Ditch the aerosol: Our favourite dry shampoo powders to protect yourself and the environment

Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
For those who make a sport out of avoiding washing their hair (raises hand), dry shampoo spray is a godsend. However, in recent years, aerosol sprays have faced criticism. Thanks to social media, awareness has spread regarding the ingredients used in our beloved daily personal care products and their potential risks. As a result, many stores have removed aerosol-based dry shampoos from their shelves.

But why? Well, not only does their alcohol content tend to cause breakage and make the scalp feel dry and irritated, but they often contain benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, as well as environmentally harmful propellants like propane and butane, which are petroleum distillates derived from refining crude oil. However, as ignorance is bliss, knowledge is power. With information, we can make better choices, not only for ourselves but also for Mother Earth. We are maturing, learning and unlearning, and we need dry shampoos that follow suit.

Enter the era of powdered dry shampoo products. Let’s face it — we still need and love dry shampoo, both for those off days when our hair is a little greasy and for the texture and grip they provide, making styling easier. Powder dry shampoos offer a healthier and non-harmful alternative. Additionally, we appreciate that they last much longer, reducing waste and the need for frequent purchases, making them more environmentally friendly and satisfying. If you’re looking for the best aerosol-free dry shampoos to address all your hair concerns, keep reading for our recommendations.

Best for super-oily hair: dae Fairy Duster Volumizing Dry Shampoo Powder Best brush-applicator option: Crown Affair The Dry Shampoo Best fragrance-free option: Kristin Ess Fragrance-Free Shampoo Powder Best Canadian brand: Voir Haircare She’s Like the Wind Invisible Dry Shampoo & Conditioner Best compact option for travel: I DEW CARE Tap Secret Best customized option: Prose Custom Dry Shampoo Best for coloured hair: K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo

Mojave yucca and prickly pear seed oil combine with other nutrient-packed plant-powders in dae’s dry shampoo that’s guaranteed to combat even the greasiest hair. This nutrient-packed powder is an industry fave for reviving hair while adding volume and a mild but pleasant citrusy aroma. The super-small pump dispenses product in a puff of fluff that doesn’t leave a huge mess, and we just love that it contains enough product for up to 600 pumps.

Active ingredients: Mojave yucca, prickly pear seed oil cactus flower extract Benefits: Free of talc, parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone and sulfates Size: 1 oz Price: $41 Where to buy: Sephora | Dae Hair

Our only pick that doesn’t come in a squeeze or pump applicator, we appreciate that Crown Affair offers the option to purchase their dry shampoo with or without their kabuki brush. With a refreshing and invigorating fragrance derived from Japanese persimmon, a natural deodorizer and antioxidant, as well as bergamot, yuzu and lemongrass, you receive the benefits of both hair perfume and dry shampoo in one product touted for its efficacy and luxurious formula. 

Active ingredients: Tapioca starch, rice starch, persimmon powder, baking soda Benefits: Cruelty-free, vegan, free of sulfates and parabens Size: 1.1 oz Price: $57 Where to buy: Sephora | Crown Affair

This super-soft and lightweight dry shampoo powder stands out as our only fragrance-free option. It employs a blend of starches infused with neem leaf extract, known for its soothing properties against itching, and kaolin, which helps balance oil production and effectively combat scalp issues. It provides a refreshing cleanse and builds without causing hair to become gritty or dull. However, it is advisable to use it at arm’s length due to a tendency to dispense product forcefully through the precision nozzle.

Active ingredients: Corn starch, kaolin, tapioca starch, bentonite, rice starch Benefits: Vegan, cruelty-free and free of added fragrance, sulfates, parabens, phthalates and silicones Size: 1.3 oz Price: $19 Where to buy: Well.ca

Active ingredients: Tapioca starch, corn starch, witch hazel Benefits: Dry shampoo and conditioner in one, free of sulfates, phthalates, silicones, artificial colours, mineral oil and parabens Size: 1.4 fl oz. Price: $25 Where to buy: Amazon | Shoppers Drug Mart

This dry shampoo powder won Allure’s Best of Beauty Award in 2022 for good reason. The unique design of the jar and attached poof makes application fun, easy and mess-free, and the compact size makes it our purse pick for freshening hair and scalp on the go. Just twist open the lid, and get tap happy. And the best part? The formula contains black ginseng and biotin which can stimulate hair follicles and promote hair growth, nourish the scalp and improve blood circulation, enhance hair thickness and soothe irritated scalp conditions such as dandruff or itching. However, this mattifying powder does change the texture of your hair and a little goes a long way, so we recommend it for those seeing that thicker, textured feeling.

Active Ingredients: Black ginseng Benefits: Gluten-free, vegan and free of alcohol, parabens, sulfates and phthalates Size: 0.24 oz Price: $25 Where to buy: Amazon | I Dew Care

Prose’s translucent, powder dry shampoo is our pick for wellness lovers seeking a more personalized approach to their hair care. After completing a quick online quiz, Prose formulates a holistic package of products and supplements tailored to your unique needs. This includes a custom-blended dry shampoo powder that refreshes the roots, extends hairstyles and cares for your scalp. Prose stands out with its natural active ingredients, such as tea tree oil, white clay, aloe vera juice and witch hazel. If you have specific hair or scalp concerns and find the idea of having your own formula appealing, Prose is our recommendation.

Active ingredients: Customized for you Benefits: Ability to personalize, free of sulfates, parabens, GMOs, phthalates and alcohol Size: 1.4 oz Price: $37 Where to buy: Prose

Best for coloured hair: K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo

This non-aerosol shampoo is clinically proven to eliminate odor and reduce oil for up to three days – meaning you can go longer between washes and protect your colour. It’s also great for dark hair, as translucent microbeads absorb excess oil without leaving behind starchy buildup or a white cast. This formula may feel slightly damp when applied, but it dries down to offer hair an extra boost of volume and freshness. AirWash is also highly concentrated: apply just one to three sprays per section and build as needed.

Active ingredients: Translucent microbeads, Mediterranean microalgae Benefits: OdorBIND technology traps and eliminates odor-causing molecules Size: 4 oz Price: $65 Where to buy: Sephora

Shopping Essentials is a new category that features highly researched products, new and exciting launches or behind-the-scenes info — learn more.