Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo Versus CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe shampoos. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and silicones
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
Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo 18 ingredients
CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo 33 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo 18 ingredients
CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo 33 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Pyrithione 1%
Antiseborrhoeic
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Zinc Carbonate
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Xylenesulfonate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Carbonate Hydroxide
BufferingMethylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Blue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Pyrithione 1%, Water, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glycol Distearate, Zinc Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Xylenesulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, Dimethicone, Sodium Benzoate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Magnesium Carbonate Hydroxide, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Blue 1 Lake, CI 17200
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 Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Coco-Betaine
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Acrylates Copolymer
Benzoic Acid
Masking
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 Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Coco-Betaine, Citric Acid, Cetrimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polyquaternium-10, Acrylates Copolymer, Benzoic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterGlycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.
It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.
It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo 18 ingredients
CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo 33 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo 18 ingredients
Anyone else hear using this on your face is good for fungal acne? I was skeptical but I tried it, and after two uses (few days apart) it was a miracle. Even my Salicilic acid face wash didn't do this. I now use one a week just when in the shower and the texture on my skin is amazing. Drying though, treat your skin like a baby after lol. Lots of Moisturizing products 😅
Works well in treating my dandruff and other fungal infections. Doesn’t break me out either when I use it on my face. It is a little stripping on my hair though.
