Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo vs T/ Sal 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)

Neutrogena T/ Sal Shampoo

Neutrogena

T/ Sal Shampoo

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Good 63/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

aqueous shampoo base with salicylic acid and sulfur

Confidence

78%

PossibleSalicylic acid skin irritation (concentration-dependent)

PossibleSulfur odor and contact dermatitis (sulfur sensitivity)

Possible1,4-dioxane or dioxane precursors in surfactants

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 Neutrogena.
  • We flag Salicylic acid skin irritation (concentration-dependent), Sulfur odor and contact dermatitis (sulfur sensitivity) and 1,4-dioxane or dioxane precursors in surfactants on the Neutrogena and not on the Aveeno.
  • The Aveeno is aqueous liquid shampoo (typical surfactants, conditioning agents, water) where the Neutrogena is aqueous shampoo base with salicylic acid and sulfur, 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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