Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo absorbs oil with rice starch instead of talc, adding volume while clearing buildup between washes.
The original formula works across all hair types, but the brand splits Perk Up into three versions based on how oily your scalp gets and how long you need to stretch a wash.
In consumer testing with 53 participants, 92% said it left their hair smelling clean and refreshed.
What Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo Does
Perk Up is talc-free and built around rice starch, which absorbs oil without the aluminum starch or talc found in older formulas.
The rice starch lifts grease at the roots, reduces odor, and brings back volume when hair falls flat between washes. Amika replaced the standard formula with something that feels lighter and leaves less grit behind.
It holds the #1 spot among prestige dry shampoos in the US, based on Circana data covering January through December 2024.
In consumer testing with 53 participants, 92% said Perk Up left their hair smelling clean and refreshed. The formula includes sea buckthorn extract, which adds some nourishment while the rice starch does the oil control work.
How to Apply It
- Shake the can well, then section your hair so you can reach the roots where oil collects.
- Hold the can 6–8 inches away from your scalp and spray a little at a time directly onto the part or roots.
- Massage or brush the product into your scalp to distribute it fully. With the Ultra Oil Control formula, work it in thoroughly since it sprays whiter and absorbs more aggressively than the original.
- Let the product sit for a few minutes before styling. One approach that worked well is a 30-second wait followed by a quick pass with the blow-dryer on cool air.
- Add more if needed, though a little goes a long way with Ultra.
For a morning refresh, spray it at night before bed. The extra hours give the formula time to absorb oil, and hair feels clean when you wake up.
Perk Up Dry Shampoo for All Hair Types
The original Perk Up formula works across all hair types, weightless enough for very fine hair and built around rice starch to absorb oil without talc.
Rice starch lifts flatter hair and clears buildup without the grit aluminum starch can leave behind.
Sea buckthorn is the signature ingredient here: it delivers vitamin C, vitamin A, omega-7 fatty acid and antioxidants straight to the scalp, which means the refresh comes with actual conditioning rather than just oil absorption.
One blowout lasted a full week with daily application, and the formula stays invisible on dark and light hair alike.
It’s safe for color-treated hair, vegan, and free of phthalates, sulfates, parabens and mineral oil. The scent leans vanilla with a thread of citrus, noticeable when you spray but not heavy hours later.
Most reach for it on day two or three between washes, though some spray it the same day as a wash to stretch the style longer.
Perk Up Plus Extended Clean for Longer Wear
Perk Up Plus is built for stretching time between washes. The formula is heavier than the original and holds longer, letting you add one more day before you need to shampoo.
Where the original handles oil for a day or two, Extended Clean is meant for that last stretch when you’d normally give in and wash.
The formula uses mandelic acid, a gentle AHA that exfoliates and balances the scalp without irritation.
Arrowroot powder absorbs excess oil, so hair feels cleaner without that gritty buildup some dry shampoos leave behind. The combination works when you’re pushing a wash schedule and need something that actually lasts rather than just buying you a morning.
Perk Up Ultra Oil Control for Very Oily Scalps
Perk Up Ultra Oil Control for Very Oily Scalps
Ultra Oil Control absorbs heavily enough for post-workout refresh or a full day outdoors, and it works best when you really need that level of oil removal.
The formula felt too heavy for everyday use when I compared it to the other two Perk Up versions, and it looks somewhat whiter when first sprayed, so you’ll need to massage it in well.
Start with a small amount and add more only if your hair still looks greasy. At 5.3 ounces for $30, it’s priced the same as the other formulas but aimed squarely at exceptionally oily scalps rather than moderate buildup.
If you wash every other day and only need a light refresh between, the original Perk Up or Perk Up Plus will feel less heavy.
Which Formula to Pick by Scalp and Wash Schedule
Amika lines up three versions of Perk Up based on how much oil you deal with and how long you want to push between washes. The original suits daily touch-ups and all hair types, absorbing moderate oil while adding volume.
Perk Up Plus Extended Clean steps in when you’re stretching another day beyond what the original covers—it includes mandelic acid to exfoliate and balance the scalp, helping you go one more day before washing.
Ultra Oil Control targets very oily scalps and post-workout sessions, clinically proven to eliminate heavier buildup when the first two formulas aren’t enough.
| Formula | Best For | Typical Wear Extension |
|---|---|---|
| Perk Up (original) | Daily refreshes, all hair types, moderate oil | 1–2 days |
| Perk Up Plus Extended Clean | Extending time between washes, oilier hair | One additional day |
| Perk Up Ultra Oil Control | Very oily scalps, post-workout use | n/a |
Residue and Finish Across Hair Colors
The original Perk Up formula sprays on white but disappears completely once you work it through.
That initial chalky look can be jarring if you’re used to tinted formulas, but a quick massage or brush through the roots clears it in seconds. After that, no visible residue and no cast on dark hair.
Ultra Oil Control looked slightly whiter in testing, which makes sense given its heavier oil-absorbing load. If you have very dark hair and need the strongest formula, expect to spend an extra ten seconds blending it in.
The formula itself is invisible once distributed and works across a wide range of hair types, including color-treated hair.
I appreciate that the finish stays matte without feeling gritty or leaving that telltale texture some dry shampoos deposit on the second day.
Volume and Texture Claims
The original Perk Up absorbs oil and brings back volume, according to the features listed by the retailer.
The formula uses rice starch instead of talc, and that shift helps it lift flat hair without leaving a gritty feel. Volume and a root refresh are part of what the product is marketed to do.
Not every reviewer felt that lift. The Yahoo Shopping review noted that the formula is lightweight and leaves no visible residue, but the tester said it did not add body.
They missed the texturizing quality they got from other dry shampoos. The discrepancy matters if you’re counting on dry shampoo to give your hair more structure between washes, not just soak up oil.
Price and Where to Buy
The original Perk Up formula runs $28 to $29 for the 5.3 oz can depending on where you buy.
Amazon carries it at $29, and as of the last count it held the No. 1 spot in Amazon’s dry shampoo rankings with more than 12,000 five-star reviews.
On TikTok, #amikadryshampoo had racked up over 11 million views, so you’re not exactly taking a risk on an unknown product.
Some SKUs do show as unavailable in certain areas, so if the formula you want is out of stock at one retailer, check Amika’s own site or another seller before switching to a different version.
The Plus and Ultra formulas sit in the same price bracket, so you’re choosing by oil control and wear time rather than cost.
Ingredients and What the Formula Excludes
The full ingredient list starts with butane, propane and alcohol denat. (SD alcohol 40-B) as propellants, followed by oryza sativa rice starch, the oil-absorbing base that replaced the aluminum starch found in many aerosol formulas.
Disteardimonium hectorite and diisopropyl adipate follow, then hippophae rhamnoides sea buckthorn fruit and seed oil, the signature ingredient loaded with vitamin C, vitamin A, omega-7 fatty acids and antioxidants.
The fragrance components benzyl benzoate, citronellol, hydroxycitronellal and limonene round out the formula. One source lists cyclopentasiloxane and water instead, though the first ingredient deck appears more widely.
The formula contains no talc, phthalates, sulfates, parabens, mineral oil or sodium chloride, and it carries vegan and cruelty-free claims.
It also contains no benzene, a concern that surfaced when testing revealed the chemical in some aerosol dry shampoos. The product carries no direct gluten-contributing ingredients, though anyone with allergies should check with a doctor before use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amika Dry Shampoo talc free?
Yes, all three Perk Up formulas are talc-free. Amika uses rice starch instead of talc or aluminum starch to absorb oil, which lifts grease at the roots without leaving the grit older formulas can leave behind.
Does Amika Dry Shampoo leave a white residue?
The original Perk Up sprays on white but disappears completely once you massage or brush it through.
Ultra Oil Control looks slightly whiter on application and needs a bit more blending, especially on very dark hair, but both become invisible after working them in.
How many wash days can you get out of Amika Dry Shampoo?
The original Perk Up extends hair 1 to 2 days between washes.
Perk Up Plus Extended Clean adds one more day beyond what the original covers, while Ultra Oil Control handles very oily scalps and post-workout sessions rather than focusing on day count.
Which Amika Dry Shampoo is best for fine hair?
The original Perk Up and Perk Up Plus both work well for extremely fine hair.
Both formulas are lightweight enough to absorb oil without weighing down thin strands, while Ultra Oil Control felt too heavy for everyday use on finer textures.
Is Amika Dry Shampoo safe for all hair types?
Yes, the formula works across all hair types, including color-treated hair. It contains no talc, phthalates, sulfates, parabens or mineral oil, and it carries vegan and cruelty-free claims.
How much benzene is in Amika Dry Shampoo?
Amika Dry Shampoo contains no benzene. The formula was not among the aerosol dry shampoos flagged for benzene contamination during testing.
How do you use Amika Dry Shampoo?
Shake the can, then hold it 6 to 8 inches from your scalp and spray directly onto the roots.
Massage or brush the product through to distribute it fully, let it sit for a few minutes, then style. For Ultra Oil Control, work it in thoroughly since it sprays whiter and absorbs more aggressively.
What is the difference between Amika Perk Up and Perk Up Plus?
Perk Up handles daily touch-ups and moderate oil for 1 to 2 days, while Perk Up Plus is built to stretch one additional day between washes.
Plus includes mandelic acid to exfoliate and balance the scalp, giving you that last stretch before you need to shampoo.
What is the travel size of Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo?
The standard retail can is 5.3 oz and sells for $28 to $29. A travel size exists but specific ounce count was not listed in the product details covered here.
