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CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo

Common questions

Is CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo healthy?

CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo scores 50/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — a below-average score in Scout's analysis. CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo scores 50/100 -- a clinical anti-dandruff shampoo built around CeraVe's signature three-ceramide barrier system, fragrance-free and sulfate-free, but with a few conventional formulation choices and a regulated active that hold the score in the mid-tier.

How does CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo compare to other hair care?

CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo ranks #34 of 47 hair care in Scout's independent rankings. The current top score in the category is BASED Shampoo at 97/100.

Which ingredients drive CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Ceramides (NP, AP, EOP), Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine count in its favor; Pyrithione Zinc 1% (Active), Amodimethicone, Cocamide MIPA are flagged as ingredients of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo

CeraVe
50 Fair
$9.97 · 12 oz · $0.83 / fluid ounce
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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 7
Harmful ingredients 6
Owned by L'Oréal
Category Hair Care
Summary

CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo scores 50/100 -- a clinical anti-dandruff shampoo built around CeraVe's signature three-ceramide barrier system, fragrance-free and sulfate-free, but with a few conventional formulation choices and a regulated active that hold the score in the mid-tier. The positives are genuine: the formula is fragrance-free (no parfum in the INCI, explicitly stated on the front label), paraben-free, MIT-free, and includes a strong barrier-supporting payload of Ceramide NP/AP/EOP, Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, and Sodium Hyaluronate. The negatives are real but proportionate: (1) Pyrithione Zinc 1% is the anti-dandruff active -- it is genuinely effective against the Malassezia yeast that causes dandruff but is EU-restricted in cosmetics as of March 2022 (allowed only in narrow OTC anti-dandruff applications like this one) due to rat developmental and reproductive toxicity data; (2) Amodimethicone introduces silicone buildup; (3) PPG-5-Ceteth-20 carries 1,4-dioxane contamination risk from ethoxylation; (4) Cocamide MIPA is an ethanolamine with N-nitrosamine contamination concern; (5) Cetrimonium Chloride is a dirty quat. Phenoxyethanol is the preservative. CeraVe was acquired by L'Oréal in 2017.

Key ingredients 13

Ceramides (NP, AP, EOP)
Good

Three of the skin's natural barrier ceramides delivered topically. Strong evidence base for restoring stratum corneum lipid structure (Spada 2018, Bhatia 2024). The signature CeraVe ingredient stack.

See more about Ceramides (NP, AP, EOP) →
Niacinamide
Good

Vitamin B3; well-tolerated and broadly evidence-backed for calming inflammation, supporting the skin barrier, and reducing sebum dysregulation. Synergistic with the ceramide stack.

See more about Niacinamide →
Phytosphingosine
Good

Sphingolipid precursor to ceramides; supports the lipid barrier with documented anti-inflammatory activity on Malassezia-affected scalp.

See more about Phytosphingosine →
Cholesterol
Good

Native skin lipid; pairs with ceramides for full physiologic-lipid barrier replacement.

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Sodium Hyaluronate
Good

Glycosaminoglycan humectant; supports stratum-corneum hydration.

See more about Sodium Hyaluronate →
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
Good

Coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant; gentle secondary cleanser. EWG 1.

See more about Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate →
Polyquaternium-10
Good

Cellulose-derived cationic conditioning polymer; provides detangling and slip. EWG 1.

See more about Polyquaternium-10 →
Pyrithione Zinc 1% (Active)
Bad

OTC anti-dandruff active. Genuinely effective against Malassezia yeast (the cause of seborrheic dermatitis and most dandruff), but EU restricted in cosmetics as of March 2022 except narrow OTC anti-dandruff use due to rat developmental and reproductive toxicity data. EWG 7-8.

See more about Pyrithione Zinc 1% (Active) →
Amodimethicone
Bad

Modified silicone; builds up on hair shaft, environmentally persistent siloxane microplastic precursor.

See more about Amodimethicone →
Cocamide MIPA
Bad

Isopropanolamine surfactant booster; same ethanolamine class as the Cocamide MEA flagged by California Proposition 65. N-nitrosamine contamination risk when stacked with secondary amines.

See more about Cocamide MIPA →
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
Bad

Polyether-based emulsifier; carries 1,4-dioxane contamination risk from ethoxylation. Penetration enhancer.

See more about PPG-5-Ceteth-20 →
Cetrimonium Chloride
Bad

Petroleum-derived dirty quat cationic conditioner. EWG 4-5. The same quat used in the Elvive conditioner.

See more about Cetrimonium Chloride →
Phenoxyethanol
Bad

Synthetic preservative; EWG 4. EU restricted in baby products.

See more about Phenoxyethanol →

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