The Non-Toxic Dry Shampoo Guide: A Safer Way To Refresh Your Hair
Written by Irina Webb
Mornings are a whirlwind—you’re making a healthy breakfast, getting the kids ready, and rushing out the door. At least your hair still looks good from yesterday’s wash. But as the day goes on, you realize it’s not as fresh as you’d like, especially right before an important meeting. Washing it isn’t an option, but luckily, you don’t need to. That non-toxic dry shampoo you tossed in your bag earlier is about to save the day. With just a few quick applications, your hair looks refreshed, and best of all, you’ve stayed true to your commitment to using safe, eco-friendly products.
I know this scenario all too well. By the third day, my hair is in that in-between stage—clean, but not quite. I don’t want to go through the hassle of a full wash, so I reach for my go-to natural dry shampoo powder. It’s an effortless solution that helps me maintain my hair without compromising my health. In this post, I will guide you through the available dry shampoos in the market and help you find a safe dry shampoo for your needs. Keep reading to learn about my “not-a-fan” and “better” dry shampoo options as well as “best” organic dry shampoos.
Non-Toxic Dry Shampoo Guide: What To Look For
To begin, dry shampoo is a water-free hair care product designed to absorb excess oil, refresh hair, and extend the time between washes. It’s an excellent alternative for those busy days when washing and drying your hair isn’t an option. Natural dry shampoo is especially beneficial for preserving hair health, maintaining color-treated hair, and reducing exposure to harsh chemicals found in conventional dry shampoos. Whether you have dark hair or light hair, there’s a safe dry shampoo suited for your hair type.
For your information, many aerosol dry shampoos contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic ingredients that can negatively impact hair follicles and overall health. That’s why choosing a non-toxic dry shampoo is essential for an eco-friendly and safe hair care routine.
In this guide, I’ll introduce you to what are – in my opinion – the “best,” “better,” and “not-a-fan” dry shampoos based on their ingredients and safety.
Ingredients To Avoid In Dry Shampoos
To ensure you’re using a toxin-free dry shampoo, avoid the following ingredients (I placed products that have these ingredients into a “not-a-fan” category):
- aerosol propellants such as butane and isobutane (both are considered carcinogenic and mutagenic by the European Chemicals Agency), and propane (respiratory concerns, allergies, and immunotoxicity)
- tetrafluoropropene (rated 10 out of 10 by the EWG for its potential toxicity)
- synthetic fragrance (can contain undisclosed and potentially harmful chemicals, including endocrine disruptors and carcinogens; learn more in my blog post about hypoallergenic perfumes)
- natural fragrance (typically, the ingredients are undisclosed; learn more in my blog post about natural fragrance).
The next step would be to look for and potentially avoid the following (I placed products that have these ingredients into a “better” category):
- phenoxyethanol (may contain residues of harsh chemicals used during its manufacturing process; acknowledged allergen; learn more in my blog post about phenoxyethanol in skin care)
- benzyl alcohol (the EU classified it as a contact allergen because they found it causes allergic reactions in 1.2 to 15% of patients with eczema).
Ultimately, your dry shampoo should contain as few of the ingredients of potential concern as possible.
“Best” Non-Toxic Dry Shampoos
I believe the best non-toxic dry shampoos are those that meet the criteria listed below:
- free of potentially harmful ingredients listed above
- made with natural powders such as clay, starch, cocoa, and rice flour
- include organic ingredients, which reduces the risk of contamination with toxic pesticide and solvent residues
- use essential oils or dry herb powders for fragrance instead of synthetic scents
- some may even be USDA-certified organic dry shampoos.
Examples Of The “Best” Dry Shampoos
- Acure USDA-certified organic dry shampoo for all hair types and for dark hair (10% or $10 off on iHerb)
- Beauty by Earth USDA-certified organic dry shampoo for red and dark hair (IREAD12 for 12% off)
- Be Green Bath & Body Dry Shampoo
- Hair Dance Volumizing Dry Shampoo Powder
- Just Ingredients Dry Shampoo
- Lulu Organics Hair Powder
- Primally Pure Dry Shampoo for dark hair and light hair
- Pure Haven Dry Shampoo for all hair types (embedded 15% off on the 1st shopping experience)
- Rahua Voluminous Dry Shampoo
- Untamed Organics Volumizing Dry Shampoo Powder
Dry Shampoos I Use
Over the years, I’ve used both Primally Pure Dry Shampoo and Pure Haven Dry Shampoo, and I’ve found them both to be non-irritating for my sensitive scalp while effectively absorbing excess oil.
I started with Primally Pure because I initially was hesitant to try Pure Haven since they don’t have a formula specifically for dark hair. However, to my surprise, Pure Haven worked even better. It’s easier to apply, absorbs oil more quickly and effectively, and leaves no whitening effect once the oil is absorbed. One of the reasons I love Pure Haven is their commitment to safety and transparency. They use only non-toxic, high-quality ingredients and third-party test their products for contaminants. Plus, they control the entire production process, ensuring purity and integrity from start to finish.
“Better” Non-Toxic Dry Shampoos
These dry shampoos are still safer alternatives to conventional options, but they fall short of the “best” ones due to one or some of the following:
- benzyl alcohol
- phenoxyethanol
- no organic ingredients.
Examples Of “Better” Dry Shampoos
- Innersense Refresh Dry Shampoo (benzyl alcohol; interestingly, the product comes as a foam that later dries on your hair – this may be more convenient if you don’t like to use powder)
- Morrocco Method Volcanic Powder Dry Shampoo (no organic ingredients)
- Kitsch Volumizing Rice Protein Dry Shampoo (no organic ingredients, benzyl alcohol) (10% or $10 off on iHerb)
- Kristin Ess Fragrance Free Dry Shampoo Powder (no organic ingredients, phenoxyethanol)
- The Rootist Clarify Dry Shampoo Powder (no organic ingredients)
“Not-A-Fan” Dry Shampoos
These products are mostly aerosol dry shampoos. As of February 2025, they contain butane, isobutane, propane, tetrafluoropropene, and/or fragrance with undisclosed chemicals. They may pose risks to both health and the environment; hence, I don’t consider them safe dry shampoos.
Examples Of “Not-A-Fan” Dry Shampoos
- Batiste Original Dry Shampoo
- Dove Detox & Purify Advanced Dry Shampoo
- Four Reasons Dry Shampoo
- Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo
- Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PhD) Dry Shampoo
- Monat Studio One The Champ™
- No Nothing Very Sensitive Dry Shampoo
- Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Dry Shampoo
- Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo
- Suave Bamboo & Hibiscus Volumizing Dry Shampoo
- Briogeo Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo (non-aerosol but contains fragrance)
- Crown Affair Dry Shampoo (non-aerosol but contains fragrance)
- Odele Dry Shampoo (non-aerosol but contains natural fragrance consisting of essential oils and undisclosed “naturally derived materials”).
Conclusion: What Makes A Safe Dry Shampoo?
A Non-Toxic Dry Shampoo Should Be Free Of Aerosol Propellants, Fragrances, And Chemicals With Potential Health Concerns.
In conclusion, the safest dry shampoo options use natural, organic ingredients such as corn starch, clay, cocoa powder, and rice flour to absorb excess oil. Opting for an eco-friendly and natural dry shampoo ensures you avoid exposure to toxic dry shampoo brands while supporting hair health and the environment.
My top recommendations for the best non-toxic dry shampoos include:
- Acure USDA-certified organic dry shampoo for all hair types and for dark hair (10% or $10 off on iHerb)
- Beauty by Earth USDA-certified organic (IREAD12 for 12% off)
- Primally Pure
- Pure Haven (embedded 15% off on the 1st shopping experience)
By making informed choices, you can keep your hair looking fresh without compromising your health. Choose a concern-free dry shampoo from my “best” list and enjoy a cleaner, safer approach to hair care!
Visit the I Read Labels For You blog for the latest blog posts and browse my IRLFY shop and Amazon shop for safe household and skincare products. Also, be sure to download my unique e-books and get a personalized consultation with me if you need assistance finding a safe product.
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I have also been met with the “It’s proprietary” line when inquiring about ingredients. I believe that should be illegal. The FDA accepts citizens petitions. I filed one and I suggest that you do the same. If enough people are concerned, things will change.
I have used dry shampoo in the past that has made my hair fall out. Is yours healthy for haur? Does it cause loss of hair?
Hello, Jan! We are sorry to hear about that! We did not experience any hair fall.
I never used dry shampoo and always wondered how well it work. Your EXPLANATION of things just made it so easy to understand.