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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo versus Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care Hair & Scalp Conditioner .

Published on August 09, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Free From

They both do not contain any 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 need an update? Let us know.

Shampoo American Brand United States
Conditioner American Brand United States

Shampoo

Detergent or soap for cleansing the hair.

Conditioner

Moisturizing agents for hair.

Price

Shop

Buy Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo

Starts at $8.45
Shop

Buy Dry Scalp Care Hair & Scalp Conditioner

Starts at $8.97

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Concerns

Drying (3)
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (4)

Benefits

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (4)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Antiseborrhoeic, Preservative
Community Rating: Loved

Zinc Pyrithione is a preservative.

Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 1.

Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care Hair & Scalp Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 2.

Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care Hair & Scalp Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Chances 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 Chloride

Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 7.

Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care Hair & Scalp Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 12.

4
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum

Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 10.

Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care Hair & Scalp Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 8.

5
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 11.

Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care Hair & Scalp Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 7.

6
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

MCI is a preservative and known skin-irritant. It has anti-bacteria anti-fungal properties.

Studies spanning several decades have shown this ingredient to cause skin irritation and allergies.

MCI is commonly combined with methylisothiazolinone (MI). Other names for this mixture include Kathon CG and Euxyl K 100.

The use of this ingredient varies around the world:

Learn more about Methylchloroisothiazolinone

Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 15.

Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care Hair & Scalp Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 14.

7
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

MI is a preservative and known skin irritant. In the past, MI was used for its ability to prevent bacteria, yeast, and fungi growth in low doses.

Nowadays, you'll most likely see MI combined with Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI). Trade names for this combination include Kathon CG or Euxyl K 100.

Since then, numerous studies have shown this ingredient to cause contact dermatitis, or skin irritation.

The use of this ingredient varies around the world:

Learn more about Methylisothiazolinone

Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 16.

Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care Hair & Scalp Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 15.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

17% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
61% are disliked or very disliked
22% have no rating yet
20% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
80% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo 18 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 2 reviews
gofofnglv's Avatar'
Mar 11, 2024

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.

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.

Cleansing
Frizz
Mac_R's Avatar'
Mar 24, 2024

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...

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 😅

Cleansing

Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care Hair & Scalp Conditioner 15 ingredients

Dry Scalp Care Hair & Scalp Conditioner hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care Hair & Scalp Conditioner.

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