Dry shampoos are the perfect pick-me-up for when you need a refreshed look during those too-lazy-to-wash-my-hair days. But did you know there’s also a more practical reason for it? You have probably heard once or twice that it’s against the laws of grooming to wash your hair every day. For real? Yes. It’s because of sebum — an excess oily substance your body produces naturally to defend your skin. It moisturizes, protects, and coats your body’s outer barrier.
If you’re wondering why we’re rambling about sebum, it’s to make you understand exactly why you shouldn’t wash your hair every day, even if we’re in the middle of summer. When you rub your scalp with shampoo, you are stripping away the natural production of oils that nourish your hair. Sebum doesn’t sound sexy, but it’s how your hair gets the ever-so-coveted glow. And when you are constantly doing it, your body may not be able to keep up with producing sebum, making your hair and scalp can become dry and itchy.
When presented with this information, many guys jump to the defensive conclusion of needing to wash their hair every day because it will look and feel greasy. The solution to making your hair look good on your non-wash days? Dry shampoo. When your hair becomes greasy, you have an excess oil build-up. Dry shampoo doesn’t actually clean your hair or scalp. Instead, it uses starch or alcohol to gently lift some of the oil, making your locks look fluffy and clean. It cleans up the excess build-up without stripping away sebum entirely as many shampoos for men do in the cleaning process.
That doesn’t mean you should skip the showers and use dry shampoo daily. It’s best when used in moderation, a few times a week, and intermittently between showers or as a touch-up after the gym. Dry shampoos come in either spray or powdered form and can sometimes leave a light residue that needs to be massaged through. Since summer is the season of sweat, heat, and oil, we gathered the best dry shampoos for you to add to your grooming cabinet.
Related Reading:
The Best Men’s Dry Shampoos
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray
The most luxurious dry shampoos don’t come with any white residue. They also add depth, texture, and volume and smell mighty fine as they work to absorb excess oil. You’ll need to hide this one, from Oribe, from your partner because trust us, they’ll want to steal it. It lifts the grease out of your hair but definitely not the shine.
Best for: All hair types, especially medium to long
Dove Care Between Washes Dry Shampoo
This highly rated drug store option is from Dove. The scent is pretty low-key, but the formula is fire. The key for guys is to find a dry shampoo that is ultra-lightweight. A few mists will revive flat or greasy hair instantly without weighing it down with too much texture. You might see a white residue, but for the price point, it’s totally worth it. Just make sure you massage it in before leaving the house.
Best For: Guys with thin or fine, straight, or wavy hair
Briogeo Scalp Revival
If you’re super concerned about maintaining proper scalp health after reading the intro to this article, then Briogeo’s Scalp Revival is for you. This formula has been carefully crafted with something called Binchotan charcoal. It’s a natural, three-starch blend that absorbs excess oil. It also contains witch hazel, which normalizes oil production, and biotin, which nourishes the hair follicle to support healthy hair growth.
Best For: Guys with thin hair and a natural oily scalp
ACT + ACRE Plant-Based Dry Shampoo
This plant-based (yes you heard that right, although we don’t recommend you consuming it) dry shampoo has ingredients such as rice and tapioca powder, which absorb oil and leave your hair looking revived.
Best For: Guys with annoyingly oily hair that need a quick fix
Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak
Another drug store favorite, this product is great for guys with excess shine. The mattifying properties lift the grease without dulling it completely. It also adds a bit of texture to normally flat hair.
Best for: All hair types, especially guys with excess shine
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
Even though we don’t recommend it, you can literally get away with weeks off from washing your hair with this product from Living Proof. It smells pleasant and works wonders for all hair types for long periods of time. Plus, it comes in a great mini size to throw in your gym bag or car. It’s among the highest-rated dry shampoos for all hair types, lengths, and concerns. It might leave a slight white residue, but that can be easily massaged in as the formula starts working.
Best For: Every single guy with hair
Ouai Super Dry Shampoo
If you want a quick fix to overall shiny hair due to excess oil, this will be your savior. This dry shampoo immediately absorbs excess oil and leaves your hair refreshed, clean, and voluminous.
Best for: All hair types, especially those with excess shine and oily hair
How To Use Dry Shampoo
- Shake the can or bottle
- Target the area of your hair with the most grease build-up
- Hold the spray bottle or powder about 8 inches away from the target
- Spray or pour lightly and evenly and let it sit for at least 30 seconds
- Gently massage or brush the residue in and around, letting it distribute evenly.
Editors' Recommendations
- Here are the 10 best aftershave balms for men in 2023
- Great skin at any age: Skincare for men in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond
- Retinol for men: What to know and what to buy in 2023
- Try these 9 best body washes to freshen up your 2023
- Spring skincare tips: Get your skin ready for brighter days ahead
