Formula · 7.0

Brand · 5.7

Ducray · piroctone olamine + bisabolol · France

Ducray Squanorm Balancing Anti-Dandruff

Ducray Squanorm Balancing Anti-Dandruff
7.0

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.7Actives with strong evidence: 1 of 3
  • Completeness for the purpose0.4For “dandruff and itchy scalp” — 36 %; without salicylic acid, which lifts the flakes; nasturtium extract; could be added without conflict: salicylic acid (bha), nasturtium extract; below threshold: piroctone olamine; a formula with one main purpose
  • Cleansing base0.8Mild surfactants: decyl glucoside, sodium cocoyl glutamate and related acyl glutamates; irritation potential of the base — 15 % of SLS
  • Tolerance0.9Rinse-off product; debatable groups: fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested)
  • adults
  • children
  • pregnancyallowed per the leaflet
  • for dandruff
  • oily scalp
  • colour-treated hair
  • acne-prone
  • sensitive skinan acid — stinging is possible
  • Asteraceae allergyfrom chamomile
  • 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: Dandruff is the Malassezia fungus plus accelerated flaking. You need an antifungal active (piroctone olamine, zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole) and a mild cleansing base; results come after 2–4 weeks of regular washing.
When:
  • when washing, rinsed off
with every wash, leave on for 2–3 minutes
When to expect an effect: dandruff — 2–4 weeks of regular use; less redness — after 1–2 weeks; no reliable timeline for acne — no clinical data
What is normal: mild stinging

Ingredients — 14 components · 3 work

What works: 3 of 14 ingredients: piroctone olamine, bisabolol, succinic acid. Dandruff is the Malassezia fungus plus accelerated flaking. You need an antifungal active (piroctone olamine, zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole) and a mild cleansing base; results come after 2–4 weeks of regular washing.

Strengths: cleansing base, tolerance

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: actives with strong evidence: 1 of 3; completeness for the purpose: for “dandruff and itchy scalp” — 36 %

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
  • GLYCERIN base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • DECYL GLUCOSIDE base: coating, fillers · one of the gentlest cleansing ingredients: a sugar surfactant that barely disturbs the skin barrier.
  • DISODIUM COCOYL GLUTAMATE base: coating, fillers · amino-acid surfactants: they cleanse at a skin-close acidity and barely dry. The base of gentle gels and shampoos.
  • SUCCINIC ACID works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: succinic acid
  • 1,2-HEXANEDIOL base: coating, fillers · a solvent and humectant with antimicrobial action: it helps the product keep without classic preservatives.
  • BISABOLOL works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: alpha-bisabolol
  • CAPRYLYL GLYCOL base: coating, fillers · a humectant that also holds bacteria back, which is why it often replaces part of the preservative.
  • 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
  • GLYCERYL LAURATE base: coating, fillers · fills the gaps between skin flakes, so the surface feels smooth
  • HYDROXYPROPYL GUAR HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • PIROCTONE OLAMINE works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: piroctone olamine
  • SODIUM HYDROXIDE base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE base: coating, fillers · bind hard-water metals so the formula stays stable and the foam works
  • XANTHAN GUM base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate

Ducray Squanorm Balancing Anti-Dandruff is a product whose active ingredient is piroctone olamine + bisabolol + succinic acid. The concentration is not declared; the active sits after the 1 % line, but works at small shares. The effect is supported by studies: piroctone olamine. The effect is moderately supported: bisabolol. There is little evidence of effect: succinic acid. The formula has 14 ingredients, 3 of which do 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). Dandruff is the Malassezia fungus plus accelerated flaking. You need an antifungal active (piroctone olamine, zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole) and a mild cleansing base; results come after 2–4 weeks of regular washing. 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, children, pregnancy, for dandruff, oily scalp, colour-treated hair, acne-prone. sensitive skin, Asteraceae allergy, atopic skin — ask a doctor. fragrance allergy — not without a doctor. Use: with every wash, leave on for 2–3 minutes. When to expect an effect: dandruff — 2–4 weeks of regular use. Label score — 7.0 out of 10 (actives with strong evidence: 1 of 3; for “dandruff and itchy scalp” — 36 %; without salicylic acid, which lifts the flakes; nasturtium extract; could be added without conflict: salicylic acid (bha), nasturtium extract; below threshold: piroctone olamine; a formula with one main purpose; mild surfactants: decyl glucoside, sodium cocoyl glutamate and related acyl glutamates; irritation potential of the base — 15 % 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; burning, persistent redness — 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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