Fails on sulfate, fragrance, silicone. 7 more ingredients to watch.
Grade
FYour red flags
FConsumer Reports strict
BEvidence only
−14 from evidence · −56 from preference
3 red flags found. Sulfate: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate · Sulfate: Sodium Laureth Sulfate · Fragrance: Fragrance · Silicone: Dimethicone
Ingredients, in label order
Explain every ingredient
- Pyrithione Zinc 1% (active) — Watch, EU-banned active. The anti-dandruff drug active. Banned in EU cosmetics since 2022 over animal reproductive data. Still allowed by the FDA. Evidence: mixed.
- Water — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate — Red flag, Sulfate. A strong detergent that strips oils and can irritate sensitive scalps. Your red flag.
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate — Red flag, Sulfate. A strong detergent that strips oils and can irritate sensitive scalps. Your red flag.
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine — Watch, Betaine surfactant. A common mild surfactant. Allergy cases are usually traced to manufacturing impurities. Evidence: weak.
- Sodium Xylenesulfonate — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
- Zinc Carbonate — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
- Fragrance — Red flag, Fragrance. An undisclosed blend of scent chemicals. The most common cause of allergy to cosmetics. Evidence: strong.
- 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.
- Dimethicone — Red flag, Silicone. Coats the hair shaft and can build up. Dimethicone and cyclic silicones break down slowly in the environment. Your red flag.
- 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.
- Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride — Watch, Quat conditioner. A conditioning agent that breaks down slowly in water. Consumer Reports' stricter list flags quats. Evidence: weak.
- Piroctone Olamine — 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.
- Trihydroxystearin — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
- Butylene Glycol — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
- Magnesium Carbonate Hydroxide — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
- Polyquaternium-76 — Watch, Quat conditioner. A conditioning agent that breaks down slowly in water. Consumer Reports' stricter list flags quats. Evidence: weak.
- Pentylene Glycol — Good, Moisturizer / soother. Hydrates or calms the scalp.
- Neosetophoma Cerealis Extract — Watch, Plant extract. A botanical extract. Some are aromatic or known allergens. Evidence: weak.
- Niacinamide — Good, Moisturizer / soother. Hydrates or calms the scalp.
- Blue 1 — Watch, Colorant. Added only for looks. Low concern in rinse-off use. Evidence: weak.
- Red 33 — Watch, Colorant. Added only for looks. Low concern in rinse-off use. Evidence: weak.
Score breakdown
| Starting score | 100 |
| Fragrance | −20 |
| Sulfate (SLS) + Second sulfate (SLES) | −21 |
| Silicone (dimethicone) | −15 |
| Dyes | −4 |
| Betaine surfactant | −3 |
| Zinc pyrithione | −4 |
| Plant extract | −3 |
| Score | 30 → F |
|---|
Where to buy
| Store | Size | Price | Per wash |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everywhere | — | — | — |
Shopper notes
- Brand history: P&G recalled some aerosol dry shampoos for benzene in 2021. This liquid shampoo was not affected.
- Reformulated: the MI/MCI preservatives are gone, and piroctone olamine (a second anti-dandruff agent) and niacinamide were added.