Selsun Blue: 6 reasons this harmful shampoo is not worth the anti-dandruff properties
Written by Ajay Chohan, Founder
Selsun Blue Maximum Strength Antidandruff Shampoo – Sanofi-Aventis
Why Selsun Blue’s product labeling is misleading: The toxic and harsh chemicals present in Selsun Blue — which are tied to scalp irritation, cancer & hair loss — undermine any dandruff fighting properties the shampoo may provide
Harmful Ingredients in Selsun Blue to Avoid: Selenium Sulfide, DMDM Hydantoin, Fragrance, Blue 1, Dimethicone
Let’s dive right into the 6 Reasons that make Selsun Blue shampoos not worth any dandruff fighting properties:
Reason 1 - Selenium Sulfide in Selsun Blue: A known cancer causing carcinogen
WE BELIEVE “Healthier hair. Healthier scalp. Doctor recommended” is a pretty arrogant description by Selsun Blue of this shampoo. The active ingredient in Selsun Blue, Selenium Sulfide, is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals (1)." Though the data on human carcinogenicity is insufficient, and it is unlikely to cause health problems in humans at the 1% composition level, consumers should be mindful especially if they are using this maximum strength shampoo daily or more. Which brings us to our next point on Selenium Sulfide.
Usage guidelines by Selsun Blue on Selenium Sulfide are vague:
Diving further into the recommended usage topic, the guideline on the back of the Selsun Blue Maximum Strength shampoo is quite confusing. The directions say, “for best results, use at least twice a week.” Use at least twice a week. This would imply to reasonable consumers that they should be using this potent shampoo twice a week at a minimum, and the more they can use the better.
As this Amazon review by Mark on ClassAction.org’s case review states, “One unfortunate side effect, however, is it caused my hair to start thinning within 4 months of use. Apparently, I’m not alone and this is a problem with more people than myself if you do an internet search. The bottle recommends you use at LEAST twice a week. Not ONLY twice a week…. At LEAST. Meaning it is assumed you can use it more than twice a week and not experience unforeseen side effects like your hair falling out.” So despite this known concern that Selenium Sulfide could be contributing to hair loss, in addition to it being potentially carcinogenic, Selsun Blue has decided not to have any warnings on its labelling.
Do Selenium Sulfide’s anti-dandruff properties outweigh the risks?
Selenium Sulfide indeed has anti-dandruff and anti-fungal properties, but you need to consider if that outweighs the potential risks. First preference should be given to herbal & natural treatments for fighting dandruff such as tea tree oil or coconut oil, before introducing a potent compound like Selenium Sulfide to your daily shampooing routine! Unfortunately with Selsun Blue, Selenium Sulfide is just the beginning when it comes to ingredients of concern.
Selsun Blue Maximum Strength Shampoo — Full Ingredients List
Reason 2 - Fact checking the “made with aloe” claim:
The product website states that this shampoo is “made with aloe to intensively moisturize dry hair,” but aloe is the eighth ingredient listed. Ingredients above 1% in cosmetics are listed in order of their percentage in the composition, so the amount of aloe here is miniscule and comes after all the synthetic surfactants & chemicals. A more accurate description would have been “contains a tiny amount of aloe so we can add it to our name.”
Please Note: Here is my article on what makes a truly better non-toxic shampoo for a healthy and nourished scalp. I also give my best all-natural shampoo recommendations including those that treat dandruff naturally.
Reason 3 - The DMDM Hydantoin in Selsun Blue and the class action lawsuit regarding cancer, scalp irritation and hair loss concerns:
Selsun Blue also has DMDM Hydantoin, a preservative added to increase a shampoo’s shelf life and prevent growth of bacteria & fungi. DMDM Hydantoin works by releasing formaldehyde over its shelf life, a possible human carcinogen (2). DMDM Hydantoin has also been tied with scalp irritation & hair loss (2). Selsun Blue has received thousands of consumer complaints and is fighting a class action lawsuit around this (2). While the amount of DMDM Hydantoin & thus formaldehyde released by this shampoo is very low, it still poses a risk to consumers especially ones sensitive to formaldehyde.
Reason 4 - The synthetic fragrance in Selsun Blue and the mystery of the over 2000 unknown & potentially toxic chemicals.
The synthetic fragrance in this shampoo could denote any number of over 2000 chemicals used in the cosmetics industry with various safety records. Cosmetic companies are not required to disclose exactly which chemical(s) their fragrance is comprised of, leaving the fun to us. Fragrances are often responsible for the allergic reactions consumers have to hair & skin care products (3).
Reason 5 - Unfortunately, Selsun Blue’s trademark blue color hides another concern.
You might have wondered where does Selsun Blue get its blue color? Well, it gets it from Blue 1. Blue 1 is made from coal tar, a petroleum product, and has been linked with allergic reactions and skin irritation (4). This coal tar derived colorant has also been linked with cancer (4).
The nonprofit Environmental Working Group in their Selsun Blue Dandruff Shampoo product summary page lists out the concerns with Blue 1. Amongst the key concerns listed are ‘non-reproductive organ system toxicity’ and ‘irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs).’ Yikes.
Please Note: Here is my complete guide to all the 16 harmful chemicals commonly found across shampoos + the worst shampoo brands to avoid.
Reason 6 - Selsun Blue contains the synthetic silicone Dimethicone linked to clogged pores and skin irritation.
Unfortunately we are not done with the ingredients of concern in Selsun Blue. Their shampoos contain the silicone Dimethicone, which is a synthetic oil that’s added to shampoos to provide a “protective cover.” The issue is that these synthetic substances can build up on our scalps, clog pores and cause skin irritation. Our skin needs to breathe, and scalp is no exception, so anything that can clog our pores is a concern.
Given the potent and potentially toxic ingredients, I can not recommend Selsun Blue especially for daily use.
Selsun Blue has a whole lot of toxic & questionable ingredients for a shampoo that says it “invigorates scalp” and “nourishes with aloe.” We do not believe the risks posed are worth the dandruff fighting properties Selsun Blue has. Aside from even Selenium Sulfide, this concoction has preservatives, artificial coloring and fragrance. That cannot be good for your hair or body. Ditch this shampoo and search for a milder alternative where the key ingredients (the first few ingredients listed) are mainly naturally derived.
What makes a better shampoo?
The best natural shampoos are safe yet effective in nurturing a healthy scalp. These shampoos gently cleanse with ingredients that are whole + alive + naturally nourishing. Meaning — the ingredients come from whole botanical and flower extracts from living & breathing plants — not dead chemical compounds from a lab. Wholesome ingredients are naturally rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and have anti-fungal, anti-dandruff & anti-inflammatory properties.
The quality and aliveness of the ingredients make for the best natural shampoos. You can read my article here where I further cover the attributes of such shampoos and give my best all-natural shampoo recommendations including those for treating dandruff.
Are (or were) you using Selsun Blue antidandruff shampoo? Do share your experiences below.
Sources - Research for Yourself!
1. https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/content/profiles/seleniumsulfide.pdf