I have found the best natural dry shampoos! As a mom of four, washing my hair on a daily basis really isn’t in the cards. Plus, it’s just not the best for my fine and thin hair either. So finding a dry shampoo that was effective and free of toxic chemicals was a must years ago.
Plus, it’s pretty much a fix all for any hair problem. If your hair’s oily, it sops it up, if it needs volume, it gives you a lift, they even make your hair smell good…hello! So basically you can look like you shampooed and spent the 20 minutes on your hair, but you really didn’t.
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*Suzi(Gurl Gone Green) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Primally Pure Natural Dry Shampoo
Primally Pure wins the spot for best natural and non toxic dry shampoo. It has been a favorite of mine for years! Not only is it effective at soaking up any excess oil, it also comes in two colors. This makes it so much more versatile for those with dark hair.
Use code GURLGONEGREEN10 to save 10% off your Primally Pure purchase!
How Does Dry Shampoo Work?
The reality is that dry shampoo doesn’t actually clean your hair like when you shampoo your hair.
Instead it has active ingredients that will absorb the oil and grease your body naturally produces – giving the appearance that your hair is clean. Most dry shampoo products do this by using either starch or alcohol as its active ingredient. Starch absorbs oil, while alcohol evaporates and takes the oil with it.
Used too often, it may actually dry out your hair and leave a build up of product on your scalp. So while I love my dry shampoo, it really is no substitute for a good wash of your hair on a (somewhat) regular basis;)
Related Content: Best Natural Styling Product For Fine & Thin Hair
Natural Dry Shampoo Ingredients
Just like any other product in the beauty industry, your favorite conventional dry shampoo definitely has some ingredients you are going to want to avoid!
Ingredients To Avoid
- Isobutane/propane/butane – These ingredients are what allow a product to be used in spray form and ‘push’ it out of the bottle. (if it’s an aerosol that is) But unfortunately they are highly flammable and have been linked to allergies and irritation of the eyes, skin, or lungs. (source)
- Benzene– You won’t find this on the ingredient list, rather it is an unintended contaminant. But unfortunately a study from the Fall of 2022 found that 70% of the dry shampoos tested DID contain benzene – which is a known carcinogen after more chronic exposure while short term effects include drowsiness, headache, and nausea
- Alcohol- If you see an ingredient that ends with an -ol this would be an alcohol. General knowledge of alcohols tells us that it would be a drying ingredient (think of hand sanitizers). So, when used in a dry shampoo it will help to dry out the oil and grease, but again long term use can also dry out your hair and make it more prone to breakage in the future. (source)
- Fragrance/Parfum: A group of chemicals responsible for the scent (or even lack of scent) of a product. There are thousands of chemicals that can be included under the blanket ingredient “fragrance” and don’t have to be disclosed to preserve trade secrets. Just some of these thousands of ingredients are linked to cancer, reproductive toxicity, allergies and sensitivities.
- Talc– This is an ingredient that can easily be contaminated with asbestos if a brand isn’t testing to ensure it has no contamination. I am sure you have heard of the Johnson & Johnson lawsuit where $8.9 billion were paid out to tens of thousands of consumers who claimed their cancer was caused by their products. Even worse, talc on its own can be a skin irritant or cause breathing problems if accidentally breathed in – which is likely to happen with a dry shampoo!
Related Content: Best Talc Free Makeup Brands
Better Ingredients
- Arrowroot
- Kaolin Clay
- Cassava / Tapioca Starch (derived from the cassava root)
- Witch Hazel
- Essential Oils
Is Benzene Typically Found In Dry Shampoo?
Benzene is not typically found in dry shampoo- at least you won’t find it on the ingredient list.
However, in 2022, an independent laboratory called Valisure tested 148 different brands of dry shampoo and found that 70% of them contained detectable levels of benzene. The levels of benzene in some of the products were as high as 170 times the amount that is considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Benzene is a known carcinogen, and exposure to it can increase the risk of developing leukemia and other types of cancer. The FDA has not issued a recall for any dry shampoos that contain benzene, but several companies have voluntarily recalled their products after the Valisure study was released.
If you are looking to avoid dry shampoo that is contaminated with benzene, you will want to look for those that are fragrance free and don’t contain any propellants.
Tips and Tricks For Using Dry Shampoo
- Shake the container over your hair and spread around. Sounds simple, but it’s not as easy as you might think.
- Start from the bottom layer of hair and gradually work up. This way you can brush the product, and blend it easily into all your hair, before you get a big white powdered spot on the top section of hair.
- Use a bristle brush that will get the product evenly distributed throughout the hair, as opposed to a brush with bristles that are farther apart. I really like this teasing brush. If you have thick/long hair you may like a brush a little larger like this one.
- If you aren’t sure you can handle just sprinkling throughout your hair, try putting some in your hands first, and turn your head upside down and work it throughout your hair. This also ensures you’re not going to get white powdered sections anywhere.
- Another great option is to use your dry shampoo at night so that in the morning there is less noticeable white cast on your hair.
Related Content: Best Natural Shampoo and Conditioner Brands
Best Natural Dry Shampoos
Primally Pure Natural Dry Shampoo
Color Options: Dark Locks and Light Locks
Hair Type: All hair types.
Application: Apply just a few shakes of the dry shampoo to your roots to absorb oil. You can blend it in with either your fingertips or a makeup brush or teasing brush.
Price: $16 (1 oz), $28 (2 oz)
Review: This is my tried and true fave I’ve used for years. It works great and doesn’t have too strong of a scent. My hair doesn’t get a ton of volume with it but it does soak up the excess oil well. My sister who has darker hair than me loves their dry shampoo for dark locks.
Use code GURLGONEGREEN10 to save 10% off your Primally Pure purchase!
Related Content: Best Non Toxic Deodorants
Rahua Voluminous Dry Shampoo
Color Options: No color options- works for all hair colors.
Hair Type: All hair types especially fine/thin hair.
Application: This dry shampoo uses a non aerosol spray. Shake the bottle well, then squeeze the bottle as you ‘spray’ evenly on your scalp and roots of your hair.
Price: $32 (1.8 oz)
Review: This dry shampoo is unlike any I’ve used. The application is really where it’s at. You squeeze the bottle and the product squirts out. It really helps lift your hair as it squirts out. I love applying it like this too because it gives an even distribution. Most dry shampoos are just sprinkled on your hair, often leaving clumps. It not only gets rid of any greasiness but also adds volume. Especially since my hair is fine and thin. The one downside is the scent is kind of strong. It also can feel like it’s all around you, which makes it hard for you to not breathe it in. I like to pump it in my hair and then step away so I’m not breathing it on directly.
Related Content: Rahua Review
Innersense Refresh Dry Shampoo
Color Options: One option that is colorless.
Hair Type: Any hair type.
Application: This is a foam to powder dry shampoo. You will want to put 1-2 pumps on the palm of your hands. Using your finger tips you can emulsify the product and then apply to the roots and scalp of your hair. Massage in and allow it to air dry or use a blow dryer.
Price: $24 (2.37 fl oz)
Review: This is an entirely different type of dry shampoo. I wanted to like it but it just didn’t work for me. You really have to use a blow dryer afterwards and I feel like that takes the ease away from a dry shampoo. I want something quick. When I used a blow dryer it worked better at soaking up oil and giving volume but still wasn’t my favorite. If I left it on my hair to air dry it would get crunchy. Overall, not a fan.
Kai Naturals Overnight Dry Shampoo
Color Options: 2 options- tinted (brunette) and untinted (blonde)
Hair Type: All hair types.
Application: You will want to shake the bottle first. Then apply the product directly to your roots/scalp. Massage gently in. Kai Naturals states that you shouldn’t use a brush immediately and that it will take 4 hours for optimal results. When you wake the next morning, you will want to brush the product through the hair.
Price: $33 (.8 oz)
Review: I used this at night to begin with and liked how it soaked up excess oil, however, I found it works just as well using it the day of too. That’s the way I use it. It definitely soaked up excess oil and gave my hair a little grit to style. I liked that for my fine and thin hair- felt like I had more volume.
Acure Dry Shampoo
Color Options: 2 options – all hair types and brunette to dark hair
Hair Type: All hair types.
Application: You can either apply directly to the scalp or onto a brush for application. Do so by squeezing the bottle and then working it into your hair with either your finger tips or a brush.
Price: $11.99 (1.7 oz)
Review: This feels more like baby powder on my hair. It works if I am in a pinch but isn’t my fave. It left splotches on top of my head of powder and since it was white, it wasn’t a good look. The application just isn’t my favorite. It did help with excess oil but it was hard to control the amount coming out of the bottle.
Beauty By Earth Dry Shampoo & Volume Powder
Color Options: 2 options- Dark and Blonde
Hair Type: All hair types.
Application: Shake the product bottle well. Hold 6 inches from your scalp and squeeze the bottle for application. Work it into the scalp with fingertips or a makeup brush.
Price: $21.99 (2.5 oz)
Review: I really like this dry shampoo because of its application tip. As a former hairstylist it feels like I’m applying color to my hair and my application can be precise. I don’t get big globs of product and works great at soaking up excess oil too. Plus it evens adds some great volume! It might take a bit to get used to the application. For me it wasn’t bad because it feels similar to applying color, but I could see where it might feel different if you’re not used to it.
Cleo and Coco Dry Shampoo + Body Powder
Color Options: One color option – but 2 different scents are offered (Grapefruit Bergamot and Lavender Vanilla)
Hair Type: All hair types.
Application: Hold hair up and bottle 6 inches from head and press down on the pump.
Price: $16 (4 oz)
Review: I love this one! It’s the most used one. It doesn’t have a strong scent which I love. The feel is a little more like a spray dry shampoo since it comes in a pump. It works so well and gives a finer powder so you don’t get splotches. Works great for teasing and getting volume too.
Hair Dance Volumizing Dry Shampoo Powder
Color Options: One option that is suitable for all hair colors
Hair Type: All hair types.
Application: Divide your hair into sections and apply the powder to each section’s roots in a spot that wouldn’t be visible if there were any powder residue. Work it into the scalp. Also can apply to hands and work directly into the scalp. Finish by brushing product through hair for even distribution.
Price: $17.99 (2 oz)
Review: I really like this one! You can find it on Amazon and it’s a little more budget friendly. It pumps out good and didn’t leave splotches, but blended in really nice. I did feel like I got some good volume out of my hair and my daughters hair. It doesn’t smell strong either. I did feel like I had to apply more than others to get all the oil absorbed, but that was the only negative.
Dry Shampoo FAQ’s
No, the closest thing is a pump option.
Absolutely not! Unfortunately many can, that is why it is important to use a brand that you know for sure is free of this toxic ingredient.
Dry shampoo can be used to lengthen the time between washing your hair. Or even to freshen up your hair and add a little volume. Using it at night before bed and staying ahead of the grease and oil can be very effective. But it can also be used in the morning for more immediate results and it will help in styling your hair too.
Get the roots slightly damp and blow dry them. This helps to soak up excess oil. You can also use arrowroot powder from your kitchen, corn starch, cocoa powder or a translucent makeup powder. These can all work great!
What’s your favorite natural shampoo? Share below if I missed it!
If you liked this post, check out these past posts:
Hi Suzi. Thanks so much for your review! We’d love to offer your readers a discount code as well. Please use GURLGONEGREEN for 15% of Green and Gorgeous Organics!
Feel free to reach out for any questions! My name is Krisy, founder of Green and Gorgeous Organics, LLC. Please let me know if you need anything! email: hello@gandgorganics.com
Have a fantastic weekend!
Hi Krisy! Thanks so much for getting in touch with me! I will add the change to the text. Thank you! 🙂
I’ve loved everything One Love Organics so far so i would love to try swapping that for my current dry shampoo.
I love the One Love one but now I’m dying to try the Zabana and the Green & Gorgeous one! Thanks for this post, I could my love without dry shampoo!
‘@dominikaivan on IG 🙂
thanks. bunch Suzi for being so awesome. I am definetly going to need to give some of these a try. currently every now and again I use honest company diaper powder it’s talc free of course and does an ok job in a pinch but I am going to try
Hi Suzi, I really like your input on Dry Shampoo and I always wanted to try them. I would love to try your products sometime. Out of all the dry shampoos, I want to try Acute Argan Stem Cell & Co10 Dry Shampoo
I’d love to try the Green ad Gorgeous Organics! Love the Acure, but I’m curious what spending a little more $ would feel like 🙂
I would love to try green and gorgeous dry shampoo. Darker hair plus love volume! Adding these all to my list to try someday!
I have dark hair, so the Bambu Earth would probably work best for me, but I love scent and shimmer and am totally mesmerized by your description of the Zabana one. I’ve actually never tried dry shampoos before. I’m kind of scared of them, that it will feel like putting powder on your head.
I want to try One Love Organics!! So far I have loved everything I have tried 🙂
one of this really interested I am really interested in the one you said would be ideal for dark hair.
Thanks for the insight on the dry shampoos on the green beauty market. It’s hard switching to green beauty since you can get a pretty decent size dry shampoo at the drugstore for less then $10 but that obviously comes with a price! I would love to see what the one love organics and the acure organic could do to my hair!!
I would love to try the Bambu Earth’s dry shampoo since I do have darker hair finding a dry shampoo that doesn’t leave a white aftermath is difficult. The green and gorgeous from your description obviously sounds amazing as well so I definitely want to give that a try. Hopefully soon!
loved the blog! Can I still use the white ones on my hair even though my hair is dark brown? If so, do you have any tips?
Haven’t tried any organic dry shampoos, it’s the next switch on my list! Would love to start with something suitable for darker hair so Bambu Earth would be perfect!
The One Love organics is my current favorite. The G&G left too much grit in my hair and the scent doesn’t last either.
I have not yet ventured into the clean dry shampoo world probably because I had such bas experiences with mainstream dry shampoo, but as a mom of an active 2 year old I totally need a dry shampoo! I can so relate to everything you shared in your post about mommyhood!! I am a huge one love organics fan so anything by them I would like to try and I’m also curious about the green and gorgeous, bamboo earth and the a cure dry shampoo! Thanks Suzi, great post!
Oh my goodness they all sound amazing! I am always looking for something to give me another day before washing my hair. Curly hair needs the natural oils to keep it tame. As a professional athlete it gets a little challenging trying to give my locks a clean look after a hard training. I would love to try the One Love Organics or the Zabana. I think mostly for the island-type sent! Mmmm my favorite. The green and gorgeous might also be worth a try since I have darker roots.
I like the zabana essentials. Lush also has a good dry shampoo.
Hi Loraine! Thanks for reading. I actually wouldn’t recommend anyone to use Lush’s dry shampoo. It has talc in it and fragrance. Both have been known to be toxic ingredients and are horrible to breathe in.
I need zabana and Bambu in my life/hair!!!
I have no idea about dry shampoo but would love to try any five that you recommend for fine dark blonde hair. I know I damage my hair shampooing every day.
Thanks for the awesome info that you give us!
I am so excited to try some of these!! With three kiddos 6, 4 & 2yrs old our days are busy for sure and this mama needs all the help she can get with her hair between showers! The mermaid and zabana essential dry shampoos sounds amazing!!
All sounds exciting but I’m really liking the Bambu Earth dry shampoo 🙂
They all sound great!! How about the mermaid dry shampoo?? 🙂
Yeah, have you tried it?
No i was asking if you have! Only cause it was in the picture 🙂 I am interested in trying though..
Love this list! Dry shampoo is a must for me. Ever since I was diagnosed with lupus my hair completely changed; Texture, quantity and quality. Not to mention too much washing makes it fall out even more. So having a good non toxic dry shampoo is such a life saver. I have tried so many- toxic and non toxic- over the years. I like adding texture and fullness without too much white residue, as I’m a red head so I kind of fall into that middle category. I liked Zabana and Bambu Earth. Both ended up a little gummy in my hair after a few days. One I haven’t tried yet is by Primally Pure. And another one called Stranded. Have you tried any other new ones? G&G still your fav?
I really like G&G still-gives me some good lift with my fine/thin hair but I have been loving Primally Pure as well!
Hello,
I’m not sure if you or your readers are aware, but I was just looking at my girlfriends dry shampoo product called Acure Argan Stem Cell + CoQ10 Dry Shampoo. I realized there is an ingredient inside called French green clay.
I then googled “French Green Clay MSDS” and found that all clay products like this contain silicates in them as they are naturally occurring in the soil all over our earth.
It can be very harmful to inhale silicates and can cause serious respiratory problems and even death. I know these products are being marketed for use in the hair and thus are assumed safe to inhale.
I wanted to get the word out to as many people as possible and I wish you the best in your research!
Thanks for this applicable post! Which of these do you find BEST for helping with oil? Thanks!