Selsun shampoo is a medicated dandruff shampoo available in Selsun Blue or Selsen Blue Naturals formulas. Different varieties within each formula type treat three levels of scalp and hair issues, including dry scalp, dandruff and dandruff/seborrheic dermatitis. A major difference between the three varieties is the main or active ingredient, used to control or eliminate dry scalp and dandruff issues.
Active Ingredient
The active ingredient is the medication the shampoo contains. Selsun shampoo includes one of three active ingredients, depending on the type and strength of the shampoo. Pyrithione zinc is the active ingredient in Selsun Blue Dry Scalp Shampoo. It is an antiseborrheic that helps to reduce itching and flaking on your scalp. Selenium sulfide is the active ingredient in Selsun Blue dandruff shampoo formulas. Selenium sulfide is an antifungal that kills yeast and slows down scalp cell mitosis. Selsun Blue Naturals products use salicylic acid as the active ingredient. Salicylic acid helps to break down keratin, a major protein in skin, and helps to remove dead cells.
Surfactant
Surfactant ingredients are the detergents that combine with water to loosen and remove dirt, oil and dead skin cells from your hair. All Selsun shampoo use ammonium lauryl sulfate as the main detergent ingredient. In addition, most also include milder surfactants, such as cocamidopropyl betaine, cocamide DEA, lauryl glucoside and sodium methyl cocoyl taurate.
Emulsifier
Emulsifier ingredients give Selsun shampoo its smooth, pearly texture by preventing ingredients from separating. Selsun shampoo emulsifier ingredients include hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium aluminum silicate, glycol distearate, cocamide MEA, cetearyl alcohol and TEA lauryl sulfate.
Humectants
Selsun shampoo includes ingredients such as glycerin, panthenol and aloe vera leaf juice to protect your hair from damage due to dryness. Humectant ingredients attract moisture from the air and trap it, preventing it from evaporating back into the atmosphere. Selsun Blue Naturals also contain a variety of plant and flower extracts designed to attract and add moisture to your hair.
pH Balancers
Citric acid, potassium hydroxide and sodium chloride are ingredients Selsun shampoos use to create a slightly acidic pH level. Although Selsun uses the term "ph balanced" in advertising, making the shampoo slightly acidic creates a better shampoo by smoothing the hair cuticle, allowing it to lie flat and preventing your hair from feeling rough and looking dull.
Preservatives
Preservative ingredients in Selsun shampoo release formaldehyde to keep it free from bacteria, fungus and yeasts and to prevent spoiling. These ingredients include DMDM hydrantoin, propylene glycol, benzyl alcohol and sodium chloride.
Other Ingredients
Menthol is an important ingredient that Selsun Blue shampoos use to soothe and cool your scalp, as well as to draw blood to the surface of your scalp, increasing circulation. Menthol also helps tomoisturize skin on your scalp.
Each shampoo variety also includes a fragrance and assorted dyes such as D&C Red 33, FD&C Blue 1 and Ext Violet 2.
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