Dove and Pantene are some of the most well-known hair and skincare brands. Available in a multitude of countries, both brands have a product for most any kind of hair. However, which one is better? Dove is better for those with dandruff or dry scalp. Pantene is more focused on promoting hair growth or reversing hair loss.
What is the Main Difference Between Dove and Pantene?
The main differences between Dove and Pantene are the amount and types of health promoting ingredients. While each brand has an expansive line of products, Dove tends to focus more on dry scalp and men’s products while Pantene is focused on longer hair and promoting hair growth. You are likely to find a Dove product for skin health, while Pantene has hairstyling products.
Dove hair products contains SLES, not to be confused with SLS, which is a highly effective cleanser for the scalp. SLES is not as irritating to the skin or eyes as SLS, and it safe for use in cosmetics. Dove products also contain moisturizers, which are highly effective at preventing dandruff and dry skin.
Pantene on the other hand contains frizz controlling oils, as well as more perfumes (which smell great but can be a bit much for those with sensitive skin). Pantene also has a patented Pro-V blend which is an additive for their products containing antioxidants, vitamins, and lipids to promote hair growth. They notably have a line of products without commonly disliked ingredients called “free from.”
Dove
Dove was originally founded in the United States in 1957. At the time, they carried only a solitary product – their much-loved Dove washing bar. This was so popular that the company spread across the globe, and they now carry a variety of self care products.
What Products Does Dove Offer?
Dove now offers body washes, shampoo and conditioner, skin moisturizers, handwash, men specific products, baby products, deodorant, and of course bar soap. You can find some of the most popular products in each category below.
Dove Body Wash 
Dove’s Body Wash is a top selling product for many reasons, among them it is sulphate free formula. It is designed for dry skin and combines traditional moisturizers with a nutrient serum for your microbiome to nourish skin. The product comes in a variety of sizes, and three main varieties. There is the traditional formula, a Dove Shower Foam Deep Moisture Foaming Body Wash, and a scented Mango + Almond Butter Body Wash.
Dove Shampoos and Conditioners
Dove doesn’t have as many shampoos and conditioners as they do other products, but the Dove Nutritive Solutions Daily Moisture, Shampoo and Conditioner offer a highly moisturizing formula for dry hair without a high price tag. The scent is called “Daily Moisture” which is a pain for those with allergies that want to know if the product will make them sneeze, but overall, it is an excellent choice for the average consumer. Notably, Dove’s shampoo line contains SLES.
Dove Skin Moisturizers and Body Creams
Dove is well known for its skincare products – lotions and creams specifically. Among the most popular is the Dove Whipped Lavender and Coconut Milk Body Cream. This is a strictly nontoxic moisturizer with a heavier duty formula than a traditional lotion. It comes in two scents: Pomegranate or Lavender. Because of its texture and highly moisturizing formula, this product is popular to prevent and treat stretch marks.
Dove Handwash
Dove Hand Wash is paraben and sulfate free, as well as eliminating 99% of bacteria. Despite the antibacterial qualities, the handwash is moisturizing, and unlikely to lead to dry hands like many other handwashes. Those who spend a lot of time cleaning or washing (such as healthcare professionals and house cleaners) swear by dove to save their hands from cracking and itching.
Dove Men+ Care
The Dove Men+Care Body Wash is the most popular product in the Men+Care line, a line which claims to be uniquely formulated for men’s skin. However, the main differences are a different scent profile, packaging, and extra sweat absorbing ingredients (like cornstarch). This makes it great for anyone who is active and/or sweats a lot. However, it might be too harsh for those without need for its’ extra scrubbing power.
Baby Dove
Baby Dove is a line of products formulated for babies and small children. The scents are usually light, the formulas suitable for sensitive skin, and some are anti-tear to prevent soap in the eyes. The most popular product in the line is the Dove Calming Nights Baby Wash. This body wash is anti-bacterial, hypoallergenic, and tear-free. All products in the Baby Dove line are dye, paraben, phthalate, and sulfate free.
Dove Deodorants
Dove Deodorants are some of the most predominant deodorants on the market. There are a variety of sticks, gels, and sprays for everyone. They have both deodorant products as well as deodorant + antiperspirant combos. The most popular Dove Deodorants are their Dove Invisible Line, their Dove Men+Care Stain Defense Deodorant, and the Clinical Protection line which is a prescription strength antiperspirant. Other notable lines are their 0% aluminum deodorants, as well as their plentiful dry spray deodorants.
Dove Bar Soap
Finally, is the original product for which Dove is known for – bar soap. Dove remains the go-to bar soap for many households. Its formula is fragrance free, hypoallergenic, nontoxic, and antibacterial. Not only that, but Dove’s bar soaps also are just as moisturizing as their other products and cruelty free. The most popular bar soap is the Beauty Bar.
Other Dove Products?
Some other, less well-known Dove products include,
- Kids Slime Body Wash
- Bubble Bath
- Heat Protection Spray
- Mousse
- Hairspray
- Dry Shampoo
- Hand Crème
- Hair Gel
- Leave in Hair Treatments
What’s New with Dove?
What are new products or projects by dove?
In 2022, Dove launched three new products. These are the Dove Body Yogurt (a lighter version of the Body Crème formula), a limited-edition Summer Ritual body wash, and their 0% aluminum Deodorant Spray line.
They have also launched the Dove Self-Esteem Project, which aims to help parents and teachers instill a powerful sense of self esteem in young people. This is a nice thought, considering the beauty industry tends to shred the self confidence of many people. However, the effect of the campaign is uncertain, and the marketing is tone deaf at times.
Pantene
Pantene is a Swiss brand founded in the 1940’s by pharmaceutical company Hoffman-La Roche. At the time, Panthenol was a new burn treatment to help repair skin, and Pantene discovered it was also highly effective on damaged hair. It was not until the 1960’s that the first Pantene formula was created. Today Pantene has a host of hair products containing their trademarked Pro-V formula.
What Products Does Pantene Offer?
Pantene is a brand with countless products. They carry shampoo and conditioner, hair spray, masks, hair treatments, moisturizers, hair gel and mousse, and hydrating oils. Some of the most popular in each category can be found below.
Pantene Shampoos and Conditioners
Pantene’s shampoos and conditioners make up the bulk of their products. They have a large variety of formulas for a variety of consumers. Among the most popular are the Daily Moisture Renewal system. This is a three-product system with a shampoo, conditioner, and an extra moisturizing treatment. They also have a Sulfate free formula. A recent addition to their products, Cheat Day, is a dry shampoo designed to be suitable for curly hair.
Pantene Hair Sprays
To go along with their shampoo and conditioners, Pantene offers several hairsprays. Among them is Pantene Lightweight Finish, an alcohol-free medium hold hairspray. They have four levels total of hairspray, with most products having either a two or three hold.
Pantene Masks
Pantene’s hair masks are a more niche product. Aimed at heavy duty repair, most of Pantene’s masks are a thick cream and come in a tub. The most popular of the hair masks is the Soothing Recovery Mask, which is focused on frizz control.
Pantene Hair Treatments
Pantene’s hair treatments include the Thickening Multiplier Treatment. This treatment is geared toward thickening fine hair. The product encourages the thickening of existing hair strands for an immediate difference.
Another popular hair treatment is for those whose hair is thick and unmanageable. This is the Hair Oil Treatment Serum. This treatment smooths the hair, and seals split ends. The result is hair that has less frizz and is easier to style.
Pantene Moisturizer
Pantene’s Moisturizers are heavy duty conditioners for more specific hair types. To accompany the recent trend of silver hair, Pantene has released Pantene Silver Expressions. This moisturizer is a color protecting conditioner for grey, white, or silver hair. You can find moisturizers with color adapt technology for other hair colors as well.
Pantene Hair Gel and Mousse
Pantene has two main kinds of Gel and Mousse, those designed for straight hair, and those designed for curly hair. The curly hair formulas tend to be most popular. Their Flexible Wave hair gel defines and holds curls with a strong hold. Their Soft Curls mousse provides lightweight hold and a more natural texture.
Pantene Hydrating Oil
Pantene’s Gold Series Hydrating Oil is an intense hair oil for curly hair. Like all the gold series, it was designed by Black scientists for black hair. This product is also dye, paraben, and sulfate free.
Other Pantene Products?
Pantene also has some other products that they sell for hair care including:
- Heat protectant spray
- Curl defining cream
- Edge tamer
- Leave in conditioner
Find a complete list of their styling products here.
Does Pantene Sell Body Wash or Soap?
No, Pantene does not sell any body wash or soap products. Their parent company, Proctor and Gamble, owns Olay which is their body wash and soap brand.
What’s New with Pantene?
Pantene has launched several new lines in recent years, including the Gold Series, Endurance, and Nutrient Blends.
What is Pantene Gold Series?
Pantene Gold Series is a line designed for those with naturally curly hair. It caters to those with relaxed, natural, and transitioning hair. Black people designed this line, for Black people.
What is Pantene Endurance?
Pantene Endurance is a line of products for those with colored hair. Not only does it have the benefits of Pantene, but also keeps color vibrant longer.
What are Pantene Nutrient Blends?
Pantene Nutrient Blends is a product line fortified with B3 and B5. It also comes free from parabens, sulfates, and dyes. Several of the products feature natural scents like Rosemary, Rose Water, and Coconut.
Comparison Questions
Who Has a Larger Variety of Shampoo and Conditioner Options?
Pantene is more focused on hair products and has a greater variety of shampoo and conditioner options.
Is Dove or Pantene Shampoo Better?
Dove’s shampoo is better for those with sensitive skin or dandruff, but Pantene is the better choice if you do not have these concerns.
Is Dove or Pantene Conditioner Better?
Pantene’s Pro-V formula makes it better at moisturizing hair. This makes it a better choice for conditioner.
Does Dove or Pantene Have a Larger Variety of Self Care Products?
Both brands have a large variety of products. Pantene has more variety in shampoos, hairstyling products, and damage treatments. Dove has a larger line of skincare products like bodywash, lotion, and hand soap.
Does Pantene Focus More on Hair Products than Dove?
Pantene focuses much more on haircare products than Dove, who splits their attention with the skincare market.
Are Both Options Cruelty Free?
Dove is a candidate for cruelty free products. At no point do suppliers or the company itself test on animals. Some products, like their Beauty Bar, are certified cruelty free. However, Dove is still potentially subject to mandatory animal testing because they sell in China. Pantene is most certainly not cruelty free and admit to ongoing third-party animal testing of their products.
Are Both Options Sulfate Free?
Neither brand is completely sulfate free, however Pantene has a Free From line that is free from sulfates. Dove only uses sulfates in their shampoo and conditioner.
Is Dove or Pantene More Environmentally Friendly?
Is Dove or Pantene More Affordable?
Generally, Dove is slightly cheaper. However, Pantene has consistent 15% discounts on their products while Dove does not have any promotions exceeding a 11% discount.
The Verdict – Which Product Should I Buy?
If your goal is hair care, then Pantene cannot be beaten. Their nutrient blends, and styling products are great for any situation. However, if you are looking for all over body care then Dove should be your choice. Their skin moisturizing formulas as well as their non-irritating ingredients make them fantastic for skincare. My advice would be to mix and match products from both brands to get the best of both.
Jamie is the Founder of My Home Dwelling. He is a homeowner and enjoys sharing his homeowner tips with others. He has real estate experience working as a new home construction Realtor. Jamie has worked on numerous residential construction sites helping with interior and exterior renovations. He loves refinishing furniture, DIY home projects, and sharing his knowledge online.