Formula · 7.2

Brand · 5.7

Ducray · adenosine · France

Ducray Anti-Hair-Loss and Growth Shampoo

Ducray Anti-Hair-Loss and Growth Shampoo
7.2

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.4Little evidence of effect
  • Completeness for the purpose1.0For “hair shedding (topical)” — 100 %; niacinamide (vitamin b3); could be added without conflict: niacinamide (vitamin b3); a formula with one main purpose
  • Cleansing base0.8Mild surfactants: coco-betaine, coco-glucoside, lauryl glucoside, mild surfactants and emulsifiers; irritation potential of the base — 24 % of SLS
  • Tolerance0.9Rinse-off product; debatable groups: fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested)
  • adults
  • pregnancyallowed per the leaflet
  • sensitive skinirritation possible
  • atopic skinfragrance is a common trigger
Free from:
  • alcohol (alcohol denat) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “denatured alcohol” group — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • sulfates (SLS/SLES) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium coco-sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium myreth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate” group — a cleansing surfactant from the sulfate family but with an ethoxylated chain: it cleanses more gently than lauryl sulfate. Still not for those looking for a sulfate-free product.
  • formaldehyde releasers · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “formaldehyde releasers” group — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI)” group — preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • parabens · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “parabens” group — preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • mineral oils and petrolatum · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “petrolatum and mineral oils” group — purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • soap · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “potassium soap (potassium cocoate), plant soap base (sodium palmate, sodium cocoate), tallow soap base (sodium tallowate)” group — liquid soap: fatty acids boiled with alkali. It cleanses well, but its acidity is around 9-10 against 5 for skin, which is why it often leaves tightness. The product is rinsed off, so the question is tolerance.
  • silicones · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “silicones” group — form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • gelatin in the coating · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “vegetarian coating” group — a plant-based tablet coating instead of gelatin; it keeps moisture out and makes swallowing easier
  • toning dyes · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “violet toning dyes” group — direct dyes that settle on the hair surface and cancel the yellow cast of blonde; they wash out in 1–3 washes and leave a lilac tint if left too long; HC Blue 2 and Disperse Violet 1 are known contact allergens of hair dyes
  • tar · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “wood (birch) tar” group — a traditional remedy for dandruff and itching with a sharp smell; it reduces flaking, but can irritate a sensitive scalp and dries the hair
What for: Topical products against shedding work weakly: only minoxidil is proven (a medicine we do not score); among cosmetics rosemary oil has moderate data, caffeine weak. The cause of shedding is found by tests: iron, thyroid, vitamin D.
When:
  • when washing, rinsed off
  • morning
  • evening
morning and evening
When to expect an effect: wrinkles — 8 weeks, a modest effect
What is normal: nothing special — well tolerated

Ingredients — 18 components · 1 works

What works: 1 of 18 ingredients: adenosine. Topical products against shedding work weakly: only minoxidil is proven (a medicine we do not score); among cosmetics rosemary oil has moderate data, caffeine weak. The cause of shedding is found by tests: iron, thyroid, vitamin D.

Strengths: completeness for the purpose, tolerance

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: little evidence of effect; cleansing base: mild surfactants: coco-betaine, coco-glucoside, lauryl glucoside, mild surfactants and emulsifiers

Questions: fragrance and its allergens: fragrance — the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works

  • WATER (AQUA base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell
  • LAURYL GLUCOSIDE base: coating, fillers · a sugar surfactant: it cleanses gently and foams lightly, usually paired with betaines.
  • SODIUM COCOYL ALANINATE label wording · an allergen (sodium (salt)) — matters when limiting salt, for example with blood pressure; the label says it is absent
  • COCO-BETAINE base: coating, fillers · an amphoteric surfactant from coconut oil: it cleanses and stabilises foam. Slightly harsher than cocamidopropyl betaine, yet clearly milder than the sulfates.
  • COCO-GLUCOSIDE base: coating, fillers · a sugar surfactant made from coconut oil and glucose: it cleanses gently with modest foam. A common base for baby and sulfate-free shampoos.
  • GLYCOL DISTEARATE base: coating, fillers · humectants and solvents — hold water and help actives dissolve
  • 1,2-HEXANEDIOL base: coating, fillers · a solvent and humectant with antimicrobial action: it helps the product keep without classic preservatives.
  • ADENOSINE works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: adenosine
  • BENZOIC ACID base: coating, fillers · protect the product from bacteria and mould; used within the EU-permitted concentrations
  • BUTYLENE GLYCOL base: coating, fillers · a humectant and solvent: it makes the texture lighter and helps actives spread. Better tolerated than propylene glycol.
  • CELLULOSE base: coating, fillers · filler that gives the tablet its bulk
  • CELLULOSE GUM base: coating, fillers · a cellulose-based thickener; does not clog pores
  • CITRIC ACID base: coating, fillers · acidity regulator
  • FRAGRANCE (PARFUM questions · the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • GLYCERIN base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • HYDROXYPROPYL GUAR HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • MANGANESE PCA base: coating, fillers · amino acids and PCA — substances the skin itself keeps in the outer layer to hold water; in a product they are humectants copying its own set
  • SODIUM BENZOATE base: coating, fillers · a preservative both in cosmetics and in supplements: a salt of benzoic acid that works in an acidic medium. Permitted as food additive E211 and in cosmetics up to 0.5 %.
  • SODIUM DILAURAMIDOGLUTAMIDE LYSINE base: coating, fillers · cleanse and bind water with oils; milder than the sulfate ones

Ducray Anti-Hair-Loss and Growth Shampoo is a product whose active ingredient is adenosine. The concentration is not declared, but the active sits above the 1 % line in the list — a working share is likely. There is little evidence of effect: 0.04–0.1 %: wrinkle smoothing shown in one small study; recognised as a functional anti-wrinkle ingredient in Korea. The formula has 18 ingredients, 1 of which does the work; the rest is the formula base. Worth noting: FRAGRANCE (PARFUM (the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works). Topical products against shedding work weakly: only minoxidil is proven (a medicine we do not score); among cosmetics rosemary oil has moderate data, caffeine weak. The cause of shedding is found by tests: iron, thyroid, vitamin D. By the list, no alcohol (alcohol denat), sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), parabens, mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, pregnancy. sensitive skin, atopic skin — ask a doctor. fragrance allergy — not without a doctor. Use: morning and evening. When to expect an effect: wrinkles — 8 weeks, a modest effect. Label score — 7.2 out of 10 (little evidence of effect; mild surfactants: coco-betaine, coco-glucoside, lauryl glucoside, mild surfactants and emulsifiers; irritation potential of the base — 24 % of sls; rinse-off product; debatable groups: fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested)). Per the pack: for external use, avoid contact with the eyes. A restatement of the label, not an assessment.

Who it does not suit

  • fragrance allergyrisk of reaction

When to stop: itching, rash — stop

Per the maker's leaflet: Per the pack: for external use, avoid contact with the eyes. A restatement of the label, not an assessment.

Is this product right for your hair?

The score describes the formula, not your hair: a sulfate shampoo suits an oily scalp and fails a dry, sensitive one. Tell us about your hair, scalp and the problem — shedding, dandruff, oiliness, dryness — and we will build a routine and say whether this product suits you.

Hair care matchDecode my tests

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