Our topic today is the best dry shampoo for black hair reviews. While Black hair mainly refers to Black-African American hair, in this article, we would like to discuss all Black hair in general.
For those who might have never used dry shampoos before, this haircare product is the savior for greasy hair when you do not have time for a complete shower.
Dry shampoos have the powder or spraying formulas that can be applied directly to your strands without rising under water. Then, they can do the trick to absorb excess oil and make your hair look clean and soft in minutes.
Good as they are, dry shampoos often leave white strips on your hair, particularly if you have black hair. Fortunately, we know some dry shampoos that are friendly to dark-colored hair – with unbiased reviews.
Check them out now!
Our Top Picks
| Product | Best For | Hair Type | Key Ingredients |
| Batiste Dry Shampoo | Best Overall | All types | Butane, Isobutane, Propane, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Alcohol Denat. |
| Klorane Dry Shampoo | Best For Oily Black Hair | Oily hair | Butane, Isobutane, Rice Starch, Propane, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil. |
| Tresemme Shampoo Dry | Best for Damaged Black Hair | Color-treated or vulnerable hair | Isobutane, Propane, SD Alcohol 40-B (Alcohol Denat.), Vitamins E, C, Grapefruit Extract, |
| OGX Extra Strength | Best for Fine Black Hair | Fine and thin African-American hair | Coconut, Tiare essence, and Vanilla bean extract. |
| Briogeo Scalp Revival | Best for Extra Oily Black Hair | Very oily short hair | Binchotan charcoal, clay and tapioca, and Witch Hazel. |
| Dove Care Between Washes | Best For Daily Use | Less oily hair | Isobutane, Propane, and Alcohol Denat, and Butane. |
| Beauty by Earth Organic | Best For Sensitive Scalps | Sensitive and itchy hair | Organic Zea Mays, Organic Maranta Arundinacea Powder, and Baking Soda. |
| L’Oreal Paris Elvive Dry Shampoo | Best Budget | Less oily long black hair | Cocktail of Keratin, Vitamins, and Castor Oil. |
| Garnier Hair Care Fructis | Best For Dark Oily Hair | Really dark hair | Rice starch and without silicones. |
| Cake Beauty The Do Gooder Volumizing | Best Smelling | Oily hair | Corn starch, Butane, Isobutane, Propane, Alcohol Denat. |
Things To Consider When Buying Dry Shampoos For Black Hair?
Types Of Dry Shampoos
Dry shampoo comes in many variations, such as spray or powder, which makes a difference.
- Powder
This type has a holed top where you can sprinkle the powder into your strands. You might end up overdosing, so it can be a little less convenient than the spraying version.
Nonetheless, the powder is often more gentle on your scalps thanks to its natural ingredients like arrowroot or clay. Some essential oils can be added to wick out odor and create a delicate scent.
- Spraying
The shampoos are formulated to spray directly on your head. You just need to shake the bottle and press the dispenser – a very user-friendly application.
Unfortunately, the ingredients often include isobutane, alcohol, propane, panthenol, etc. Although they are not so harmful to use, those ingredients are not good for the environment.
Spraying shampoos expire more quickly than power products, considering that alcohol ingredients above have limited exposure to air.
Weighing pros and cons, spraying formulas are prefered. They allow large and equal application on your hair, which turns out to be quick absorption. Moreover, their ingredients are often finer and leave less residue on your back hair like the powder-based counterparts.
Your Hair’s Conditions
Your black hair will thank you for choosing dry shampoos suitable for its condition.
Frizz and Flyaway Hair
If your strands tend to get frizzy quickly from outside wind or humidity, go for lightweight formulas with nutritious ingredients such as coconut or green apple.
Oily Roots yet Dry Ends
Although dry shampoos are helpful to conquer oil in your roots, some are prone to make your hair dry quickly. It would be worse if your hair had dry ends. That time, your black hair might end up looking dull and damaged.
In this case, you might consider hydrating dry shampoos or try to avoid applying the products at the hair tips.
Thin or Fine Hair
Dry shampoos that add volume will be the most ideal. They might have collagen or natural ingredients to boost the roots and make your black hair bouncy and full.
Curly Hair
Your strands often feature S-shaped bouncy curls. Such textures make it harder for dry shampoos to blend in without being massaged or combed thoroughly.
Thus, you will want to spray dry shampoos with quick absorption performance to avoid a noticeable white look on your dark hair.
Main Ingredients Of The Shampoos
What is inside dry shampoo does matter with your hair.
Unlike your regular shampoos, which often contain water and cleansing agents to get rid of oils and impurities, dry shampoos are mostly crafted with alcohol, starch (from rice or corn), talc, and clay.
- Alcohol: Alcohol works to draw moisture and oil so that you have a healthy scalp. Unfortunately, too much alcohol can dry your delicate strands, resulting in dandruff or blocked pores.
- Starch: For your sake, go with dry shampoos having cornstarch or rice starch, mixed with orris root or oatmeal.
- Talc: It has excellent absorbent abilities, yet it is the source of magnesium or silicon that cause asbestos fibers.
- Clay: good at managing oil, but it often contains metals or undesirable minerals.
Some dry shampoos also have essential oils or artificial fragrances to create a fresh scent to your hair.
When it comes to dry shampoo for black hair, the ingredients above are adopted. However, you should avoid a high level of alcohol. The ingredient can worsen your dry and irritate scalp, leaving ugly white dandruff in your dark hair.
Best Dry Shampoo For Black Hair: Top 10 Reviews
Batiste Dry Shampoo, Original Fragrance – Best for All Dark Hair Types
| Brand | Batiste |
| Key ingredients | Butane, Isobutane, Propane, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Alcohol Denat. |
| Hair type | All types |
| Size(s) | 6.35 oz |
| Overall rating | 8.5/10 |
Batiste Dry Shampoo is advertised as the UK’s No. 1 dry shampoo on its label and widely sold on the market. One beauty blogger we know, Abbey Yung, gave “5 out of 5 for both oil absorption and volume.”
We agree with her when giving this shampoo a try.
Thanks to dry formula, the shampoo targets excess oil at the roots and picks it up almost immediately. Moreover, the tact-free formula ensures there is no ashy or chalky look.
This product does not weigh down the head and completely blends in your strands upon massage. Your black hair will be softer and thicker after half a min.
So far, so good to be the best dry shampoo for all dark hair types, even color-treated ones. Nonetheless, the bottle dispenses too much powder at a time. You had better keep it far from your head and press down softly.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Sturdy and colorful design, which a convenient spraying lid
- Quick oil and dirt absorption, especially for extremely oily hair
- Improve your clean and bouncy volume
- Popularly sold on the market
- Best rated by the UK consumers
Cons:
- Artificial smell that is not for a sensitive nose
- The presence of white residue if you do not massage your hair carefully
Verdict:
Overall, it is good for all types of hair. Spray it properly and your black hair will look clean and soft all the time.
Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, Ultra-Gentle – Best For Oily Black Hair
| Brand | Klorane |
| Key ingredients | Butane, Isobutane, Rice Starch, Propane, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil. |
| Hair type | Oily hair |
| Size(s) | 3.2 oz size |
| Overall rating | 7/10 |
Although all dry shampoos are supposed to deal with hair oil excellently, some are noticeably superior, such as Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk.
This is thanks to the combination of corn and rice starch. Both have fine particle size that will be comfortable and smooth on your roots, while they increase the surface area to absorb more oils.
We used to worry whether such a strong oil absorption would make the roots dry and itchy. Excitingly enough, the addition of oak milk supports a gentle application on the hair.
When we tried applying the shampoo on the greasy hair, it was very light and effective. The oily black hair looked soft and with additional volume only with finger combs.
On the other hand, the pleasing smell of this product is another great addition. It is mild and refreshing enough to get rid of unwanted odors.
A small note is that you should not overuse this item on thick or extremely curly hair. When not reaching the hair’s root, it seems to leave random white residues.
Pros:
- Natural and gentle ingredients
- Effective absorption of oil scalps
- Light and comfortable smell
- Easy to apply with a spraying design
- Free of Paraben and Sulfate
Cons:
- Might leave white residue on thick and curly hair
- Prone to being banged up over time
- Pricey
Verdict:
Good at absorbing excess oil quickly and gently. Unfortunately, corn and rice starches often leave residue when they do not reach the roots. You should spend extra time massaging if your hair is naturally curly.
Tresemme Shampoo Dry Fresh & Clean – Best for Damaged Black Hair
| Brand | Tresemme |
| Key ingredients | Isobutane, Propane, SD Alcohol 40-B (Alcohol Denat.), Vitamins E, C, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit), Fruit Extract, etc. |
| Hair type | Damaged dark hair |
| Size(s) | 4.3 oz |
| Overall rating | 7/10 |
Tresemme Shampoo Dry Fresh & Clean raises itself as an ideal choice for damaged and vulnerable hair. Not only does the shampoo pick up oil quickly, but the formula also includes vitamins (B5, C, E, etc.) and fruit citrus to nurture your damaged strands.
This product feels so light that it will immediately absorb on your hair and leave almost no residue. Therefore, you do not need to brush your vulnerable trends too hard. We also adore the luxury smell that wicks out odor and keeps your hair fresh and clean.
The light application often leads to overdose, and the Tresemme Shampoo Dry runs out quickly.
Pros:
- Nutritious ingredients
- A quick and light application
- The high-end smell
Cons:
- Pricey
- Reduced oil absorption through the day
Verdict:
Because Tresemme Shampoo Dry is quite expensive and with a small container, you will not want to frequently use it for long or textured hair.
OGX Extra Strength Refresh Restore – Best for Fine Black Hair
| Brand | Living proof |
| Key ingredients | Coconut, Tiare essence, and Vanilla bean extract. |
| Hair type | Fine natural hair |
| Size(s) | 5 oz |
| Overall rating | 7.5/10 |
Beyond absorbing oil to make your hair clean and refreshed, The OGX Extra Strength Refresh Restore even enhances the fine texture with its included moisturizing ingredients such as coconut and vanilla bean extract.
After a couple of uses, you can expect the shampoo to make your dark hair fuller, volumer, and smoother.
You must shake the bottle before applying the shampoo to your hair. It leaves visible white residue at first but will disappear if you brush your hair for a few minutes. Then, you can feel an instant shine and softness under your fingertips.
Some purchasers reported the itchiness after a couple of usages, but I got no trouble while using, so it might depend on your type characteristics. You should read the label carefully to make sure that you do not have allergies to any ingredient.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Light on thin hair
- Coconut that revives your strands
- Delighting scene
Cons:
- White residue
- Slow oil absorption
Verdict:
This item is only helpful if your fine hair does not produce too much oil because it might be dry before absorbing oil to the full.
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal Shampoo – Best for Extra Oily Black Hair
| Brand | Briogeo |
| Key ingredients | Binchotan charcoal, clay and tapioca, and Witch Hazel. |
| Hair type | Extra oily scalps |
| Size(s) | 1.7 oz |
| Overall rating | 8/10 |
Some black hairs are oilier than others. That time, you find yourself washing almost every day.
This overwashing habit, unfortunately, makes the situation worse as almost all natural oils are stripped with each wash, leaving your hair drier and more vulnerable to breakage.
Over washing can strip the hair of its natural oils, thus leaving it drier and more prone to breakage
The Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal Shampoo is the perfect alternative to regular shampoos by extending the period between two washes. Its Binchotan charcoal component effectively tackles impurities out of scalps.
The manufacturer, Briogeo, confirmed that charcoal has the porous composition to effectively absorb oil, sebum, dirt, and buildup.
“I feel like my hair is dry and clean from oil almost immediately after rubbing the Briogeo shampoo for a few seconds.” – Janine Visser shared on her beauty vlog.
Apply several puffs on your oily roots, rubbing them in and combing through. The shampoo picks up oil in no time and without an itchy feeling. Nonetheless, the smell seems too strong and will not fade for a while.
Other than the smell, we also dislike the dispenser. Power can get into the opening and fail to spray out. Such a design also causes the waste of shampoo, considering that the Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal Shampoo is expensive and small.
Pros:
- Effective on extra oily hair
- No itching on scalps
- Eco-friendly ingredients
- Cruelty Free, and Free of Phthalate, Gluten, Paraben
Cons:
- Pricey
- Blocked dispenser
- Strong smell
Verdict:
This is a costly but worthy product for extremely oily black scalps. However, if you do not suffer from much oil, go for other affordable choices on the list.
Dove Care Between Washes – Best For Daily Use
| Brand | Dove |
| Key ingredients | Isobutane, Propane, and Alcohol Denat, and Butane. |
| Hair type | Less oily hair |
| Size(s) | 5 oz |
| Overall rating | 7.5/10 |
Though most dry shampoos are warned against repeated application (more than twice a week), Dove Care Between Washes Dry Shampoo can be used daily.
Besides the good capacity of absorbing oil, the ingredients are natural and light, so they will not damage your hair if you use the shampoo frequently in a row.
A nice product for its price, but the shampoo comes with a strong and chemical-like smell.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Light application
- Almost no residue
Cons:
- Chemical smell
- Not for extremely oily scalps
Verdict:
With such a light application on scalps, the shampoo is only suitable if your hair is not too oily and dirty.
Beauty by Earth Organic Dry Shampoo – Best For Sensitive Scalps
| Brand | Beauty by Earth |
| Key ingredients | Organic Zea Mays, Organic Maranta Arundinacea Powder, and Baking Soda. |
| Hair type | Sensitive black scalps |
| Size(s) | 2.5 oz |
| Overall rating | 8/10 |
Your sensitive scalps will thank you if you use this product rather than others. The formula is made out of all-natural ingredients with no GMO, gluten, sulfate, or paraben components. The shampoo does not even have a real smell.
The comfortable performance is confirmed by Lizelle, who has used the shampoo for years: “I used to have bad experiences with some dry shampoos since the leftover powder makes my head itchy. Thankfully, Beauty by Earth shampoo is really soothing.”
The shampoo does not come with a spraying dispenser, so you have to keep the orifice close to the oily scalps and pour the powder out.
Be careful not to overuse the shampoo since it can leave some white residue. Other than that, you can pour a little Beauty by Earth Organic Shampoo onto the comb and rub it gently from the roots to the tail.
Pros:
- Natural ingredients
- USDA-certified organic
- Soothing on sensitive scalps
- No smell
Cons:
- Pricey for a small bottle
- Easily overused
Verdict:
Like other organic products, the Beauty by Earth product works gently on your scalps and is ineffective on extra-oily hair.
L’Oreal Paris Elvive Dry Shampoo – Best Budget
| Brand | L’Oreal Paris |
| Key ingredients | Cocktail of Keratin, Vitamins, and Castor Oil. |
| Hair type | Long black hair |
| Size(s) | 4.16 oz |
| Overall rating | 7/10 |
Being cheap does not mean a low-quality formula, L’Oreal Paris Elvive is a proof of that. Coming from worldwide favorable hair brand L’Oreal, there are no sulfate, paraben, or silicon ingredients, so it results in no gritty feeling – we mean the weighing-down feeling.
As a result, you can spray the shampoo directly on the roots and have no worries about duplicated application since this L’Oreal Paris formula will dry and absorb quickly.
Besides that, the smell is pretty overpowering. Another note is that the shampoo seems only effective on oily scalps for one day.
Pros:
- Great deal for budget
- Free of sulfate, paraben, and silicon
- Quick absorption
- Light and volume
- Almost no white cast
Cons:
- White residue when you spray directly on the roots
- Only able to absorb excess oil in a short time – for one day
Verdict:
The shampoo only works perfectly on day one but will lose its oil absorption on day two or day three. It is not recommended for oily hair.
Garnier Haircare Fructis Invisible Shampoo – Best For Very Dark Hair
| Brand | Garnier |
| Key ingredients | Rice starch and without silicones. |
| Hair type | Really dark hair |
| Size(s) | 4.4 oz |
| Overall rating | 7.5/10 |
While dry shampoo commonly leaves ashy or chalky residues, Garnier Haircare Fructis Invisible Shampoo is different. Thanks to the rice starch ingredients, this shampoo exposes no white cast on your hair while soaking up excess oil effectively.
In the form of a fine powder, rice starch absorbs oil immediately. Then, you only need to massage the hair strands so that the starch can blend in perfectly.
Furthermore, rice starch knowingly features vitamins that improve hair growth, so when using this dry hair, your strands – more or less, will be enhanced.
It would be better if the manufacturer could add a more natural smell. What is called a sweet melon-tini scent smells like overwhelming aerosol chemical fumes.
Pros:
- Economic option
- No detectable white cast
- Good for hair growth
Cons:
- Aerosol chemical fume
- Cheap-look bottle
Verdict:
Garnier Haircare Fructis Invisible Shampoo is a budget-friendly option that provides proper oil absorption. However, the scent can be improved.
Cake Beauty The Do Gooder Volumizing – Best Smell
| Brand | Cake Beauty |
| Key ingredients | Corn starch, Butane, Isobutane, Propane, Alcohol Denat. |
| Hair type | Oily hair |
| Size(s) | 4.2 oz |
| Overall rating | 7.5/10 |
If you want something sweet, we introduce Cake Beauty The Do Gooder Volumizing. The shampoo smells like a lemon sugar muffin – very natural and fresh rather than chemically-soaked like other products.
In terms of oil absorption, the shampoo does an acceptable performance for normal black hair. You will find your hair revived, clean, and volumized under your fingertips.
However, when you continuously use the shampoo a couple of times, it weighs down your roots and causes a greasy feeling.
Pros:
- Sweet and decent smell
- Volumizing performance
- Quickly-spraying dispenser
Cons:
- Heavy on fine hair
- Not for extra oily scalps
Verdict:
The smell of this shampoo is a love-or-hate experience. We like the sweet lemon muffin, but some feel it is too strong and annoying!
Tips Apply Dry Shampoo to Dark Hair
Besides choosing a suitable dry shampoo for your hair’s conditions, you should also know how to apply it properly to prevent residue.
For spraying products:
- Always shake the bottle to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Hold the shampoo around six to twelve inches away from your roots. Direct and strong application might leave a white residue or even cause an itchy feeling at the roots.
- Use your comb fingers to rub the dry shampoo from roots to the tips so that every oily part of the hair is clean with no ashy look. A soft brush or boar bristle brush would be even better.
For powder dry shampoos:
- Instead, the powder shampoos can be applied directly to the oily strands.
- Or, you can pour the powder onto your comb and apply it to your hair.
An extra tip for fine black hair:
Spray or add powder dry shampoos directly on slightly damp hair and use blow dryer to fasten the oil absorption and get rid of excess white powder.
The damp hair will be less damaged by hot air while the dryer can create a fluffy and natural form to your hair.
FAQs
Does Dry Shampoo Make My African American Hair Drier?
Most African American consider that dry shampoos which absorb oil and tend to make their hair drier should be on their blocklist.
This is a misconception.
Like straight hair, type 3 or type 4 curly hair certainly gets oily and greasy, and it will require a shampoo that helps remove excess oil like dry shampoos. As long as you apply the right amount of shampoo, your hair will be clean, soft, and volume rather than dry and dull.
When Should You Use Dry Shampoo?
Dry shampoos are a savior if you do not have time for regular shampooing. For example:
- In the morning when you wake up with an oily hair and you are hurry to work or school, just shake your dry shampoo and apply some on the greasy parts;
- After workout when your hair tends to produce too much sweat and oil;
- For damaged hair which used to be chemically-treated. Regular shampoos might worsen the situation and dry shampoos are excellent alternatives, etc.
It is recommended to apply dry shampoo at night before you go to bed as your hair tends to produce more oil to balance the oil lost during the daytime.
When you get up, your hair will be oil-free and bouncy, ready for being styled. You can, however, apply a small amount of dry shampoo before you head out.
So far, so convenient – yet, we only suggest using this type of shampoo twice or three times a week to prevent extra dryness on your scalps.
Can Dry Shampoo Replace Normal Shampoo?
To confirm, dry shampoo can’t replace regular shampoo completely.
Regular shampoos are designed as a hair cleanser. It often has complicated ingredients to remove grime, greases, and build up. Most importantly, it needs water to foam and rinse the dirt away. Some shampoos have nutrients to nurture your hair as well.
Dry shampoos, nonetheless, mainly cope with redundant oil on scalps. The exciting part is that it does not require you to wet your head in advance, meaning there is no need to wait for your hair to dry. The whole cleaning process takes less than five minutes.
Unfortunately, dry shampoos have nothing to do with clean grime and build up. They even cause extra dryness because of the lack of natural oil, which ends up dandruffs. Without regular shampooing, those buildups leave noticeable and itchy residue.
Last Verdict
Dry shampoo is good and convenient as your look-savior on a busy day. However, you are worried about the common residues left on dark hair is not an easy task. Fortunately, our best dry shampoo for black hair reviews help.
All products are oil-absorptive on the roots to eliminate white strips as much as possible. and some even have extra ingredients to treat fine, frizzy, or dull curly problems.
Also do not forget to check the buying guide and tips to use dry shampoo on black hair properly and effectively!
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