Aren't you tired of chemical & preservative loaded anti-dandruff products that promise you hair like Rapunzel but leave you looking like ganji chudail?! Today, The most common anti dandruff shampoos found in the market contain harsh & hidden actives which may help soothe scalp inflammation in the short run but might come with a truckload of uneasy side effects like Hairfall in the long run.
Let’s get to them one at a time!
1. Ketoconazole: The half Information dilemma
Why, you ask? The new popular ingredient in the anti dandruff industry, is an antifungal medication that works by preventing the growth of fungus, helps control dandruff and relieve flaking, scaling, and itching.
Although, what we don’t know about this buzz ingredient is that in the long run it can cause severe consequences for your scalp and hair.
- It can strip off the natural oils present on your scalp and damage the cuticles of your strands
- Excessive dryness on the roots and ends can ruin your natural curls and hair texture
- inflammation can give rise to rashes, burning sensations causing hypersensitive scalp skin.
2. Pyrithione Zinc : A Vile Villain
It is an antifungal ingredient common in commercial anti- dandruff shampoos. Apart from dandruff, it is also used to treat other issues such as scalp psoriasis, acne and eczema.
Although very popular ingredient for dandruff treatment, it comes with dangers like:
- dryness
- irritation
- disrupt the scalp's natural oils
- excessive dryness or flakiness of the skin
3. Selenium Sulfide: Uncovering the Carcinogen
Selenium sulfide, is another ingredient used in treatment of yeast infection and prevention of fungal growth. While more potent,
- It is highly carcinogenic and can irritate the scalp if left on for extended periods
- It can result in dryness, redness, or even hair thinning
- There is an increased chance of contracting life threatening diseases like cancer, respiratory issues, etc. due to hazardous ingredients entering the bloodstream
4. SULPHATES(SLS/SLES): Detergent Danger
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES/SLS) are the popular culprits.
You must have seen these common surfactants written on mostly every ingredient list of popular commercial shampoos. They consist of cleansing properties but a lesser known fact about them is that they are the same chemical that create foam in harsh detergents and washing bars. Long term use of shampoos which contain it can kill your follicles and dry out your hair.
5. Climbazole: The Antifungal Dilemma
Climbazole is a common antifungal ingredient found in shampoos and skincare products used to combat dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and other scalp issues. While it's generally safe, there are a few things to watch out for if you're using it a lot or for a long time:
- Scalp Irritation: Some folks might notice redness, itching, or irritation on their scalp, especially if their skin is on the sensitive side.
- Dryness or Flakiness: Climbazole can sometimes make your scalp dry or flaky, which can be uncomfortable and make dandruff worse for some people.
- Allergic Reactions: Allergic reactions are rare but possible. They could show up as swelling, a rash, or hives. In serious cases, you might have trouble breathing and need to see a doctor right away.
- Hair Troubles: Using climbazole products for a long time might make your hair dry, brittle, or more likely to break, especially if your hair is already damaged or dry.
- Scalp Sensitivity: After using climbazole, some folks might find that their scalp is more sensitive to other hair products, especially ones with harsh chemicals.
6. Dimethicone: Silly-cones
Dimethicone, a type of silicone commonly found in hair care and skincare products, is known for its ability to smooth, condition, and fight frizz. While it's generally safe for most people, there are a few things to watch out for if you use it a lot:
- First off, dimethicone can build up on your hair over time, creating a layer that weighs it down and makes it look greasy or dull. This buildup can also block your scalp from getting the moisture and nutrients it needs, leading to dryness and lackluster hair.
- It clog your scalp pores, causing irritation, blocked hair follicles, and even dandruff or dermatitis in some cases.
- Plus, all that dimethicone buildup can actually dry out your hair and make it brittle, especially Dandrilys:
- Dandrilys is a natural anti-dandruff ingredient that comes from the bark of the Ziziphus joazeiro plant in Brazil. It's known for its ability to help with itching, soothe the scalp, and effectively fight dandruff. This gentle yet powerful ingredient is a great choice for dealing with scalp issues.
- So, how does it work? Dandrilys works by adjusting the scalp's microbiota and biological pathways to reduce dandruff, irritation, redness, and sebum. It can also help restore the skin barrier, control sebum production, and normalize cell renewal.
- The benefits of Dandrilys include eliminating dandruff in just 72 hours, reducing histamine release (which causes itching), and calming the scalp. It's a natural and safe alternative to zinc pyrithione (ZPTO). Give it a try and say goodbye to dandruff for good!f you have curly or dry hair to begin with.
- While it's rare, some people might have an allergic reaction to dimethicone, resulting in itching, redness, or swelling on the scalp or skin.
- The tricky part is that dimethicone isn't water-soluble, so you might need a clarifying shampoo to really get it out of your hair. If you don't cleanse it properly, it can stick around .
The Hidden Gems
On the other end, we at Soulflower have formulated our anti dandruff shampoo with this groundbreaking US FDA approved ingredient
1. Piroctone Olamine : The Better Molecule
- It works effectively from the 8th day of application, reducing dandruff by targeting the Malassezia yeast, restoring balance to the scalp microbiome.
- One of the notable characteristics of piroctone olamine is its long lasting effects, which even after rinsing, persists in delivering antifungal and anti-inflammatory advantages, enduring protection and health benefits for your hair and scalp.
- This efficacy is beneficial for individuals who do not wash their hair daily yet desire to maintain scalp health.
2. Salicylic Acid : The Sebum Fighter
It helps clear out excess scalp build up and sebum while gently exfoliating dead skin cells preventing fungal growth and conditions like seborrheic dermatitis and scalp psoriasis. Whilst, Tea Tree Oil has a soothing effect on the scalp barrier with its natural moisturising properties, that allow for gentle cleansing and elimination of itchiness on the scalp.
3. DANDRILYS: Fast Action Against Dandruff
Dandrilys natural & powerful ingredient is a great choice for dealing with scalp issues from itching to redness.
So, how does it work?
- Dandrilys works by adjusting the scalp's microbiota and biological pathways to reduce dandruff, irritation, redness, and sebum. It can also help restore the skin barrier, control sebum production, and normalize cell renewal.
- The benefits of Dandrilys include eliminating dandruff in just 72 hours, reducing histamine release (which causes itching), and calming the scalp.
- Proven to be a natural and safe alternative to zinc pyrithione (ZPTO). Give it a try and say goodbye to dandruff for good!
Choose 100% preservative free Soulflower Anti dandruff shampoo as a natural alternative to ketoconazole shampoos if you’re looking for a safe and effective solution to treat your scalp concerns!