If Aerosol Dry Shampoo Is Giving You the Ick, Here Are 8 Non-Aerosol Dry Shampoos That Professional Hairstylists Swear By
ICYMI, Unilever recalled over 300 batches of dry shampoo last year due to trace amounts of benzene—a known carcinogen that’s been linked to leukemia in high amounts—detected within the propellant (the compressed gas that gives aerosol cans the pressure needed to spray out product.) Some of the biggest brands in the dry shampoo category were impacted, like Dove, Bed Head, Tressemmé, Nexxus, and Suave. And while experts agreed that the amount of benzene in the affected products wasn’t high enough to cause harm, the recall put many dry shampoo users on high alert. Luckily, there are the best non-aerosol dry shampoos on the market that yield the same oil-absorbing properties as your usual dry shampoo, plus extra hair-care benefits.
- Ashleigh Marie Rancilio, Los Angeles-based celebrity colorist and hairstylist
- Chuck Amos, New York City-based celebrity hairstylist
- Eric Williams, New York City-based celebrity hairstylist
- Felicia Leatherwood, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Brush With the Best
- Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites
- Glenn Ellis, celebrity hairstylist
- Marisa Tibbenham, hairstylist based in Los Angeles
- Nicholas Taylor, New York City-based professional hairstylist
- Sarah Klein, professional hairstylist at Nine Zero One
Unlike their aerosol counterparts, non-aerosol dry shampoos typically come in the form of a loose powder or paste that can be sprinkled or puffed onto the roots of hair to absorb oil and sweat, making them an ideal dry shampoo for oily hair. Not only do non-aerosol dry shampoos absorb oil even better than the aerosol sprays do, they also boost hair’s volume (a huge selling point for folks with fine strands), are easier to travel with, and they're great to use before a workout. Not too shabby, right?
If you're keen on using an aerosol dry shampoo, there are plenty of options, including Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Overnight Shamoo, volumizing dry shampoo, dry shampoo for textured hair, and foaming dry shampoo.
As with most beauty products, some brands and products stand out from the rest. We tapped professional hairstylists for their favorite non-aerosol dry shampoos on the market that are guaranteed to give you all the style, without the spray.
What to look for in a non-aerosol dry shampoo
Ingredients
If soaking up dirt and oil is what you seek, consider non-aerosol dry shampoos that are formulated with starches, clays, and powders. These ingredients work wonders by essentially masking unwashed hair. Common starches include corn, rice, and tapioca—these ingredients are what “soak up” all the oil and grime at your roots.
Scent
Some non-aerosol dry shampoos contain fragrances, so if you have a sensitive scalp, we’d recommend steering clear. However, if the main goal of your dry shampoo is to mask unwanted odors (and you’re OK with fragrances), go for a subtle non-aerosol dry shampoo like Klorane’s dry shampoo with oat milk.
As with most beauty products, some brands and products stand out from the rest. We tapped professional hairstylists for their favorite non-aerosol dry shampoos on the market that are guaranteed to give you all the style, without the spray.
The best non-aerosol dry shampoos
This powdered, non-aerosol dry shampoo by R+Co uses a combination of corn and tapioca starch, kaolin clay, and diatomaceous earth—a mineral compound that absorbs impurities on the hair and scalp and adds texture—to soak up oils and sweat from your strands. It’s a favorite of Felicia Leatherwood, a celebrity natural hairstylist and Brush with the Best founder, whose client list includes Issa Rae, Ava DuVernay, and Skai Jackson. “It removes the oil so that I can create volume in their hair,” explains Leatherwood. She also uses it on actors who wear lace front wigs, as “it takes some of the shine away from their wigs leaving the hair looking more natural and realistic.”
Size: 1 oz
Scent: bergamot, wild fig, cyclamen, lotus flower, cedarwood, and tonka beans
Cruelty-free: yes
Pros:
- Absorbs oil
- Free of parabens and gluten
- Easy to apply
Cons:
- Expensive
“One of my favorite non aerosol dry shampoo is [this one by] Klorane,” shares Eric Williams, pro hairstylist who’s worked with Kate Hudson, Emma Corrin, and Iman. The loose powder formula uses corn and rice starch to deep clean hair and effectively absorb dirt, oils, and odor, plus oat milk to soothe and protect the hair and scalp. “I just apply [it] to the roots lightly, and I usually allow this to set for a few minutes then use a cool blow dryer to remove the product and refresh the hair,” Williams says. “The second way that I use this product is as a dry texturizer,” he explains. “After creating waves in the hair, I apply it throughout to give body and fullness.”
Size: 3.2 fl oz
Scent: unclear but some reviewers say that the scent is light
Cruelty-free: no
Pros:
- Does double duty as a texturizer and dry shampoo
- Formulated with plant-based ingredients
- Free of parabens, sulfates, and silicones
Cons:
- May leave some residue for some
For those with really oily hair, this Briogeo dry shampoo uses detoxifying charcoal powder to draw out impurities from the hair and scalp, clay, tapioca, and rice starches to immediately refresh the look of hair, and witch hazel to help balance oil-production over time.
Chuck Amos, a celebrity stylist who’s worked with big names like Solange, Gigi Hadid, and so many more, is a big fan. “It lasts much longer too, so you don’t need to use it every day,” Amos says. “It also has biotin, which helps stimulate hair growth, so it’s not just a dry shampoo, it’s an actual scalp treatment, and that’s what I really really love about this product.” Amos recommends applying the dry shampoo directly to the roots, gently pressing it in, and using your fingertips to massage your scalp and evenly distribute the product.
Amos’ tip for that “slept-in” hair look? “Apply a bit of your favorite moisturizing cream to your hair, to separate the strands, then gently press out the dry shampoo powder from the middle to the ends of your hair—shake it around, scrunch, fluff, and you have that bedroom slept-in look!”
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Scent: unclear
Cruelty-free: yes
Pros:
- Formulated with biotin for hair growth
- Controls oil
- Free of sulfate, silicones, and parabens
Cons:
- Packaging may be finicky
The R+Co Badlands Dry Shampoo serves multiple functions in your hair care routine. Volcanic ash and zeolite (a Japanese neutralizing powder that absorbs oil) help cleanse the scalp of dirt and impurities, while coconut and argan oils moisturize and define hair for the perfect style.
“It is so versatile and can be used not only as a dry shampoo but a texture and volume paste for many different hairstyles,” says professional hairstylist Sarah Klein of Nine Zero One salon in Los Angeles. While the texture may take some getting used to, Klein says it’s easier to use than you’d think. “Take a dime-sized amount and rub it between your fingers until the paste breaks down and emulsifies into a more shiny substance,” she explains. “Start by rubbing it through [the] scalp, then you can take the excess product and rub it throughout the ends of your hair to add fullness and texture.”
Size: 2.2 fl oz
Scent: sicilian lemon, tangerine, eucalyptus, green tea, tree moss, crisp amber
Cruelty-free: yes
Pros:
- Works as a dry shampoo and paste
- Absorbs oil
- Free of parabens and gluten
- TSA-approved
Cons:
- May clump
Ashleigh Marie, Los Angeles-based celebrity colorist, swears by the Act + Acre Plant Based Dry Shampoo. “I love that it’s formulated by a certified trichologist with the attention being not just on soaking up oil but keeping hair healthy and [the] scalp’s delicate microbiome balanced,” she says.
The non-aerosol dry shampoo is powered by organic rice and tapioca powder, along with 10 percent fulvic acid—a compound that delivers over 65 minerals straight to the scalp to pave the way for healthy growth. And application couldn’t be easier, according to Ashleigh. “It has a convenient pump you push to apply, [pump it] two inches from your part and rub it into the scalp to blend into the hair and it disappears,” she explains.
Size: 0.6 fl oz
Scent: unscented
Cruelty-free: yes
Pros:
- Absorbs oil without buildup
- Neutralizes odor
- Balances scalp microbiome
Cons:
- Roller ball may get tangled in the hair
“My favorite non-aerosol dry shampoo is R+Co Spiritualized,” says NYC-based pro hairstylist Nicholas Taylor. “A lot of my clients prefer this dry shampoo over an aerosol one because, with Spiritualized, you can spray it in and then follow with your blow dryer and style,” Taylor explains. “No residue and nothing sticky.”
The watery micellar formula has a cleansing powder suspended inside that helps absorb dirt and oil, soothe the scalp, and refresh hair between washes—all without leaving a powdery, white residue behind. Just shake it up before misting. “I recommend this product to all my extension clients, and it’s also great for anyone with braids or a wig,” shares Taylor. “It leaves your scalp feeling refreshed and your hair clean and smelling amazing.”
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Scent: bergamot, wild fig, cyclamen, lotus flower, cedarwood, and tonka beans
Cruelty-free: yes
Pros:
- Formulated with glycerin and castor oil
- Easy to apply
- Doesn’t leave behind a powdery residue
Cons:
- May not texturize hair for some
This Rahua dry shampoo touts oil-absorbing, volumizing, and texturizing benefits, thanks to its ingredient power couple: clay and tapioca powder. It’s also a favorite of celebrity hairstylist Glenn Ellis, who’s worked with Aubrey Plaza, Noah Cyrus, and Tinx.
“Because it’s non-aerosol, you have a little bit more control over the amount that you can put in your hair,” Ellis says. The precise opening on the cap allows you to target specific areas without coating your entire head like you might with traditional aerosol dry shampoo. Ellis says he recommends the dry shampoo to clients who are used to washing their hair daily. “They can rotate shampoo in one night and use it the following night on rotation,” he says. Plus, it smells great thanks to the organic star anise that gives the powder a slightly spicy, earthy fragrance (and even has antimicrobial properties that help support scalp health, too.)
Size: 1.8 oz
Scent: unclear
Cruelty-free: no
Pros:
- Made of plant-based ingredients
- Delivers texture and volume
- Easy to use
Cons:
- May cause buildup
With its powerful blend of corn, clay, tapioca, and oat powders, Aveda’s best-selling Shampowder promises to make second-day hairstyles look just as good as they do after washing. Celebrity hairstylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites, Gina Rivera, says it’s her go-to between washes (and she recommends washing 3x a week, no matter your hair type).
“I love that it’s naturally infused with plant powders and leaves the hair shiny,” Rivera says. “It also doesn’t weigh down the hair and it’s easy to shampoo out of the hair, too.” Because product build-up isn’t fun for anyone, Shampowder’s weightless texture is a huge game changer—especially if you have finer hair that tends to get bogged down when you use too much product. “It also gives the hair volume as well as the boost it needs without shampoo,” says Rivera. Sign us up!
Size: 2 fl oz
Scent: unclear
Cruelty-free: yes
Pros:
- Absorbs oil and and sweat
- Powered by plant powders
- Adds volume and texture
Cons:
- Expensive
FAQs
Is there another dry shampoo that's not aerosol?
Yup: You can also check out powder shampoos, which are waterless, dry forms of shampoo. "Yes, powder dry shampoos are another alternative to aerosol dry shampoos," says Marisa Tibbenham, a stylist at Ramos Carreon Salon. "Powder shampoos usually provide a more mattifying result."
Is aerosol dry shampoo bad for your scalp?
According to Tibbenham, the products itself are safe unless bad habits are developed, such as not washing your hair. "I generally recommend clients to wash their hair two to three times a week. I also recommend to wash your hair twice in one sitting," says Tibbenham. The first shampoo cycle removes buildup and the second cleans the hair and scalp.
Is there anything better than dry shampoo?
Using too much dry shampoo and often is not recommended. Tibbenham recommends washing your hair as the first line of cleaning. Dry shampoos are great before a workout or for days when you didn’t have time to shampoo your hair; however, dry shampoos shouldn’t completely replace your hair washing routine.
What is the number one recommended dry shampoo?
It depends on who you talk to—different stylists have different recommendations for dry shampoo, and it also depends on your hair type. Tibbenham says she personally loves the Milbon Refreshing Dry Shampoo ($43). “Its advanced trio powder technology absorbs the oil and deodorizes the scalp rather than just masking it, leaving a delightful scent of green apple and maguey,” she says. The best way to apply the product is by spraying it on the root while holding it a few inches away from the scalp. This will allow the formula to sit and give the product the time it needs to work its magic.
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