Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo vs Hair Strengthening Shampoo: 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)

Kristin Ess Hair Strengthening Shampoo

Kristin Ess

Hair Strengthening Shampoo

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Good 63/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

aqueous shampoo base, surfactants, conditioning agents

Confidence

72%

PossibleFragrance allergens and sensitization

PossiblePreservative-related irritation

PossibleScalp irritation from conditioning agents or silicones

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 Kristin Ess.
  • We flag Fragrance allergens and sensitization, Preservative-related irritation and Scalp irritation from conditioning agents or silicones on the Kristin Ess and not on the Aveeno.
  • The Aveeno is aqueous liquid shampoo (typical surfactants, conditioning agents, water) where the Kristin Ess is aqueous shampoo base, 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 →

More shampoo, see the full ranking