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Brand owned by Unilever (United Kingdom) · about the brand
Anti Dandruff Solutions Dandruff Care Shampoo
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 5.0 ShowHide
Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This shampoo is formulated with Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a primary surfactant known for its potential to irritate sensitive skin and which may carry a 1,4-dioxane impurity (IARC Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans), though the EU SCCS considers levels ≤10 ppm safe in finished products. It also contains a significant number of declared fragrance allergens, including Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, and Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, which are relevant for individuals with fragrance allergies or sensitive skin. While these allergens are listed near the end, indicating lower concentrations, their cumulative presence warrants caution for this subgroup. The product is a rinse-off formulation, which limits exposure time and potential for absorption compared to leave-on products. Overall, it is suitable for most users but those with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies should exercise caution.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Dimethiconol
- Piroctone Olamine
- Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate and multiple declared fragrance allergens
This shampoo contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a common surfactant that can irritate sensitive skin and may contain trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane (a manufacturing by-product that IARC classifies as possibly carcinogenic, Group 2B), though levels are typically regulated to be safe. It also includes several declared fragrance allergens, which are important for individuals with fragrance sensitivities to be aware of. As a rinse-off product, exposure is limited.
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- Ingredients you avoid. Sulphates, parabens, silicones, fragrance, drying alcohol, PEGs and more.
- Sensitivities. Sensitive skin, hormonal considerations, pregnancy.
- Skin and hair goals. Acne, dryness, ageing, hair fall, dandruff: what the label declares for each.
- Everyone you buy for. Save a profile for each person and switch in one tap.
Concern breakdown
Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concernsHow this product performs on each concern we check for haircare. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.
Why the score is capped
Primary surfactant with recognised irritation potential (EU SCCS)
Rule PC-CAP-05
High load of declared fragrance allergens (EU-listed)
Rule PC-CAP-03
What's good
Contains Piroctone Olamine, an effective anti-dandruff agent.
Includes conditioning agents like Dimethiconol and Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride for hair manageability.
Watch out for
Potential for skin irritation from Sodium Laureth Sulfate, especially for sensitive skin.
Presence of undisclosed 'Perfume' and multiple declared fragrance allergens, which may trigger reactions in individuals with fragrance sensitivities.
Possible trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane from ethoxylated ingredients, though regulated to safe levels for topical use.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a known contact allergen for some individuals.
Disodium EDTA — disodium EDTA is a chelating agent that keeps a product stable and clear. It has been flagged in some studies for potential endocrine-disrupting properties; regulatory consensus is not yet established, so it is noted as a low-level concern rather than a confirmed hazard.
Ingredient Concerns safety database
Sources cited below may be Indian (FSSAI) or international (EU, US, WHO, IARC) — an international classification or law is evidence, not an Indian regulatory finding.
Sodium Benzoate (E211)
Benzoates are permitted preservatives with an established acceptable daily intake. Two documented concerns: in acidic drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C) they can slowly form small amounts of benzene, especially with heat and light (US FDA beverage survey, 2006); and sodium benzoate was one of the additives in the Southampton study mixtures associated with hyperactivity in children. It can also trigger reactions in some people with asthma or urticaria.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EFSA re-evaluation of benzoic acid and benzoates (2016); US FDA benzene-in-beverages survey (2006); McCann et al., Lancet 2007
Sodium Benzoate: regulation, sources and other products →Sodium Laureth Sulfate
SLES is a cleansing agent that is milder than SLS but can still irritate very sensitive or compromised skin. Separately, because it is made by ethoxylation, it may carry a residue of 1,4-dioxane, which IARC classifies as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). The ingredient list cannot show whether any is present or how much. The EU SCCS considers 1,4-dioxane at or below 10 ppm in a finished cosmetic to be safe, and manufacturers reduce it by vacuum stripping.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: FDA; EU SCCS
Sodium Laureth Sulfate: regulation, sources and other products →Fragrance Allergens (EU-listed)
These are individual fragrance components that are known contact allergens. EU rules require them to be named on the label when present above 0.001% (leave-on) or 0.01% (rinse-off), because "parfum" alone would hide them. Limonene and linalool are especially common and become more allergenic as they oxidise on exposure to air. This is a risk for people who are sensitised, not a general-population hazard.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU Regulation 2023/1545 (extended fragrance-allergen labelling); SCCS opinions on fragrance allergens
Fragrance Allergens (EU-listed): regulation, sources and other products →Phenoxyethanol
Phenoxyethanol is the most widely used paraben-free preservative. The EU limits it to 1% in cosmetics (SCCS has confirmed this is safe for adults), and the French regulator ANSM advised in 2012 against leave-on products containing it for the nappy area of children under three and recommended a lower concentration for them. It can irritate sensitive skin.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU Regulation 1223/2009 Annex V (max 1.0%); SCCS opinion SCCS/1575/16; ANSM recommendation (2012)
Phenoxyethanol: regulation, sources and other products →Fragrance
"Fragrance" or "parfum" is a catch-all term that can conceal a blend of hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, including known allergens, sensitisers, and potential endocrine disruptors. The EU now mandates disclosure of 82 specific fragrance allergens. People with fragrance sensitivity, asthma, or contact dermatitis should prefer fragrance-free products.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU Regulation 2023/1545; IFRA
Fragrance: regulation, sources and other products →Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cocamidopropyl betaine is the usual "gentle" co-surfactant in shampoos, face washes and baby washes. It was named Allergen of the Year by the American Contact Dermatitis Society in 2004; the reactions are attributed mainly to impurities (amidoamine, DMAPA) and are uncommon, but it is a common cause of surfactant allergy in people with eczema.
Peer-reviewed research Source: American Contact Dermatitis Society - Allergen of the Year 2004; contact-dermatitis literature
Cocamidopropyl Betaine: regulation, sources and other products →Decode Label Analysis
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a primary surfactant that can cause skin irritation, especially for individuals with sensitive skin. It may also contain trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane, an impurity classified by IARC as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans). The EU SCCS considers 1,4-dioxane levels at or below 10 ppm in finished cosmetic products to be safe.
The product contains 'Perfume' without specific disclosure of its components, which is a transparency concern and a common source of allergens for sensitive individuals.
Multiple declared fragrance allergens (Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone) are present. These are common sensitizers for individuals with fragrance allergies or sensitive skin.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine, a mild surfactant, is a recognized contact allergen, primarily due to manufacturing impurities.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative that can form benzene in the presence of vitamin C, and has been linked to hyperactivity in children in some studies (Southampton mixtures), though these concerns are primarily related to ingestion, not topical use.
Phenoxyethanol is a common preservative. French regulators advise caution for use in products for children under 3 years old.
Claim check
Front-of-pack marketing claims checked against this product's actual ingredients and nutrition. "Can't verify" means the label does not provide enough information to check the claim — it is not the same as the claim being false.
This describes the product’s packaging or its category, not a testable attribute of the food itself — so it’s classified separately rather than flagged as a doubtful claim.
The term 'MICRO MOISTURE SERUM' is a proprietary blend or marketing term that cannot be directly matched to a specific ingredient or combination of ingredients on the provided list.
The claim of '100% Smoother' is a performance claim that cannot be verified from the ingredient list or other provided label information.
The claim 'CLINICALLY PROVEN' refers to scientific studies or trials, which cannot be verified from the ingredient list or other provided label information.
The ingredient list includes Piroctone Olamine, which is an active ingredient commonly used in anti-dandruff formulations.
The ingredient list includes Piroctone Olamine, which is an active ingredient commonly used in dandruff care products.
The ingredient list includes Piroctone Olamine, which is an active ingredient known for its anti-dandruff properties, supporting the claim of being free of dandruff.
Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.
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1.
WaterWATER
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2.
Sodium Laureth SulfateSODIUM LAURETH SULFATE
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3.
DimethiconolDIMETHICONOL
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4.
Cocamidopropyl BetaineCOCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE
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5.
Sodium ChlorideSODIUM CHLORIDE
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6.
Perfume undisclosed fragrancePERFUME
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7.
Piroctone OlaminePIROCTONE OLAMINE
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8.
CarbomerCARBOMER
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9.
Sodium HydroxideSODIUM HYDROXIDE
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10.
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideGUAR HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
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11.
TEA-DodecylbenzenesulfonateTEA-DODECYLBENZENESULFONATE
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12.
Citric AcidCITRIC ACID
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13.
Disodium EDTADISODIUM EDTA
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14.
MicaMICA
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15.
Titanium DioxideTITANIUM DIOXIDE
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16.
Sodium BenzoateSODIUM BENZOATE
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17.
PhenoxyethanolPHENOXYETHANOL
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18.
CI 77891 synthetic colour
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19.
LinaloolLINALOOL
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20.
GeraniolGERANIOL
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21.
CitronellolCITRONELLOL
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22.
Hexyl CinnamalHEXYL CINNAMAL
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23.
Benzyl SalicylateBENZYL SALICYLATE
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24.
Alpha-Isomethyl IononeALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
Fragrance allergens are substances EU cosmetics rules require to be named on the label (such as Limonene and Linalool). Fragrant botanicals such as essential oils are grouped with them because they can naturally contain such substances, but they are not on that list. They matter mainly for people with fragrance allergies or already-sensitive skin — not a general-population safety issue. Each named allergen takes a small deduction from the ingredient score, and a high count can cap it; fragrant botanicals take none. Naming them on the label is a transparency positive.
✓ Decode Label Assessment: Favorable ⚠ Decode Label Assessment: Concern Decode Label Assessment: Neutral
Who should take caution
About this ingredient
Declared on this label as
No detailed safety data in our database yet for this ingredient.
Learn More
Compare with other shampoo products
Assessed using the same Decode Label methodology, sorted by score. Each score reflects the information available for that product at the time of assessment.
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What are the ingredients in Anti Dandruff Solutions Dandruff Care Shampoo?
The label of Anti Dandruff Solutions Dandruff Care Shampoo lists 24 ingredients, in label order: Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Dimethiconol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Perfume, Piroctone Olamine, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE. Flagged by the analysis: Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Perfume, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA.
Is Anti Dandruff Solutions Dandruff Care Shampoo safe to use?
Anti Dandruff Solutions Dandruff Care Shampoo scores 5.0/10 on Decode Label (Moderate). This shampoo contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a common surfactant that can irritate sensitive skin and may contain trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane (a manufacturing by-product that IARC classifies as possibly carcinogenic, Group 2B), though levels are typically regulated to be safe. It also includes several declared fragrance allergens, which are important for individuals with fragrance sensitivities to be aware of. As a rinse-off product, exposure is limited.
Why does Anti Dandruff Solutions Dandruff Care Shampoo score 5.0/10?
Flagged in the score: Potential for skin irritation from Sodium Laureth Sulfate, especially for sensitive skin. Presence of undisclosed 'Perfume' and multiple declared fragrance allergens, which may trigger reactions in individuals with fragrance sensitivities. Also noted: Possible trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane from ethoxylated ingredients, though regulated to safe levels for topical use.
Who should avoid Anti Dandruff Solutions Dandruff Care Shampoo?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Sensitive skin; Fragrance allergy; Contact dermatitis; Avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.
Does Anti Dandruff Solutions Dandruff Care Shampoo contain allergens?
Yes — the label lists 6 fragrance allergens: Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate and ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE. These matter mainly if you have sensitive skin or a known fragrance allergy.
Does Anti Dandruff Solutions Dandruff Care Shampoo contain fragrance?
Yes — the ingredient list includes Perfume. Fragrance is declared as a single ingredient, so the individual scent chemicals in it are not named; the label does separately list 6 fragrance allergens (Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal and Benzyl Salicylate and others). This matters mainly if you have sensitive skin or a known fragrance allergy.
Are the claims on the Anti Dandruff Solutions Dandruff Care Shampoo pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 6 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "MICRO MOISTURE SERUM" — can't be verified from the label. "For hair that's 100% Smoother^" — can't be verified from the label. "CLINICALLY PROVEN" — can't be verified from the label.
Answers are generated from this product's own Decode Label analysis — the score, the ingredient list and the label claims shown above. Always check the pack itself for allergen and dietary information.
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About this analysis: Based on declared label information and available evidence. Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test products, and a score is not a regulatory determination or medical advice.
Disclaimer: Safety scores are Decode Label-generated assessments based on publicly available regulatory data (FSSAI, WHO, EFSA, IARC) and peer-reviewed research. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, and they are not a regulatory determination, a laboratory safety certification or a medical diagnosis. Ingredient safety can vary by individual health conditions, concentration, and usage context. Decode Label is an independent information service and scores every brand by the same rules. No brand pays for or influences its score. Our founder also founded the personal-care brand Botani Bestie (see our story); its products are scored exactly like everyone else's. Data limitations: This assessment is based on the information declared on the product label and the evidence sources above — Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test this product. Ingredient concentrations, sourcing and manufacturing can vary between batches and are not always disclosed. A finding that is not shown here means it was not identified from the available label information, not that it has been ruled out.
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