Formula · 6.9

Brand · 6.2

Kerasys · piroctone olamine + salicylic acid + caffeine · South Korea

Kerasys Proactive Man 2-in-1 men’s anti-dandruff and anti-shedding shampoo

Kerasys Proactive Man 2-in-1 men’s anti-dandruff and anti-shedding shampoo
6.9

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.7No proven effect when applied: biotin (vitamin b7)
  • Completeness for the purpose0.5For “dandruff and itchy scalp” — 52 %; nasturtium extract; could be added without conflict: nasturtium extract; below threshold: piroctone olamine, salicylic acid (bha); a broad formula across 4 purposes
  • Cleansing base0.6Harsh surfactants: sodium laureth sulfate (SLES); mild surfactants: cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium cocoamphoacetate, mild surfactants and emulsifiers; irritation potential of the base — 36 % of SLS; film: silicones
  • Tolerance0.9Rinse-off product; debatable groups: fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested)
  • adults
  • children
  • for dandruff
  • oily scalp
  • colour-treated hair
  • oily skin
  • acne-prone
  • babies
  • pregnancysalicylates — ask a doctor
  • sensitive skinstart at 0.5 %
  • rosaceaask a dermatologist
  • atopic skinfragrance is a common trigger
  • dry scalpmay dry
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
  • 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.
  • 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; pores, blackheads — 4–8 weeks; tone, pores — 4–8 weeks; sebum — 2–4; puffiness — within an hour, briefly; dark circles — no effect to expect; soothing — days; barrier — 2–4 weeks; no effect on growth or shedding should be expected
What is normal: mild dryness and flaking in the first weeks; mild flushing in the first days at high concentration

Ingredients — 42 components · 6 work

What works: 6 of 42 ingredients: piroctone olamine, salicylic acid, niacinamide and 3 more. 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: tolerance

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: no proven effect when applied: biotin; completeness for the purpose: for “dandruff and itchy scalp” — 52 %; cleansing base: harsh surfactants: sodium laureth sulfate

Questions: sodium laureth sulfate (SLES): sodium laureth sulfate — the main cleansing surfactant; can dry a sensitive scalp — the reason people look for «sulfate-free»; unrestricted in rinse-off products; fragrance and its allergens: fragrance, citronellol, coumarin, hexyl cinnamal, limonene, linalool — 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

  • Niacinamide (vitamin B3) + Salicylic acid (BHA) — reinforce each otherniacinamide cuts sebum and redness, the BHA clears pores — an acne classic
  • Water 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
  • Sodium Laureth Sulfate questions · the main cleansing surfactant; can dry a sensitive scalp — the reason people look for «sulfate-free»; unrestricted in rinse-off products
  • Cocamidopropyl Betaine base: coating, fillers · a mild amphoteric surfactant: it builds dense foam and softens the harsh sulfates next to it. It occasionally causes contact allergy, and the culprit is a manufacturing impurity rather than the ingredient itself.
  • Glycerin base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • Sodium Cocoamphoacetate base: coating, fillers · an amphoteric surfactant: gentle cleansing and stable foam, a usual partner to the sugar surfactants.
  • Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate label wording · an allergen (sodium (salt)) — matters when limiting salt, for example with blood pressure; the label says it is absent
  • Sodium Laureth-6 Carboxylate label wording · an allergen (sodium (salt)) — matters when limiting salt, for example with blood pressure; the label says it is absent
  • Dimethiconol base: coating, fillers · form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • Ammonium Chloride base: coating, fillers · makes the product thicker or thinner
  • Citric Acid base: coating, fillers · acidity regulator
  • Sodium Chloride base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • 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 %.
  • Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • Cocamide MEA base: coating, fillers · a thickener and foam booster from coconut oil: it barely cleanses on its own, it makes the foam denser.
  • Cetyl Alcohol base: coating, fillers · a fatty alcohol, emulsifier and thickener; does not dry the skin — not “alcohol” in the everyday sense; rarely clogs pores
  • PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether base: coating, fillers · dissolves the other ingredients and holds the formula together
  • Trihydroxystearin base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • Salicylic Acid works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: salicylic acid
  • Panthenol works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: panthenol
  • PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil base: coating, fillers · coating glazing agent
  • Niacinamide works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: niacinamide
  • Trideceth-9 base: coating, fillers · keeps the water and oil parts from separating
  • TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate base: coating, fillers · cleanse and bind water with oils; milder than the sulfate ones
  • Piroctone Olamine works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: piroctone olamine
  • Tetrasodium EDTA base: coating, fillers · bind hard-water metals so the formula stays stable and the foam works
  • Phenoxyethanol base: coating, fillers · the most widespread cosmetic preservative: it keeps the product sterile. Permitted in the EU up to 1 %, recognised as safe at that level.
  • C12-14 Sec-Alketh-3 base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • Biotin works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: biotin
  • Caffeine works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: caffeine
  • Butylene Glycol base: coating, fillers · a humectant and solvent: it makes the texture lighter and helps actives spread. Better tolerated than propylene glycol.
  • Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract base: coating, fillers · plant and algae extracts and floral waters: flavouring and marketing components — at these shares there is no proven effect on the skin; rare reactions in people allergic to that particular plant
  • 1,2-Hexanediol base: coating, fillers · a solvent and humectant with antimicrobial action: it helps the product keep without classic preservatives.
  • Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract base: coating, fillers · plant and algae extracts and floral waters: flavouring and marketing components — at these shares there is no proven effect on the skin; rare reactions in people allergic to that particular plant
  • Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract base: coating, fillers · plant and algae extracts and floral waters: flavouring and marketing components — at these shares there is no proven effect on the skin; rare reactions in people allergic to that particular plant
  • Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract base: coating, fillers · holds back the growth of bacteria and fungi
  • Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Extract base: coating, fillers · softens the skin and helps it hold water — the most common role in creams
  • Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract base: coating, fillers · plant and algae extracts and floral waters: flavouring and marketing components — at these shares there is no proven effect on the skin; rare reactions in people allergic to that particular plant
  • Fragrance 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
  • Citronellol 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
  • Coumarin 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
  • Hexyl Cinnamal 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
  • Limonene 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
  • Linalool 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

Kerasys Proactive Man 2-in-1 men’s anti-dandruff and anti-shedding shampoo is a product whose active ingredient is piroctone olamine + salicylic acid (bha) + niacinamide (vitamin b3) + caffeine. 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, niacinamide (vitamin b3). The effect is moderately supported: salicylic acid (bha), panthenol (pro-vitamin b5). There is little evidence of effect: caffeine. There is no evidence of effect: biotin (vitamin b7). The formula has 42 ingredients, 6 of which do the work; the rest is the formula base. Worth noting: Sodium Laureth Sulfate (the main cleansing surfactant; can dry a sensitive scalp — the reason people look for «sulfate-free»; unrestricted in rinse-off products); Fragrance, Citronellol, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool (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). Well-matched pairs in the formula: niacinamide (vitamin b3) + salicylic acid (bha). 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), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), parabens, mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, children, for dandruff, oily scalp, colour-treated hair, oily skin, acne-prone, babies. pregnancy, sensitive skin, rosacea, atopic skin, dry scalp — 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 — 6.9 out of 10 (no proven effect when applied: biotin (vitamin b7); for “dandruff and itchy scalp” — 52 %; nasturtium extract; could be added without conflict: nasturtium extract; below threshold: piroctone olamine, salicylic acid (bha); a broad formula across 4 purposes; harsh surfactants: sodium laureth sulfate (sles); mild surfactants: cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium cocoamphoacetate, mild surfactants and emulsifiers; irritation potential of the base — 36 % of sls; film: silicones; rinse-off product; debatable groups: fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested)). Per the pack: avoid contact with eyes; rinse thoroughly with water on contact. 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; persistent burning — stop

Per the maker's leaflet: Per the pack: avoid contact with eyes; rinse thoroughly with water on contact. 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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