Formula · 7.0

Brand · 7.5

Vichy · selenium disulfide + salicylic acid · France

Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff DS intensive shampoo for normal to oily hair

Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff DS intensive shampoo for normal to oily hair
7.0

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.6Actives with strong evidence: 0 of 3
  • Completeness for the purpose0.9For “dandruff and itchy scalp” — 91 %; nasturtium extract; could be added without conflict: nasturtium extract; below threshold: salicylic acid (bha); a formula with one main purpose
  • Cleansing base0.6Harsh surfactants: sodium laureth sulfate (SLES); mild surfactants: coco-betaine; irritation potential of the base — 44 % of SLS; film: silicones
  • Tolerance0.8Rinse-off product; debatable groups: menthol, fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested)
  • adults
  • childrenunder 2 — only as advised by a doctor
  • pregnancythere is little data — ask a doctor
  • colour-treated hairmay shift the shade of coloured and grey hair
  • sensitive skinstart at 0.5 %
  • rosaceaincreases redness
  • babiesnot applied to a baby face or near the nose
  • 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
twice a week, leave on for 2–3 minutes and rinse thoroughly
When to expect an effect: dandruff — 2–4 weeks; pores, blackheads — 4–8 weeks; smoothness — right away, until the next wash
What is normal: a distinctive smell, a dry feel; mild dryness and flaking in the first weeks

Ingredients — 18 components · 3 work

What works: 3 of 18 ingredients: selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, ceramide r. 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: completeness for the purpose

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: actives with strong evidence: 0 of 3; cleansing base: harsh surfactants: sodium laureth sulfate; tolerance: rinse-off product

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; menthol — gives a cooling sensation and mild numbing. It irritates sensitive skin and mucous membranes, and it worsens redness in rosacea.; fragrance and its allergens: fragrance

  • 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
  • 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
  • Glycol Distearate base: coating, fillers · humectants and solvents — hold water and help actives dissolve
  • 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.
  • Glycerin base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • Dimethicone base: coating, fillers · form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • Selenium Sulfide works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: selenium disulfide
  • Carbomer base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • CI 47005 / Acid Yellow 3 base: coating, fillers · gives colour to the product or the skin
  • Citric Acid base: coating, fillers · acidity regulator
  • Menthol questions · gives a cooling sensation and mild numbing. It irritates sensitive skin and mucous membranes, and it worsens redness in rosacea.
  • 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: ceramide R
  • PPG-5-Ceteth-20 base: coating, fillers · coating glazing agent
  • Salicylic Acid works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: salicylic acid
  • 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 Chloride base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Sodium Hydroxide base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Tocopheryl Acetate 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 Anti-Dandruff DS intensive shampoo for normal to oily hair is a product whose active ingredient is selenium sulfide + salicylic acid (bha) + ceramide r. The concentration is not declared, but the active sits above the 1 % line in the list — a working share is likely. The effect is moderately supported: selenium sulfide, salicylic acid (bha). There is little evidence of effect: ceramide r. The formula has 18 ingredients, 3 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); Menthol (gives a cooling sensation and mild numbing. It irritates sensitive skin and mucous membranes, and it worsens redness in rosacea.); Parfum / Fragrance. 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, pregnancy, colour-treated hair, sensitive skin, rosacea, babies, atopic skin, dry scalp — ask a doctor. fragrance allergy — not without a doctor. Use: twice a week, leave on for 2–3 minutes and rinse thoroughly. When to expect an effect: dandruff — 2–4 weeks. Label score — 7.0 out of 10 (actives with strong evidence: 0 of 3; for “dandruff and itchy scalp” — 91 %; nasturtium extract; could be added without conflict: nasturtium extract; below threshold: salicylic acid (bha); a formula with one main purpose; harsh surfactants: sodium laureth sulfate (sles); mild surfactants: coco-betaine; irritation potential of the base — 44 % of sls; film: silicones; rinse-off product; debatable groups: menthol, 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: burning, hair shedding — stop; burning, persistent redness — 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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