Versus

Vanicream Dandruff Shampoo Versus CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo

Shampoo

American Brand

Updated on February 03, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe shampoos. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

New Comparison

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

Vanicream Dandruff Shampoo 19 ingredients

CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo 33 ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Vanicream Dandruff Shampoo 19 ingredients

CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo 33 ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Dandruff Shampoo

Zinc Pyrithione 2%

Water

Lauryl Glucoside

Coco-Glucoside

Acrylates Copolymer

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning

0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant

0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sucrose Cocoate

Emulsifying

Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate

Cleansing

Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate

Behenyl Alcohol

Sucrose Stearate

Cetyl Palmitate

0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate

1,2-Hexanediol

Sodium Hydroxide

Caprylyl Glycol

Sodium Chloride

Zinc Pyrithione 2%, Water, Lauryl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, Acrylates Copolymer, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sucrose Cocoate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Behenyl Alcohol, Sucrose Stearate, Cetyl Palmitate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Chloride

Gentle Hydrating Shampoo

Water

Skin Conditioning

Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate

Cleansing

Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate

Cleansing

Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate

Cleansing

Sodium Chloride

Masking

Glycol Distearate

Emollient

Amodimethicone

Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate

Cleansing

PPG-5-Ceteth-20

Emulsifying

Potato Starch Modified

Cocamide Mipa

Ceramide NP

Ceramide AP

Ceramide EOP

Carbomer

Niacinamide

Trideceth-6

Triethyl Citrate

Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium Benzoate

Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate

Emulsifying

Salicylic Acid

Masking

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant

0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Cholesterol

Emollient

0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Coco-Betaine

Citric Acid

Cetrimonium Chloride

Caprylyl Glycol

Phytosphingosine

Xanthan Gum

Polyquaternium-10

Acrylates Copolymer

Benzoic Acid

Masking

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Acrylates Copolymer

Acrylates Copolymer is used as a film-forming agent and texture enhancer.

After applied, Acrylates Copolymer forms a thin film cover that helps skin feel more soft. It can help sunscreens become more water-resistant.

It is also used to make a product more thick.

Learn more about Acrylates Copolymer

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

Sodium Chloride

Masking

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

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

Water

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water