Powder Dry Shampoo: Replace Your Old Dry Shampoo With These
Swap your spray for something simpler.
By Allie Hogan, Senior Beauty Editor ·
The Rootist / Dae
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With all the risky ingredients that have been found in spray aerosol dry shampoos lately, it’s no surprise people are seeking alternative options. Due to this, powder dry shampoo has been trending. Not only are the formulas a bit more straightforward, but a powder also allows more precision when applying dry shampoo to dirty strands. A handful of brands are ahead of the trend right now. Here’s the download on why you should consider swapping your old dry shampoo with a powder alternative and which are the ones worth trying.
Featured experts
Mia Santiago is a celebrity hairstylist
Alyssa Kobel is the VP of brand marketing at Dae
What are powder dry shampoos?
Powder dry shampoos serve a similar purpose to other dry shampoos but tend to be healthier, more sustainable and perhaps a better option for oiler scalps. “Dry shampoo powders absorb oil from the scalp and create a natural lift in the hair,” explains celebrity hairstylist Mia Santiago. “They help you go longer in between washes, leaving the hair less greasy and refreshed.”
How do you use powder dry shampoo?
“When I apply my dry shampoo powder, I like to apply it in roughly one-inch sections across my scalp, around my hairline and behind my ears,” says Santiago. VP of brand marketing at Dae Alyssa Kobel recommends starting small and adding more as needed. Once applied, let the powder sit for a few seconds to absorb, then gently massage it in with your fingertips or the brush that comes with some of the powders. Pro tip: Santiago likes to apply it at night so it can absorb hair oil while she sleeps.
How is powder dry shampoo different from texturizing powder?
“Both products absorb oil from the hair and scalp, but dry shampoo’s main job is to refresh the hair,” explains Santiago. “Texturizing powder adds volume and texture to the hair, leaving the hair with grit.”
“Powder dry shampoo gives hair that post-blowout look, added volume and texture, and of course provides clean, healthy hair results which a texturizing powder won’t help fix,” says Kobel. A texturizing powder is something you would reach for when looking to get added body and texture, she notes. However, many dry shampoos now also offer styling benefits.
Santiago says she loves the dry shampoo from new brand The Rootist. “It uses a unique ingredient for hair (upsalite) which absorbs both oil and sweat,” she explains. “It comes with a handy brush for super easy application. It extends styles days and provides amazing volume.”
This formula is a super concentrated blend of gentle and effective ingredients like arrowroot extract, Mojave yucca extract and cactus flower extract. “Fairy Duster is essential if you’re looking for a quality powder dry shampoo—I’ve actually never quite enjoyed dry shampoo powder until this one,” says Kobel. “Not only is this powder formula super effective when it comes to absorbing oil, but it’s also so quick and easy to use while giving hair tons of volume and extending your style.”
Celebrity makeup artist and founder of Violette_FR fused her Parisian lifestyle with her fast-paced New York City life to create the perfect on-the-go dry shampoo with a built-in brush. It features a washable brush and refillable powder base, so the product can live many lives.
This powder dry shampoo comes in two tints, light and dark, so there’s no white cast. The eco-friendly powder features rice protein, niacinamide and ashwagandha to help extend your style, add volume and absorb oil.
Not only does this dry shampoo powder extend your style between washes, but it also features thickening benefits. Biotin plumps strands and enhances hair fullness, while a starch blend absorbs oil and impurities.
This Klorane dry shampoo is a great option for those who love the brand’s traditional highly rated dry shampoos but want to try a powder product. The ultra-fine powder is ideal for hair care on the go as it quickly absorbs oil, dirt and odor, effectively cleaning hair without water in minutes.
Oribe rarely misses, so it’s no surprise this new dry shampoo powder is a win. It absorbs, regulates and prevents excess oil while helping extend the time between washes, which we all love. It’s perfect for a quick scalp health tune up.
R+Co claims this powerful dry shampoo passes the three-day test. If you’re on the oiler side, this might be a good choice since it’s for “intense oil absorption.” It features natural ingredients like diatomaceous Earth, jojoba seed oil and burdock root extract.
This adorable bottle houses a superfine nutrient-packed powder. Biotin plumps and smooths hair, rice starch soaks up excess oil and baking soda attacks grease while giving your scalp a deep clean.
This science-backed powder dry shampoo boosts volume and refreshes hair. It also features the brand’s clinically efficacious peptide and antioxidant mix to preserve and stimulate pigment.
Okay, we know this is technically a deodorant, but isn’t dry shampoo ultimately just deodorant for your hair? There are tons of reviews confirming this product is amazing both in hair and on armpits. We can also confirm it totally disappears into strands and refreshes hair. The powerful powder comes in a handful of scents.
Freshen up the look, feel and scent of your hair between showers with this classic dry shampoo powder. Simply sprinkle the powder on your scalp, leave it for a few minutes and then shake or brush through.
Rave reviews say this dry shampoo is a must-have. It adds volume and texture while absorbing oil and refreshing style. Its convenient size makes it great to take on the go for any hair emergencies.
This dry shampoo checks off all the normal boxes like absorbing oil and reviving hair, but it also helps balance the scalp with a nutrient-packed plant-based formula, so you can skip a shower without feeling like your scalp is suffering the consequences.
This luxe powder spray boosts volume from the roots while wiping out excess oil. Whether you’re extending your look from day to night or you’re skipping a few shampoos, this potato starch–based powder is here for you.
If you’re looking to support a family owned and run natural skin-care company, look no further. Reviewers compare this dry shampoo to Lush’s long beloved formula, plus it smells delightful.
Briogeo’s products are widely beloved, with something for every hair type and challenge. This powder dry shampoo absorbs excess oil, detoxifies the scalp and supports hair with good ingredients like binchotan charcoal, biotin and witch hazel.
This innovative applicator exceeds expectations with its patented brush applicator that delivers powder in a way that won’t promote itchiness or dryness as traditional dry shampoos can. The powder removes oil and leaves hair looking fresh with a boost of volume.
If you love a dry shampoo that also bumps up your volume, this powder is for you. The powder soaks up oil and adds grit to make styling super simple. Additionally, the packaging is super convenient to take on the go for when you might need it.
This adaptogen-infused dry shampoo is super luxe as it comes in a jar with a natural brush to use for application. The formula helps absorb oils while the adaptogens, He Shou Wu and Mucuna Pruriens, promote hair health.
The fluffy kabuki brush that comes with this powder makes it super easy to apply exactly where your hair needs it most. Tapioca starch and persimmon powder absorb oil and deodorize the hair for a fresh look and smell. It even features the brand’s signature fragrance of bergamot, yuzu and lemongrass.
Forget white cast. This sandy-rose-tinted dry shampoo disappears into any hair color while absorbing oil and boosting volume. You’ll smell fresher than the day you washed your hair with the minty citrus scent. Key ingredients include pink kaolin, horsetail and He Shou Wu to support hair health.
It’s easy to extend your wash cycle with this translucent powder dry shampoo. The formula nourishes the scalp while refreshing the roots. The standout quality of this product is that Prose will custom-make a batch just for you after you share some information on your hair needs.
Give your hair a refresh and a bit of body with this powder. Without the time-consuming process of washing your hair, a few squeezes of this product will re-energize your hair to that first-day wash feel and look.
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