Symbiose Scalp Renewal Micro-Exfoliating Scrub
The Kérastase Symbiose Scalp Renewal Micro-Exfoliating Scrub is a misc. Our analysis of its 34 ingredients (21 low-risk) rates it Excellent (83/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin. Heads up: it contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive or reactive skin.
The Kérastase Symbiose Scalp Renewal Micro-Exfoliating Scrub is a misc. Our analysis of its 34 ingredients (21 low-risk) rates it Excellent (83/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin. Heads up: it contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive or reactive skin.
Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.
The evidence
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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Salicylic Acid
(Antiacne Agent, Antidandruff Agent, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover, Denaturant, Exfoliant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative) |
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Water
(Solvent) |
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Sodium Laureth Sulfate
(Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foaming, Surfactant) |
Bad for Oily Skin
Sulfate
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Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
(Cleansing, Denaturant, Emulsifying, Foaming, Surfactant) |
Bad for Oily Skin
Sulfate
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Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent) |
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Cocamide MEA
(Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Coco-Betaine
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Sufactant, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Laureth-5 Carboxylic Acid
(Cleansing, Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
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Acrylates Copolymer
(Adhesive, Artificial Nail Builder, Binding Agent, Film Forming, Hair Fixing, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant, Antistatic Agent, Binding) |
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Cocamide MIPA
(Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
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Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Sodium Benzoate
(Fragrance, Preservative, Anticorrosive, Masking) |
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Argania Spinosa Shell Powder
(Abrasive) |
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Prunus Armeniaca Seed Powder
(Abrasive) |
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Hexylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Emulsifying, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant) |
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Sodium Chloride
(Bulking Agent, Masking, Oral Care Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Menthol
(Denaturant, External Analgesic, Flavoring Agent, Fragrance, Oral Health Caredrug, Masking, Refreshing, Soothing) |
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Dry Skin
|
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Polyquaternium-10
(Antistatic Agent, Film Forming, Hair Fixing) |
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Isopropyl Myristate
(Binding Agent, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Binding, Perfuming, Solvent) |
Bad for Oily Skin
Fungal Acne Trigger
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PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
(Sufactant, Surfactant, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Propylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioningagent Miscellaneous, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling) |
Good for Dry Skin
|
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Limonene
(Deodorant, Perfuming, Solvent) |
Allergens
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Squalane
(Emollient, Hair Conditioning, Refatting, Skin Conditioning) |
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Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Benzyl Salicylate
(Fragrance, Uv Absorber, Masking) |
Allergens
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Benzyl Alcohol
(External Analgesic, Fragrance, Oral Health Care Drug, Preservative, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Masking) |
Allergens
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Linalool
(Fragrance, Deodorant, Masking) |
Allergens
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Citronellol
(Fragrance, Masking) |
Allergens
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Citral
(Flavoring Agent, Fragrance, Masking) |
Allergens
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Geraniol
(Fragrance, Masking, Tonic) |
Allergens
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Artemisia Umbelliformis Flower Extract
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Potassium Sorbate
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
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PARFUM
(Fragrance, Perfuming) |
No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.
EWG flags hazard, not real-world risk — ratings don't account for how much of an ingredient a product contains. Treat these as things to research, not verdicts. How we score →
How to use
General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.
Trust & honesty
Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.
Low-strength topical salicylic acid (BHA) is generally considered fine. Caution is usually reserved for high-strength leave-on products and salicylic peels.
This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.
The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.
Salicylic acid is OTC-capped at 2%; 0.5–2% is the usual leave-on range. Much below that it acts more as a soothing agent than an exfoliant.
Salicylic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.
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