You may think dry shampoo is a relatively new addition to the haircare world, as brands like Batiste have taken the market by storm with their aerosols over the past few decades. But dry shampoo has been solving our hair woes for far, far longer. Spray too close. Always spray towards the hair and scalp from 12 inches (30cm) away, to ensure even application and avoid white residue. This can have a long-term impact on the quality and condition of your hair and scalp,” Scott explains. “Dry shampoo should only be used as the name implies, on dry hair, due to its absorbency qualities.” How we test

With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.However, although some of the brands highlighted in the report are available here in the UK, their formulas have been altered to comply with UK laws, which have banned the use of benzene in cosmetics. It's also important to note that only trace amounts of benzene were found in the products, which wouldn't be enough to cause adverse health effects. Can you use it on wet hair? Although dry shampoo feels like an easy fix-all, it's not intended for everyday use and shouldn’t replace shampooing your hair with water. Consistent use of dry shampoo can damage hair, as Scott explains. “Dry shampoos don’t only reduce the hydrophobic qualities of oils and sebum, they also dehydrate the follicle, and can cause breakage from a loss of tensile strength in the hair,” she says. So, how should you use it? verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{

You may have read the news in November 2022 about potentially elevated levels of benzene in some types of dry shampoo after a report was published in the US by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Benzene is a chemical that's been found to cause blood cancers such as leukaemia when people are exposed to it in large quantities over a long period. When used occasionally in between hair washing days, dry shampoo isn't harmful. However, it shouldn't be used as a replacement for your regular shampoo and conditioner, as it can dehydrate and damage the follicles with overuse, Scott warns. Dry shampoo has been around since the early 1900’s, but came into commercial use around 1940,” explains clinical trichologist Victoria Scott, from the Institute of Trichologists. The formula was originally used “for wigs, to maintain styles that couldn’t be washed and styled daily, or for hair that was high maintenance,” she adds. Dry shampoo dos and don'ts