Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff Defense Advanced Oil Control Dandruff Shampoo Versus Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo
Updated on August 26, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe shampoos. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances, silicones and sulfates
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 Clinical Strength Dandruff Defense Advanced Oil Control Dandruff Shampoo 20 ingredients
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo 35 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff Defense Advanced Oil Control Dandruff Shampoo 20 ingredients
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo 35 ingredients
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Selenium Sulfide 1%
Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Cocamide Mea
EmulsifyingAmmonium Xylenesulfonate
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMethylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantSelenium Sulfide 1%, Water, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Glycol Distearate, Cocamide Mea, Ammonium Xylenesulfonate, Parfum, Sodium Citrate, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Stearyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, CI 14700
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Menthol
Masking
Hedychium Coronarium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Emollient
Algae Extract
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Leaf Extract
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Oleamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycol Stearate
Emollient
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-7
Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Magnesium Chloride
Magnesium Nitrate
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamide Mipa, Parfum, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Panthenol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Menthol, Hedychium Coronarium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Algae Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Oleamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Glycol Stearate, PEG-150 Distearate, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-7, Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Nitrate, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, CI 42090, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidMCI 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 MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMI 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 MethylisothiazolinoneParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient 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.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
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 ParfumWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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