Herbal Essences White Grapefruit & Mint Volume Shampoo Versus Selsun Blue Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Updated on November 06, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe shampoos. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens, 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
Herbal Essences White Grapefruit & Mint Volume Shampoo 23 ingredients
Selsun Blue Medicated Anti-Dandruff 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
Herbal Essences White Grapefruit & Mint Volume Shampoo 23 ingredients
Selsun Blue Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 17 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Citrus Paradisi Juice
Perfuming
Histidine
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ecklonia Radiata Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Menthol
Masking
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Xylenesulfonate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Citrus Paradisi Juice, Histidine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ecklonia Radiata Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Menthol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Xylenesulfonate, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone
Selenium Sulfide 1%
Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Tea-Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentParfum
Masking
Menthol
Masking
Cocamide DEA
EmulsifyingDMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingBlue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
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 AcidCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineThis ingredient is a semi-synthetic polymer created from cellulose. In case you need a refresher, cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls.
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose has many uses:
- emulsifier
- create a gel-like texture
- boost foam
Menthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholParfum 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 ParfumChances 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 CitrateWater. 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.
When to use
Herbal Essences White Grapefruit & Mint Volume Shampoo 23 ingredients
Selsun Blue Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 17 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
