Selsun Blue is known for their anti dandruff product line. However, there have been questions recently on its availability. Has Selsun Blue shampoo been discontinued? Well the answer to that is… it depends where you are. Read on to find out more.
Table of Contents
Selsun Blue Shampoo Products
There are 5 main products from Selsun Blue and their active ingredients.
- Selsun Blue 2.5 Extra Strength: 2.5% selenium sulfide
- Selsun Maximum Strength (Mediated with Menthol): 1% selenium sulfide
- Selsun Blue Maximum (Moisturizing) with Aloe: 1% selenium sulfide
- Selsun Blue Daily Care (Itchy Dry Scalp): 1% pyrithione zinc
- Selsun Blue Naturals (Itchy Dry Scalp): 3% salicylic acid
As you can see from the five products there are three very different active ingredients. As the name suggests, Selsun is most known for their products containing selenium sulfide. Thus, the products with active ingredients of selenium sulfide 1% and 2.5% form their popular products. In this article, we will focus on the selenium sulfide active ingredient.
Selenium Sulfide Active Ingredient
Many people buy Selsun for their selenium sulfide products. The active ingredient is clinically proven to help with seborrheic dermatitis and tinea versicolor. One clinical trial found that ketoconazole 2% shampoo performed as well as selenium sulfide 2.5% shampoo, but with fewer side effects. Overall, what works for you may differ from what works on average for others. Thus, trying different products with different active ingredients can be worthwhile in order to find which one works best for you.
Has Selsun Blue Been Discontinued & Is it Safe to Use?
Maybe you were using a specific Selsun Blue product or were looking to try one and are wondering if it has been discontinued? Well it depends on where you are. For example, Selsun Blue has been discontinued in the EU. Why was Selsun Blue discontinued in the European Union? That is because the active ingredient, selenium sulfide, has been banned in the EU due to human and aquatic health concerns. Similarly, selenium sulfide products have been restricted for cosmetics use in Japan as well.
While Selsun has been discontinued in the EU and Japan, you can find it in many other countries including Australia, Canada and the US. It is important to note that there are different versions as well. Selsun 2.5% selenium sulfide is available in Canada over the counter, but in the US, you will need a prescription for that potency. Thus, you should be wary about any 2.5% selenium sulfide products on Amazon or other retailers that ship to the US without a prescription.
There was a class action lawsuit in the US against SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S regarding the active ingredients selenium sulfide and DMDM hydantoin. It was filed due to concerns that those ingredients could cause scalp irritation or hair loss. Also, there have been other lawsuits against other companies for products that contain DMDM hydantoin, and in some cases, those products were discontinued (example Neutrogena’s T/Gel and Anti Residue Shampoo). Thus you may be concerned about future availability of Selsun Blue or wonder if it is even still safe to use.
Is Selsun Blue Safe to Use?
Overall, the lawsuit against SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S was settled out of court. Moreover, allegations do not by themselves constitute fact. As for the safety of Selsun Blue products, the ATSDR of the US states “the use of antidandruff shampoos containing selenium sulfide is generally considered safe.”
As noted above though, the EU and Japan find selenium sulfide high risk, and have bans on the ingredient. DMDM Hydantoin remains legal and deemed as safe at normal levels in Japan (in rinse off only applications), the US, and the EU. Thus, you can take this information in order to make the best decision for yourself.
Where Can I Find Selsun Gold
You may have read about Selsun Gold online and been wondering where you can find it. Selsun Gold does exist, but you won’t be able to find it pending your location. That is because Selsun Gold is the Australian branded version that has 2.5% of selenium sulfide.
Selsun Blue Extra Strength vs Selsun Blue Max Strength
Selsun Blue Maximum Strength products have 1% selenium sulfide. You may be confused if you see there is an Extra Strength version online as well. However, the Extra Strength product is the Canadian version and is 2.5% strength of selenium sulfide.
Alternatives to Selsun Blue Shampoo
While Selsun Blue and its popular active ingredient, selenium sulfide, are still available in many countries, you may still want to try an alternative. Having an alternative can be important if your favorite product is out of stock or later becomes discontinued. Moreover, you may find you just like a separate brand better! There aren’t many alternatives with selenium sulfide, but take a look at a few below.
Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff Shampoo Twin Pack
Head & Shoulders has their own 1% selenium sulfide dandruff shampoo. In fact they have three versions all with 1% selenium sulfide. Thus, you can get whichever scent you find most pleasing. Overall, this seems like a strong alternative to Selsun Blue whether or not Selsun is available given the positive reviews on efficacy and scent. There are some reviews stating the product was very strong, so that is something to be mindful of if you have sensitive skin or hair.
3 Versions of Head & Shoulders Shampoo with Selenium Sulfide
- Refreshing Citrus: description notes this as Advanced Oil Control with Refreshing Citrus
- Manuka Honey: note – if you buy the matching conditioner, that contains .75% pyrithione zinc
- Cooling Menthol: most similar to Selsun Maximum Strength (Mediated with Menthol)
True+Real Moisturizing Dandruff Shampoo with Aloe and Selenium Sulfide 1%
True+Real makes many dupes of popular products, and in some cases, they will still sell dupes even for discontinued products. This product is very similar to Selsun Blue Maximum (Moisturizing) with Aloe. However, it has more ingredients, and the aloe is further down on the ingredients list – 12th with True+Real and 8th with Selsun Blue. That means there is less Aloe in True+Real compared to Selsun Blue’s version.
Rugby Selenium Sulfide Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 7 oz
This one is best compared to the Selsun Maximum Strength (Mediated with Menthol) version. From the reviews, it seems like you can skip this one based on a stronger scent compared to the name brand. However, this could be a good backup in case your preferred version is out of stock, or if there is a sale that is too good to pass up.
Selenium Sulfide Prescription
If you are in the US and want a 2.5% selenium sulfide product, then you need a prescription. As noted above, be aware if you find any non-prescription version for sale online in the US that can be purchased without a subscription.
–
That is all to know regarding Selsun Blue and it’s alternatives at this time. It can be tough finder products that work for you, and tough when they get discontinued. As for now, if you are in the US, Canada, and many other countries outside the EU and Japan, you can purchase dandruff relief products with selenium sulfide, including Selsun Blue.
**As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
