Climbazole

Tolerability and safety

Irritation potential

Low

Allergen risk

Low

Pregnancy

Caution

Suitable for

Normal, Oily, Combination

Use with caution

Sensitive

About this ingredient

Climbazole is a synthetic imidazole derivative with fungistatic action against Malassezia – a yeast-like commensal fungus key to the pathogenesis of seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, pityriasis, Malassezia folliculitis. Where applied. Anti-dandruff and seborrheic-dermatitis scalp shampoos, scalp lotions and tonics. Less often – in face dermocosmetics for seborrheic dermatitis and rosacea. Concentration 0.3-2%. In Spain – in Sebopure, Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff, Ducray Squanorm, Klorane Pied de Cèdre. Mechanism. Inhibits ergosterol synthesis – the main Malassezia membrane component (via lanosterol 14α-demethylase, CYP51, suppression). Without ergosterol the fungal membrane breaks down. Effective against Malassezia furfur, M. globosa, M. restricta. Evidence base. RCTs (Schmidt-Rose 2011, Kerr 2011) showed 50-70% reduction in scalp Malassezia and clinical dandruff improvement over 4-6 weeks. Efficacy comparable to zinc pyrithione and ketoconazole but lower than prescription 2% ketoconazole shampoo. Combination therapy. Often paired with zinc pyrithione or piroctone olamine – overlapping mechanisms reduce Malassezia resistance risk. Therapeutic cosmetics with climbazole + zinc pyrithione are first-line for mild-moderate dandruff (Borda 2015). Safety. CIR/SCCS confirm safety at cosmetic concentrations. SCCS in 2018 decided: climbazole in body leave-on products – up to 0.2%, shampoos – up to 2%, hair leave-on – up to 0.5%. Contact dermatitis is rare, described in 0.5-1% with long-term use. Does not photosensitize. Endocrine-effect controversy. SCCS in 2014 reviewed weak azole-estrogenic/antiandrogenic in vitro effect data. Conclusion: at use concentrations and contact times (shampoo rinsed off in 2-3 minutes) systemic effect is negligible. Concentration caps are precautionary. Pregnancy and lactation – use with caution. Climbazole shampoos at standard concentrations are safe – brief contact, minimal absorption. Leave-on climbazole products in pregnancy and breastfeeding are better avoided; choose zinc pyrithione or coal tar as alternatives. Suitable for. Patients with dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, Malassezia folliculitis. In severe seborrhea – add prescription 2% ketoconazole. In pregnancy – use with caution in leave-on products.

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