Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo vs Thickening Big + Full Starter Set: which is safer?

Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo is our pick, better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Our pick

Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

Aveeno

Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Good 63/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

aqueous liquid shampoo (typical surfactants, conditioning agents, water)

Confidence

82%

PossibleSurfactant irritation (skin/eye contact)

PossibleFragrance allergens

PossibleMicrobial contamination (post-purchase)

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Big + Full Starter Set

Bumble and bumble

Thickening Big + Full Starter Set

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Good 59/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

Hair care formulation (shampoo/conditioner base)

Confidence

72%

PossibleFragrance allergens and sensitizers

PossibleFormaldehyde releasers in preservatives

Possible1,4-dioxane contamination in surfactants

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Surfactant irritation (skin/eye contact), Fragrance allergens and Microbial contamination (post-purchase) on the Aveeno and not on the Bumble and bumble.
  • We flag Fragrance allergens and sensitizers, Formaldehyde releasers in preservatives, 1,4-dioxane contamination in surfactants and Eye and mucous membrane irritation on the Bumble and bumble and not on the Aveeno.
  • The Aveeno is aqueous liquid shampoo (typical surfactants, conditioning agents, water) where the Bumble and bumble is Hair care formulation (shampoo/conditioner base), which is most of the difference in these two grades.
  • These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.

Both products run through the same public rubric, which covers materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →

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