Dry shampoos have cemented themselves in our everyday beauty routines, and, to be honest, we’d be lost without them. These mists, sprays, powders and foams are godsends for reviving greasy hair in between washes, whether that’s because you accidentally overslept or just finished a sweaty lunch-break workout.
We’ve seen plenty of innovation in the world of dry shampoos, too, with new-generation formulas featuring fine fragrance blends, pollution protection and added volume and texture, all without leaving behind a white residue on your roots.
In regular shampoos, surfactants are used to remove oil-based grease and dirt in your hair, before the formula is washed down the drain. However, dry shampoos use starches instead, which temporarily absorb greasy oils from your roots, while adding volume.
Using dry shampoos is easy peasy – spritz them onto roots (this can be easily done if you create a centre parting) and brush through strands by either massaging with your fingers or using a hairbrush, until there’s no visible trace. In seconds, you’ll see your hair transform from limp and lifeless to full-bodied and soft to touch.
However, the dry shampoo market is very varied, with many luxury and budget options. Some cost upwards of £40, while others will set you back less than a fiver. In a bid to find out which brands are worth your money and deserve a spot in your hair routine, we’ve spent weeks testing a variety of formulas to bring you our pick of the best dry shampoos on the market.
How we tested
We put myriad dry shampoos through their paces, using them on hair that needed all the help it could get, after not being washed for three days. We tested a mix of light and heavy-duty formulas for use on up-dos and when wearing our hair down. We considered scent, finish, added volume, how discreet or visible each dry shampoo was, and, of course, value for money.
Why you can trust us
Louise Whitbread is a writer specialising in beauty. Having used and carefully assessed a plethora of skincare, makeup and haircare buys, she does the leg work when it comes to researching the products on test, and frequently gleans helpful insights from relevant experts in the know. Louise has given her verdict on everything from hairsprays to bond-building treatments and more, offering her honest opinions to help you find the products worth buying.
Lucy Smith is The Independent’s beauty writer and has covered everything from Olaplex launches to the best hair dryers. She’s spoken to various trichologists and hair stylists and is well-versed on the ingredients to seek out (and avoid) for healthy, glossy locks.
The best dry shampoos for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Arkive the reset: £14, Boots.com
- Best budget buy – Batiste sensitive scalp: £2.87, Boots.com
- Best for coloured hair – K18 airwash: £48, Cultbeauty.co.uk
- Best for volume – Sam McKnight lazy girl: £24, Spacenk.com
