PETA Dry Shampoos

An aerosol, powder or foam product that contains moisture-absorbing agents like starch, cornflower and ingredients like alcohol. They work to absorb oil and grease in your hair and scalp to make it look clean and/or used in hairstyling to create volume and body.

Foam, powder and spray dry shampoo should all be applied on dry hair and close to the roots, and most importantly, should only be applied on greasy areas of your scalp.

• Aerosol: Make sure to shake the can before use, as the starch in the formula can settle at the bottom. Hold and spray four to six inches away from your scalp. Make sure you don’t spray continuously in one section, use sweeping motions to get an even spread and to avoid dusty looking roots. Let the dry shampoo rest for a minute, then brush or shake your hair to distribute the dry shampoo.
• Powder: The only difference from the spray is that you sprinkle instead. Some brands come with an applicator brush, but you can also sprinkle the powder with your hands. A top tip is to avoid putting the powder on your part, this can have the opposite desired effect.
• Foam: Apply the foam to the greasy areas with your hands. You don’t have to wait for foam dry shampoo to settle, once it’s applied, you’re ready to go.

Dry shampoo shouldn’t be a part of your everyday hair routine. It should only be used one to two times a week. Despite its name dry shampoo doesn’t actually clean your hair, using it too often will lead to build up and clog your follicles which could result in hair loss and scalp irritation.

Depending on your desired result and hair type, different dry shampoos do different things. Do you want volume for days? Or perhaps you want your hair to feel as fresh as when you’ve just stepped out of the shower? Maybe you’re looking for one that can do it all? We tested a range of dry shampoos to help you find the one that works the best for you. Read about our favourite dry shampoos here.