Facial Fortress
Ingredients &
Drug Facts
Explore the active ingredient, cleansing blend and complete label for Facial Fortress, our medicated face, hair and beard wash.
Pyrithione Zinc
OTC medicated active ingredient.
Pyrithione zinc 0.95%
The active ingredient in Facial Fortress is pyrithione zinc 0.95%. The official Drug Facts purpose is seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff.
The cleansing ingredients and their roles
A face and beard wash needs to cleanse effectively while keeping sensitive facial skin in mind. Facial Fortress combines three mild, non-soap cleansing agents with ingredients that support moisture, conditioning and skin comfort.
Cleansing agents, also called surfactants, help water lift away oil and buildup so they can rinse off. Our blend uses three complementary types:
On a small screen, swipe across the table to read all three columns.
| Ingredient | Surfactant class | Why it is included |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate | Anionic isethionate | A mild cleansing ingredient used in skin and hair washes. |
| Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate | Glucoside-derived anionic sulfonate | Supports effective cleansing and lather in formulas for sensitive skin. |
| Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine | Amphoteric sultaine | A mild companion cleanser that helps stabilize foam and gives the wash body. |
How this cleansing blend differs from SLS and SLES
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are sulfate-based anionic surfactants. Facial Fortress uses an isethionate, a glucoside-derived sulfonate and a sultaine instead. Despite the similar-sounding names, a sulfonate is not a sulfate.
SLS and SLES are also non-soap cleansers, so the distinction is the specific ingredients in the blend. Mildness depends on the complete formula, including ingredient concentrations and how the cleansers work together; a sulfate-free label alone does not tell the whole story.
Cleansing with moisture and comfort in mind
Glycerin helps attract moisture, while panthenol supports skin and hair conditioning. Licorice root extract (dipotassium glycyrrhizate) helps soothe the appearance of redness. These supporting ingredients complement the cleansing blend; pyrithione zinc 0.95% provides the medicated action described in the Drug Facts.
Ingredient science and sources
Technical references for the named cleansing ingredients: Innospec: sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate; Colonial Chemical: sodium laurylglucosides hydroxypropylsulfonate; Colonial Chemical: cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine. These references describe ingredient properties, rather than a head-to-head test of the finished Facial Fortress formula.
Supporting ingredients for moisture and conditioning
Pyrithione zinc is the medicated active. The inactive ingredients have other jobs, including cleansing, conditioning, preserving the formula and adjusting its texture or pH. “Inactive” does not mean that an ingredient has no function.
Licorice Root Extract
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate. A skin-conditioning ingredient that helps soothe the appearance of redness.
Glycerin
A humectant used to help attract moisture and support a less stripped skin feel. Read more about glycerin in shampoo and skin care at Happy Cappy.
Panthenol
Provitamin B5 used as a moisturizing and conditioning ingredient in skin and hair care.
Apple Fruit Extract
Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract. A skin-conditioning botanical included in the inactive formula.
Inactive ingredients in label order
Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid.
A fragrance-free formula for sensitive skin
Facial Fortress is fragrance-free, dye-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free and made without sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). The formula also contains no dimethicone or salicylic acid.
Fragrance free
Dye free
Paraben free
Phthalate free
SLS/SLES freeDrug Facts
The label below provides the active ingredient, intended uses, warnings and directions. It is the reference for using Facial Fortress as directed.
Uses
Helps eliminate scalp and skin scaling, redness, flaking, itching, and irritation associated with dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
Warnings
For external use only.
Ask a doctor before use if you have seborrheic dermatitis covering a large area of the body.
When using this product avoid contact with eyes. If contact occurs, rinse eyes thoroughly with water.
Stop use and ask a doctor if condition worsens or does not improve after regular use of this product as directed.
Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or call a Poison Control Center right away.
Directions
- For best results use at least twice a week or as directed by a doctor.
- Wet hair thoroughly, massage on to scalp and skin, rinse.
Inactive ingredients
Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid.
Medicated care for face, hair & beard.
Pyrithione zinc 0.95% · Fragrance-free