Men+Care Fresh & Clean 2-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner
Why this score
Concern41 / 55
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine: watch if sensitive
- Fragrance: watch if sensitive
- Menthol: watch if sensitive
- DMDM Hydantoin: watch if sensitive
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone: restricted
- Methylisothiazolinone: restricted
How much genuine, cited concern the ingredients carry, weighted by how much of each is likely present and whether the product stays on or rinses off.
Transparency12 / 20
- Uses an undisclosed "fragrance/parfum" blend, so its scent allergens are hidden.
Whether the full ingredient list, and any fragrance, are actually disclosed.
Formulation restraint14 / 25
- 6 known irritant or fragrance-allergen ingredients: Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Fragrance, Menthol, DMDM Hydantoin, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone.
Needless irritant or allergen load for the product type. A clean, purposeful formula scores well without any "free-from" theater.
Scored by PlainBody Editorial against the PlainScore method · Label checked July 2026
What’s inside
WaterGenerally safe
The base most products are built on. It carries the other ingredients and has no safety concern.
Full ingredient details →Sodium Laureth SulfateGenerally safe
A common foaming cleanser, milder than SLS. Fine for most people in a rinse-off product.
Full ingredient details →Cocamidopropyl BetaineWatch if sensitive
A coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant used to boost foam and mildness in cleansers and shampoos. CIR has reviewed it as safe as used, but it is one of the more established contact-allergy triggers in personal care, usually traced to manufacturing impurities such as amidoamine and dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA) rather than the betaine itself. People with a history of eyelid or scalp dermatitis are more likely to react.
Full ingredient details →Sodium ChlorideCommonly feared, low concern
Ordinary salt, used in surfactant-based products like shampoos and body washes to adjust viscosity by interacting with the surfactant micelles. It has no meaningful toxicity concern at cosmetic use levels; the main practical downside is that too much can make a formula feel less mild.
Full ingredient details →FragranceWatch if sensitive
An undisclosed scent blend that can contain dozens of components. The single most common cause of cosmetic contact allergy, and the blend is not itemized, so you cannot see what is in it.
Full ingredient details →DimethiconolGenerally safe
Dimethiconol is a silicone emollient closely related to dimethicone, used to add slip and a smooth finish to creams and serums. It shares dimethicone's long-standing safety record and is considered non-sensitizing and non-comedogenic in typical use.
Full ingredient details →MentholWatch if sensitive
A naturally occurring compound from peppermint and other mint plants that creates a cooling sensation and may have mild antimicrobial properties. It is generally safe in rinse-off products and low concentrations but can irritate or sensitize some individuals, particularly in leave-on formulas or higher amounts.
Full ingredient details →CarbomerGenerally safe
Carbomer is a synthetic polymer used purely to thicken and stabilize gels and lotions, with negligible skin penetration due to its large molecular size. Safety reviews have found low toxicity and minimal irritation potential even in leave-on use.
Full ingredient details →Citric AcidGenerally safe
Used in tiny amounts to set a product to skin-friendly pH. No concern at those levels.
Full ingredient details →Hydroxypropyl GuarGenerally safe
A modified guar gum used to thicken and stabilize emulsions and gels. It is derived from guar beans and is well tolerated when applied topically. It is common in skincare formulas where a smooth texture is valued.
Full ingredient details →Tetrasodium EDTACommonly feared, low concern
Tetrasodium EDTA is a chelating agent that binds trace metal ions to keep formulas stable and help preservatives work better. It has circulated online as a supposed "toxic" additive, but decades of safety review support its use at cosmetic concentrations.
Full ingredient details →DMDM HydantoinWatch if sensitive
A preservative that works by slowly releasing small amounts of formaldehyde to control microbial growth. This makes it an effective preservative, but people with a known formaldehyde or fragrance-type sensitivity may develop irritation or an allergic reaction, especially with prolonged use of leave-on products.
Full ingredient details →CaffeineGenerally safe
A natural alkaloid and studied active ingredient in skincare, valued for its antioxidant properties and potential to promote local circulation and reduce puffiness. Topical application results in minimal systemic absorption, graded low concern in regulatory assessments.
Full ingredient details →MethylchloroisothiazolinoneRestricted
Methylchloroisothiazolinone is typically used together with methylisothiazolinone in a 3:1 mix and is a well-documented skin sensitizer at higher rates than most preservatives. EU rules now restrict this combination to rinse-off products only, at a low maximum concentration.
Full ingredient details →MethylisothiazolinoneRestricted
A preservative that caused a wave of contact allergy in the 2010s. The EU banned it from leave-on products and tightly limits it in rinse-off ones. A genuine concern, not a myth.
Full ingredient details →Note: this product hides its scent as an undisclosed “fragrance/parfum” blend, so its specific allergens are not on the label.
Lower-concern alternatives
Same category, higher PlainScore.
- 100⇄Free & ClearFree & Clear Shampoo
- 100⇄SEENScalp Clarifying Shampoo, Fragrance Free
- 100⇄Pharmaceutical SpecialtiesFree and Clear Shampoo
Compare Men+Care Fresh & Clean 2-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner against anything we have scored →
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Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. Concern ratings are evidence-graded and cited on each ingredient page. See how we score.