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Brand owned by Unilever (United Kingdom) · about the brand
Men+Care 2in1 Shampoo + Conditioner Anti-Dandruff Zinc + Menthol
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 5.0 ShowHide
Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This shampoo offers effective cleansing and anti-dandruff action with Zinc Pyrithione, a well-established active. However, the presence of Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine means it may not be suitable for individuals with very sensitive skin or known contact allergies to these surfactants. The product also contains 'Fragrance' without specific disclosure of its components, which is a common source of allergens for sensitive individuals. While several botanicals and beneficial ingredients are listed, their trace amounts mean they do not significantly contribute to the product's overall formulation strength.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Zinc Pyrithione
- Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Anti-dandruff shampoo with common irritants and undisclosed fragrance
This shampoo effectively targets dandruff with Zinc Pyrithione. However, it contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a surfactant that can irritate sensitive skin, and Cocamidopropyl Betaine, a known contact allergen for some. The inclusion of 'Fragrance' without specific ingredient disclosure means it may contain common allergens relevant to people with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies.
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Just checking whether the product is safe? The analysis above is yours, no account needed. To know if it is safe for you, your father or your child, add a profile and we check this label against them.
- 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.
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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
What's good
Contains Zinc Pyrithione, an effective anti-dandruff active
Includes conditioning agents like Dimethiconol and Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Watch out for
Primary surfactants (Sodium Laureth Sulfate, TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate) can be irritating to sensitive skin
Contains Cocamidopropyl Betaine, a known contact allergen for some
Undisclosed 'Fragrance' is a common source of allergens
Contains declared fragrance allergens Limonene and Linalool
Phenoxyethanol preservative advised with caution for children under 3 years old by French regulator
Silicone ingredients (Dimethiconol, Dimethicone) may lead to product build-up over time
Poloxamer 407 — non-ionic surfactant and emulsifier. Identified as carrageenan, which is a food additive with some controversy, but its use in rinse-off cosmetics is generally considered safe.
Menthol — cooling agent - not for infants and toddlers (breathing reflex risk).
Caffeine — stimulant - about 400 mg/day is the adult limit, 200 mg in pregnancy, 3 mg per kg for children.
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.
Menthol and Peppermint Oil
Menthol, the main component of peppermint oil, can trigger a reflex that slows or stops breathing in babies when applied or inhaled near the face. The European Medicines Agency herbal monograph for peppermint oil contraindicates it under 2 years of age because of this laryngospasm risk, and does not recommend it between 2 and 4 years because there is not enough experience. For adults and older children it is a normal cooling and flavouring agent in toothpaste and body products, and can irritate sensitive skin at higher strengths.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EMA/HMPC European Union herbal monograph on Mentha x piperita L., aetheroleum
Menthol and Peppermint Oil: 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 →Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs)
PEG ingredients are made by ethoxylation, which can leave traces of ethylene oxide (IARC Group 1) and 1,4-dioxane (IARC Group 2B) unless removed. Good manufacturing removes them, so the ingredient itself is not a hazard, but the label cannot tell you whether it was done well. PEGs should not be applied to broken skin.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: IARC Monographs Vol. 100F (ethylene oxide) and Vol. 71 (1,4-dioxane); Cosmetic Ingredient Review
Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs): regulation, sources and other products →Caffeine
The EU food safety authority found that up to 400 mg of caffeine a day (about 3 mg per kg of body weight a day in children and adolescents) does not raise safety concerns, and that pregnant and breastfeeding women should stay at or below 200 mg a day. Caffeine added to a drink or supplement counts toward that total alongside coffee and tea. Energy drinks and fat-burner stacks are judged by their own caps; this record explains the substance.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EFSA Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine, EFSA Journal 2015;13(5):4102
Caffeine: regulation, sources and other products →Decode Label Analysis
Contains 'Fragrance' without specific disclosure of components, which is a common source of allergens and sensitizers for sensitive individuals. EU regulations require specific declaration of certain fragrance allergens above a threshold.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a primary surfactant that can irritate sensitive skin. It may also carry a 1,4-dioxane impurity, classified by IARC as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans), though SCCS considers ≤10 ppm safe in finished products.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a recognized contact allergen for some individuals, often due to manufacturing impurities.
Phenoxyethanol is a common preservative, capped at 1% in cosmetics. The French regulator advises caution for use in products for children under 3 years old.
Ethoxylated ingredients like Laureth-23, Laureth-4, and PEG-45M may carry trace impurities from the manufacturing process.
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.
The label states 'Clinically Proven', but there is no information provided on the label to substantiate this claim.
The product name states it is a 2in1 Shampoo + Conditioner, which is a descriptive claim about its function.
The ingredient list includes Zinc Pyrithione, which is an active ingredient commonly used for anti-dandruff properties.
The ingredient list includes Zinc Pyrithione and Zinc Sulfate.
The ingredient list includes Menthol.
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.
Cocamidopropyl BetaineCOCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE
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4.
DimethiconolDIMETHICONOL
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5.
TEA-DodecylbenzenesulfonateTEA-DODECYLBENZENESULFONATE
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6.
Zinc PyrithioneZINC PYRITHIONE
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7.
Sodium ChlorideSODIUM CHLORIDE
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8.
DimethiconeDIMETHICONE
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9.
CarbomerCARBOMER
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10.
PhenoxyethanolPHENOXYETHANOL
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11.
Glycol DistearateGLYCOL DISTEARATE
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12.
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideGUAR HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
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13.
Fragrance undisclosed fragrancePERFUME
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14.
Sodium HydroxideSODIUM HYDROXIDE
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15.
MicaMICA
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16.
Titanium DioxideTITANIUM DIOXIDE
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17.
Poloxamer 407POLOXAMER 407
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18.
Laureth-23LAURETH-23
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19.
Laureth-4LAURETH-4
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20.
PPG-9
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21.
PEG-45M
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22.
MentholMENTHOL
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23.
CaffeineCAFFEINE
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24.
Zinc SulfateZINC SULFATE
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25.
Citric AcidCITRIC ACID
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26.
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil trace amountHELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL
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27.
Lysine MonohydrochlorideLYSINE MONOHYDROCHLORIDE
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28.
LimoneneLIMONENE
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29.
LinaloolLINALOOL
Trace amounts: some named ingredients appear in token quantities or low in the list. At these concentrations a meaningful benefit is unlikely, and their front-of-pack prominence may not reflect their level in the formulation.
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.
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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 Men+Care 2in1 Shampoo + Conditioner Anti-Dandruff Zinc + Menthol?
The label of Men+Care 2in1 Shampoo + Conditioner Anti-Dandruff Zinc + Menthol lists 29 ingredients, in label order: Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Dimethiconol, TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Zinc Pyrithione, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Glycol Distearate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Fragrance, Sodium Hydroxide, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Poloxamer 407, Laureth-23, Laureth-4, PPG-9, PEG-45M, Menthol, Caffeine, Zinc sulfate, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Lysine Monohydrochloride, Limonene, Linalool. Flagged by the analysis: Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Fragrance, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate and 4 more.
Is Men+Care 2in1 Shampoo + Conditioner Anti-Dandruff Zinc + Menthol safe to use?
Men+Care 2in1 Shampoo + Conditioner Anti-Dandruff Zinc + Menthol scores 5.0/10 on Decode Label (Moderate). This shampoo effectively targets dandruff with Zinc Pyrithione. However, it contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a surfactant that can irritate sensitive skin, and Cocamidopropyl Betaine, a known contact allergen for some. The inclusion of 'Fragrance' without specific ingredient disclosure means it may contain common allergens relevant to people with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies.
Why does Men+Care 2in1 Shampoo + Conditioner Anti-Dandruff Zinc + Menthol score 5.0/10?
Flagged in the score: Primary surfactants (Sodium Laureth Sulfate, TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate) can be irritating to sensitive skin. Contains Cocamidopropyl Betaine, a known contact allergen for some. Undisclosed 'Fragrance' is a common source of allergens.
Who should avoid Men+Care 2in1 Shampoo + Conditioner Anti-Dandruff Zinc + Menthol?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Sensitive skin or scalp; Known allergy to Sodium Laureth Sulfate; Known allergy to Cocamidopropyl Betaine; Fragrance allergy or contact dermatitis; Avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.
Does Men+Care 2in1 Shampoo + Conditioner Anti-Dandruff Zinc + Menthol contain allergens?
Yes — the label lists 2 fragrance allergens: Limonene and Linalool. These matter mainly if you have sensitive skin or a known fragrance allergy.
Does Men+Care 2in1 Shampoo + Conditioner Anti-Dandruff Zinc + Menthol contain fragrance?
Yes — the ingredient list includes Fragrance. Fragrance is declared as a single ingredient, so the individual scent chemicals in it are not named; the label does separately list 2 fragrance allergens (Limonene and Linalool). This matters mainly if you have sensitive skin or a known fragrance allergy.
Are the claims on the Men+Care 2in1 Shampoo + Conditioner Anti-Dandruff Zinc + Menthol pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 5 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "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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