Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo vs Shampoo Refill: which is safer?
Public Goods Shampoo Refill is our pick, better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
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)
Our pick
Public Goods
Shampoo Refill
PFAS grade
Excellent 75/100
Overall grade
Good 71/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 1
Material
aqueous surfactant-based liquid shampoo
Confidence
78%
PossibleFormaldehyde releasers (preservative class)
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 Public Goods.
- We flag Formaldehyde releasers (preservative class) on the Public Goods and not on the Aveeno.
- The Aveeno is aqueous liquid shampoo (typical surfactants, conditioning agents, water) where the Public Goods is aqueous surfactant-based liquid shampoo, 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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