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Side by side

Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo vs Head & Shoulders Head & Shoulders Green Apple Anti-Dandruff Paraben Free 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner

89% function match · 12 of the 13 functions we compared match Formula overlap 99%. Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Head & Shoulders Head & Shoulders Green Apple Anti-Dandruff Paraben Free 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner share 4 ingredients among each other's most prominent.

Based on your consultation

Which of these fits your hair?

We check your pattern, moisture need, scalp, fragrance tolerance, weight sensitivity and more against each formula — and say which one lines up.

Your profile at a glance

  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here

When each one is the right call

What each formula is built for, from its own ingredient list.

  • Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo — flaking scalps
  • Head & Shoulders Green Apple Anti-Dandruff Paraben Free 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner — flaking scalps

Side by side

Every trait, aligned

One row per trait, read from each product’s own ingredient list and record. A dash means we have not researched that field for that product — it is not a “no”.

Trait
Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo — 12.5 oz container Head & Shoulders

Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

  • Shampoo
  • Drugstore
  • Protein-free
Head & Shoulders Head & Shoulders Green Apple Anti-Dandruff Paraben Free 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner — 12.5 oz container Head & Shoulders

Head & Shoulders Green Apple Anti-Dandruff Paraben Free 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner

  • Shampoo
  • Drugstore
  • Protein-free
Price, size & price per ounce
$9.69 12.5 oz · $0.78/oz
$6.99 12.5 oz · $0.50/oz
Value / price positioning
Lower cost than most shampoos $$$$$ Drugstore tier · costs less than 77% of the 817 shampoos we’ve priced
Lower cost than most shampoos $$$$$ Drugstore tier · costs less than 90% of the 817 shampoos we’ve priced
Best for hair types
All types Nothing in the formula or the claims narrows this to one pattern. Your hair
All types Nothing in the formula or the claims narrows this to one pattern. Your hair
Moisture level Same
None found No humectants found — nothing here pulls water into the hair. Your hair
None found No humectants found — nothing here pulls water into the hair. Your hair
Cleansing strength Same
Strong Removes oil, buildup, and most residue — a reset wash. Your hair
Strong Removes oil, buildup, and most residue — a reset wash. Your hair
Slip / detangling Same
Moderate Conditioning agents are present, lower in the list. Your hair
Moderate Conditioning agents are present, lower in the list. Your hair
Weight on hair
Medium Middle of the range — noticeable on fine hair, light on coarse hair. Your hair
Medium Middle of the range — noticeable on fine hair, light on coarse hair. Your hair
Fragrance
Prominent Fragrance sits in the first eight ingredients — a larger share of the formula. Your hair
Present Fragrance is listed; it sits below the working ingredients. Your hair
Protein Same
None No protein or amino acids in the list. Your hair
None No protein or amino acids in the list. Your hair
Silicone / wax buildup Same
High Water-insoluble silicones or waxes: a detergent wash is what removes them. Your hair
High Water-insoluble silicones or waxes: a detergent wash is what removes them. Your hair
Clarifying wash needed
Moderate Your hair
Moderate Your hair
Expected lather Same
High Thick foam that spreads quickly through the hair. Your hair
High Thick foam that spreads quickly through the hair. Your hair
Scalp active Same
pyrithione zinc, 1% Carries an over-the-counter scalp active, listed under Drug Facts. Your hair
pyrithione zinc, 1% Carries an over-the-counter scalp active, listed under Drug Facts. Your hair
Hard-water defence Same
None No chelating agent in the list. Your hair
None No chelating agent in the list. Your hair
Formula completeness
out of 10
Covers the core
out of 10
Covers the core
Who should choose this
  • Flaking scalpsthis carries an over-the-counter active
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
  • Fast-oiling scalpsthat need a real reset wash
  • Very dry hairno fast-drying alcohol in the list
  • Flaking scalpsthis carries an over-the-counter active
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
  • Fast-oiling scalpsthat need a real reset wash
  • Very dry hairno fast-drying alcohol in the list
Why you might skip it
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Sulfate-free routinesit uses a sulfate detergent
  • Curly-method routinesthese silicones need a detergent to remove
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Sulfate-free routinesit uses a sulfate detergent
  • Curly-method routinesthese silicones need a detergent to remove
from the formula stated by the brand reported by reviewers Scale: 1 dot low · 5 dots high, within this product type.
More facts about each one
Type
Shampoo
Shampoo
Where to buy
Grocery / mass · Target
Target · Grocery / mass
Free of
  • protein-free
  • protein-free
Cruelty-free
Not cruelty-free · PETA-listed
Not cruelty-free · PETA-listed
Scent
Fresh & airy
Sweet & vanilla

Facts as we recorded them. A dash means we have not researched that field for that product — it is not a "no".

The bottom line

The bottom line depends on your hair

Which of these two suits you is a question about your hair, not about them. The consultation answers it — and tells you what your routine needs around it.

Take the consultation

$49.00 once, for your consultation and hair profile. No subscription, no required purchases.

The detail behind the table

Where the readings above come from: the ingredient lists themselves, each brand’s claims checked against them, what owners report, and cost per ounce in context.

Shared and distinct ingredients

Shared and distinct ingredients

Computed from the ingredient lists as printed. "Shared" means both lists carry it; where it sits on each label is stated, because position is what tells you how much.

What both formulas carry

IngredientClassic Clean Anti-Dandruff ShampooHead & Shoulders Green Apple Anti-Dandruff Paraben Free 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner
Water
Neutral
#1Leading
#1Leading
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleanses
#2Leading
#2Leading
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleanses
#3Leading
#3Leading
Glycol Distearate
Softens
#4Supporting
#4Supporting
Sodium Chloride
Stabilizes
#5Supporting
#6Supporting
Zinc Carbonate
Neutral
#6Supporting
#5Supporting
Fragrance
Fragrance
#7Below the 1% line
#10Below the 1% line
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleanses
#8Below the 1% line
#9Secondary
Dimethicone
Buildup
#10Below the 1% line
#8Supporting
Sodium Xylenesulfonate
Stabilizes
#9Below the 1% line
#7Supporting
Full ingredient list — Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (15)
Full ingredient list — Head & Shoulders Green Apple Anti-Dandruff Paraben Free 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner (17)

Claims check

What each brand says, against what each formula shows

Claims are quoted from each brand. We only mark one supported, partly supported, or conflicting when that product’s ingredient list actually speaks to it.

VerdictsClassic Clean Anti-Dandruff ShampooHead & Shoulders Green Apple Anti-Dandruff Paraben Free 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner
Supported
0
1
Partly supported
0
0
Stated by brand
2
2
Potential conflict
0
0

Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

  • Up to 100% dandruff protectionStated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.
  • America's #1 dandruff shampoo brandStated by brandPopularity, not performance.

Head & Shoulders Green Apple Anti-Dandruff Paraben Free 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner

  • Up to 100% dandruff protection with regular useStated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.
  • 72-hour protection against visible flakesSupportedA recognised active does the work.
  • Works 7 surface layers deep in your scalpStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.

What owners say

What people report

Recurring themes our researchers wrote in their own words from sourced reviews. We do not store or scrape star ratings, and we never balance one product’s themes against another’s by inventing them.

Both praised for the scent. Head & Shoulders Head & Shoulders Green Apple Anti-Dandruff Paraben Free 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner draws complaints about residue or cast.

Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Reliably controls flakes and keeps the scalp feeling clean

long-term repeat buyers

Fresh scent and good lather are frequently mentioned positives

general users

A minority voice concerns about the sulfate/chemical ingredient profile

ingredient-conscious shoppers

Some find it drying to hair even when it fixes the dandruff

users with longer/dry hair

Head & Shoulders Green Apple Anti-Dandruff Paraben Free 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner

Reviewers like the scent and find it works well for dry scalp.

general users, dry-scalp reviewers

Some users specifically prefer this combo over standalone conditioner they otherwise dislike.

general users

Reviewers value the pump packaging and price point.

general users

Some reviewers report a waxy or gel-like residue and stiffness/buildup in hair after use.

general users

A few reviewers say the all-hair-types claim does not hold for every hair texture, with sticky/hard-to-manage results reported.

general users

Price check

Cost per ounce, in context

Cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in. Value labels are computed from that percentile and from how many products that do the same job cost less; they are comparisons, not judgements about a brand.

$0.50/oz vs $0.78/oz — Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo costs about 1.6× more per ounce than Head & Shoulders Head & Shoulders Green Apple Anti-Dandruff Paraben Free 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner.

$0.00/oz median $1.48/oz $17.29/oz $0.78/oz Classic Clean Anti-Dandruf $0.50/oz Head & Shoulders Green App

Every mark sits on one distribution because these are compared against the same set: 817 shampoos with a computable unit price.

Value readClassic Clean Anti-Dandruff ShampooHead & Shoulders Green Apple Anti-Dandruff Paraben Free 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner
Label
Lower cost than most shampoosCosts less per ounce than most shampoos we have researched.
Lower cost than most shampoosCosts less per ounce than most shampoos we have researched.

Computed from cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced, and from how many products that do the same job cost less. It is a comparison, not a judgement about the brand.

Compare with something else

Close formulas to each of these, as their own comparison pages.

Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo vs Head & Shoulders Classic Clean 2-in-1 Dandruff Shampoo and ConditionerHead & Shoulders · 89% function matchHead & Shoulders Green Apple Anti-Dandruff Paraben Free 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner vs Head & Shoulders Classic Clean 2-in-1 Dandruff Shampoo and ConditionerHead & Shoulders · 100% function matchClassic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo vs Head & Shoulders Men's 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner, Anti-Dandruff Treatment, Full & ThickHead & Shoulders · 89% function matchHead & Shoulders Green Apple Anti-Dandruff Paraben Free 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner vs Head & Shoulders Men's 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner, Anti-Dandruff Treatment, Full & ThickHead & Shoulders · 100% function matchClassic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo vs Head & Shoulders 2-in-1 Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner, Apple Cider VinegarHead & Shoulders · 89% function matchHead & Shoulders Green Apple Anti-Dandruff Paraben Free 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner vs Head & Shoulders 2-in-1 Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner, Apple Cider VinegarHead & Shoulders · 100% function matchClassic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo vs Head & Shoulders Smooth & Silky ShampooHead & Shoulders · 89% function matchHead & Shoulders Green Apple Anti-Dandruff Paraben Free 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner vs Head & Shoulders Smooth & Silky ShampooHead & Shoulders · 100% function match

Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo · Head & Shoulders Green Apple Anti-Dandruff Paraben Free 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner · All shampoos in the library

How this page was made

  • This page is assembled from the same researched records the individual product pages render: identity, each ingredient list as printed, each brand's own claims, dated price observations, and review themes written in our researchers' own words. Nothing on it is written per comparison.
  • We do not rank these against each other. Which of them suits you depends on your hair, and that is what the consultation works out.
  • The formula similarity percentage is a stored, precomputed number: position-weighted overlap of the two ingredient lists blended with agreement on the attributes we derive. It measures how alike two formulas are, not how well either works.
  • The value band is a fixed label over two stored numbers: this product’s cost per ounce as a percentile of every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in, and how many products we score as doing the same job cost at least a quarter less per ounce.
  • The "Is this right for you?" panel reads only your own consultation answers, and it applies exactly the filters our recommendation engine applies. It is computed when you load the page and is never stored on it.
  • 9 sources were consulted across the products on this page.
  • Ingredient order tells you relative amount only above roughly 1%. Prices are observations on the dates shown and change without notice. We do not sell these products and take no placement fees.
  • This is cosmetic information, not medical advice, and nothing here diagnoses or treats a health condition.

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