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.
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