Pantene Pro-V Classic Clean Shampoo

Common questions

Is Pantene Pro-V Classic Clean Shampoo healthy?

Pantene Pro-V Classic Clean Shampoo scores 15/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — one of the lower scores in Scout's catalog. Pantene Pro-V Classic Clean Shampoo scores 15/100 -- a textbook conventional drugstore shampoo.

How does Pantene Pro-V Classic Clean Shampoo compare to other hair care?

Pantene Pro-V Classic Clean Shampoo ranks #43 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 Pantene Pro-V Classic Clean Shampoo's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycerin count in its favor; Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Cocamide MEA 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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Pantene Pro-V Classic Clean Shampoo

Pantene
15 Poor

At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 5
Harmful ingredients 7
Owned by Procter & Gamble
Category Hair Care
Summary

Pantene Pro-V Classic Clean Shampoo scores 15/100 -- a textbook conventional drugstore shampoo. The cleansing base is the harshest commercial pairing in widespread use: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate + Sodium Laureth Sulfate. SLES carries a documented 1,4-dioxane (IARC Group 2B probable human carcinogen) contamination risk from the ethoxylation manufacturing step. Dimethicone is a silicone polymer that builds up on hair and requires sulfate shampoos to remove (the classic conventional-shampoo vicious cycle). Methylchloroisothiazolinone + Methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MIT) is the 'Kathon CG' preservative pair that was named the American Contact Dermatitis Society's 'Contact Allergen of the Year 2013' and is EU-restricted. Tetrasodium EDTA functions as a chelator and mild penetration enhancer. Undisclosed Fragrance with no itemized allergens. The Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) payload is genuine -- one of the most evidence-backed conditioning ingredients available -- but cannot offset the SLS+SLES+Cocamide MEA+Dimethicone+MCI/MIT toxic load. Owned by Procter & Gamble.

Key ingredients 14

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.

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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) →
Methylchloroisothiazolinone + Methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MIT)
Very Bad

The 'Kathon CG' preservative pair. MIT was named the American Contact Dermatitis Society's 'Contact Allergen of the Year 2013' after a documented epidemic of contact dermatitis cases. EU banned MIT in leave-on cosmetics in 2017 and limits MCI/MIT in rinse-off products to 0.0015%. EWG 5-7.

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Fragrance (Parfum)
Very Bad

Undisclosed fragrance blend with no itemized allergens. US labeling law allows manufacturers to hide hundreds of un-itemized compounds behind a single 'Fragrance' word, including phthalates, IFRA-restricted allergens, and synthetic musks.

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Cocamide MEA
Bad

Ethanolamine surfactant booster; California Proposition 65 listed for carcinogenicity. Carries N-nitrosamine contamination risk when stacked with secondary amines.

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Dimethicone
Bad

Silicone polymer; occlusive coating that builds up on the hair shaft and requires sulfate shampoos to remove. Environmentally persistent siloxane microplastic precursor.

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Tetrasodium EDTA
Bad

Chelator; mild penetration enhancer and environmentally persistent. The clean alternatives are sodium gluconate, sodium phytate, or Tetrasodium GLDA.

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Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Neutral

Coconut-derived surfactant — milder than sulfates, though an occasional allergen.

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Citric Acid
Neutral

Common acidulant and preservative — safe at typical use levels, neither beneficial nor harmful.

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Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Good

Plant-derived (guar bean) cationic conditioning polymer. The cleanest commercially available cationic. EWG 1.

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Glycerin
Good

Humectant that draws moisture to the skin — a beneficial base ingredient.

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Panthenyl Ethyl Ether
Good

Ether derivative of panthenol; functions similarly as a humectant and conditioning agent.

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Histidine
Good

Amino acid; helps protect against UV-induced hair damage. Inert at use levels.

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Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5)
Very Good

Provitamin B5; penetrates the hair shaft and demonstrably improves softness and elasticity (Greaves 1999). One of the most evidence-backed conditioning ingredients.

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