The best dry shampoos for oily hair can add days to your wash schedule—and that’s actually a good thing. “If you have oily strands, a dry shampoo can give you more days without a wash,” says Kylee Heath, a celebrity hairstylist in Los Angeles. Frequent washing can strip hair of its natural oils, triggering even more sebum production or causing hair thinning. The right dry shampoo refreshes strands, boosts volume, and protects from overwashing damage. To find the best options, we tested the most popular formulas on the market and tapped hairstylists for their recommendations. Below are the ones that really deliver for curly hair, thick hair, post-workout refresh, scalp health, and more—without the chalky residue or heavy buildup.
Our top dry shampoos for oily hair
- Best Overall: Amika Perk Up Talc-Free Dry Shampoo, $29
- Best for Post-Workout: OUAI Üstün Dry Shampoo, $30
- Best for Curly Hair: DevaCurl Dry No-Poo Moisturizing Dry Shampoo, $28
- Most Long-Lasting: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo, $33
- Best for Added Texture: DAE Fairy Duster Dry Shampoo Powder, $30
Best Overall: Amika Perk Up Talc-Free Dry Shampoo
Amika Perk Up Talc-Free Dry Shampoo
Amazon
| What we love: | Worth considering: |
|---|---|
| Talc-free formula | Leaves a white cast if you apply it too close to your hair |
| Boosts volume and soaks up oil |
The aerosol dry shampoo formula boosts volume and soaks up oil like no other dry shampoo we’ve tried, without leaving hair feeling chalky or powdery. It has a blend of rice starch (to absorb oil and restore strands) plus sea buckthorn, an antioxidant rich in vitamin C, E, omega-7, and more, to protect hair from free radical damage and UV. The scent is pleasant too, and not overpowering, and you can use it on all hair types, from very thin to very thick or curly. We’d recommend massaging it in after application for best results—especially if you want added lift at the root. It made the very top of our list because it’s a product that our editors rely on multiple times a week for refreshed, bouncy strands.
Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary says:
“It manages to absorb grease, mattify my strands, and breathe life into flat areas, particularly around my roots. I also like that this formula is talc-free, and it doesn’t dispense out a consistency that’s overly chalky or powdery like some dry shampoos can. The only thing I’d recommend when using this is to hold it about 8 inches from your hair before you spray to avoid a white cast. I’m on maybe my eighth bottle of this over a span of six years, it’s literally non-negotiable in my hair deva routine.”—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour commerce writer
Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle says:
“This is a reliable dry shampoo for a variety of hair types. It’s effective at absorbing oiliness, smells great, and the bottle will last you for a very long time. Take it from me, who has long, thick hair.” —Jenifer Calle, Glamour senior commerce editor
Fast facts:
- Key Ingredients: Rice starch, vitamin C, vitamin E
- Size: 5.3 fl oz.
- 12 Hour Grease-test: Passed
Best for Thick Hair: Batiste Original Dry Shampoo
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Batiste Original Dry Shampoo
Amazon
| What we love: | Worth considering: |
|---|---|
| Provides oil-control | Leaves a white cast if you don’t massage it in |
| Has a sweet scent that isn’t overpowering |
At $8, this is one of the most affordable picks on the list—and the generous bottle size means it lasts for months to bott. Glamour editors and hairstylists say it does a great job of lifting flat and straight hair. Rice starch absorbs oil and excess shine that can make straight hair look greasy, and a few spritzes pump up volume at the root to keep fine hair looking bouncy and fresh. Unlike many dry shampoos that just coat strands, this one leaves hair feeling genuinely clean.
Glamour’s Calle says:
“This is one of my favorite dry shampoos. It’s particular great for thick, coarse hair like mine because a lot of product comes out that it distributes well enough. It also has great lifting power and manages to raise my flat, greasy hair. My strands go from slick and greasy to wavy and gorgeous. My only complaint is that you have to press hard on the nozzle to get product out.” —J.C.
Fast facts:
- Key Ingredients: Rice starch
- Size: 7.62 fl oz
- 12 Hour Grease-test: Passed
Best for Curly Hair: DevaCurl DRY NO-POO Moisturizing Dry Shampoo
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DevaCurl Dry No-Poo Moisturizing Dry Shampoo
Ulta
| What we love: | What to consider: |
|---|---|
| Refreshes curls without dehydrating | Nozzle breaks easily |
| Moisturizes with jojoba oil and plant extracts |
Most dry shampoos are formulated for straight hair, which means they can leave curly hair feeling dry, stiff, or stripped. Tapioca starch soaks up grease and keeps hair looking clean and matte. Jojoba seed oil and sunflower seed extract hydrate dry hair so curls stay bouncy and not crunchy. It also targets frizz and flyaways for a more polished finish, and the invisible formula means no white cast to worry about—a key feature for darker or textured hair.
Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs says:
“I have wavy, curly hair that gets lightly oily at the roots and gets smushed after a night of sleep, so I liked that this doubles as both a dry shampoo and a curl refresher with a quick twist of its dial. The refresher setting worked especially well—it’s more diffuse, easy to apply, and let me re-scrunch my hair into loose waves while absorbing oil at the same time. My only gripe is that it’s pretty heavily fragranced, which I didn’t love—but if you’re into a fruity scent, it might not bother you.”—Malia Griggs, Glamour commerce editor
Fast facts:
- Key Ingredients: Rice starch, jojoba oil, sunflower seed extract
- Size: 6 fl oz.
- 12 Hour Grease-test: Passed
Best for Post-Workout: OUAI Üstün Dry Shampoo
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Ouai Muhteşem Dry Invisible Dry Shampoo
Sephora
| What we love: | Worth considering: |
|---|---|
| Absorbs oil and sweat | Pricey compared to the other picks on this list |
| Long-lasting scent |
Hair that falls flat after a workout needs something that can handle both sweat and oil. Rice starch and micro-starch—a proprietary blend—soaks up excess sweat and slip while restoring natural waves and bounce. It also absorbs dirt and scalp buildup that accumulates during exercise, leaving strands matte, clean, and voluminous enough to skip a wash post-gym.
Glamour’s Calle says:
“This is a hardworking dry shampoo because I’ve really put it through the ringer. I tested it after working out at the gym and it immediately helped with my oily hair. It turned the greasy top of my head for I have the most oiliness into a post-shower clean look.” —J.C.
Fast facts:
- Key Ingredients: Rice starch; micro-starch
- Size: 4.5 fl oz
- 12 Hour Grease-test: Passed
Most Long-Lasting: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
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Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
Amazon
| What we love: | Worth considering: |
|---|---|
| Clean feeling | The aerosol sprayer gets stuck |
| Absorbs sweat and oil |
This volumizing dry shampoo is a favorite of Rogerio Cavalcante, New York City-based hair stylist and owner of the Second Floor Salon, because it’s long-lasting (aka will stay in your hair all day), smells fresh and actually detoxes greasy strands. It only takes one application in the morning to keep your hair feeling fresh and clean all day, thanks to starch and mineral powders that drink up grease, plus actives that help cleanse away scalp residue and build-up. The odor-neutralizing formula also adds a layer of freshness to strands and helps rid hair of the smell that might be associated with sweat and excess sebum.
Glamour’s Kilkeary says:
“It’s üstün long-lasting—I can spray it on at 8 A.M before I head to work and still smell the freshness by 8 P.M when I’m home. It makes my hair feel light, non-oily, and not heavy, and does a great job of lifting my roots all day. It’s the most long-lasting dry shampoos I’ve ever tried.”—A.M.K
Fast facts:
- Key Ingredients: Rice starch, mineral powders
- Size: 5.5 fl oz
- 12 Hour Grease-test: Passed
Best for Added Texture: Dae Fairy Duster Dry Shampoo Powder
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Dae Fairy Duster Dry Shampoo Powder
Amazon
| What we love: | Worth considering: |
|---|---|
| Paraben-free; phthalate-free | Formula is a bit messy when coming out of the pump |
| Adds major volume |
Prickly pear seed oil adds shine, moringa leaf extract helps prevent breakage, and cactus flower extract adds bounce and elasticity—making this non-aerosol, talc-free powder formula a strong pick for oily hair that also needs body and texture. A few spritzes deliver a fresh-blowout look, and the sweet citrus scent with notes of vanilla, floral, and orange blossom lasts all day. Massage the formula in after applying to avoid any mess.
Glamour’s Kilkeary says:
“My oily hair tends to be flat and lifeless on non-wash days, so I like to reach for this shampoo powder to add volume and much-needed texture. I like that the formula is talc and paraben-free, but still soaks up a good amount of oil. It also doesn’t leave my hair feeling stripped or dry, rather, gently hydrated and residue-free.”—A.M.K
Fast facts:
- Key Ingredients: Prickly pear seed oil, moringa leaf extract, cactus flower
- Size: 1 fl oz.
- 12 Hour Grease-test: Passed
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones
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Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones
Amazon
| What we love: | Worth considering: |
|---|---|
| Enhances color and fills in sparse areas | Pricey |
| Pigmented formula |
If you have color-treated hair, look to this Moroccan Oil Dry Shampoo in Dark Tones. (The brand also carries a Light Tones version if you’re blonde). It not only helps absorb excess oil and grease but also blends with your dye job, whether you have colored roots, darker hair, or a color gloss treatment. It protects against UV damage and features argan oil t ensure hair feels and looks soft and silky. We like that the scent is long-lasting and the color is, too—you won’t need touch-ups. In fact,it adds vibrance to your color and can even help fill in sparse areas where hair might be thinning.
Glamour’s Kilkeary says:
“This dark hair dry shampoo did just the trick—it helped keep my hair grease-free and matte, and kept my color looking strong. I also particularly like to use it in areas that my hair is thinning around my crown and behind my ears to help fill in sparse spots and keep extra oil away.”—A.M.K
Fast facts:
- Key Ingredients: Rice starch, argan oil
- Size: 5.4 fl oz.
- 12 Hour Grease-test: Passed
Frequently asked questions
What causes greasy hair?
Excess sebum production is the main culprit. “Genetics, over-washing, or touching your hair too much can all be causes of greasy hair,” Cavalcante adds. Using heavy products at the roots, like leave-in conditioners, texturizing sprays, or hair masks, can also make it worse.
Is dry shampoo ok for oily hair?
Yes. Cavalcante recommends using it between washes rather than as a full replacement for shampooing—it keeps hair fresh, grease-free, and resilient without disrupting the scalp’s natural balance. It’s also a strong pick for thin hair too, since it helps boost volume.
What ingredients should you look for when shopping for a dry shampoo for oily hair?
Oil-absorbing ingredients are the priority. “Look for rice starch or silica, and charcoal is also great if your scalp tends to get congested,” says Cavalcante. These ingredients help absorb oil without leaving a heavy residue behind.
When should you not use dry shampoo?
If you’re experiencing irritation, itch, or lots of buildup, it’s better to skip dry shampoo and wash your hair properly to fully cleanse the scalp, says celebrity hairstylist Alex Pardoe. “It’s also not a substitute for washing—if your hair feels coated or heavy, it’s time for a proper cleanse,” she says.
Can dry shampoo cause build-up or excess oil?
Yes, if overused. Dry shampoo can clog the scalp, so it’s important to use it in moderation. Cavalcante recommends actually applying it before your hair gets oily for best results. “Focus on the roots, let it sit for a minute, then brush it through so it blends naturally,” he says.
How we tested
We tested dry shampoos for oily hair by evaluating ingredients, texture/format and efficacy. The best ones contained rice starch, charcoal and other oil-absorbing ingredients that didn’t weigh down hair or leave behind a white residue. They came in lightweight spray or powder forms and didn’t leave behind a massive white cast after application. The best ones were successful in keeping our hair matte, non-greasy and slick-free.
Meet the experts
- Rogerio Cavalcante, NYC-based hair stylist and owner of the Second Floor Salon,
- Kylee Heath, celebrity hair stylist based in Los Angeles
- Alex Pardoe, celebrity hairstylist
