CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo Versus Flakes Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Updated on April 29, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe shampoos. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo 37 ingredients
Flakes Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 16 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo 37 ingredients
Flakes Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 16 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Pyrithione 1%
Antiseborrhoeic
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Amodimethicone
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingPotato Starch Modified
Cocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Polynaphthalenesulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Coco-Betaine
CleansingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-10
Acrylates Copolymer
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Zinc Pyrithione 1%, Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Chloride, Glycol Distearate, Amodimethicone, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Potato Starch Modified, Cocamide Mipa, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Niacinamide, Trideceth-6, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Polynaphthalenesulfonate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Coco-Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Cetrimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Polyquaternium-10, Acrylates Copolymer, Benzoic Acid
Zinc Pyrithione 2%
Antiseborrhoeic
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Aminoethylethanolamine
Parfum
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingMethyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Zinc Pyrithione 2%, Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Aminoethylethanolamine, Parfum, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Mentha Piperita Oil, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a cleansing agent made from a mixture of long chain sulfonate salts. It can also help produce foam.
This ingredient may be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterZinc Pyrithione is a preservative. It inhibits the multiplying of fungal and bacterial cells.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in Malassezia treatments. In the US, this ingredient is most common in anti-dandruff shampoos. However, the European Union has prohibited the use of this ingredient starting in 2022.
Ingredient Ratings
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