Dandruff can be caused by overstimulation of the scalp, irritating chemicals, and the excess sebum produced by overly strong cleansing shampoos. They can trigger the growth of Malassezia, a fungus that takes over the scalp, causing itching and flaking skin. Although Malassezia is a natural part of the skin microbiome, it can become dominant when there is too much stress, an imbalanced diet, or when the scalp is subjected to today’s shampoos, even anti-dandruff shampoos. Calm Anti-Dandruff Shampoo contains six specific ingredients known to address Malassezia. Foremost,it is formulated to be the mildest anti-dandruff shampoo on the market. One effective ingredient for dandruff is salicylic acid. It helps the skin rid itself of the outer layer allowing the healthier skin underneath to renew. Most salicylic acid is synthetic. We use an extract of White Willow Bark, a potent source of salicylates and other phytonutrients. Our Willow Bark extract has been shown to penetrate and gently exfoliate the skin. This begins a deep cleansing process of the scalp that reduces inflammation, helping prevent dandruff buildup. Zinc pyrithione is the most effective, safe fungicide for eliminating Malassezia. Four plant oils—rosemary, lavender, thyme and peppermint—all have positive impact on dandruff and scalp health. Together, these create a formula that can lead your scalp back to a natural, healthy condition.