Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo vs Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo & Conditioner Set - 1 l / 33.8 fl oz: 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

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)

Redken - Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo & Conditioner Set - 1 l / 33.8 fl oz

Redken

Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo & Conditioner Set - 1 l / 33.8 fl oz

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Good 59/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

aqueous shampoo and conditioner formulations

Confidence

72%

Possible1,4-dioxane (synthesis byproduct in ethoxylated ingredients)

PossibleFragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components

PossibleFormaldehyde releasers (preservative system)

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 Redken.
  • We flag 1,4-dioxane (synthesis byproduct in ethoxylated ingredients), Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components, Formaldehyde releasers (preservative system) and Scalp irritation from alkaline buildup if rinsed inadequately on the Redken and not on the Aveeno.
  • The Aveeno is aqueous liquid shampoo (typical surfactants, conditioning agents, water) where the Redken is aqueous shampoo and conditioner formulations, 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