CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo
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.
At a glance
Key ingredients 13
Ceramides (NP, AP, EOP)Very 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) →NiacinamideVery 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 →PhytosphingosineVery Good
Sphingolipid precursor to ceramides; supports the lipid barrier with documented anti-inflammatory activity on Malassezia-affected scalp.
See more about Phytosphingosine →CholesterolGood
Native skin lipid; pairs with ceramides for full physiologic-lipid barrier replacement.
See more about Cholesterol →Sodium HyaluronateGood
Glycosaminoglycan humectant; supports stratum-corneum hydration.
See more about Sodium Hyaluronate →Disodium CocoamphodiacetateGood
Coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant; gentle secondary cleanser. EWG 1.
See more about Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate →Polyquaternium-10Good
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) →AmodimethiconeBad
Modified silicone; builds up on hair shaft, environmentally persistent siloxane microplastic precursor.
See more about Amodimethicone →Cocamide MIPABad
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-20Bad
Polyether-based emulsifier; carries 1,4-dioxane contamination risk from ethoxylation. Penetration enhancer.
See more about PPG-5-Ceteth-20 →Cetrimonium ChlorideBad
Petroleum-derived dirty quat cationic conditioner. EWG 4-5. The same quat used in the Elvive conditioner.
See more about Cetrimonium Chloride →PhenoxyethanolBad
Synthetic preservative; EWG 4. EU restricted in baby products.
See more about Phenoxyethanol →Get the full breakdown in the Scout app
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