5 Best Vegan Dry Shampoos for Rejuvenated Hair

I could spritz my hair in between washes, and it looked like a million bucks.

What I didn’t know was that my dry shampoo of choice wasn’t exactly good for my hair, or for the environment.

Even though the label said cruelty free and vegan, it was chock full of nasty crap I didn’t even bother to educate myself about.

Let me save you that guilt and embarrassment before you even begin.

In a Hurry? Here’s Our Quick List of Top Picks

• Hair Dance Volumizing Dry Shampoo
• Beauty by Earth Organic Dry Shampoo Powder
• Lulu Organics Rose Musk Hair Powder/Dry Shampoo
• Handmade Heroes Drop Dead Gorgeous Dry Shampoo
• OMIT Head Powder – 2 in 1 Dry Shampoo & Volume Powder

What Is a Dry Shampoo and Why Do You Need It?

A dry shampoo is a dry product intended to clean your hair temporarily.

It absorbs oil from your hair and scalp, and leaves both looking fresh and clean. It isn’t meant to replace washing but can help keep your hair from looking like an oil slick in between.

A dry shampoo may be the personal care product you didn’t even know you couldn’t live without.

There are myriad reasons to use a dry shampoo. One is they’re super convenient when you’re in a hurry (or your life is a non-stop rollercoaster of everything but self-care – I’m looking at you, Mom).

Two is they’re awesome for travelling. I keep one in my camper and in my backpack. You never know when you need to tidy up your hair to be more presentable.

Three is they’re amazing for in-between washes. We all know washing and drying your hair daily can take its toll on your tresses.

Dry shampoo can be the answer to all these hair-raising situations. But most dry shampoos in your local store aren’t exactly good for your hair, or the environment for that matter.

Most cheap dry shampoos come in an aerosol can. Didn’t we learn anything from the hairspray disaster of the 80’s? Well, we did, but aerosol cans have made a comeback, and even though the propellent used in them is “better” than it was back then, it’s still not great.

Let’s have a look at some things to avoid when searching for you hair’s new best friend.

What to Avoid When Choosing a Dry Shampoo

Talc

We’ve briefly discussed Talc in our blush roundup and we’ll reiterate here. Although talc has oil absorbing qualities, and most is asbestos free, we’re still taking a cautious stance on its use.

Butane, Propane, Isobutane

These are all liquid petroleum gases used as propellants in aerosol containers. As stated above, propellant usage was nearly destroyed the ozone layer a while ago. I’m not sure when we decided to go back to aerosols, but here we are.

Even though the use of chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs are banned, there are still hundreds of aerosol products on the shelves.

These products utilize liquid petroleum gases to propel the product from the canister. These LPGs can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can deplete ground-level ozone layers which attributes to asthma-causing smog

Plus, we’re talking about butane, propane, and isobutane. Do you really want to spray that in the air you and your loved ones breathe?

Cetrimonium Chloride

This ingredient is used to combat static and to help prevent odor. However, this quaternary ammonium salt has been known to be a skin irritant, allergenic, toxic and lethal if ingested. No thanks! It’s banned in the EU, but still prevalent in many cosmetics and personal care products.

Cetrimonium chloride isn’t a necessary ingredient for your hair’s overall health, and it certainly isn’t good for your body as a whole. Skip it and look for products that provide anti-static cleansing without harsh chemicals.

Alcohol

Alcohol is drying and is used in dry shampoos to help absorb oil. Seems okay, right? Unfortunately, alcohol can be over drying, and with daily use can cause long-term damage to your hair.

Thankfully, the dry shampoos we’ve reviewed don’t use alcohol to absorb oil. It’s fairly easy to find hair products that don’t use alcohol, you just have to be wary and read those labels!

Phenoxyethanol

This ingredient has a natural source (green tea), but sadly, most companies utilize the synthetic version to save money.

Its main purpose is to inhibit bacterial growth in your dry shampoo, making it last longer on the shelf. However, the synthetic version has been linked with developmental and reproductive issues, and cancer.

Lucky for us, there are ethical cosmetic companies and natural alternatives. Always read your ingredients!

Now that you know what to be on the lookout for, we present to you, our favorites!

Since researching and writing this article, I’ve ditched my old dry shampoo and moved on to greener and cleaner pastures!

5 Top Picks for Vegan Dry Shampoos

Hair Dance Volumizing Dry Shampoo

This dry shampoo from Hair Dance has only five ingredients and is quite the workhorse!

Not only does it absorb oil, but it also adds volume to your style. It’s unique formula of rice starch, oatmeal and silica gently soaks up the oils in your hair while simultaneously adding volume. Your hair looks fresh, clean and bouncy, like you just washed it!

While a powdered dry shampoo does take some trial and error to master, this one has a pretty easy learning curve. The secret is to not add too much powder at one go.

Add a very small amount to your fingertips and work into your roots gently, then brush down throughout the rest of your hair. Boom! Done. You don’t need a lot of this, and if you do over do it, you’ll wind up with a white residue.

Once you used it a few times, you’ll know the precise amount that works best for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

Beauty by Earth Organic Dry Shampoo Powder

This dry shampoo comes in light and dark and claims to volumize and defrizz your hair.

It also claims to protect from signs of ageing by preserving the natural oils in your hair, retaining moisture and melanin. Supposedly, this keeps your hair from greying. Sign me up!

With a short but sweet ingredient list of only six natural components, this dry shampoo fits the bill for organic and natural. It has a subtle, earthy scent from the turmeric and lavender, but it isn’t overpowering.

Beauty by Earth’s hair solution is best for blonde and light brown hair but is difficult for darker shades to get a good blend on. It still works for darker hair but might take more effort.

Again, we find that less is more, and patience is a virtue when using this product.

The instructions say to apply at the roots, but we found that it was easier and more effective to put the powder in our hands and then apply to the scalp. We had better results this way, and more control over the product overall.

Lulu Organics Rose Musk Hair Powder/Dry Shampoo

I love the vintage look of this packaging, and the fact that it is almost completely free from plastic. Win.

This dry shampoo from Lulu Organics boasts minimal ingredients, a unique, earthy scent, and is easy to apply.

Instead of a targeted spout like some of the other brands reviewed, Lulu Organics has a shaker top to dispense the powder into your hands

I feel like this helps to more evenly distribute the powder from the roots to the tips, leaving no chalky residue. This is a plus, especially for darker haired consumers.

Also note that some customers use a large powder brush to apply to not get the powder on their hands. Great idea!

It does use baking soda in the formula, which some people find irritating to their skin, so if you have a known sensitivity to it, it’s best to avoid it.

As with any new skin product, do a small patch test first say, on your inner arm, for example, if you experience redness or itching, don’t use it.

Handmade Heroes Drop Dead Gorgeous Dry Shampoo

Handmade Heroes brings you a dry shampoo powder which comes in a recyclable bottle with a shaker top, making it easy to dispense just the right amount for your hair.

It’s blend of rice powder, kaolin clay, charcoal, and cocoa make sure that your tresses are oil free and nurtured from the first use. The essential oils infuse into your locks, healing your hair and leaving a slight floral scent.

You only need a little bit of this powder for it to be effective, and it’s easy to overdo it. Just skimp and apply less than you might think you need.

Too much and it builds up at bit at your roots, loosening under your fingernails. It won’t leave a white residue, but a dark one isn’t ideal either.

This powder is best applied with a large cosmetic brush as well, so if you find your hands don’t do the trick, bust out that brush and give that a try.

It may take a little trial and error to get ideal results, but once you master it, this will become your favorite for in-between washings!

OMIT Head Powder – 2 in 1 Dry Shampoo & Volume Powder

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OMIT’s head powder is unique in that it is a 2-in-1 product.

It not only absorbs oil for in-between washing, but it also adds volume, lift, and holds as a gentle styling agent. It’s the ideal product for curly hair, which are often difficult to find dry shampoos that work well with those textures.

To use as a dry shampoo, apply to roots and work through hair. To use as a volumizer/texturizer, apply to length and ends and work through.

I love that it adds texture and lift without weighing hair down, yet still gives control that lasts all day. There is no product buildup with this powder, and no chalky residue.

This Australian based company is new on the scene, but their products are top-notch.

Marketed mainly for men, but definitely usable by all. Simple ingredients, easy to apply, multiple uses.

They may be new, but they know what they are doing!

Top Choice for the Best Vegan Dry Shampoo

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Despite all those aerosol sprays on the shelves at your local drugstore or supermarket, there are better products for your hair and the environment!

I’m so happy to have been able to discover all these great dry shampoos (and so is my hair!).

It was an adventure filled with trial and error and ups and downs, but I was finally able to decide which product I liked the best.

I chose OMIT head powder 2 in 1 as the overall winner!

It won me over with its packaging and scent, and its ability to multi-task.

I liked its ease of use, its convenient pump, and its staying power. This is a great product! After continued use I saw an improvement in the way my hair looked and felt.

It seemed to not only help control the oiliness, but also the dry scalp side effect I was seeing from my old dry shampoo. It also seemed to help my hair feel and look thicker and healthier.

If you’re like me, you may be nervous to try a different type of dry shampoo. There’s a learning curve to using a powder as opposed to a spray. But I assure you, it’s worth it in the end.

Your hair looks better, it’s safer, cleaner, and you won’t have to gag and choke every time you use it! You’ll be happier for going out of your comfort zone, and your hair will be ready for its on-screen closeup!