Formula · 7.8

Brand · 7.5

Vichy · aminexil + caffeine + piroctone olamine · France

Vichy Dercos Aminexil Intensive 5 anti-hair-loss treatment for men, 21 ampoules

Vichy Dercos Aminexil Intensive 5 anti-hair-loss treatment for men, 21 ampoules
7.8

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.6Actives with strong evidence: 1 of 3
  • Completeness for the purpose1.0For “hair shedding (topical)” — 100 %; a narrow formula for one purpose
  • Tolerance0.8Debatable ingredient groups: denatured alcohol, fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested)
  • adults
  • colour-treated hair
  • children
  • for dandruff
  • oily scalp
  • pregnancyno studies in pregnancy — discuss with a doctor
  • sensitive skinirritation possible
  • dry skinmay dry
  • atopic skinfragrance is a common trigger
Free from:
  • 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:
  • leave-on
ampoules — on a dry scalp once a day for a 6-week course, do not rinse; shampoo — lather, leave for 2–3 minutes
When to expect an effect: judge shedding no earlier than after 6–8 weeks; puffiness — within an hour, briefly; dark circles — no effect to expect; dandruff — 2–4 weeks of regular use
What is normal: slight tingling and tightness after an ampoule

Ingredients — 13 components · 3 work

What works: 3 of 13 ingredients: aminexil, caffeine, piroctone olamine. 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

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: actives with strong evidence: 1 of 3; tolerance: debatable ingredient groups: denatured alcohol, fragrance and its allergens

Questions: denatured alcohol — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores; 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

  • Aqua / 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
  • Alcohol Denat questions · evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • Diaminopyrimidine Oxide works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: aminexil
  • Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer base: coating, fillers · makes the product thicker or thinner
  • Aminomethyl Propanol base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Arginine base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Caffeine works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: caffeine
  • Lactic Acid base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil base: coating, fillers · coating glazing agent
  • Piroctone Olamine works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: piroctone olamine
  • Safflower Glucoside base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • Sodium Citrate base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Tocopherol base: coating, fillers · vitamin E at hundredths of a percent: keeps the oils of the formula (a cream or a capsule fill) from going rancid; at that share it protects the product, it is not vitamin E as an active
  • Parfum / 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

Vichy Dercos Aminexil Intensive 5 anti-hair-loss treatment for men, 21 ampoules is a product whose active ingredient is aminexil (diaminopyrimidine oxide) + caffeine + piroctone olamine. 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: aminexil (diaminopyrimidine oxide), caffeine. The effect is supported by studies: piroctone olamine. The formula has 13 ingredients, 3 of which do the work; the rest is the formula base. Worth noting: Alcohol Denat. (evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores); Parfum / 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). 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 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, colour-treated hair, children, for dandruff, oily scalp. pregnancy, sensitive skin, dry skin, atopic skin — ask a doctor. fragrance allergy — not without a doctor. Use: ampoules — on a dry scalp once a day for a 6-week course, do not rinse; shampoo — lather, leave for 2–3 minutes. When to expect an effect: judge shedding no earlier than after 6–8 weeks. Label score — 7.8 out of 10 (actives with strong evidence: 1 of 3; debatable ingredient groups: denatured alcohol, fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested)). Per the pack: apply to intact scalp; avoid the eyes; stop if burning or a rash appears. A restatement of the label, not an assessment.

Who it does not suit

  • fragrance allergyrisk of reaction

When to stop: itching, redness or rash — stop; itching, rash — stop

Per the maker's leaflet: Per the pack: apply to intact scalp; avoid the eyes; stop if burning or a rash appears. 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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