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For the girl on the go, dry shampoo is a must. However, the standard brands in the store are chalked full of harmful chemicals. When I read some of the ingredients, I think to myself...You want me to spray that directly onto my head!? I think not.
We are as picky about our hair as we are our organic skincare favorites.
For the environmentally and health conscious beauty, we need our dry shampoos to do wonders for our hair without the risk of irritants and a coughing fit. On the hunt for the best natural dry shampoo? Read on.
What to Avoid in a Dry Shampoo
Often times when it’s hard to pronounce it, that ingredient doesn’t belong anywhere on your body much less directly on your scalp near your eyes, ears, or mouth. To know what you’re really getting out of a product, give the ingredient list a scan.
Here are a few you may find and why they are huge red flags for your hair and health.
Talc- Used to create a powdery texture infamous to dry shampoo, talc is a mineral composed primarily of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. I know, I know….Science is boring but talc really is incredibly dangerous and uncomfortably common in beauty products.
Some sources of talc have been linked to cancer as it contains asbestos. Why risk so much for clean hair!?
Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG’s)- Reaching for a spray can of dry shampoo? You won’t be in much of a hurry when you realize what’s helping it jet onto your scalp. LPG’s like Butane, Propane, and Isobutane are toxic aerosol ingredients.
They’re not only harmful to your lungs and blood but do a pretty good job at damaging our precious ozone layer. If your can of dry shampoo says ‘flammable’, maybe, just, ya know….throw it away.
Alcohol- Alcohols in dry shampoo are not only toxic but drying. This ingredient leaves hair brittle and creates an itchy scalp.
These three may be the most common and more dangerous of ingredients but wait, there’s more! Keep your eyes peeled for the fine print when it comes to these beauty perpetrators.
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
- Cetrimonium Chloride
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
- Parabens
- Sodium Chloride
- Polyethylene Glycols (PEG)
- Formaldehyde
- Synthetic Colors
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Retinyl Palmitate
- Triclosan
- Dimethicone
- Diethanolamine (DEA)
Want to keep it cute but also chemical-free? Here are the top 5 go-to’s when looking for the best natural dry shampoo.
The 5 Best Natural Dry Shampoos
We love a fresh mermaid moment! If you’re looking for locks as clean as Ariel’s and want to protect the ocean, dive into this botanical blend of organic essential oils that even the Disney princess herself can’t resist.
Oil is one of nature’s most potent cleansers.
Packed with these powerful and clean ingredients, it’s no surprise this one leads our list.
- Organic Arrowroot Powder
- Aluminium-Free Baking Soda
- Rose Geranium
- Palmarosa
Captain Blakenship's dry shampoo lets you live your mermaid fantasy by absorbing oil and volumizing your roots while also leaving a fresh feminine scent reminiscent of summers at the shore.
Pros
- Mostly organic ingredients
- Oil-absorbing
- Volumizing
- Lightweight
- Colorless
- Super affordable
Cons
- Requires you to generously work the product through your hair.
Where to Shop
Need a clean-up and a color boost? Kaia Naturals Overnight Dry Shampoo delivers! Making our best natural dry shampoo list, these ingredients are incredibly impressive. Using high-quality orange oil and activated charcoal, this dry shampoo doesn’t just cover your mid-week mess it detoxifies and moisturizes your hair and scalp.
Sometimes dry shampoo can leave hair looking dull. Kaia Naturals adds the perfect pump of pigment to bring your look back to life.
Pros
- Long-lasting results
- Adds pigment
- Cleanses
- Prevents hair damage
Cons
- Only comes in 2 shades - Brunette & Blonde
Where to Shop
Briogeo is really coming for the market with their hair strengthening and lengthening dry shampoo. Yes, you get the oil absorption you depend on but you also get so much more. With ingredients like biotin and witch hazel, this is one of the best natural dry shampoos to reach for if you want a product to go above and beyond.
Scalp Revival is a solution-focused dry shampoo designed for long-term health, not just a temporary fix.
Pros
- Soothes & balances scalp p.h.
- Multipurpose
- Infused with B-Vitamins
- Charcoal withdraws impurities
Cons
- A little difficult to apply evenly
Where to Shop
La Tierra Sagrada meaning ‘the sacred Earth’ sounds as exotic as the ingredients that make up its magic. He Shou Wu ‘sun potion’ is one of the primary ingredients. Along with its ability to clarify and soften hair, this flowering plant has been used by Polynesians for generations as a cleansing tool. Consider it a superfood for your hair.
Along with He Shou Wu, this lightweight formula provides heavyweight detoxifying with a multitude of clays. From the roots of the earth to the roots of your scalp, this dry shampoo packs plenty of natures finest.
Don’t let these precious ingredients go to waste. Learn how to make the most of your natural dry shampoo!
Pros
- A concentration of high-value natural ingredients
- No powdery residue left behind
- For all hair types
- Helps promote hair and scalp health
Cons
- A little goes a long way, so don’t overdo it
Where to Shop
Last but never the least, is the best natural dry shampoo to really pump up your look. Absorbing oil and adding a blast of volume while leaving hair silky soft makes Hair Dance a must-have. Whether you’ll be pulling your hair into a high bun or styling it for a night out, this dry shampoo lets your hair remain versatile in between washes.
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types and colors
- Adds instant Volume
- Easy Application
- Unscented or Grapefruit option
Cons
- Requires thorough dispersing of product throughout hair
Where to Shop
Conclusion
Our list of the 5 best natural dry shampoos are all vegan, cruelty-free, environmentally friendly, natural and best of all--they actually work!
Tired of breathing in those toxic aerosol shampoos? Share this post so all your gal-pals ditch the dirty ingredients for safer more effective options!
Wondering if anything else in your beauty drawer that might be letting you down? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll do the research for you.
Interesting review you have done up here concerning the best natural shampoos available. I like the fact that it is less harmful and more health friendly. I and my wife make use of dry shampoos and the last one we used was bad because it drained my hair moisture and I ended up having dandruff so, this post comes in handy to me. But I would love to know if the shampoos reviewed can be used by a man too or they are purely for women?
Thanks for stopping in RoDarrick 🙂 These dry shampoos can for sure be used by men! I would suggest the Takesumi Detox by Kaia Naturals.
Thanks Andrea and I will definitely share this post with my girlfriends. Dry shampoo is really important for our hair but most of this company produce products that are in a way harmful to the hair and we fail to realise that. I think of your list, I like the mermaid dry shampoo and I should get that specific one. Thanks a lot for all the info on what to look out for and what not to.
Thanks for stopping in! I agree, most dry shampoos on the market are full of atrocious ingredients that I don’t want to be anywhere near!
My wife keeps complaining about her shampoo being too harsh for her scalp, and it worries me alot. But reading this post gives me some sort of assurance that getting this product will help solve the problem. Although I’ve seen these products before before but didn’t pay attention to it. I’m definitely going to get some of these for my wife.
Hi Andrea, I have never used a dry shampoo, but after reading this I am looking at it as a possibility. There are a few things I would like to know such as : What are the directions? Do you apply it and brush it out ? Do you need to do 2 applications? Do you apply conditioner after use? How many times can you use a dry shampoo before actually washing your hair with water ? I especially like these organic products you have listed and look forward to treating myself to one of them.
Hi JJ, thanks for your questions 🙂 Most of these natural dry shampoos use clays and powders to absorb oil so they must be sprinkled onto the hair roots and brushed or tousled through. Each of these products has its own how to use directions, but in general, the product is applied and worked through the hair with a brush or your hands. You do not need to use 2 applications, and you don’t need to use a conditioner afterward, though you could use a leave-in conditioner if your hair is prone to dryness.
How many times you use dry shampoo before washing is up to your preference and your hair type, but I would recommend not using dry shampoo more than 2 times without a wash.
We have an article on how to use dry shampoo that you can check out.
I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions 🙂