Over-the-counter (or, often abbreviated as “OTC”) is a well-known term when it comes to medicines and treatments—but what does it mean for beauty, hair, scalp, and skin care products?
If you’ve noticed the term “over-the-counter” making its rounds out of the pharmacy and into the aisles of your favorite beauty stores, you might be curious about what the term means and what kinds of products qualify for the name. We’re here to give you the rundown of the rules, regulations, and origins of the term “over-the-counter.” We’ll also introduce you to our new and first over-the-counter formula, Scalp Revival™ MegaStrength+ Dandruff Relief Shampoo Charcoal + AHA/BHA— a naturally powerful, everyday solution to help you combat scalp dryness, itchiness, irritation and flakes, commonly associated with dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and/or psoriasis.
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What Does “Over-the-Counter” Mean?
Simply put, over-the-counter (or OTC) are common phrases that describe medicines, treatments, or products that you can purchase without seeing a doctor. When a product is labeled as OTC, it means that the FDA has reviewed the active and inactive ingredients and they have substantiated that the products follow through on their claims and they’re safe for public use.
OTC products have been cleared and regulated by the FDA (The United States Drug & Drug Administration) to be sold, quite literally, over-the-counter at your favorite pharmacy and beauty retailers. Additionally, the FDA has prioritized clear, easy-to-read and understand language on the labels of OTC products that include:
- The purpose of the product
- The uses for the product
- The active ingredients in the product, including the dosage amounts
- Inactive ingredients
- Dosage instructions
- Warnings that outline when the product should not be used and when it’s recommended to seek the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
- Potential side effects
What Makes Our New! Scalp Revival™ MegaStrength+ Dandruff Relief Shampoo Over-The-Counter?
The FDA regulates active ingredients and establishes the maximum dosage of active ingredient formulations. The maximum dosage level for a rinse-off product like our MegaStrength+ Dandruff Relief Shampoo is .3% salicylic acid. We created our formula with the maximum dosage to provide effective, safe, and gentle results to fight flakes and irritation for healthy hair and scalp.
Binchotan charcoal: Detoxifies the scalp and draws out impurities that clog the hair follicle or that cause buildup on the scalp.
Lactic acid: An alpha hydroxy acid, known to be hydrating, that provides gentle exfoliation on the scalp, lifting away dryness, excess oils, product buildup, and dirt.
3% Salicylic acid: A beta hydroxy acid and an FDA monographed OTC active ingredient that helps eliminate and prevent the recurrence of scalp itching, irritation, redness, and flaking due to dandruff, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis.
The FDA classifies salicylic acid as a medication as it’s commonly used as a topical treatment for skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis (eczema), scalp psoriasis, and wart removal.
Fun fact: Salicylic acid is in the same drug family as aspirin (salicylates). Salicylates are naturally found in plants and they’re a main ingredient in many pain medicines.
Tip: Whenever you’re applying a chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid to your skin (including your scalp!), replenishing that lost hydration is vital. We recommend gently scrubbing your scalp with our Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo prior to using our NEW MegaStrength+ Dandruff Relief Shampoo Charcoal + AHA/BHA, then following up with our Charcoal + Tea Tree Cooling Hydration Scalp Mask and/or a few drops of our soothing Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment to replenish hydration.
Stop buying drugstore shampoo and upgrade your routine with our new Scalp Revival™ MegaStrength+ Dandruff Relief Shampoo Charcoal + AHA/BHA. Our OTC Dandruff Relief Shampoo is gentle, safe for daily use, dermatologist-tested, and packed with our supercharged blend of 6-Free™ ingredients to nourish your scalp and hair. Shop this post today to experience premium, scalp-healthy ingredients that effectively control and reduce scalp itching, irritation, redness, flaking, and scaling.
