Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo vs Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine 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)
SheaMoisture
Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleFormaldehyde releasers in preservatives
PossibleFragrance allergens and undisclosed components
Possible1,4-dioxane contamination 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 SheaMoisture.
- We flag Formaldehyde releasers in preservatives, Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components, 1,4-dioxane contamination in surfactants and Contact dermatitis or scalp irritation from plant extracts on the SheaMoisture and not on the Aveeno.
- The Aveeno is aqueous liquid shampoo (typical surfactants, conditioning agents, water) where the SheaMoisture is aqueous liquid shampoo (water, cleansers, plant extracts), 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