Classic Clean Anti-dandruff Shampoo — ingredient safety report

• Allergy risk:Fragrance is the single most common cause of cosmetic contact allergy.
• Irritation:Frequent trigger of stinging and redness on reactive skin.

An umbrella term that can hide dozens of undisclosed scent chemicals. Fragrance is the leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis from cosmetics, and dermatologists routinely advise fragrance-free products for eczema, babies and sensitive skin.

• Irritation:Milder than SLS but still drying for compromised skin.

The gentler cousin of SLS used in most mainstream shampoos and washes. Its manufacturing can leave trace 1,4-dioxane, which reputable makers strip out — an issue of quality control rather than the ingredient itself.

• Allergy risk:EU-declarable allergen; oxidized linalool is a common patch-test positive.

A floral scent molecule found in lavender and many essential oils. It oxidizes on air exposure into strongly sensitizing compounds, which is why it must be declared on EU labels.

• Allergy risk:American Contact Dermatitis Society Allergen of the Year 2018.
• Irritation:Can irritate compromised skin at higher concentrations.

A workhorse humectant and penetration enhancer that is fine for most, but a recurring culprit in eczema patients' patch tests.

• Allergy risk:Named Allergen of the Year 2004; impurities (amidoamine) drive most reactions.

A mild coconut-derived surfactant in countless 'gentle' cleansers. Most allergy is caused by manufacturing impurities, so quality varies by brand.

• Allergy risk:EU-declarable fragrance allergen.

A common jasmine-scented ingredient in fine fragrance and skincare, declared as an allergen on EU labels.

• Allergy risk:One of the 26 EU-declarable fragrance allergens.
• Irritation:Mild irritation possible at higher concentrations.

A preservative and fragrance component that must be declared on EU labels because it can trigger contact allergy in a small share of users.

• Environmental impact:Persistent silicone, like dimethicone.

A silicone gum for silky slip; skin-inert with the family's usual environmental-persistence criticism.

• Environmental impact:Not biodegradable; accumulates in the environment via wash-off.

The workhorse silicone — inert and non-sensitizing on skin (even FDA-approved as a skin protectant), with persistence in the environment as its main criticism.

• Environmental impact:Poorly biodegradable; can remobilize heavy metals in waterways.

A metal-binding stabilizer that is safe on skin at the tiny amounts used; its criticism is environmental persistence.

• Irritation:Can cause transient, non-allergic flushing/stinging on reactive skin.

A food-grade preservative generally regarded as one of the gentler options; occasional non-immune stinging is its main drawback.

• Allergy risk:Rare reports of sensitivity.

A widely approved blue dye with a benign cosmetic safety record.