From skin cycling to slugging and lip contouring, TikTok has no short supply of cosmetic-based content, but one hack recently startled me enough to stop scrolling.
Elyse Myers’ now-viral video heralds Head & Shoulders as the secret to clear skin. No, the bestselling brand hasn’t forayed into face wash, the content creator really does mean the two-in-one Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, £2.99, Boots.com.
Controversial as it may seem, there are some key ingredients that make Head & Shoulders stand out as the boundary-pushing brand of choice. And Elyse’s claim of it keeping acne at bay was enough to rack up over 1.7million likes and countless comments claiming similar results.
Of course, I had to try it out for myself to see whether this bargain buy really could revolutionise my skincare routine. But, spoiler alert, it served as a stark reminder that what we see on social media isn’t always strictly applicable to real life, and TBH, the two-week trial couldn’t end soon enough.
Why is Head & Shoulders being used as a face wash?
Head & Shoulders is the specific shampoo in question thanks to one key ingredient: zinc pyrithione. It’s what gives the haircare product its anti-dandruff properties, but is known to also work wonders in banishing blemishes.
“Zinc has many benefits to the skin if you are suffering from acne. It’s antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory,” shares Cosmetic Dermatology Doctor, Dr Nyla Raja.
This ingredient was the key talking point of the TikTok, selling the shampoo as a low-cost blemish buster that worked better than many acne-focused face washes, according to Myers.
With high hopes and a new bout of hormonal chin acne, I was after great results. But two weeks later, my blemishes were just as big and showed little sign of clearing.
Dr Sonia Khorana weighed in to help clear up what was going on: “Zinc pyrithione will work for some people with a specific type of acne,” she said. “That’s ‘fungal acne’, which is not very common and can be tricky to diagnose at times. It’s not going to work for the acne we see more often, which is actually bacterial.”
So, that explains why my hormonal pimples weren’t perishing at the sight of this shampoo, and why some people are seeing great results. But, finding out whether you have fungal acne, bacterial acne, or just a bout of hormonal blemishes is definitely the more difficult part. Eliza’s columnist Dr Kemi may be able to help with that, with her handy guide.
How does it feel to use Head & Shoulders as a face wash?
Although it wasn’t an unenjoyable or painful process to use Head & Shoulders as a face wash, it didn’t quite bring the spa-like feel of my favourite cleanser. The product’s minty scent and generous lather also caused a good bout of eye irritation when not cleansing with caution.
My skin did feel soft and supple after use, but no more so than any ordinary cleanser. And it stripped fake tan faster than any other face wash I’ve tried, getting rid of the golden glow I’d perfected the night before.
All of that aside, the most concerning part of using this product was the dryness it caused. My ordinarily combination-type skin was crying out for moisturiser immediately after use, which rarely happens when cleansing with a designated face wash.
“It is important to remember that dandruff shampoos are not made for facial skin and can irritate and dry out your face,” says Dr Sonia Khorana. So, it’s safe to say I certainly won’t be alone in experiencing this dryness.
Is it safe to use Head & Shoulders as a face wash?
The key question, if you are looking to try out this money-saving beauty hack, is whether it’s safe for your skin.
Head & Shoulders strongly recommend against using its product in this way. “We appreciate that some of the ingredients in our products may offer skincare benefits, but our haircare products are designed and rigorously safety tested for use on hair and the scalp only.”
Dr Nyla Raja agreed: “It is imperative to use products that are designed for the facial skin. Using the incorrect product will strip the skin’s natural barrier and cause further irritation.”
Interestingly, Dr Sonia Khorana had a slightly different opinion. “If you do have ‘fungal acne’ and want to give this TikTok hack a try, then go for it. But I wouldn’t advise replacing your current cleanser with a dandruff shampoo every day. Using Head & Shoulders just two-to-three times per week should help; leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing off for best results.”
So, there you have it. I wouldn’t recommend anyone without fungal acne uses Head & Shoulders as their everyday face wash. But if you do think you have fungal acne, seek a professional diagnosis, and you never know, Head & Shoulders may be the solution that helps.
So what face wash should you use instead?
Face cleansers for dry skin
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Face cleansers for oily skin
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Face cleansers for combination skin
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