Head & Shoulders Professional Advanced Itch Care Shampoo Versus Herbal Essences Bio Renew: White Strawberry And Sweet Mint Shampoo
Updated on January 03, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe shampoos. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances 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 Professional Advanced Itch Care Shampoo 18 ingredients
Herbal Essences Bio Renew: White Strawberry And Sweet Mint Shampoo 30 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 Professional Advanced Itch Care Shampoo 18 ingredients
Herbal Essences Bio Renew: White Strawberry And Sweet Mint Shampoo 30 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Xylenesulfonate
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium C10-15 Pareth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPiroctone Olamine
Preservative
Acrylates Copolymer
Cocamide Mea
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Xylenesulfonate, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Sodium C10-15 Pareth Sulfate, Sodium Citrate, Piroctone Olamine, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocamide Mea, Citric Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Salicylate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, CI 42090, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Xylenesulfonate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLinalool
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Histidine
Humectant
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Menthol
Masking
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ecklonia Radiata Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Nitrate
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Magnesium Chloride
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Xylenesulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Citric Acid, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Linalool, Butylene Glycol, Limonene, Histidine, Mentha Piperita Oil, Menthol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Ecklonia Radiata Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Magnesium Nitrate, Alcohol Denat., Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone
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 AcidParfum 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 ParfumSodium 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 BenzoateChances 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 Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateWe don't have a description for Sodium Xylenesulfonate yet.
Tetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
