Singapore’s weather makes our scalp turn oily quickly, which means that our hair falls flat more often than not (and require more washing). In such cases, dry shampoos are lifesavers. They can extend the time between hair washes and fake voluminous hair.
They are meant for short-term and occasional use and come in two forms. The first and more common type of dry shampoo is alcohol-based, made up of alcohol and starch-based active ingredients in an aerosol spray. It works by absorbing excess sebum and sweat from your hair, making your hair look cleaner and fluffier almost instantly.
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However, alcohol-based products aren’t for everyone, especially if you are concerned about possible side effects. If this is you, you might want to try a second type of dry shampoo that’s alcohol-free — it contains just the starch-based active ingredients without denatured alcohol, and works pretty much like a salt shaker as you dispense the product onto your roots. The pros of alcohol-free dry shampoo are that it uses less packaging and is more travel-friendly since it does not contain volatile compounds associated with aerosols.
Whichever type of dry shampoo you pick, you’ll want to target the oily parts of your scalp while avoiding the ends of your hair. If you’re using a spray, keep the canister at least 15cm away from your scalp. Let the product work its magic for a few seconds before massaging it into your scalp with your finger pads. Repeat till you have achieved the desired levels of cleansing. Comb or brush a few times to remove any residue.
Besides mopping up excess sebum and sweat in this humidity, dry shampoos are also handy for soaking up the excess application of hair oils and greasy hair products. Note that while dry shampoos are super convenient, they are by no means a substitute for the good old way of washing your hair with shampoo and water. Experts advise against using dry shampoos too often or for extended periods, as doing so might lead to hair breakage, clogged follicles and hair loss.
Here are our 10 favourite dry shampoos to achieve clean, voluminous hair at the moment.
Batiste is a brand synonymous with its extensive line of dry shampoos. This iteration has avocado extracts to nourish parched strands, and an invisible formula suitable for all hair colours. The Hair Benefits line also has dry shampoos targeting frizz, damage control and volume.
Buy it here.
This Klorane dry shampoo uses ultra-fine powders that soak up oil and sweat without leaving a white residue. Meanwhile, oat milk imparts soothing and protecting qualities.
Buy it here.
Living Proof employs a triple-action cleaning system that combines Healthy Hair Molecule technology and fast-absorbing powders. The former reduces surface friction so that the oil- and sweat-absorbing powders can be removed to leave little to no white cast.
Buy it here.
A compact-sized spray that is easy to tote around, the Lucido-L dry shampoo contains green tea and witch hazel extracts to moisturise the hair and scalp. It has a UV-protection formula.
Buy it here.
IGK has three different dry shampoos offering low, medium and high levels of cleansing. This First Class iteration offers the deepest cleanse and it contains detoxifying charcoal, oil- and sweat-wicking white tea powder and soothing witch hazel and tea tree oil. This dry shampoo also provides UV protection.
Buy it here.
Morrocanoil uses ultra-fine rice starch to mop up sebum while argan oil nourishes the hair. And as the name suggests, there is a Light Tones version made for people with light-coloured hair. Both have UV-protection properties.
Buy it here.
Kristin Ess’ dry shampoo is enriched with vitamin C, hydrolysed keratin and various botanical extracts. While the talc-free formulation uses rice starch to soak up oils, it touts minimal to no white cast.
Buy it here.
Alcohol-free dry shampoos
Handmade Heroes is a Singaporean label with the aim of creating efficacious, affordable beauty products that are sustainable and have clean formulas. This dry shampoo uses kaolin clay and rice powder to absorb oil and sweat while bamboo charcoal and various essential oils deodorise and scent.
Buy it here.
This dry shampoo uses rice bran and tapioca starch to absorb excess oil and sweat while silica and hydrolysed keratin provide nourishment and protection to your strands.
Buy it here.
Lush employs cornstarch and talc to absorb oil while citrus oil imparts a nice scent and masks odour. Like many of the dry shampoos here, it is a cruelty-free and vegan formula. It is also made to be self-preserving.
Buy it here.
Text by: Ho Guo Xiong/HerWorld