This article was originally published in the Hair care Trend Report. Receive your copy here
For years, dry shampoo has been the backstage hero of the beauty cabinet. But what was once synonymous with aerosol cans, telltale white residue and product build-up, is evolving as the category moves towards lighter, more sophisticated formulas designed to refresh hair rather than simply mask excess oil.
And the appetite for new innovation shows little sign of slowing, with the global dry shampoo market valued at $5.1bn in 2026 and forecast to reach $11.7bn by 2033 (Spate).
Now, the next evolution may be even lighter. Dry shampoo mists are emerging as a new format, with brands rethinking the traditional approach through weightless formulas designed to refresh the hair and scalp without the heaviness associated with conventional dry shampoos.
“The main driver [of the category] is performance,” says Dr. Catherine Leray, Account Head of R&D, THG Labs. “Consumers want to extend wash intervals without white cast, a chalky feel or excessive buildup. Mists or foam formats give more targeted application and can suit curls, braids and extensions better than loose powder. Water-based formats make it easier to add ingredients linked to hydration or scalp comfort,” she continues.
But, what exactly is a dry shampoo mist? Laura Fenton, CMO of cruelty free hair care brand Living Proof explains that: “A dry shampoo mist is a non-aerosol, liquid-based format designed to refresh hair between washes. Unlike traditional dry shampoos, which typically rely on powders or aerosolised starches to absorb oil, a dry shampoo mist delivers lightweight oil-absorbing and cleansing ingredients in a fine liquid spray.”
Luxury hair-care brand K18 has reimagined the dry shampoo category and signalled this shift with the launch of its AirWash dry shampoo in 2024. The product has amassed a strong cult following, with the brand claiming that one unit is sold every 17 seconds globally.
Powered by K18’s patented odorBIND biotechnology, the water-based hair mist was developed to rethink the conventional dry-shampoo experience. Rather than relying primarily on heavy fragrance or starches that can leave visible residue, the odorBind technology is used to target odour-causing molecules, while porous silica helps absorb excess oil from the scalp and hair.
Similarly, Schwarzkopf’s Got2B Get Fresh Dry Shampoo Hair Mist has entered the segment with the format claiming to offer consumers a more lightweight alternative to traditional powder-based dry shampoos. The water-based hair mist is designed to refresh hair between washes while helping to absorb excess oil, with its liquid spray providing a less powdery application and finish.
Its launch reflects the growing changes happening in the dry shampoo category, as brands explore formats that combine the convenience of between-wash refreshment with a more natural-feeling hair care experience.
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