Got oily roots by morning? These are the dry shampoos that see our hair through the day
If anyone knows the best dry shampoo for oily hair, it's me – I've worn it almost every day since 2009
A summary of this article: We’ve tested a huge range of dry shampoos to choose and refine the ultimate list of the best for oily and greasy hair. The overall best was Living Proof's original Perfect Hair Day formula, which both refreshes and adds a volume-boost. Also scoring highly was K18's innovative Airwash™ formula, which leaves strands feeling impressively clean, while Batiste was our most budget-friendly pick.
In many ways, the best dry shampoos for oily hair work harder than the average formula – absorbing excess sebum quickly, adding lift at the roots and refreshing hair so that you feel comfortable pushing your next hair wash back by a day (or even two). But they'll also add noticeable lift at the roots, which tend to sit flatter when weighed down by greasy build-up.
Wanting to reach for the best dry shampoo thanks to having oily hair is very common, and not always due to to over-washing or product build-up. As Tyler Moore, expert stylist at Live True London, explains: "[Oily hair] is caused by a build-up of sebum along the hair follicle. How much oil you produce depends on your hair type and genetics, but can be made worse by other factors." These can include stress, hormonal changes and even the weather.
The good news is that for those with grease-prone scalps, the range of best dry shampoos available has never been more varied, with options to suit different hair types, needs and budgets. Our beauty team put the best options to the test to find the formulas that work to keep oily, greasy hair looking fresher for longer – without a heavy white cast or overly chalky feel.
The best dry shampoo for oily hair deals
These deals were last checked on 04/11/26 and we will continue to do so to ensure that all of the products below are still in stock, still discounted and, most importantly, are the very best deals around at the moment.
The best dry shampoos for oily hair, reviewed by our experts
RRP: £27 for 198ml | Finish: Invisible | Key ingredients: Rice starch, orange peel oil, grapefruit peel oil
Reviewed by: Sennen Prickett, Aleesha Badkar
There's something seriously magical about Living Proof's Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo. After a spritz of the product, it was almost like I blinked and I had freshly washed hair. This gem also meant that my hair didn't succumb to any itchiness or fading throughout the day, too.
It boasted true staying power all day long, working to not only banish my once greasy locks but also boosting volume. It also didn't leave any visible white residue behind, which is a major plus as a brunette. Although it's on the pricier side, I'd say the quality of the formula is well worth the investment for the lasting results.
Pros
- Leaves hair looking volumised and fresher
- No chalky, white residue
- Didn't make our scalps itchy
- Stretches a long way
Cons
- Quite expensive for the size
RRP: £48 for 118ml | Finish: Fresh, natural, weightless | Key ingredients: Patented peptide complex, rice starch, kaolin
Reviewed by: Aleesha Badkar
There's dry shampoo, and then there's this. K18's AirWash uses a wet-spray formula rather than the traditional powder or aerosol approach, which sounds counterintuitive but makes complete sense once you've tried it. A few spritzes into my roots, a quick massage through and my hair was transformed – not just freshened-up, but clean-feeling, with the kind of body and bounce you'd expect after a proper wash and blow-dry.
It also doesn't disrupt styling, nor does it leave hair wet despite having a liquid formula, plus there's no stiffness or tackiness whatsoever. If anything, it's hard to believe you've used any dry shampoo after applying it. For oily hair that needs a serious reset between washes, we think this is about as good as it gets.
Pros
- Leaves hair feeling freshly washed and blow-dried
- Doesn't disrupt your style or leave hair wet, stiff or tacky
Cons
- Expenisve for the size
RRP: £3.40 for 200ml | Finish: Light, powdery | Key ingredients: Rice starch, keratin
Reviewed by: Hannah Holway, Aleesha Badkar
If you’ve only used one dry shampoo before, chances are that it was one from Batiste. This Blush edition is more heavyweight compared to the rest of the brand's line-up, which means it's easy to get quick results and extra volume on oily roots, although it does leave white patches when not holding the bottle at arm’s length.
While this budget option probably won’t keep your hair looking freshly washed the entire day, it's great for volume-boosting top-ups throughout the day – and it performs pretty well considering that it costs less than a fiver. For such a low price, you can’t go wrong with Batiste when you need a little refresh.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Fresh, summery smell
- Lightweight bottle
Cons
- Might be too sweet for some
- Can leave white patches
RRP: £28 for 250ml | Finish: Invisible | Key ingredients: Seed extract, citric acid, micro starch
Reviewed by: Hannah Holway
After testing this lightweight-feeling formula for several months, I can safely say that there’s really nothing else like it. No matter how much you spray onto your roots, the product that comes out is truly invisible, with absolutely no white cast transferring to your hair.
After a few months' of regular use, it still feels like there’s a lot left, meaning you get more bang for your buck. Like the rest of Olaplex’s range, it contains some of the brand's signature bond-building technology (though at a lower concentration than products like the No.3 Treatment), plus it’s completely vegan and free from sulphates and parabens.
Pros
- Contains Olaplex's bond-building technology
- Genuinely invisible finish
- Lightweight bottle
- Subtle, fresh smell
Cons
- Quite expensive for the size
RRP: £14 for 200ml | Finish: Light, almost invisible | Key ingredients: Rice starch, seed oil
Reviewed by: Hannah Holway, Aleesha Badkar
This lovely-smelling and easy-to-use dry dry shampoo is designed to be spritzed closely to the roots, however I noticed no residue, white patches, or any evidence that the product had been there at all, other than the freshness it instantly left in its wake.
There was no need to brush this product out, instead my fingers fluffed up my roots to give a freshly-washed look. I didn’t feel any itchiness or sensitivity on my scalp. One quick spritz was enough to achieve a voluminous hairstyle that you wouldn’t guess needed a wash. Fragrance is at the heart of ARKIVE's products, as evidenced by this rhubarb-scented number, which leaves your strands smelling gorgeous, too.
Pros
- Very fine spray
- Doesn't need to be brushed out
- Smells great
- Adds a little volume
Cons
- Bottle is a bit bulky for travel
RRP: £27 for 200ml | Finish: Natural, lightweight, residue-free | Key ingredients: Rice starch, silica
Reviewed by: Aleesha Badkar
Don't be fooled by the fine mist – this dry shampoo punches well above its weight. A couple of little spritzes at the roots is all it takes to absorb excess oil and restore lift, making it one of the best value options in this roundup. But what really sets it apart is what you don't get – no chalky white cast, no stiffness, no tacky finish that makes hair feel coated in product.
It sits invisibly on the hair, which makes it particularly well suited to darker shades that tend to show residue more obviously. If you've ever over-applied a dry shampoo and spent 10 minutes trying to brush out the evidence, I think you'll find this to be a welcome antidote.
Pros
- A little goes a long way
- Leaves zero residue, tackiness or stiffness behind
Cons
- No noticeable fragrance
- Doesn't add much lift or hold, if that's what you're after
How we tested the best dry shampoos for oily hair
A selection of the dry shampoos we tested
There are so many dry shampoos available on today's market, so we put a large selection of formulas through rigorous testing in order to find the very best buys. We made sure to test a real variety, each boasting different formulas that are designed to suit an array of hair types and budgets.
We used each product on my hair either one or two days post-wash, keeping an eye on how well they kept greasiness at bay over the course of the day. One of our tester's hair is dry and frizzy hair at the ends with greasy roots, while our other tester has lengthy and fine oily-prone hair. With this in mind, we considered all of the following factors when testing and choosing the best dry shampoos for oily hair.
- Scent: Dry shampoo is designed to stay in your roots to keep your hair looking and feeling fresh all day, so the scent is important. Some dry shampoos can smell a little clinical or overly sweet, while others have no fragrance at all. While fragrance preferences are subjective, it was important that each formula left our hair smelling, on balance, pleasant.
- How it settles: Traditionally, dry shampoos need to be brushed out through the roots, though this can lead to frizz or dry ends with some formulas. Now, lots of dry shampoos can easily be massaged out with your fingertips, making the dreaded white cast a thing of the past.
- Ease of use: One of the bonuses of using dry shampoo is that you can simply spritz and go on days when you can't wash or style your hair. Any dry shampoo that made it too complicated to achieve great results was out.
- Design: The most important thing is that your dry shampoo is in a container that makes it easy to dispense. But it's always nice to have a hair product in your bag or on your dresser that looks great.
How to choose the best dry shampoos for oily hair
When it comes to choosing a dry shampoo that is best suited to your oily-prone hair, there are some key points that'll help you have a successful purchase...
- Formula: While aerosols are the most common option, dry shampoo now comes in various forms, from powders to foams. Consider your hair type when it comes to choosing a formula; for example, those with particularly flat hair may prefer a powder for a quick, immediate boost of volume, while a foam may be more suited for those with curly or dry hair.
- Price: As with anything, price is a huge determining factor in your choice. If you use dry shampoo frequently, you may want to save on something you'll repurchase frequently, but those who simply stash it for emergencies may want to invest in something premium for the occasion.
- Formula: Ingredients play a huge role in dry shampoos. Keep an eye out for naturally absorbent ingredients, like rice starch, as these can soak up oiliness without leaving behind unwanted residue: "Dry shampoos that use rice starch are best for very natural results", says hairstylist Tom Smith, ambassador for Olaplex. Additionally, you might want to steer clear of formulas with harsh ingredients such as talc and sulphates, Smith adds: "I prefer to avoid talc, which can make the hair look dull and greyish."
- Hair colour: A number of dry shampoos are designed with specific hair colours in mind in order to prevent the dreaded white chalky residue. If you have darker hair, some formulas have a tint to prevent them from showing up on brunette or black hair, but many invisible formulas are still suitable.
Your dry shampoo for oily hair FAQs, answered
Is dry shampoo good for oily hair?
Dry shampoo is perfect for those battling oily hair as it works to absorb excess oil, extend the time between hair washes and give your tresses a fresher, fuller appearance. Whether you're wanting to combat overproduction of oil, keep your hair looking clean and oil-free after working out, or you're simply wanting to revive your locks last minute before you step out of the door, dry shampoo is a true staple within anyone's haircare collection.
What is the best dry shampoo for oily hair?
The best dry shampoo should not only do a stellar job at absorbing oiliness of the hair, but also offer a volumised, invisible finish - without any unwanted chalkiness. There are plenty of great options to choose from on the market, which appear in this guide, including the Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo for its overall standout invisible formula that banishes greasiness in seconds and Batiste Blush for its affordable price tag.
However, we also must give credit where credit is due. From the plethora of other dry shampoos that we tested, we must give notable mentions to the Colab Dry Shampoo for its vegan formula, KMS Conscious Style Cleansing Mist for being kind to sensitive scalps and Bristows Sol Fiesta Dry Shampoo for its moreish tropical scent.
How to apply dry shampoo to greasy hair
Application is key to ensure your dry shampoo can work its grease-absorbing magic properly, and it'll avary depending on your chosen formula. If you're using a mist or aerosol, make sure to shake the bottle thoroughly before spraying it into your roots in sections, from about 6 inches away from your head. Leave it to settle for about 30 seconds, then use your fingers to massage into your hair and ensure there's no chalky residue or patches. Brushing through your hair will also distribute it a little. And voilá, your hair looks a whole lot fresher.
If you're using a powder, simply sprinkle the product into your roots and follow the same steps of using your fingers to blend it in. You can also use a clean, fluffy makeup brush to buff out the formula and make it even less detectable.
Our expert panel
Aleesha was formerly Beauty eComm Editor at woman&home, where she shared her expertise in everything from the best beauty techniques and hair tools to the latest product launches. She tested and reviewed most of the stellar dry shampoo formulas that made it into the final guide above.
Sennen is Digital Beauty Writer at woman&home, where she shares the latest beauty launches, trending buys and personal product recommendations, from makeup and hair to skincare and nails – and some of the dry shampoo formulas featured here.
Tyler Moore is an experienced hair stylist working for Live True's salons in London. Here, he has shared some of his expert insights into greasy hair types and the best dry shampoos for them.