Piroctone olamine is a widely recognized anti-dandruff and anti-fungal agent in personal care, mainly hair care products. This study highlights how the addition of specific esters, particularly Crinipan^® PMC green (propanediol caprylate) and Crinipan^® PMU green (propanediol undecylenate), significantly enhances the deposition of piroctone olamine on the skin. This improved substantivity, initially quantified using a novel in vitro method, has implications for anti-dandruff efficacy, suggesting potential for increased and longer-lasting activity. The method involves optimized extraction from the skin model, followed by analysis using HPLC.

Our in vivo data further support these benefits, demonstrating comparable anti-dandruff performance with reduced piroctone olamine concentrations and a sustained reduction in dandruff during the wash-out phase when combined with Crinipan^® PMC green. This next- generation bio-based active not only boosts the performance of conventional ingredients but also contributes to a healthier scalp microbiome.