Head & Shoulders Professional Advanced Itch Care Shampoo Versus Pantene Essential Botanicals Apple & Honeysuckle Shampoo
Updated on September 07, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe shampoos. They have a total of 7 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 harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Pantene Essential Botanicals Apple & Honeysuckle Shampoo 17 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
Pantene Essential Botanicals Apple & Honeysuckle Shampoo 17 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
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 Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingParfum
Masking
Pyrus Malus Juice
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenyl Ethyl Ether
Histidine
Humectant
Polyquaternium-10
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Tetrasodium EDTA
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Parfum, Pyrus Malus Juice, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Panthenol, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Histidine, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Salicylate, Tetrasodium EDTA
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 BenzoateSodium 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 CitrateThis ingredient is the sodium salt of salicylic acid, the famous anti-acne ingredient.
Officially, this ingredient is used as a preservative. However, some studies found Sodium Salicylate to have exfoliating properties. Further studies are needed.
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
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