amika Perk Up Ultra Oil Control Dry Shampoo Review
BeautyBrief™
Brand
amika
Product
perk up ultra oil control dry shampoo
Claims check
You get effective-looking oil absorption from starch and silica, but the degree of improvement over other dry shampoos remains based on brand-reported testing.
Shopper fit
- Oily Scalp
Formula flags
- Fragrance
- Drying alcohols
Shopper preferences
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
Key ingredients
| Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch | Absorbs surface oil at the roots as part of the main starch-and-silica system. |
|---|---|
| Silica | Adds further sebum uptake and contributes to the dry, refreshed finish. |
| Tapioca Starch | Reinforces the absorbent powder system for visibly oily roots. |
| Bambusa Arundinacea (Bamboo) Stem Extract | Adds to the brand's sweat-and-odor positioning; the absorbent powders carry the oil-control role. |
| Alcohol Denat. (SD Alcohol 40-B) | Helps the aerosol dry rapidly and contributes to its drier finish. |
Price tier
$$ Mid-Range
Value check
At the Mid-Range tier, you get strong root oil control when you need it, although less intensive formulas may be more comfortable for balanced scalps.
Where to buy
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Bottom line
If your scalp gets greasy quickly, Perk Up Ultra offers a concentrated starch-and-silica refresh between wet washes. The dry aerosol and fragrance narrow its fit for easily irritated scalps, and the stronger oil-control claim remains brand-reported.
If your roots look greasy within a day or two of washing, amika Perk Up Ultra Oil Control Dry Shampoo provides a stronger powder-based refresh than its Original counterpart. Rice starch, silica and tapioca starch absorb surface oil, while the aerosol’s denatured alcohol helps it dry fast.[1]
Extra absorption is useful when your scalp becomes oily quickly; if your scalp is dry, sensitive or already prone to powder buildup, a lower-absorbency dry shampoo or a wet wash is a better fit.
What it claims
amika positions Perk Up Ultra for extra-oily scalps and says it is clinically proven to remove more oil than traditional Perk Up. The brand also reports that 87% of participants in a two-week consumer study of 66 people said the product helped control oil, and it says the formula cleans and refreshes scalp and roots while extending styles between washes.[1]
Claims vs. formula
The oil-control story fits the formula well. Rice starch, silica, and tapioca starch provide multiple powder-based absorption pathways, while denatured alcohol helps the aerosol dry quickly. Bamboo stem extract is part of amika’s sweat-, sebum-, and odor-control positioning, but the powders are the more direct explanation for the visible reduction in greasiness.[1]
The product-specific testing is useful, but the public page does not disclose enough protocol detail to independently judge the magnitude of the oil-removal advantage over other dry shampoos. BB therefore treats the stronger-oil-removal claim as brand-reported finished-product evidence rather than a universal performance guarantee.
Denatured alcohol is high in the formula and fragrance is present. Those features do not make the product ineffective, but they make scalp comfort more important with frequent use. Glycerin adds some humectant support, but this remains an oil-absorbing styling product rather than a moisturizing scalp treatment.
Ingredients that matter
The oil-control system relies on rice starch, silica and tapioca starch working together to absorb sebum. Those powders do more for visible root freshness than the botanicals. Bamboo stem extract adds to amika’s sweat-and-odor positioning, but the full formula’s absorbency is the main reason to choose it.
Denatured alcohol helps the aerosol dry quickly and contributes to the drier feel, while glycerin offers some water binding. Fragrance is present, so consider your scalp sensitivity and the powdery finish rather than assuming this styling product moisturizes or thoroughly washes the scalp.
Fragrance
Fragrance is a scent blend added mainly for sensory appeal. Many shoppers tolerate it well, while specific fragrance materials can trigger irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in susceptible people.
Read the IngredientBrief
Glycerin
If your skin feels dry or tight, glycerin helps your skin hold moisture. You don't need a high percentage or a separate serum when your moisturizer already works well.
Read the IngredientBriefSafety and regulatory context
This is a flammable pressurized aerosol. amika directs users to keep it away from heat, sparks, open flames, and hot surfaces; avoid puncturing or incinerating the container; protect it from excessive heat and sunlight; avoid the eyes; and use it only as directed.[1]
What to expect in the short term
You can expect noticeably drier roots and stronger visible oil reduction than you would want from a dry shampoo designed for normal or mildly oily hair. amika directs you to shake well, spray about eight inches from the roots, wait 30 seconds, then massage or brush the product through.[1]
What to expect over time
Perk Up Ultra works best as an interval product between wet washes, not as a replacement for shampoo and water. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that dry shampoo absorbs oil but does not actually clean the hair or scalp, and repeated buildup can contribute to dryness, stiffness, irritation, or residue if regular washing is delayed too long.[2]
Who it fits
If your scalp becomes visibly greasy quickly, this is the clearest fit and finds ordinary dry shampoo too weak. Hair pattern matters less than scalp oil production for this product, so BB does not assign every hair type simply because amika says the formula works across patterns 1 through 4C.
Balanced, dry, or easily irritated scalps have less reason to choose the Ultra version. If you need only a light refresh or you notice tightness, itching, or gritty buildup with dry shampoo, a lower-absorbency option or more frequent wet cleansing makes more sense.
Provenance independently validates the exact Perk Up Ultra product as Cruelty Free International certified and BIORIUS Vegan Certified.[3]
Compare before you buy
Within amika’s current Perk Up lineup, Original is positioned as the everyday refresher, Plus as the lighter extended-clean option, and Ultra as the extra-strength choice for hair that becomes oily fast.[4] At the Mid-Range tier, Ultra makes the most sense when maximum oil absorption is the problem you are actually trying to solve; paying for the strongest formula is unnecessary when your scalp only needs occasional refreshing.
Final Assessment
If your scalp becomes greasy quickly, amika Perk Up Ultra Oil Control Dry Shampoo makes sense for stronger oil absorption that need more absorption than a standard dry shampoo provides. Its starch-and-silica system is well aligned with that job, while the main tradeoff is a drier, higher-residue format that is less useful for balanced, dry, or easily irritated scalps. At the Mid-Range tier, the value is strongest when extra oil control is the specific reason you are buying it.
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Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources
amika. Perk Up Ultra Oil Control Dry Shampoo. Current official U.S. product page. Accessed October 15, 2026.
American Academy of Dermatology. Dry shampoo: Dermatologists’ tips for getting your best results. Updated March 26, 2024. Accessed October 15, 2026.
Provenance. perk up ultra | oil control dry shampoo – 5.3 oz / 250 ml. Current product validation record. Accessed October 15, 2026.
amika. Perk Up Dry Shampoo Collection. Current official U.S. collection page. Accessed October 15, 2026.
