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The 9 Best Dry Shampoos Without Benzene That’ll Rescue Your Hair––in More Ways Than One
By Amanda Le,
3 hours ago
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If dry shampoo is your absolute lifesaver between hair washes, I can completely relate. Let's face it, washing and styling your hair every single day just isn't practical. This essential product helps manage excess oil, adds volume and leaves your hair feeling instantly refreshed. When it comes to dry shampoo, however, it's vital to be wary of benzene, a common ingredient in aerosol hair products. Finding clean and nontoxic alternatives is beneficial for both personal health and the environment, but in today's competitive market, discovering the perfect option can be challenging.
Fortunately, many leading hair care brands––such as Olaplex and The Rootist ––have stepped up to offer exceptional benzene-free options. Ahead, I've rounded up the top nine benzene-free dry shampoos on the market, including both spray and powder options. I've delved into all their details and even consulted an industry expert for insights on all things dry shampoo.
Best Dry Shampoos Without Benzene at a Glance
Meet the Expert
Ron Robinson is a cosmetic chemist and founder of BeautyStat , a skincare brand and platform to review beauty products and connect consumers with expert advice. He began his career as a cosmetic chemist at Clinique in the '90s, sparking a lifelong passion for beauty. Over the past two decades, he has worked with industry giants like Revlon, Avon, L’Oreal, and Lancome. Recently named chemist-in-residence at Rhode , a brand founded by Hailey Bieber, Robinson continues to shape the future of beauty innovation.
What Is Benzene?
“Benzene is a colorless or light yellow liquid that’s commonly found in crude oil,” Robinson shares. “It is considered a ‘building block’ for other chemicals and materials, and is commonly used in the making of household and consumer products.”
Why is this concerning to have in cosmetic products? According to WebMD , Benzene is considered to be a “known human carcinogen” by the Environmental Protection Agency, meaning the chemical has been linked to an increased risk of cancer in humans. Overall, benzene disrupts the way our cells work. By understanding its harmful effects, we can prioritize proactive change, starting with opting for cleaner beauty products.
How I Chose the Best Dry Shampoos Without Benzene
To identify the best benzene-free dry shampoos, I started by evaluating my trusted favorites and gathering vetted recommendations from fellow PureWow editors. Seeking further expertise, I consulted with award-winning cosmetic chemist Robinson to understand key criteria for selecting a dry shampoo and to get his personal recommendations for top-performing products.
Aerosol cans can pose significant harm to both our health and the environment. This charcoal-infused dry shampoo not only features eco-friendly packaging, but also purports to help detoxify and balance skin and strands for optimal scalp and hair health. Plus, it has a stamp of approval from Robinson. Once you master the squeeze application and powdery consistency, you'll find it irresistible. “Seriously the best for your money," one reviewer says. “My dark hair shows grease fast and it handles it so well. There’s a little white cast but it’s not super noticeable, and part of it is just me not working it in fully. This stuff lasted me like four months where my old aerosol dry shampoo was a monthly expense for me.”
I personally find myself reaching for Eva NYC’s Freshen Up dry shampoo all the time. It fits perfectly into my chaotic schedule, ensuring my hair stays fresh-looking for longer. Its invisible, benzene-free formula revitalizes limp hair by absorbing excess oil and odor, leaving it clean with a scent that I actually enjoy. Even on the third day, this dry shampoo delivers a just-washed look. And as if that weren’t enough, its packaging is crafted from 100 percent recyclable aluminum, making it another eco-friendly choice.
Whether you’re out on the town or jet-setting with your carry-on, this dry shampoo brush and powder set is compact enough for any TSA-approved travel adventure, allowing you to conveniently use it whenever you want. The brush applicator targets your roots directly, effectively absorbing excess oil with its talc-free, benzene-free blend infused with the brand's proprietary Rootbiomic Ferment of vitamins. “This is the BEST dry shampoo for travel and on-the-go [use],” gushes one reviewer. “The container is smaller than other dry shampoo bottles/cans and has a brush built in which helps with [dispersing] the product evenly and blending it in your hair. I keep this in my work tote as my hair gets greasy throughout the day and apply it as needed!”
If you find that your hair lacks volume, good news: they don’t call this "perk up" for nothing. Amika’s products never seem to fail me, and I’ve relied on this one for years. Made for all hair types, this talc-free formula gives my hair that extra oomph while effectively combating even the oiliest buildup. It's been a game-changer for my flat, oily Asian hair, delivering the volume it craves—without the use of parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates, sulfates SLS and SLES and, of course, benzene.
Don't be too concerned about the price; one reviewer emphasizes how worth it Olaplex No.4D is due to its non-buildup formula, which includes the brand's patented bond-building technology to strengthen strands while freshening 'em up. “I’ve tried most popular dry shampoos on the market and this is my favorite by far,” they said. “I have fine, oily hair that normally needs to be washed every day (two days with dry shampoo). This absorbs oils effectively without leaving any residue in the hair, and it doesn’t feel gunky, so I can use it two days in a row without much buildup. With this, I can extend my wash to day three, which is unheard of for my greasy scalp. Expensive but worth it for me!”
Many of us are familiar with—and likely adore—the predecessor of this dry shampoo, Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day . However, the Advanced Clean version takes it up a notch by absorbing excess sweat and leaving your hair soft and silky-smooth for an extended period. It strives to match the cleansing power of a traditional shampoo, offering the look and feel of freshly washed hair, and many reviewers seem to think it does the job perfectly. “This is by far my favorite dry shampoo,” one customer writes. “I have really oily hair and this is the only dry shampoo that makes my hair look like I have taken a full shower. It also gives it some texture and volume, so if you use it before doing your hair it can also act as a texture spray as well. I found this advanced version to be stronger than the regular PhD spray, it just feels like it actually cleans my hair instead of making it gritty and gross.”
If you struggle with thinning hair, Vegamour ’s GRO dry shampoo is a win-win situation. It balances the scalp without benzene or talc, combining the volumizing and texturizing benefits of traditional dry shampoo with plant-based ingredients to promote the appearance of thicker, fuller hair. “I tried this dry shampoo, and it's one of the best dry shampoos I have ever used so far,” one reviewer attests. “Just spray at the roots, massage in and voila! No more oil, sweat or funky odors. Plus, it adds volume without any white residue. My hair feels and looks healthier, fuller and thicker." Better yet, buyers say it smells great, so you should have no complaints between wash days.
The scent of Oribe products alone can pull you in. Whether you’re refreshing a blowout or going on day three without a wash, this fancy-pants product should instantly revitalize dry strands while protecting them from damage. “Love it, it worked amazing for my oily scalp and dry hair,” one reviewer says. “It balanced everything so well, it smells delicious and luxurious [and] a little of it goes a looong way." In that case, I'd say it's definitely worth the splurge, not least of all because it's made without benzene and other harmful substances.
I was eager to review one of the newest additions to the hair care scene, and I'm happy to report that Dae’s Fairy Duster Volumizing dry shampoo powder delivers . Infused with a delightful citrus scent that's earned rave reviews on its own, this non-aerosol option will make you a believer in powder alternatives. Plus, it’s TSA-friendly! But don't just take my word for it—plenty of customers have great things to say about this compact powerhouse. “Bought this for a longer trip and gotta say, it's fantastic. I am Asian with very long black hair and had no white bits (I used the brush and my fingers to work it in). I was shocked how long it lasted, and that it actually gave me volume (something hairspray has failed at). Smells great, compact and a little goes a long way. 10/10.”
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
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