Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo vs Head Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff 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)
Head & Shoulders
Head Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
Possible1,4-dioxane (contaminant in surfactants)
ReportedHeavy metals in colorants or zinc pyrithione itself
PossibleFragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
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 Head & Shoulders.
- We flag 1,4-dioxane (contaminant in surfactants), Heavy metals in colorants or zinc pyrithione itself and Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components on the Head & Shoulders and not on the Aveeno.
- The Aveeno is aqueous liquid shampoo (typical surfactants, conditioning agents, water) where the Head & Shoulders is aqueous shampoo formulation, surfactants, conditioning agents, 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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