Hair & Styling · Guide
How to Use Dry Shampoo the Right Way (and How Often)
Dry shampoo is a second-day shortcut, not a substitute for washing. Here is how to get the most from it, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Read the guideThe Best Dry Shampoo: 3 Picks for Oily Roots, Volume and Travel
An all-round refresher, a talc-free rice starch spray and a non-aerosol travel bottle, plus what dermatologists say about using dry shampoo.
The best dry shampoo for most people is Living Proof Perfect Hair Day, which the brand says absorbs oil, sweat and odor between washes. If you want a talc-free formula, amika perk up uses rice starch. If you travel or would rather skip aerosols, K18 AirWash is a non-aerosol spray in a 1.6-ounce bottle.
One thing no dry shampoo can do is replace a real wash. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says dry shampoo absorbs oil but does not clean your hair or scalp, so it works best as a bridge between wash days.
Our 3 picks at a glance
- Best Overall
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
Check price on Amazon for Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo (opens in a new tab) - Best Talc-Free
amika perk up Talc-Free Dry Shampoo
Check price on Amazon for amika perk up Talc-Free Dry Shampoo (opens in a new tab) - Best Non-Aerosol
K18 AirWash Non-Aerosol Dry Shampoo, Travel Size 1.6 oz
Check price on Amazon for K18 AirWash Non-Aerosol Dry Shampoo, Travel Size 1.6 oz (opens in a new tab)
How we picked
We searched Amazon's Beauty department for dry shampoo, set aside sponsored results, and opened listings from established hair-care brands. Three dry shampoos already appear in our how to use dry shampoo guide (Batiste, Dove and Moroccanoil), so we chose three different products here, each for a different job.
Every product detail below comes from the Amazon listing on the day we checked it, and brand claims are labeled as claims. Usage advice comes from the AAD and Cleveland Clinic. Styling after a refresh? See our hair dryer brush picks.
1. Best Overall
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
Sold by Living Proof, Inc. and shipped by Amazon
Most dry shampoos only claim to soak up oil. Living Proof goes further: its listing says Perfect Hair Day absorbs oil, sweat and odor to actually clean hair and refresh the scalp between washes. Read that as the brand's claim; the AAD's position is that dry shampoo doesn't replace washing with water.
The listing also describes a fresh, time-release scent and says the formula supports a healthy scalp environment and extends the time between washes. It is listed for women and men.
What the listing says
- Absorbs oil, sweat and odor, per Living Proof
- Time-release fresh scent
- Says it extends time between washes
- Listed for women and men
Keep in mind
- "Cleans hair" is the brand's wording; dermatologists say dry shampoo doesn't clean
- The listing doesn't say whether it is aerosol; check the can
- It is scented, which may not suit everyone
Best for: Anyone who wants one dry shampoo for oily roots, post-workout hair and second-day refreshes.
Check price on Amazon for Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo (opens in a new tab)2. Best Talc-Free
amika perk up Talc-Free Dry Shampoo
Shipped and sold by Amazon.com
amika says perk up uses rice starch in place of the standard aluminum starch, to restore volume, and the product name calls it talc-free. It sprays as a super-fine mist that amika says you can layer for days.
amika also promises no white residue, with a condition: if used correctly. Its directions are to spray, wait, then massage your scalp as if you were shampooing.
What the listing says
- Talc-free, with rice starch, per amika
- Super-fine, layerable mist
- No white residue when used as directed, says amika
- Shipped and sold by Amazon.com
Keep in mind
- The no-residue promise depends on letting it sit and massaging it in
- Layering for days runs against the AAD's advice to wash after one or two uses
- The listing doesn't give the can size on the page we checked
Best for: Fine or flat hair that needs lift, from a talc-free formula.
Check price on Amazon for amika perk up Talc-Free Dry Shampoo (opens in a new tab)3. Best Non-Aerosol
K18 AirWash Non-Aerosol Dry Shampoo, Travel Size 1.6 oz
Sold by K18 Hair and shipped by Amazon
If you would rather not carry an aerosol can, AirWash is a pump-style non-aerosol spray in a 1.6-fluid-ounce bottle. K18 says its odorBIND technology traps odor molecules and keeps hair and scalp fresh for up to three days, and that translucent microbeads soak up oil and sweat without white residue. The listing marks those claims with an asterisk.
Its directions are specific: shake for at least five seconds, section your hair, and use one spray per section 4 to 6 inches from the scalp, then massage and brush. K18 notes it may feel slightly damp going on, and says to shake and retry if the nozzle clogs.
What the listing says
- Non-aerosol spray
- Travel size: 1.6 fl oz
- Odor-trapping claim of up to 3 days, per K18
- No white residue, says the brand
Keep in mind
- Feels slightly damp on application, K18 says
- The nozzle can clog; K18 says to shake and retry
- Up to 3 days of freshness is a brand claim; dermatologists advise washing sooner
Best for: Travel, gym bags and anyone who prefers a non-aerosol spray.
Check price on Amazon for K18 AirWash Non-Aerosol Dry Shampoo, Travel Size 1.6 oz (opens in a new tab)Side by side
| Dry shampoo | Our pick for | Format | Standout listing detail | Sold by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living Proof Perfect Hair Day | Overall | Spray | Absorbs oil, sweat and odor | Living Proof, Inc. |
| amika perk up | Talc-free | Spray (mist) | Rice starch, talc-free | Amazon.com |
| K18 AirWash | Non-aerosol | Non-aerosol spray, 1.6 fl oz | Odor-trapping claim, translucent microbeads | K18 Hair |
Figures are taken from each Amazon listing on October 1, 2026 and can change.
What to look for
Your hair color
Some formulas can leave a white cast on dark hair. amika and K18 both say theirs leave no white residue; check before a big day.
Format
Aerosol sprays, non-aerosol sprays and powders all exist. The 2021 and 2022 dry shampoo recalls traced benzene to aerosol propellants, according to the companies' announcements.
Scent
Living Proof describes a fresh, time-release scent; K18 says AirWash avoids heavy fragrance.
How often you'll use it
The AAD says dermatologists recommend washing with water after one or two uses of dry shampoo.
The bottom line
- Best Overall: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day, for oil, sweat and odor between washes.
- Best Talc-Free: amika perk up, with rice starch and a fine, layerable mist.
- Best Non-Aerosol: K18 AirWash, a 1.6-ounce non-aerosol spray for travel.
Questions, answered
Does dry shampoo actually clean hair?
No. The AAD says dry shampoo absorbs oil so hair looks cleaner, but it does not clean the hair or scalp; you still need regular shampoo and water. Cleveland Clinic says it can't replace wet shampoo.
How often can I use dry shampoo?
There is no exact limit, but dermatologists quoted by the AAD recommend washing with water after one or two uses of dry shampoo. Relying on it alone can lead to buildup and, the AAD says, may contribute to seborrheic dermatitis.
Is dry shampoo bad for your scalp?
Used occasionally it is fine for most people. Cleveland Clinic says overuse can leave buildup that clogs pores and can contribute to pimples, scaling or a rash, and that alcohol in many formulas can dry hair. The AAD says to stop if you notice irritation.
Were dry shampoos recalled for benzene?
Yes. Procter & Gamble recalled some aerosol dry shampoos and dry conditioners in December 2021, and Unilever recalled some aerosol dry shampoos made before October 2021 in October 2022. Both companies said the benzene came from the propellant, according to their announcements posted by the FDA. Our picks come from other brands than the ones named in those announcements.
What is the best dry shampoo for dark hair?
Look for a formula that says it leaves no white residue, and apply a small amount to greasy areas only. amika and K18 both say theirs leave no white residue when used as directed.
How do I apply dry shampoo?
The AAD suggests using a small amount only where hair is greasy, since too much can leave hair stiff or gritty. For step-by-step directions, see our how to use dry shampoo guide.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology. Dry shampoo: How to get the best results (opens in a new tab)
- Cleveland Clinic. Does dry shampoo actually keep your hair clean? (2022) (opens in a new tab)
- U.S. FDA (company announcement). P&G Issues Voluntary Recall of Aerosol Dry Conditioner Spray Products and Aerosol Dry Shampoo Spray Products (2021) (opens in a new tab)
- U.S. FDA (company announcement). Unilever Issues Voluntary U.S. Recall of Select Dry Shampoos Due to Potential Presence of Benzene (2022) (opens in a new tab)
Listing details were captured from Amazon on October 8, 2026 and can change. Brand claims are attributed; we have not tested these products ourselves.
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