Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo vs Moisturizing Cream Shampoo: 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
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleSurfactant irritation (skin/eye contact)
PossibleFragrance allergens
PossibleMicrobial contamination (post-purchase)
Cantu
Moisturizing Cream Shampoo
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleFragrance allergens
PossibleHeavy metals in plant-oil extracts
ReportedSilicone polymer accumulation (conditioning agents)
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Surfactant irritation (skin/eye contact) and Microbial contamination (post-purchase) on the Aveeno and not on the Cantu.
- We flag Heavy metals in plant-oil extracts and Silicone polymer accumulation (conditioning agents) on the Cantu and not on the Aveeno.
- Both carry a flag for Fragrance allergens, so neither choice avoids it.
- The Aveeno is aqueous liquid shampoo (typical surfactants, conditioning agents, water) where the Cantu is aqueous shampoo base, plant oils, polymers, emulsifiers, 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 →
More shampoo, see the full ranking