Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Daily Shampoo
Summary
Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Daily Shampoo scores 27/100 -- the #1 anti-dandruff shampoo in the US, built around Pyrithione Zinc 1% as the OTC active drug. Pyrithione Zinc is genuinely effective against the Malassezia yeast that causes most dandruff, but it 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. The shampoo base is conventional drugstore: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate + Sodium Laureth Sulfate as primary surfactants, Dimethicone as a silicone microplastic precursor, and TWO synthetic dyes (D&C Red 33 + FD&C Blue 1) added purely to color the contents blue. Some sub-variants also add Methylchloroisothiazolinone + Methylisothiazolinone (Contact Allergen of the Year 2013) -- the Classic Clean base formula relies on Sodium Benzoate as its sole non-active preservative, which is a clean choice. No phenoxyethanol. Sits below the CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo (50/100), which earned its score from the ceramide + niacinamide + hyaluronic acid payload -- Head & Shoulders has no equivalent active stack. Owned by Procter & Gamble.
At a glance
Key ingredients 10
Pyrithione Zinc 1% (Active)Bad
OTC anti-dandruff active. Genuinely effective against Malassezia yeast but EU-restricted in cosmetics as of March 2022 (narrow OTC anti-dandruff use only) due to rat developmental and reproductive toxicity data. EWG 7-8.
See more about Pyrithione Zinc 1% (Active) →Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)Very Bad
The most aggressive mainstream surfactant; primary skin/scalp irritant. EWG 1-2 for environmental persistence but 3 for human irritation.
See more about Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) →Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)Very Bad
Ethoxylated sulfate cleanser; carries documented 1,4-dioxane (IARC Group 2B probable human carcinogen) contamination risk from the ethoxylation manufacturing step. EWG 3-6.
See more about Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) →DimethiconeVery Bad
Silicone polymer; occlusive coating that builds up on the hair shaft and requires sulfate shampoos to remove. Environmentally persistent siloxane microplastic precursor.
See more about Dimethicone →FD&C Blue 1 + D&C Red 33Bad
Two synthetic petroleum-derived dyes used purely to color the contents blue. Red 33 is FDA-prohibited in lip products due to staining concerns. No functional benefit.
See more about FD&C Blue 1 + D&C Red 33 →Fragrance (Parfum)Bad
Undisclosed fragrance blend.
See more about Fragrance (Parfum) →Zinc CarbonateGood
Inert mineral that supports the Pyrithione Zinc active by maintaining suspension and stability.
See more about Zinc Carbonate →Cocamidopropyl BetaineGood
Coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant; the industry-standard gentler co-surfactant in sulfate-based shampoos.
See more about Cocamidopropyl Betaine →Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideGood
Plant-derived (guar bean) cationic conditioning polymer. The cleanest commercially available cationic. EWG 1.
See more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride →Sodium BenzoateGood
Food-grade preservative; EWG 1-3. A notably cleaner choice than the MCI/MIT or phenoxyethanol most drugstore shampoos use.
See more about Sodium Benzoate →Get the full breakdown in the Scout app
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