Dandruff Shampoos & Dry Shampoo
Everyday exposureBeauty & personal careAlso called · 10 names▾▴
dandruff shampoo pregnancy, anti-dandruff shampoo, medicated shampoo, ketoconazole shampoo, selenium sulfide shampoo, zinc pyrithione shampoo, coal tar shampoo, salicylic acid shampoo, dry shampoo pregnancy, aerosol dry shampoo
Hair
General information · effects depend on amount, timing, and how it is used. About these sources
Research strength: 2 / 5
The NHS says ketoconazole shampoo can be used during pregnancy because only tiny amounts are absorbed. The DailyMed label for one 2.25% selenium sulfide shampoo says ordinary pregnancy use is not recommended because fetal effects are unknown and animal studies were not done; this is an unapproved product label, not an FDA agency recommendation. HPRA product information for a different 2.5% Selsun shampoo says it can be used during pregnancy, while AAD describes coal-tar evidence as too limited for a general conclusion. These product-specific sources differ, and no trimester-specific differences are described. Ask your provider about your situation.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-18
Sources
- NHS: Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while using ketoconazoleUK government
- DailyMed: Selenium sulfide 2.25% shampoo labelDrug company label
- HPRA-hosted Selsun Shampoo 2.5% Summary of Product Characteristics
- American Academy of Dermatology: Psoriasis treatment, coal tar
- Franssen et al., Acta Dermato-Venereologica 1999: coal tar pregnancy pilot studyUS government
- FDA-accessdata Drug Facts label: Nizoral 1% ketoconazole shampooDrug company label
Research strength: 2 / 5
The NHS says ketoconazole shampoo can be used during pregnancy because only tiny amounts are absorbed. The DailyMed label for one 2.25% selenium sulfide shampoo says ordinary pregnancy use is not recommended because fetal effects are unknown and animal studies were not done; this is an unapproved product label, not an FDA agency recommendation. HPRA product information for a different 2.5% Selsun shampoo says it can be used during pregnancy, while AAD describes coal-tar evidence as too limited for a general conclusion. These product-specific sources differ, and no trimester-specific differences are described. Ask your provider about your situation.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-18
Sources
- NHS: Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while using ketoconazoleUK government
- DailyMed: Selenium sulfide 2.25% shampoo labelDrug company label
- HPRA-hosted Selsun Shampoo 2.5% Summary of Product Characteristics
- American Academy of Dermatology: Psoriasis treatment, coal tar
- Franssen et al., Acta Dermato-Venereologica 1999: coal tar pregnancy pilot studyUS government
- FDA-accessdata Drug Facts label: Nizoral 1% ketoconazole shampooDrug company label
Research strength: 2 / 5
The NHS says ketoconazole shampoo can be used during pregnancy because only tiny amounts are absorbed. The DailyMed label for one 2.25% selenium sulfide shampoo says ordinary pregnancy use is not recommended because fetal effects are unknown and animal studies were not done; this is an unapproved product label, not an FDA agency recommendation. HPRA product information for a different 2.5% Selsun shampoo says it can be used during pregnancy, while AAD describes coal-tar evidence as too limited for a general conclusion. These product-specific sources differ, and no trimester-specific differences are described. Ask your provider about your situation.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-18
Sources
- NHS: Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while using ketoconazoleUK government
- DailyMed: Selenium sulfide 2.25% shampoo labelDrug company label
- HPRA-hosted Selsun Shampoo 2.5% Summary of Product Characteristics
- American Academy of Dermatology: Psoriasis treatment, coal tar
- Franssen et al., Acta Dermato-Venereologica 1999: coal tar pregnancy pilot studyUS government
- FDA-accessdata Drug Facts label: Nizoral 1% ketoconazole shampooDrug company label
Dandruff Shampoos & Dry Shampoo — Breastfeeding
Research strength: 2 / 5
LactMed says ketoconazole shampoo or topical skin use poses little to no risk to a breastfed infant, and the NHS says milk transfer from shampoo is very unlikely. The DailyMed label for one 2.25% selenium sulfide shampoo says transfer into human milk is unknown; HPRA product information for 2.5% Selsun says not to apply it around the breast or let the infant contact treated skin. AAD says there is too little information about coal tar and nursing children. The category includes different ingredients and dry-shampoo formats, with no infant-outcome data identified for aerosol dry shampoo. Ask your provider about your situation.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-18
Sources
- LactMed (NIH): KetoconazoleUS government
- NHS: Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while using ketoconazoleUK government
- DailyMed: Selenium sulfide 2.25% shampoo labelDrug company label
- HPRA-hosted Selsun Shampoo 2.5% Summary of Product Characteristics
- American Academy of Dermatology: Psoriasis treatment, coal tar
Pregnancy
No direct pregnancy-outcome evidence for every product in this broad category was identified. The NHS says ketoconazole cream or shampoo can be used during pregnancy because only tiny amounts are absorbed; this is product-use guidance, not a large pregnancy-outcome study. A small 1999 retrospective pilot examined medical coal tar products used for psoriasis or dermatitis, not rinse-off dandruff shampoo. Its authors said the 23 pregnancies with definite coal-tar use did not allow a general conclusion about possible pregnancy effects. AAD also says there is too little information about coal tar and an unborn baby. A DailyMed page for one 2.25% selenium sulfide shampoo says animal reproduction studies were not conducted and fetal effects are unknown, then says ordinary use during pregnancy should not occur. DailyMed identifies this as an unapproved drug and states that FDA has not approved the labeling, so this is product-label wording rather than an FDA agency recommendation. HPRA product information for a different 2.5% Selsun shampoo says it can be used during pregnancy. These sources address different ingredients, concentrations, and formulations.
Breastfeeding
LactMed says ketoconazole shampoo or topical skin use poses little to no risk to a breastfed infant, while the NHS says transfer from shampoo into breast milk is very unlikely. LactMed separates topical use from oral ketoconazole, for which it notes little published experience and manufacturer advice to pause breastfeeding during treatment and for one day after. For one selenium sulfide product, the DailyMed label says secretion into human milk is unknown and advises caution. HPRA product information for 2.5% Selsun says not to apply it around the breast and not to let the infant contact treated skin. AAD reports too little information about coal tar and nursing children. No direct infant-outcome evidence for aerosol dry shampoo was found in the cited sources.
FDA distinguishes products intended to cleanse or beautify from products intended to treat dandruff, and says anti-dandruff shampoos can be both cosmetics and drugs. Dry shampoo is a product format, not one formula. AAD lists zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, sulfur, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, and coal tar among dandruff shampoo ingredients; directions vary and some formulas stay on the scalp for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing. EU Regulation 2021/1902 prohibited zinc pyrithione in EU cosmetics from 1 March 2022. That rule is specific to EU cosmetics and is not a pregnancy finding.
What was tested
Franssen et al. (1999) used a retrospective questionnaire in 56 women, covering 103 pregnancies; 23 pregnancies had definite use of medical coal tar. The study concerned dermatology products for psoriasis or dermatitis, not rinse-off dandruff shampoo, and its authors said the exposed group was too small for a general conclusion. Valisure's November 2022 report analyzed 148 dry-shampoo batches from 34 brands and separately measured air after spraying two products in a closed lab space of about 550 cubic feet. These tests measured benzene in products or air, not pregnancy or infant outcomes. P&G and Unilever recall notices cover specified aerosol product lots and include company exposure statements; they do not establish the risk of every dry shampoo or clinical effects in users.
Ketoconazole shampoo pregnancy labeling
- Source A says
- The NHS says ketoconazole cream or shampoo can be used during pregnancy because only tiny amounts are absorbed. (NHS: Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while using ketoconazole)
- Source B says
- The Drug Facts label for one 1% Nizoral shampoo says, "If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a doctor before use." (FDA-accessdata Drug Facts label: Nizoral 1% ketoconazole shampoo, Kramer Laboratories)
- Why they differ
- The NHS page gives general ketoconazole guidance. The label is for one 1% over-the-counter formulation and does not state the reason for its precaution.
- What the evidence shows overall
- These are product-specific statements, not pregnancy-outcome trials. The Nizoral label should not be applied to all ketoconazole shampoos or all dandruff products.
Selenium sulfide pregnancy and breastfeeding labels
- Source A says
- The DailyMed label for one 2.25% selenium sulfide shampoo says fetal effects are unknown, animal reproduction studies were not conducted, and human milk transfer is unknown; ordinary pregnancy use is not recommended. (DailyMed: Selenium sulfide 2.25% shampoo label, Laser Pharmaceuticals)
- Source B says
- HPRA product information for Selsun 2.5% says the shampoo can be used during pregnancy and limits application around the breast and infant contact with treated skin. (HPRA-hosted Selsun Shampoo 2.5% Summary of Product Characteristics)
- Why they differ
- The products have different concentrations and labels from different jurisdictions. The DailyMed page says its product is an unapproved drug and its labeling has not been approved by FDA; neither label is a comparative pregnancy study.
- What the evidence shows overall
- Keep both statements tied to the named product and concentration. They do not establish a category-wide conclusion.
Zinc pyrithione in rinse-off hair products in the EU
- Source A says
- The 2020 SCCS opinion concluded that zinc pyrithione could be considered for rinse-off anti-dandruff hair products up to 1%. (Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety: Opinion on Zinc Pyrithione, Submission III)
- Source B says
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/1902 later added zinc pyrithione to the prohibited-substances list for EU cosmetics, effective 1 March 2022. (Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/1902 on cosmetic ingredients)
- Why they differ
- The SCCS gave a scientific opinion under a specific concentration and product-use scenario. The later regulation applied a legal rule because suitable alternatives had not been ruled out; it was not a pregnancy-outcome assessment.
- What the evidence shows overall
- The older SCCS opinion is not current permission to use zinc pyrithione in EU cosmetics. The rule is jurisdiction-specific and does not determine the pregnancy status of other dandruff ingredients.
What benzene findings in aerosol dry shampoo establish
- Source A says
- P&G said its exposure modeling for its recalled products at the levels detected in company testing would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences. (P&G company announcement hosted by FDA: aerosol dry shampoo recall)
- Source B says
- Valisure reported quantifiable benzene in 70% of its tested samples and described separate air measurements after spraying two products in a closed lab space. (Valisure: Benzene testing in dry shampoo, company report)
- Why they differ
- P&G's statement concerns its recalled product lots and its own exposure model. Valisure tested different batches and conducted a controlled air experiment. The measurements and risk assessments are not directly comparable, and neither is a pregnancy-outcome study.
- Other sources
- The FDA says it posts company recall announcements as a public service and does not endorse the company or product. (FDA: Disclaimer on company recall announcements)
- What the evidence shows overall
- Attribute exposure conclusions to the company and testing results to Valisure. These reports concern particular products and lots, not every aerosol dry shampoo or pregnancy outcomes.
- AAD lists several active ingredients used in dandruff shampoos and says directions differ by product; some formulas remain on the scalp for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing. (American Academy of Dermatology: How to treat dandruff)
- The NHS describes ketoconazole cream or shampoo as usable during pregnancy and breastfeeding, based on small absorption and very unlikely transfer into breast milk. (NHS: Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while using ketoconazole)
- The French National College of Midwives guideline suggests reducing the number, frequency, and amount of cosmetics and preferring simple, fragrance-free, rinse-off products with short ingredient lists; it does not assess dandruff ingredients specifically. (Marie et al.: French National College of Midwives perinatal cosmetics guidance, PubMed abstract)
- The Drug Facts label for Nizoral 1% ketoconazole shampoo says pregnant or breastfeeding users should ask a doctor before use; this statement is specific to that product label. (FDA-accessdata Drug Facts label: Nizoral 1% ketoconazole shampoo)
General research, not specific to pregnancy.
Valisure and manufacturers reported benzene in some tested aerosol dry-shampoo products. These product tests and recalls concern particular lots and do not measure clinical effects in users.
- Valisure's 2022 report says it tested 148 batches from 34 brands; 70% had quantifiable benzene, while 45 lots had no benzene detected or were below the quantitation limit. It also describes air measurements after spraying two products in a closed lab space. These are laboratory measurements, not pregnancy or infant outcomes. (Valisure: Benzene testing in dry shampoo, company report)
- FDA-hosted notices record company recalls of specified P&G and Unilever aerosol dry-shampoo lots. The FDA says these company announcements are posted as a public service and are not FDA endorsements. (P&G company announcement hosted by FDA: aerosol dry shampoo recall, Unilever company announcement hosted by FDA: aerosol dry shampoo recall, FDA: Disclaimer on company recall announcements)
Experiences from moms and non-medical voices. Not medical evidence.
- American Academy of Dermatology: How to treat dandruffSecondaryPage dated 2023-12-11
- FDA: Cosmetics Safety Q&A, Personal Care ProductsUS governmentSecondaryPage dated 2022-02-25
- NHS: Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while using ketoconazoleUK governmentSecondaryPage dated 2024-08-16Independent check
- LactMed (NIH): KetoconazoleUS governmentSecondaryPage dated 2023-05-15Independent check
- DailyMed: Selenium sulfide 2.25% shampoo label, Laser PharmaceuticalsDrug company labelTertiaryPage dated 2025-11-06
- American Academy of Dermatology: Psoriasis treatment, coal tarSecondary
- Franssen et al., Acta Dermato-Venereologica 1999: coal tar pregnancy pilot studyUS governmentPrimaryIndependent check
- FDA-accessdata Drug Facts label: Nizoral 1% ketoconazole shampoo, Kramer LaboratoriesDrug company labelTertiaryPage dated 2025-11-18
- HPRA-hosted Selsun Shampoo 2.5% Summary of Product CharacteristicsTertiaryPage dated 2021-12-03
- Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety: Opinion on Zinc Pyrithione, Submission IIIEU agencySecondaryPage dated 2020-03-04
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/1902 on cosmetic ingredientsEU agencySecondaryPage dated 2021-10-29
- Marie et al.: French National College of Midwives perinatal cosmetics guidance, PubMed abstractUS governmentSecondary
- Valisure: Benzene testing in dry shampoo, company reportPrimaryPage dated 2022-11-01
- P&G company announcement hosted by FDA: aerosol dry shampoo recallUS governmentTertiaryPage dated 2021-12-17Independent check
- Unilever company announcement hosted by FDA: aerosol dry shampoo recallUS governmentTertiaryPage dated 2022-10-21
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
Independent check 2026-10-18
Not yet clinician-reviewed
Ask your provider about your situation.