Which is why I was the perfect candidate to test out CeraVe Haircare, the sensitive skin brand’s foray into scalp care.

What is the new CeraVe hair care line?

This new range includes five products, including one Moisturizing Anti-Dandruff ShampooA Moisturizing anti-dandruff conditionerand a 2-in-1 Hydrating Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditionerall $9.97 each. The shampoo and 2-in-1 promise to eliminate dandruff with 1% zinc pyrithione, which is a pretty standard active ingredient for drugstore anti-dandruff shampoos. What’s unique is the focus on restoring the scalp’s protective skin barrier with three types of ceramides, fatty ingredients that keep skin supple and hydrated. Niacinamide is also there to balance sebum production, as is salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid that helps loosen the bonds between skin cells, so dead cells don’t stick to the scalp. The conditioner also contains 0.5% zinc pyrithione and is intended for use on the scalp, the idea being that more of the active ingredient will stay on the skin to work its magic instead of be completely rinsed like a shampoo.

The line also includes a Gentle Moisturizing Shampoo and a Gentle Moisturizing Conditionerboth of which cost $8.97. These are meant to remove buildup and impurities without irritating the scalp, with the same blend of three ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid as the anti-dandruff products. I trust the brand when my sensitive skin experiences breakouts and irritation, so I knew my scalp would be treated with the same gentleness.

Shop the new CeraVe hair care collection

CeraVe Moisturizing Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

CeraVe Hydrating Anti-Dandruff Conditioner

CeraVe Shampoo + Hydrating Anti-Dandruff Conditioner 2 in 1

CeraVe Gentle Moisturizing Shampoo

CeraVe CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Conditioner

How I used the new CeraVe hair care line

I started by using the Moisturizing Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. It lathered easily into a soft, dense lather that made it easy to work on the scalp. I used a scalp brush a few times to test it, and simply used my fingers for other washes, and both worked equally well. I left it on for three to four minutes before washing it off. It rinses out without leaving any residue, which I appreciated, because I hate it when shampoos leave a film. I’m Team Squeaky Clean.

After rinsing out the shampoo, I applied the conditioner to half of my scalp, to try to see if that side would fare better than the one treated with shampoo alone. The texture is gooey, as you would expect from a conditioner, and it wasn’t as easy to get it into the roots, but I managed to get it in there. Washing it was another matter. Conditioner likes to hang around, and this one took a lot of effort to get out. I prefer my roots to be squeaky clean and not slippery, so when trying to get the conditioner off half of my head, I had to rinse a lot more than usual. I prefer scalp products to have pointed, targeted nozzles that can deposit the product exactly where it’s supposed to go, and I think this conditioner would have benefited from that. This is certainly not a problem, however.

The Gentle Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner are solid workhorses that I’ve used on days when I’m not lathering with anti-dandruff products — and I plan to continue doing so. The 2 in 1 Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner is the only product I haven’t tested.

What I liked about the CeraVe hair care line

Overall I was impressed. I will definitely continue to use these products. Here are some of the main reasons why:

Shampoos are gentle and color safe

The shampoo (and, in fact, all products in this line) are sulfate- and fragrance-free and safe for color-treated hair. The last attribute is vital because color-safe anti-dandruff products are difficult to find. In fact, they are known to be so harmful to color that an open secret among hair colorists is to use a popular drugstore anti-dandruff shampoo whenever they need to quickly remove hair color from a customer. I’m petrified of this fate, so for the past few years I’ve been using a brand of candle that costs 2.5 times the price of the drugstore variants, but does its job safely. I’m happy to report that I no longer need to do this because this shampoo has maintained the integrity of my color. It was also incredibly respectful of the delicate balance of oils on my scalp, gracefully performing the dance of cleansing and treating without stripping.

My scalp remained soothed and hydrated

The real test of an anti-dandruff shampoo, for me, is always the next day. Typically, my scalp then shows the effects of the anti-dandruff ingredients by appearing parched and dry. Not with this one: from the first wash with the Anti-Dandruff Moisturizing Shampoo, my scalp was soothed and hydrated, without rough edges. Importantly, it’s also not greasy or weighed down. He has achieved a Goldilocks state of optimal existence. The conditioned half of my scalp didn’t look much different a day later, and I think that’s a testament to how hydrating the shampoo was. Somehow it even made my curls stand out, which was an unexpected benefit. The Gentle Moisturizing Shampoo was also just as gentle on the scalp, while still doing its job of removing excess oil and product buildup.

You can’t beat the price

Besides its gentle yet effective nature, what makes this line so attractive to me is its price and accessibility. One of the metrics I use to judge my credentials as a beauty editor is whether I can recommend an inexpensive, easily accessible product that performs as well (or better!) than its prestige category counterparts or luxury. Nothing brings me more joy than telling someone, “You can get this at Target/CVS/Walmart.” So far I haven’t been able to do it in the dandruff business, but these products have been a game changer.

Conclusion: Is the new CeraVe hair care line worth it?

Overall, I think this line personifies what CeraVe does best: strong, reliable foundations that will be gentle on your skin and do what they promise without unnecessary bells and whistles. The Moisturizing Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, in particular, is what I’ve been waiting for brands to step up and formulate — and CeraVe did it well.

It already has a place on my permanent bathroom shelf, a great honor.