ORY® product lines:
◐ Skincare (limited: seborrheic-prone face and foot care at ≤0.2%)
☑ Haircare (anti-flake shampoos and lotions)
◐ Handmade Soap (shampoo bars, liquid; not cold-process)
☒ Cosmetics (not used) — haircare-led ingredient with strict concentration limits
Climbazole is an azole antifungal (the same family as ketoconazole and clotrimazole) used in cosmetic anti-dandruff shampoos and scalp lotions, chiefly in Europe and Asia. Azoles block fungal ergosterol synthesis, collapsing the cell membrane of Malassezia yeasts that drive flaking and itch [3]. Its efficacy is supported by a controlled trial in which a piroctone olamine/climbazole shampoo outperformed zinc pyrithione in moderate-to-severe dandruff [1], and climbazole is the classic partner to piroctone olamine because the two act by different mechanisms. The EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has set strict limits — 0.5% in rinse-off anti-dandruff shampoo, 0.2% in leave-on hair lotions, face creams, and foot-care products — after reviewing its safety [2], which ORY® follows worldwide. In the United States, products that claim to “treat” or “control dandruff” are OTC drugs under the FDA dandruff/seborrheic dermatitis monograph, whose approved actives are pyrithione zinc, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, sulfur, coal tar, and ketoconazole. Neither climbazole nor piroctone olamine is on that list, so in the U.S. ORY® uses them as cosmetic scalp-care ingredients with cosmetic claims (“helps reduce visible flakes,” “supports a balanced scalp”), never as dandruff-treatment drug claims. In the EU and Asia they are established cosmetic anti-dandruff agents.
What is Climbazole made of?
Climbazole is a synthetic imidazole derivative supplied as a white to pale-yellow powder. Points to know [2, 3]:
- Azole antifungal: Inhibits lanosterol 14α-demethylase, blocking ergosterol synthesis in fungal membranes; strong activity against Malassezia.
- Oil-soluble, water-insoluble: Dissolve in surfactant concentrates, ethanol, propylene glycol, or a small oil phase.
- Stable pH 4–8; heat-stable; compatible with anionic/amphoteric surfactants and cationic conditioners.
- Regulatory (EU SCCS): 0.5% rinse-off anti-dandruff shampoo; 0.2% hair lotion, face cream, foot care [2]. Not a U.S. dandruff-monograph active.
- Typical pairing: With piroctone olamine (dual mechanism) or salicylic acid (scale removal).
What skin type is best suited for Climbazole?
Climbazole’s skincare role is narrow — seborrheic-prone facial areas and foot care within EU limits:
- Oily: Flake-control face creams (≤0.2%) for seborrheic-prone T-zone, brows, and hairline.
- Combination: Targeted seborrheic-area creams.
- Acne-prone: Support for Malassezia-related “fungal acne” (≤0.2%); piroctone olamine is preferred for cleansers.
- Normal: Foot-care creams for fungal-prone feet (≤0.2%).
- Sensitive: Azoles can sensitize rarely; patch test; low levels only.
- Dry and Mature: Not indicated.
What hair type is best suited for Climbazole?
Climbazole is a targeted anti-flake scalp active, strongest in combination:
- Dandruff-prone scalp: The core use — with piroctone olamine, superior to zinc pyrithione in moderate-to-severe dandruff [1].
- Oily scalp: Controls sebum-loving yeast.
- Sensitive scalp: Generally well tolerated at ≤0.5%; patch test.
- Mature or thinning: A calmer, yeast-balanced scalp supports follicle health (cosmetic claims); azole class has anti-inflammatory scalp evidence [3].
- Curly and coily: Leave-on lotions (≤0.2%) suit low-wash routines.
- Straight, wavy, color-treated, dry or damaged: Scalp-focused; color-safe.
What are the benefits of Climbazole?
Climbazole’s benefits are supported by a controlled trial, regulatory review, and dandruff science [1–3]:
- Antifungal: Ergosterol-synthesis inhibition; potent against Malassezia [3].
- Anti-flake efficacy: Superior to zinc pyrithione in combination with piroctone olamine [1].
- Dual-mechanism partner: Complements piroctone olamine (iron chelation) for resistant flaking.
- Anti-itch: Reduces yeast-driven irritation.
- Leave-on capability: Hair lotions at ≤0.2% for continuous care.
- Color-safe, low-odor: Does not strip dye or add smell.
- Foot-care use: Fungal-prone feet (≤0.2%).
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Climbazole is a haircare-led ingredient with a narrow skincare role and shampoo-bar use; it is not used in cosmetics or cold-process soap.
| ORY® line | Dual use? | How it is used | Typical level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ORY® Skincare |
Limited |
Flake-control face creams for seborrheic-prone areas; foot creams (≤0.2%). |
0.1–0.2% |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Anti-flake shampoos (≤0.5%), scalp lotions and tonics (≤0.2%), usually with piroctone olamine. |
0.3–0.5% shampoo; 0.1–0.2% leave-on |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
Limited |
Solid shampoo bars and liquid shampoo-type soaps (≤0.5%); not cold-process bars. |
0.3–0.5% |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
No |
No cosmetic (makeup) role; not permitted in most makeup categories under EU limits. |
— |
Pros and cons of Climbazole
Pros
Cons
- Controlled-trial efficacy in combination: [1].
- Distinct mechanism from piroctone olamine: Dual-action shampoos.
- Leave-on and rinse-off: Within limits.
- Color-safe, low-odor: Formulation-friendly.
- SCCS-reviewed limits: Clear safety framework [2].
- Strict concentration limits: 0.5% rinse-off; 0.2% leave-on/face/foot [2].
- Not a U.S. monograph active: Cosmetic claims only.
- Water-insoluble: Needs solvent or surfactant dissolution.
- No cosmetics role: Haircare-led.
- Rare azole sensitization: Patch test.
What is the best application of Climbazole?
Climbazole is used in anti-flake haircare and narrow seborrheic-skin products:
- Anti-flake shampoo: 0.3–0.5% climbazole + 0.5–0.75% piroctone olamine; leave 3–5 minutes; 2–3× weekly [1].
- Scalp lotion or tonic: 0.1–0.2% leave-on daily.
- Conditioner: 0.1–0.2% for continuous coverage.
- Seborrheic-area face cream: 0.1–0.2%.
- Foot cream: 0.2%.
- Shampoo bar: 0.3–0.5%.
Peer-reviewed references
- Schmidt-Rose T, Braren S, Fölster H, et al. Efficacy of a piroctone olamine/climbazol shampoo in comparison with a zinc pyrithione shampoo in subjects with moderate to severe dandruff. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2011;33(3):276–282.
- Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS). Opinion on climbazole (P64) ref. SCCS/1506/13 (2013), revised opinions SCCS/1600/18 (2018). European Commission. (Regulatory source: 0.5% rinse-off anti-dandruff shampoo; 0.2% hair lotion, face cream, foot care.)
- Borda LJ, Wikramanayake TC. Seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff: a comprehensive review. Journal of Clinical and Investigative Dermatology. 2015;3(2):10.13188/2373-1044.1000019.
- Ranganathan S, Mukhopadhyay T. Dandruff: the most commercially exploited skin disease. Indian Journal of Dermatology. 2010;55(2):130–134.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about climbazole as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, fungal infections, athlete’s foot, acne, hair loss, or any other condition. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Climbazole can rarely cause allergy. Any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
