Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo vs Custom Wavy Hair Shampoo Base: which is safer?

These two grade almost identically. Pick on price and preference; neither has a PFAS edge.

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)

Function of Beauty Custom Wavy Hair Shampoo Base

Function of Beauty

Custom Wavy Hair Shampoo Base

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Good 63/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

aqueous surfactant shampoo base; no treated coating or water-repellent coating applied

Confidence

82%

Possible1,4-dioxane (surfactant contaminant)

PossibleFormaldehyde releasers (preservatives)

PossibleFragrance allergens

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Surfactant irritation (skin/eye contact) and Microbial contamination (post-purchase) on the Aveeno and not on the Function of Beauty.
  • We flag 1,4-dioxane (surfactant contaminant) and Formaldehyde releasers (preservatives) on the Function of Beauty 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 Function of Beauty is aqueous surfactant shampoo base; no treated coating or DWR applied, 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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