Deconstruct Anti Dandruff Serum For Scalp Versus Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo For Sensitive Scalp
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Maltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantSalicylic Acid
Masking
Moringa Oleifera Callus Extract
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingPhragmites Communis Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Yogurt Protein
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPiroctone Olamine
Preservative
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningWater, Propylene Glycol, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Salicylic Acid, Moringa Oleifera Callus Extract, Triethanolamine, Phragmites Communis Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Hydrolyzed Yogurt Protein, Inulin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Piroctone Olamine, Sodium PCA, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Gluconate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Laureth-5 Carboxylic Acid
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Farnesol
Perfuming
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
Buffering
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Surfactant
Piroctone Olamine
Preservative
Polyquaternium-10
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantParfum
Masking
Water, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Laureth-5 Carboxylic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Bisabolol, Farnesol, Hexylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, PEG-150 Distearate, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Piroctone Olamine, Polyquaternium-10, Propylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Piroctone Olamine is a synthetic antifungal and preservative ingredient.
Its main job is to keep the yeast, Malassezia, in check; this yeast is linked to dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and fungal acne (a.k.a. Malassezia folliculitis).
The way it works is pretty neat:
It slips into the fungal cell and grabs onto iron ions that the yeast needs for its energy metabolism; this basically starves it out. But the full mechanism isn't 100% pinned down and some research also points it to interfering with ergosterol (a building block of the fungal cell membrane).
Besides antifungal action, it also has mild anti-inflammatory and soothing effects to help calm itchiness in the scalp.
Typical usage concentrations are low. The EU permits it to be a preservative up to 1% in rinse-off products and 0.5% in leave-on products.
Though it's generally well-tolerated, a small number of people may notice itching or irritation (as with any active).
Learn more about Piroctone OlaminePropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
