Passes all four red flags. 7 ingredients to watch.
Grade
AYour red flags
AConsumer Reports strict
AEvidence only
−5 from evidence
Passes all four red flags. No fragrance, sulfates, silicones or contested preservatives.
Ingredients, in label order
Explain every ingredient
- Water (Aqua) — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
- Glycerin — Good, Moisturizer / soother. Hydrates or calms the scalp.
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine — Watch, Betaine surfactant. A common mild surfactant. Allergy cases are usually traced to manufacturing impurities. Evidence: weak.
- Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate — Good, Mild cleanser. A gentle surfactant. Cleans without stripping the scalp.
- Polyacrylate-33 — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
- Sodium Chloride — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
- Phenoxyethanol — Watch, Phenoxyethanol. A common preservative that Consumer Reports' stricter list flags. Low risk at normal levels. Evidence: weak.
- Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate — Good, Mild cleanser. A gentle surfactant. Cleans without stripping the scalp.
- Stearic Acid — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
- Caprylyl Glycol — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
- Lauric Acid — Watch, Soap. True soap. It's alkaline and can leave a dull film on hair, especially in hard water. An acidic rinse helps. Evidence: weak.
- Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
- Sodium Palmitate — Watch, Soap. True soap. It's alkaline and can leave a dull film on hair, especially in hard water. An acidic rinse helps. Evidence: weak.
- Tetrasodium EDTA — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
- Sodium Benzoate — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
- Sodium Isethionate — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
- Sodium Stearate — Watch, Soap. True soap. It's alkaline and can leave a dull film on hair, especially in hard water. An acidic rinse helps. Evidence: weak.
- Sodium Palm Kernelate — Watch, Soap. True soap. It's alkaline and can leave a dull film on hair, especially in hard water. An acidic rinse helps. Evidence: weak.
- Citric Acid — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
- Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) — Watch, Colorant. Added only for looks. Low concern in rinse-off use. Evidence: weak.
Watch-outs
- Labels disagreeDove.com now lists a shorter formula than Target does. The grade uses Target's list; check which one your bottle has.
Score breakdown
| Starting score | 100 |
| Betaine surfactant | −3 |
| Colorant (opacifier) | −2 |
| Score | 95 → A |
|---|
Where to buy
| Store | Size | Price | Per wash |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target | 34 oz | $14.59 | $0.13/wash |
Shopper notes
- Brand history: Unilever recalled some Dove aerosol dry shampoos for benzene in 2022. This wash was not affected.