Advertisement: This guide is published by Ys Pharma Inc., the company behind KADASON, and includes our own product. It compares publicly available U.S. product labels. It is not an independent test.
Best shampoo for seborrheic dermatitis? Start with the formula.
Four options. Different active ingredients. See what sets them apart before choosing your next bottle.
Compare the 5 criteria ↓
Brand-published guide · Not an independent test
By Ys Pharma Inc. · Updated October 26, 2026
Two approaches. Different active ingredients.
Scale removal
Salicylic acid
Helps remove scale and build-up.
KADASON 1.8% · T/Sal 3%
Antifungal
Ketoconazole / selenium sulfide
Act against yeast associated with dandruff.
Nizoral 1% · H&S 1%Simplified ingredient overview, not a head-to-head efficacy result. Labeled uses differ. There is no single best option established by this comparison.
01 / The ingredient comparison
Compare what matters to you
What treats the flakes? What else is in the formula? Compare the exact U.S. products below before choosing your next shampoo.
KADASON vs. Nizoral, T/Sal and Head & Shoulders
Swipe sideways to see all four products.
| Criterion | KADASONMedicated Shampoo · our product | NizoralAnti-Dandruff 1% | Neutrogena T/SalScalp Build-Up Control | Head & ShouldersClinical Strength Advanced Oil Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment active | Salicylic acid 1.8% | Ketoconazole 1% | Salicylic acid 3% | Selenium sulfide 1% |
| 01Other notable ingredients | Dipotassium glycyrrhizate (a licorice-root–derived skin-conditioning ingredient) listed as an inactive ingredient. | Dipotassium glycyrrhizate not listed. | Dipotassium glycyrrhizate not listed. | Dipotassium glycyrrhizate not listed. |
| 02Antifungal or scale-removing approach | Scale removal (salicylic acid 1.8%) | Antifungal (ketoconazole 1%) | Scale removal (salicylic acid 3%) | Antifungal (selenium sulfide 1%) |
| 03Cleansing system | SLS/SLES not listed. Olefin sulfonate present. Petroleum-free sourcing unverified. | SLES listed. Petroleum-free sourcing unverified. | SLS/SLES not listed. Olefin sulfonate present. Petroleum-free sourcing unverified. | SLS listed. Petroleum-free sourcing unverified. |
| 04Non-oil polyols listed | Glycerin, propanediol, butylene glycol. | None of the selected polyols listed. | Hexylene glycol listed. | None of the selected polyols listed. |
| 05Fragrance, menthol & added color | None of these listed. | Fragrance and Blue 1 listed; menthol not listed. | None of these listed. | Fragrance listed; menthol and color not listed. |
| Bottle size | 8 fl oz (237 mL) | 4–19 fl oz (125–562 mL), several sizes | 4.5 fl oz (133 mL) | 13.5 fl oz (400 mL) |
No product in this comparison lists a separate, dedicated anti-inflammatory active in Drug Facts. Supporting ingredients are shown separately. Petroleum-free raw-material sourcing is unverified for all four products; SLS/SLES absence is a different observation. “Not listed” refers to the cited label, not zero effect. Polyol presence does not establish finished-product hydration. Alcohol and phenoxyethanol are listed in KADASON, so it is not additive-free.
Open the full ingredient table and label details
| Your question | KADASONMedicated Shampoo · our product | NizoralAnti-Dandruff 1% ketoconazole | Neutrogena T/SalScalp Build-Up Control | Head & ShouldersClinical Strength Advanced Oil Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment active | Salicylic acid 1.8% | Ketoconazole 1% | Salicylic acid 3% | Selenium sulfide 1% |
| 01 / Other notable ingredientsDedicated anti-inflammatory drug active? | None separately designated in Drug Facts. | None separately designated in Drug Facts. | None separately designated in Drug Facts. | None separately designated in Drug Facts. |
| Other notable ingredientDipotassium glycyrrhizate | ListedLicorice-root–derived skin-conditioning ingredient. An inactive ingredient, not a labeled drug active. | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| 02 / Antifungal approachAntifungal or scale-removing active? | Scale removalSalicylic acid is a keratolytic. No ketoconazole, selenium sulfide or pyrithione zinc listed. | AntifungalKetoconazole | Scale removalSalicylic acid is a keratolytic. | AntifungalSelenium sulfide |
| 03 / Cleansing systemPetroleum-derived surfactant-free? | Not established from the label. | Not established from the label. | Not established from the label. | Not established from the label. |
| SLS / SLES listed? | Neither listedIncludes sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate and other cleansers. | SLES listedSodium laureth sulfate | Neither listedIncludes sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate. | SLS listedSodium lauryl sulfate |
| 04 / Non-oil moisturizing ingredientsSelected non-oil polyols listed?¹ | Glycerin, propanediol, butylene glycol | None of the selected polyols listed. | Hexylene glycol | None of the selected polyols listed. |
| 05 / Optional additionsFragrance / menthol / added color listed? | None of these listed | Fragrance & Blue 1Menthol not listed. | None of these listed | FragranceMenthol and color additives not listed. |
| Other details to consider | Alcohol and phenoxyethanol are listed. Not additive-free. | Benzyl alcohol and BHT are listed. | Leave lather on the scalp for several minutes, then rinse and repeat. | Dimethicone is listed. Follow hair-color rinsing precautions. |
| Full product label | KADASON ↓ | Nizoral ↓ | T/Sal ↓ | Head & Shoulders ↓ |
¹Selected non-oil polyols: glycerin, propanediol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol and hexylene glycol. Ingredient presence does not establish its role, concentration or moisturizing performance in the finished product. Other conditioning ingredients may be present. No overall “moisturizing / not moisturizing” verdict is assigned.
What this means
KADASON combines a salicylic-acid treatment approach with dipotassium glycyrrhizate and non-oil polyols, without listed fragrance, menthol, SLS or SLES. If you specifically want an antifungal active, Nizoral and the selected Head & Shoulders formula offer a different approach.
Why these four?
KADASON vs. Nizoral, T/Sal and Head & Shoulders
KADASON: the complete-formula comparison
A salicylic-acid option with dipotassium glycyrrhizate and selected non-oil polyols. Its U.S. label lists seborrheic dermatitis symptom relief.
Nizoral: the ketoconazole reference
Included for shoppers considering an antifungal. This U.S. OTC 1% product is labeled for dandruff—not the prescription 2% formula. Its label says not to use on a broken or inflamed scalp and to seek advice if symptoms worsen or do not improve in 2–4 weeks. Read the full label.
T/Sal: a same-active alternative
The selected 3% salicylic-acid formula provides a direct comparison with KADASON's 1.8%. It also has no listed fragrance, menthol, SLS or SLES. Concentration alone does not prove which will work better for you.
Head & Shoulders: a different antifungal
Clinical Strength Advanced Oil Control uses 1% selenium sulfide. Other Head & Shoulders formulas differ, so a brand-wide ingredient verdict would be misleading.
02 / Understand the five criteria
How to choose a shampoo for seborrheic dermatitis
Start with what you need from your treatment, then look at the cleansing base and your personal ingredient preferences.
01
Other notable ingredients
Separate supporting ingredients from drug actives.
A supporting ingredient is not the same as a labeled drug active.
KADASON lists dipotassium glycyrrhizate, a licorice-root–derived skin-conditioning ingredient, among its inactive ingredients. We show that separately from drug actives. This comparison does not claim a treatment effect for that ingredient in the finished shampoo, or imply that other shampoos cannot relieve itching or redness.
If inflammation is persistent or severe, discuss it with a clinician. An ingredient checklist does not replace an appropriate treatment plan.
02
Antifungal or scale removal?
Check the active ingredient and its purpose.
Antifungal activity is not the same as scale removal.
Nizoral uses ketoconazole, and this Head & Shoulders formula uses selenium sulfide. Both are antifungal ingredients. KADASON and T/Sal use salicylic acid, a keratolytic that helps remove scale. We do not treat these mechanisms as interchangeable or count preservatives as scalp antifungal treatments.
Antibacterial and antifungal claims also mean different things. A general antimicrobial claim is not proof of clinical activity against the yeast associated with seborrheic dermatitis.
03
Cleansing system
SLS/SLES-free does not prove petroleum-free.
Check the cleanser—not an assumption about its origin.
“No SLS or SLES” is a specific ingredient-list observation. “No petroleum-derived surfactants” requires raw-material sourcing information that these labels do not provide. We cannot certify that claim for any of the four products.
KADASON and T/Sal both list sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate. Its absence from the sulfate category does not make it surfactant-free. Ingredient origin or the absence of one cleanser alone does not establish gentleness.
04
Non-oil moisturizing ingredients
Look at named ingredients, not broad promises.
Look for named non-oil moisturizing ingredients, then consider the formula.
KADASON lists glycerin, propanediol and butylene glycol, alongside aloe and Tremella extracts. These ingredient details can help if you prefer a formula with non-oil moisturizing ingredients. They do not establish superior hydration or prove that every oil-containing formula is unsuitable.
05
Optional additions
Check fragrance, menthol and added color.
Name the additions you prefer to avoid.
“Unnecessary additives” means different things to different people. Here, we check fragrance, menthol and added color explicitly. None is listed in the cited KADASON or T/Sal formulas. KADASON still contains alcohol and preservatives, including phenoxyethanol, so it is not additive-free. Avoid ingredients you know you react to; an ingredient's presence alone does not make a product unsafe.
A useful checklist—not five universal medical requirements.
The right choice depends on your symptoms, tolerability and treatment history. These criteria explain formulation differences; they do not establish a clinical winner.
A closer look / Our formula
Salicylic-acid care. More to the formula.
KADASON Medicated Shampoo
For shoppers looking for salicylic acid with non-oil moisturizing ingredients—and no listed fragrance, menthol, SLS or SLES.
KADASON contains 1.8% salicylic acid and is labeled for relief of the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis. Its formula also includes glycerin, aloe leaf juice, green tea leaf extract and Tremella mushroom extract.
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, glycerin and botanical extracts are included alongside the treatment active. If these are features you value, KADASON deserves a closer look. It is not positioned here as an antifungal equivalent to Nizoral.
Active ingredientSalicylic acid 1.8%
Bottle size237 mL / 8 fl oz
Product typeOTC medicated shampoo
One-time purchase$34.99
Subscribe & save 20%$27.99per shipment · recurring order
Shipping and applicable taxes are additional and calculated at checkout. Prices checked October 26, 2026; confirm current terms on the official store. Subscription delivery frequency is selected there; the store states you can skip, pause or cancel.
The routine
Simple steps. Follow the label.
1
Wet
Wet your hair.
2
Lather
Apply shampoo and work into a lather.
3
Rinse
Rinse thoroughly.
For best results, use at least twice a week or as directed by a doctor. Do not use for prolonged periods without consulting a doctor.
Important safety information
For external use only. Avoid eye contact; if contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water. Stop use and ask a doctor if the condition worsens or does not improve after regular use as directed. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, seek medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use. Protect from excessive heat and direct sun.
Your next bottle, with more clarity
Get to know KADASON.
See the full formula, choose your purchase option and review the details on our official store.
Explore KADASON ↗Method & sources
How this comparison was made
Published by Ys Pharma Inc., which sells KADASON and benefits from purchases. We selected four U.S. OTC formulas to compare salicylic acid with ketoconazole and selenium sulfide. The comparison uses the specific labels below, not all products sold under each brand. No hands-on test, clinical head-to-head study or numerical product scoring was performed.
We distinguish Drug Facts actives from inactive ingredients, report raw-material origin as unverified, and name the additives being compared. Label presence does not prove clinical superiority. This article has not been presented as medically reviewed.
This is a selected comparison, not a complete list of available products. Label details checked October 26, 2026. Formulas and packaging can change; the label on your purchased product takes precedence. References support the stated product facts, not a superiority claim.
- DailyMed: KADASON Medicated — NDC 87263-927
- DailyMed: Neutrogena T/Sal Scalp Build-Up Control — NDC 69968-0938
- DailyMed: Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Advanced Oil Control — NDC 84126-075
- KADASON official store: formula, purchase options and current terms
- DailyMed: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff 1% — NDC 55505-196
- DermNet: shampoos and the functions of medicated ingredients
Brand names belong to their respective owners. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement of KADASON. This guide provides product information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Packaging imagery: KADASON; Nizoral, Neutrogena and Head & Shoulders packaging shown to identify the selected products; packaging may vary.
