keep your hair looking freshly washed the entire day, it's great for volume-boosting top-ups throughout the day. For such a low price, you can’t go wrong with Batiste.
Reviewed by: Hannah Holway
Pros
- Very affordable
- Fresh, summery smell
- Lightweight bottle
Cons
- Might be too sweet for some
- White patches can form
RRP: £20 | Finish: Invisible | Ingredients: Aloe vera, peppermint, tapioca and corn starch
The liquid aspect of this Bouclème foam evaporates and dries very quickly rather than adding any greasiness. The pump only allows for a small amount of the product to be dispersed at a time, which is useful because a little really does go a long way. I added a light layer to my roots and instantly saw a difference in my oily hair on its second day without washing. It's formulated for curly and wavy hair, so if you have very flat or fine hair that doesn't have much of a curl pattern, the product might weigh your roots down.
Reviewed by: Hannah Holway
Pros
- Creates volume at the roots
- Small bottle, easy to transport
- Soothing ingredients, great for sensitive scalps
Cons
- Might not work as well on very fine hair
RRP: £39 | Finish: Light, mist-like | Ingredients: Rice starch, sunflower seed extract, seed oil
This mist applicator adds initial moisture to the roots, which may seem counterintuitive, but I found that it instantly refreshed my greasy hair and allowed me to brush my hair in between wash days without causing frizz. Brushing wasn’t necessary with this very fine dry shampoo and I found a liberal spritz of this formula added a fair amount of volume to my greasy roots. While it definitely held up for several hours, it didn't last the entire day without needing another spritz.
Reviewed by: Hannah Holway
Pros
- No need to brush the product through
- Great for frizz-prone and/or curly hair
- Vegan formula
- Nice scent
Cons
- Other products add more volume
- Might need to be reapplied
RRP: £39 | Finish: Powdery | Ingredients: Corn starch, tapioca starch, lavender, nettle, sunflower
I've honestly never used a dry shampoo like this one. You don't get the sickly-sweet scent like other dry shampoos, instead it smells very natural and subtle. I liked how this powder really settles on your hair and boasted a weightless finish. I found myself less likely to touch my roots throughout the day, which in turn made the product last longer and do its job better. While the powder didn’t exactly add volume to my hair, it did stop it from going oily again later on in the day.
Reviewed by: Hannah Holway
Pros
- Very subtle scent
- No need to reapply throughout the day
- Small, easy-to-use bottle
Cons
- Might be too much for very fine hair
RRP: £28 | Finish: Light, powdery | Ingredients: Rice starch, sea buckthorn extract, citronellol
This lightweight, gym-friendly option from Amika boasts a fairly sweet scent, but not sickly enough to upset anyone by spraying this liberally in a changing room. I found that I didn’t need to brush the product out through my roots, instead waiting 30 seconds for it to settle before using my fingers to blend in. It worked great on my greasy roots that had gone several days without a shampoo. I was also really impressed with how long the result of this dry shampoo lasted, without the need to reapply throughout the day.
Reviewed by: Hannah Holway
Pros
- Bottle looks great and is lightweight
- Refreshing scent
- Doesn't need to be brushed out
Cons
- Not the cheapest
Best for dark hair
RRP: £11.50 | Finish: Powdery | Ingredients: Nettle, rice starch
Klorane's Nettle dry shampoo is made with dark, oily hair in mind, so instead of coming out white and powdery, the product settles to a light brown colour on the scalp. I'd recommend using this dry shampoo sparingly, however I found fluffing up my roots with my fingers dispersed the product without any trace. The nettle scent is pleasingly natural and it gave my hair a nice refresh when it was feeling a little lacklustre. The effects of the dry shampoo didn't last quite as long as others, but a spritz before a night out would give the hair a fresher feel.
Reviewed by: Hannah Holway
Pros
- Good for sensitive scalps
- Smells refreshing
- Natural ingredients
Cons
- Only works on dark roots
- You have to wait before brushing out
RRP: £12 | Finish: Light, almost invisible | Ingredients: Rice starch, seed oil
This lovely-smelling and easy-to-use dry dry shampoo is designed to be spritzed closely to the roots, however I noticed no residue, white patches, or any evidence that the product had been there at all, other than the freshness it instantly gave my roots. There was no need to brush this product out, instead my fingers fluffed up my roots to give a freshly-washed look. I didn’t feel any itchiness or sensitivity on my scalp. One quick spritz was enough to achieve a voluminous hairstyle that you wouldn’t guess needed a wash.
Reviewed by: Hannah Holway
Pros
- Very fine
- Doesn't need to be brushed out
- Smells great
- Adds volume
Cons
- Bottle is a bit bulky for travelling on-the-go
How we tested the best dry shampoos for oily hair
A selection of the dry shampoos we tested
There are now a plethora of dry shampoos available on the market, so we put these formulas through rigorous testing in order to find the very best buys. Firstly, we tried a dozen of different products, each boasting different formulas and suiting an array of hair types and budgets.
We used each product on my hair either one or two days post-wash, keeping an eye on how well they kept greasiness at bay over the course of the day. One of our tester's hair is dry and frizzy hair at the ends with greasy roots, while our other tester has lengthy and fine oily-prone hair. With this in mind, there were certain factors we considered when we were on the lookout for the best dry shampoos for oily hair:
- Scent: Dry shampoo is designed to stick to your roots and keep your hair looking and feeling fresh all day, so the scent it transfers to your locks is important. Some dry shampoos can smell a little clinical or overly sweet, so I sought out fresh but still natural and subtle scents.
- How well it settles: Traditionally, dry shampoos need to be brushed out through the roots, which can result in frizz for those with dry ends. Now, lots of dry shampoos can easily be brushed out with fingertips, making the dreaded white cast a thing of the past.
- Ease of use: One of the bonuses of using dry shampoo is that you can simply spritz and go on days when you can't wash or style your hair. Any dry shampoo that made it too complicated to achieve great results was out.
- Bottle design: From the perspective of aesthetics, it’s always better to have a hair product in your bag or on your dresser that looks great - you'll be more likely to pick it up and use it that way.
How to choose the best dry shampoos for oily hair
When it comes to choosing a dry shampoo that is best suited to your oily-prone hair, there are some key points that are important to consider before you make your purchase...
- Formula: While aerosol is the most common option, dry shampoos actually now arrive in numerous varying formulas - from powders to foams. It's important to consider your hair type when it comes to choosing a formula. For example those with particularly flat hair or those in a time crunch may prefer a powder for a quick and immediate boost of volume, whereas a foam may be more suited for those with curly or dry hair.
- Price: As with anything, price is a huge determining factor when it comes to choosing a product to take home with you. If you're someone who uses dry shampoo frequently, you may get more bang for your buck by investing in a pricier options, however those who simply keep a bottle stored away for emergency occasions may benefit from a more affordable choice.
- Ingredients: Ingredients play a huge role in dry shampoos. Keep an eye out for naturally absorbent ingredients, such as rice starch, as these will help soak up oiliness without leaving behind any unwanted residue: "Dry shampoos that use rice starch are best for very natural results", says Tom Smith, brand ambassador at Olaplex. Additionally, you might want to steer clear of formulas with harsh ingredients such as talc and sulphates, Smith adds: "I prefer to avoid talc which can make the hair look dull and greyish."
- Hair colour: There are now a number of dry shampoos available to shop on the market that are designed for specific hair colours in mind, in order to avoid the dreaded white chalky residue. For example, the Klorane Oil-Control Tinted Dry Shampoo within this guide will be better suited for those with brunette strands. While Moroccanoil's Dry Shampoo Light Tones, for example, may be ideal for those with blonde strands, as it also aims to remove brassy tones.
Your dry shampoo for oily hair FAQs, answered
Is dry shampoo good for oily hair?
Dry shampoo is perfect for those battling oily hair as it works to absorb excess oil, extend the time between hair washes and give your tresses a fresher, fuller appearance. Whether you're wanting to combat overproduction of oil, keep your hair looking clean and oil-free after working out, or you're simply wanting to revive your locks last minute before you step out of the door, dry shampoo is a true staple within anyone's haircare collection.
What is the best dry shampoo for oily hair?
The best dry shampoo should not only do a stellar job at absorbing oiliness of the hair, but also offer a volumised, invisible finish - without any unwanted chalkiness. There are plenty of great options to choose from on the market, which appear in this guide, including the Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo for its overall standout invisible formula that banishes greasiness in seconds and Batiste Blush for its affordable price tag.
However, we also must give credit where credit is due. From the plethora of other dry shampoos that we tested, we must give notable mentions to the Colab Dry Shampoo for its vegan formula, KMS Conscious Style Cleansing Mist for being kind to sensitive scalps and Bristows Sol Fiesta Dry Shampoo for its moreish tropical scent.
How to apply dry shampoo
The application of dry shampoo is key to ensure it is given the opportunity to work its grease-absorbing magic, however it will differ depending on the formula you opt for. If you're using a mist or aerosol, make sure to shake the bottle thoroughly before spritzing it onto sections of your roots, roughly at a distance of 6 inches away from your head. Leave to settle for 30 seconds before using your fingers to massage the product into your hair, ensuring no chalky residue is left behind. And voilá, your hair looks freshly washed!
Alternatively, if you're using a powder, simply sprinkle the product onto the roots and follow the same steps of using your fingers to blend it in. You can also use a fluffy makeup brush to ensure it's completely buffed into the hair for an invisible finish.
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