PYRITHIONE ZINC – HOW THE WORLD’S NO. 1 ANTI-DANDRUFF INGREDIENT WORKS
Pyrithione zinc (ZPT), coal tar, salicylic acid… the list goes on. There are so many ways to treat dandruff – but what makes ZPT the world’s number one anti-dandruff ingredient1?
Dandruff treatment can take one of two approaches:
treat the symptoms – this is designed to address the visible symptoms like flakes or inflammation. However, the underlying cause of dandruff is still working away.
tackle the cause – here you get to the root of the problem. By tackling the cause you can achieve more complete relief and prevent the symptoms from reappearing, so it’s a good long-term solution.
Meet the products that just treat the symptoms of dandruff
Those dandruff treatments that merely work on the symptoms include coal tar and salicylic acid.
Coal tar helps to control the skin’s reaction to scalp irritants formed as the microbe Malassezia globosa breaks down natural oils on the scalp.
So while you might not experience quite as much irritation, those substances are still being produced at the same rate – and could still damage your scalp.
Salicylic acid acts on the actual flakes. It is designed to help break the bonds between dead skin cells to make them easier to wash off. But just like coal tar, salicylic acid doesn’t tackle the underlying cause of your itch, irritation, or flakes – so it’s less effective against dandruff.
In fact, in clinical testing these products are far less effective at treating flakes than 1% ZPT shampoos.
A better long-term solution? Pyrithione zinc (aka Head & Shoulders)!
Easily the best way to treat dandruff and keep it away for good is to use an anti-dandruff shampoo with an active ingredient that tackles the root cause of dandruff.
That’s where pyrithione zinc (ZPT) comes in. ZPT both removes and helps prevent the formation of scalp irritants, to keep your scalp healthy and comfortable.
You’ll find ZPT in all Head & Shoulders shampoos.
Only Head & Shoulders combines a unique form of this magic ingredient with zinc carbonate. The formula fights flakes better than typical ZPT shampoos and improves scalp moisture.
It’s why we’re the world’s #1 anti-dandruff shampoo¹.
Use it regularly and you’ll not only be able to keep flakes under control, but you can also stop them from coming back.
And if you really want to maximize its effect, combine it with an anti-dandruff conditioner. These are specially designed to work hand-in-hand with your shampoo, unlike other conditioners, which can wash away the ZPT on your scalp.
It means you’ll stay protected and your anti-dandruff shampoo will be able to work as hard as possible to keep your flakes, itch² and irritation under control.
¹ P&G calculation based on Nielsen sales information July 2012 - June 2013
² Caused by dandruff
