To use dry shampoo, shake the can hard, lift your hair in sections, and spray the roots from the distance on the label, which for the aerosols in this post runs from six to twelve inches. Then leave it alone for as long as the label says (30 seconds to two minutes among the brands here), massage it in with your fingertips, and brush it out. Use it on dry hair, only where your roots look greasy, and start with less than you think you need. The wait is the step that’s easiest to skip. Dry shampoo absorbs oil. It doesn’t clean your hair, so it covers the stretch between washes and doesn’t replace them. If you want one can to start with, Living Proof Perfect hair Day is the pick for regular use and Batiste Light is the inexpensive, fragrance-free one.
The best dry shampoos at a glance
Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk Non-Aerosol
Squeeze-bottle powder, about $25
Prices move constantly, so we link to live listings instead of printing a number that is wrong by the time you read it. Links go to Amazon, which is where a referral gets credited.
Step by step: how to use dry shampoo
- Start with dry hair. Living Proof’s directions say dry hair and Moroccanoil’s say dry roots. If your hair is damp from a workout, Batiste recommends a quick blow-dry first.
- Shake the can. All five brands here say to shake first. Batiste says to shake before using and again between sprays, and calls that step the key to preventing white residue.
- Section your hair. Lift the top layer and work in horizontal parts. The oil is at the scalp, so the product has to land there. Don’t forget the back of your head.
- Spray from the labeled distance. For Batiste it’s about 8 to 12 inches: the brand gives 12 inches, about the length of the can, in some of its directions and 8 to 12 in others. Living Proof says six to ten inches. Moroccanoil says six to eight. Klorane says 10 inches for its powder, and K18 says four to six inches for its mist. Batiste says to spray in short bursts, and Living Proof says to use a sweeping motion.
- Wait. Living Proof says 30 seconds. Batiste says to leave it in for a minute in some of its directions and a few moments in others. Klorane says two minutes for its powder. Moroccanoil just says to let it dry. Hands off until then.
- Massage it in. Use your fingertips at the scalp, the way you would with shampoo in the shower. Batiste says this is when any white residue starts to disappear.
- Brush it out. Brush from roots to ends, or comb if that’s kinder to your texture. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says to let the product sit for the time on the directions, then brush or comb it out.
- Add more only if you need it. If a spot still looks greasy, shake again and give it one more short burst.
- Style. Dry shampoo leaves a little grip, which helps ponytails and braids hold. Aerosols are flammable, so follow the warnings on the can.
Where your label and this list disagree, the label wins. The numbers above are specific to each brand, and they aren’t interchangeable.
When to apply it, including the night before
The usual moment is the morning your roots look flat and shiny. The alternative is the evening before, while your hair is still fairly clean, so the powder is in place as oil comes up overnight. Batiste sells a can made for this. Its directions for Overnight Deep Cleanse: apply before bed from 12 inches, massage it well into the roots, then brush and style as usual in the morning.
Keep the night-before method for hair that’s a day past a wash, and go light. Our post on whether dry shampoo damages hair warns against going to bed with heavy buildup, and that still holds. A little on clean-ish roots is one thing. A third layer on day four is another.
How much, and how often
Less than you think. Apply a small amount only where hair feels greasy and add more a little at a time; too much can leave hair dry, stiff and gritty.
On frequency, dermatologists say there’s no set number, but that it’s best to wash with regular shampoo and water after one or two dry shampoos. That matches our Living Proof dry shampoo review, which calls two days between washes comfortable and three a stretch. For your baseline, see how often to wash your hair.
Spray, powder or foam
Aerosol spray. The fastest and the most even, since the can does the distributing. It also has the most rules: shake, distance, wait.
Loose powder. No propellant, and easy to pack, but harder to place evenly. For its own powder, Batiste says to tap it lightly onto sectioned roots, work it around with your fingertips, and brush lightly.
Liquid mist and foam. K18 says its non-aerosol mist may feel slightly damp but won’t disturb your style. For a foam, follow the directions on the bottle, and don’t assume a foam is propellant-free; check the ingredient list.
1. Living Proof Perfect hair Day Dry Shampoo
Living Proof Perfect hair Day Dry Shampoo is the one we’d buy for frequent use. The brand says its powders absorb oil and sweat and that a patented molecule helps those powders come back out of the hair. Living Proof’s directions are six to ten inches, a 30-second wait, then massage or brush. The drawback is the price. Living Proof also says easy-to-remove white residue is normal, especially on dark hair.
2. Batiste Light Dry Shampoo Fragrance Free
Batiste Light Dry Shampoo Fragrance Free is the inexpensive pick. Batiste describes a fragrance-free formula with rice starch and an invisible finish, and says to spray from about 12 inches. It also uses the phrase “good for sensitive scalps.” Those are Batiste’s words, not ours, and not a medical claim. The can is small, so heavy users will go through it quickly.
3. Batiste Overnight Deep Cleanse Dry Shampoo
Batiste Overnight Deep Cleanse Dry Shampoo is built around the night-before method. The formula has rice starch, charcoal and baking soda. It’s scented (with notes of jasmine, patchouli and orange blossom), so pass if you avoid fragrance.
4. Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones
Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones is for brunettes tired of gray-looking roots. Moroccanoil says its ultra-fine rice starches absorb oil and buildup without leaving a dull residue, and that this version refreshes hair without affecting the richness of dark tones. There’s a Light Tones version too. Moroccanoil’s directions are six to eight inches from dry roots, let it dry, massage, then brush. It’s scented with the brand’s signature fragrance, so it isn’t one for anyone avoiding scent.
5. Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk Non-Aerosol
Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk Non-Aerosol is a loose powder in a squeeze bottle. Klorane says the ultra-fine powders blend into hair without residue. Its directions: hold the bottle vertically, squeeze gently from 10 inches, wait two minutes and brush. The catch with any loose powder is placement, and loose powder can show on dark hair until it’s brushed out. Practice over the sink.
6. K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo
K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo is a non-aerosol liquid mist. K18 says it absorbs oil and sweat without starchy buildup or white cast. Its directions work closer than the aerosols here: shake for at least five seconds, hold it four to six inches from the scalp, and use one spray per section. It’s the most expensive pick here by a wide margin.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- White cast. Usually too close, too much, or not enough shaking. Back the can up, wait the full time, then massage and brush. Living Proof suggests a blow-dryer for residue that won’t budge. On dark hair, try a tinted formula.
- Buildup. Layering day after day leaves roots dull, heavy and coated. The fix is a real wash. If one shampoo doesn’t clear it, our guides to clarifying shampoo and scalp scrubs cover the next step.
- Itchy scalp. If you develop itching, burning or other irritation, stop using dry shampoo, and the irritation should clear in a few weeks. For a scalp that feels parched, dermatologists recommend a fragrance-free product. More in our dry, itchy scalp guide.
- Spraying the lengths. Oil collects at the roots, so that’s where the product belongs.
Tips by hair type and color
Fine, straight hair. It shows oil first and gets weighed down fastest. Use the least product, and consider the night-before method. Our root volume guide for fine hair has more.
Thick or coarse hair. Take more sections. Living Proof says to section more thoroughly for thicker, coarser hair.
Curly and coily hair. Living Proof says fingers or a brush would disrupt the curl pattern, and to use a blow-dryer on low heat instead. K18 suggests holding its mist closer, around four inches, for coily textures. See how to refresh curls between wash days.
Dark hair. Batiste says its Dark Hair shade suits dark brown to black hair and its Brunette shade suits light to medium brown and red hair.
Blonde, gray and color-treated hair. A standard untinted formula is the least likely to show on light hair. For dyed hair, look for a color-safe statement on the label; Living Proof calls Perfect hair Day color safe.
A note on recalls
Some aerosol dry shampoos were voluntarily recalled in 2021 and 2022 after benzene was detected. The notices posted on the FDA’s site, the December 2021 notice and the October 2022 notice, list the specific products and codes covered. If you have an older can at home, you can check it against them.
If I Were You
If you use dry shampoo several days a week, buy the Living Proof and commit to brushing it out.
If you use it now and then, the Batiste Light does the visible job for a fraction of the price.
If your mornings are rushed, spray Batiste Overnight before bed and brush when you get up.
If you’d rather not use an aerosol, choose Klorane’s powder or the K18 mist.
If your scalp already itches or flakes, don’t buy any of them yet. Wash, give it a rest, and see how it settles.
FAQ
Can you use dry shampoo on wet hair?
No. Living Proof’s and Moroccanoil’s directions both call for dry hair or dry roots, and Batiste recommends blow-drying hair that’s damp from sweat before you spray.
How long should you leave dry shampoo in before brushing?
Follow your can. Among the brands here it runs from 30 seconds to two minutes. Leaving it on longer than directed does no harm. You just won’t get the best result.
Can you use dry shampoo every day?
It isn’t meant to replace washing. The AAD’s dermatologists suggest shampooing with water after one or two uses, and they say relying on dry shampoo alone could lead to seborrheic dermatitis, an itchy, scaly rash on the scalp.
Does dry shampoo cause hair loss?
Dry shampoo that stays on the hair or scalp can cause problems like breakage and shedding, which is one more reason to wash it out regularly. Our explainer on shedding versus hair loss covers the difference. If scalp irritation stays the same or gets worse after a few weeks, the AAD says a board-certified dermatologist can help.
Bottom line
Shake, section, spray from the labeled distance, wait, massage, brush. Use a little, on the roots only, and wash with regular shampoo and water after one or two uses. If your scalp gets irritated, stop using it, and see a board-certified dermatologist if the irritation doesn’t clear within a few weeks. For the longer look at what dry shampoo does to hair over time, read does dry shampoo damage your hair.
