The green future of dandruff control

The global personal care market for dandruff control is dominated by shampoo applications, but also features other rinse-off formulations such as conditioner or even leave-on uses like tonics. The market follows similar dynamics to the global hair care market.¹ 

Among the top three hair care brands globally, there is already one exclusive brand for dandruff control: Head & Shoulders by Procter & Gamble has been a classic example for use of the biggest traditional anti-dandruff active globally: zinc pyrithione. The two other traditional actives frequently used are piroctone olamine (Octopirox® by Clariant) and Climbazole (Crinipan® AD by Symrise).

While these anti-dandruff actives primarily aim to limit Malassezia´s excessive activity on scalp, salicylic acid is often used for keratolytic effects, supporting the removal of dead skin flakes (dandruff).2 Considering European legislation, ‘anti-dandruff’ is a common cosmetic claim, not subject to specific legislation other than the generic rules from the EU cosmetic regulation. The US FDA, on the other hand, only permits zinc pyrithione and salicylic acid as anti-dandruff actives out of above listed ingredients.³