Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo vs Unisex Shea Butter 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
Unisex Shea Butter Moisturizing Cream Shampoo
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleFormaldehyde-releasing preservatives
PossibleFragrance allergens and undisclosed components
PossibleSurfactant irritation to scalp and eyes
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 Cantu.
- We flag Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components, Surfactant irritation to scalp and eyes and Emulsion instability and bacterial growth on the Cantu and not on the Aveeno.
- The Aveeno is aqueous liquid shampoo (typical surfactants, conditioning agents, water) where the Cantu is water-based shampoo/cream emulsion, 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