Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Evidence-led ingredient analysis, a transparent clean score out of 100 and cleaner, effective alternatives at three price levels.

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Head & Shoulders

Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Haircare · Budget: £3.50

4.6 (28,500 reviews)· across Amazon UK, Boots, Superdrug, Sainsbury's

Pending verification

Ingredients: AI-inferred — not yet verified

An effective, budget-friendly anti-dandruff shampoo utilising Piroctone Olamine as its active flake-fighting ingredient. Note: The ingredient list was inferred based on the standard UK/EU formulation. While it provides strong cleansing and visible dandruff control, the formula relies on strong sulfate cleansers (SLS and SLES) and undisclosed fragrance, which may strip sensitive scalps over frequent use.

Hazard categories

70Est.
Pending verification~70 · Caution (estimated)

Estimated score out of 100

Formulation score is fixed across Selenssa · Community effectiveness awaiting more reports

Based on publicly available ingredients, following our methodology. Not medical advice — always check the physical label, especially for allergies. How we score →

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Suitable for occasional or short-term use if you suffer from excess oil and dandruff flakes. If you have a dry, itchy, or sensitive scalp, switching to a sulfate-free anti-dandruff formula may provide relief without over-stripping natural scalp oils.

Be cautious if

Individuals with sensitive, dry, or eczema-prone scalps, and those with known fragrance allergies.

Against your clean standard

No, due to the combination of harsh sulfates (SLS), undisclosed fragrance, and artificial colorants.

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Where this score comes from

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Does Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo contain parabens, sulfates or fragrance?

A straight yes or no for the ingredient groups people most often want to avoid, checked against this product's published formulation.

  • Free from parabens

    Preservatives; the longer-chain ones (propyl, butyl) carry the endocrine questions.

  • Contains sulfates (sls / sles)

    Found: sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate. Strong cleansing agents that can strip a compromised barrier.

  • Free from silicones

    Slip and occlusion; cyclic silicones (D4/D5/D6) are the environmentally restricted ones.

  • Contains fragrance / parfum

    Found: parfum. Undisclosed fragrance blends are the most common trigger for sensitised skin.

  • Contains essential oils

    Found: linalool. Naturally derived, but among the most frequently reported contact allergens.

  • Free from drying alcohol

    Fine in small amounts for texture; high up the list it can dehydrate.

  • Free from formaldehyde releasers

    Preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde.

  • Free from chemical uv filters of concern

    Restricted or debated filters with endocrine or reef-persistence questions.

Is Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo non-comedogenic?

This formulation contains 1 ingredient commonly associated with clogged pores — sodium lauryl sulfate. That does not make it unsuitable for everyone: comedogenicity depends on concentration, the rest of the formula and your own skin. If you are acne-prone, patch test or choose one of the alternatives below.

Is Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo safe for sensitive skin?

Usually tolerated, but patch test if your skin reacts easily.

  • Contains fragrance or parfum
  • Contains essential oils or common fragrance allergens

Ingredients worth knowing about: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool.

Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo full ingredients list

8 ingredients analysed, in the order Selenssa assessed them. Concentration generally falls as you move down the list.

Aqua, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Piroctone Olamine, Parfum, Dimethiconol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool.

The actives doing the work: Piroctone Olamine (Effectively targets the yeast responsible for dandruff while remaining gentle on the scalp compared to older active ingredients.).

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