Many naturally occurring substances are touted as a cure-all and fix-all for hair-related problems. A lot of these claims, unfortunately, fall flat when put to the test. In the case of apple cider vinegar or ACV, as many people refer to it, all those claims prove to be true.
Apple cider vinegar is made with apple juice or apple cider. It is made in two steps with the first step involving the conversion of crushed apples into a mix of alcohols with the help of yeast.
In the second step, these alcohols are exposed to specific types of bacteria which results in the alcohols getting fermented and forming acetic acid. While it contains multiple nutrients too, most benefits of apple cider vinegar come from its acetic acid content.
ACV can’t only fix multiple problems but also strengthen and nourish hair that is already very healthy. However, in its rawest form, apple cider vinegar can be quite difficult to use. You need to dilute it with water in the proportions that are right for your hair type.
| Budget |
|---|
 |
| Luseta Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo and Conditioner |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Product type: Shampoo & Conditioner Set |
| Product weight: 2×16.9 ounces |
| Specifically intended for oily hair, this shampoo and conditioner set is very effective at clarifying the scalp while also moisturizing the hair. |
| Check Amazon |
| Best Value |
|---|
 |
| PURA D’OR Apple Cider Shampoo & Conditioner |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Product type: Shampoo & Conditioner Set |
| Product weight: 2×16 ounces |
| This shampoo and conditioner combo is not only great for people with tough scalp buildup but people who have buildup and are losing hair. |
| Check Amazon |
| Top Pick |
|---|
 |
| ACURE Buildup Balancing Hemp & ACV Shampoo |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 8 ounces |
| A completely unscented apple cider vinegar shampoo that is ideal for people with very sensitive noses, and rated to be a vegan and cruelty-free product. |
| Check Amazon |
If the right proportions are not created and the mix is not used in the right manner, it can end up damaging your hair instead of improving it. This is why we recommend using ACV in pre-formulated products and have created this comprehensive guide on ACV shampoos.
We’ve scoured the market looking for the best ACT shampoos and have created a list of 10. In this guide, you’ll find each of these 10 best ACV shampoos reviewed in detail along with some fundamentals about apple cider vinegar as an ingredient. Everything in this guide is listed below in an easy-to-click navigation panel. Feel free to use it to jump around this page.
- Why Should You Use ACV Shampoos?
- Who Should Use ACV Shampoos?
- What to Look for While Buying ACV Shampoos?
- Top 9 ACV Shampoos Comparison Table
- Top 3 Budget ACV Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Value ACV Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Premium ACV Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
Why Should You Use ACV Shampoos?
Apple cider vinegar has huge benefits when it comes to hair health. While these benefits are strongest when ACV is used in its purest form, they are still present when it is diluted with other ingredients. As to what those benefits are, consider the following.
Clarification
The acidic nature of apple cider vinegar allows it to penetrate through virtually every type of scalp buildup. Even when the buildup is caused by sebum hypersecretion or excessive use of hair care products, ACV can cut through the problem. As a result, ACV is considered to be one of the best naturally-occurring clarifiers known to man.
Anti-Dandruff
ACV’s anti-dandruff capabilities are directly derived from the fact that it can remove all types of buildup from the scalp. First, by clarifying the scalp, ACV removes flakes and dandruff. Along the way, ACV also removes bacterial and fungal infections that are known to cause dandruff in the scalp.
Scalp Soothing
ACV is also very soothing and calming for the scalp. It is known for pacifying irritation and itching in the scalp because of its anti-inflammatory nature. It counters inflammation in the scalp that may or may not be a result of infection.
pH Balancing
The reason why ACV can cut through the buildup, remove dandruff, stop infections, and soothe the scalp is its acidity. Our scalp and skin both have a slightly acidic outer layer called appropriately the “acid mantle”. The purpose of the acid mantle is to prevent infections because microorganisms can’t survive in acidic environments. Unfortunately, most shampoos and hair products are alkaline which nullifies the acid mantle on the scalp to a certain extent. Using ACV, on the other hand, rebalances the pH and makes the scalp healthier.
Smoothing & Shining
When shampoos and other hair products are used, they make the scalp environment alkaline. To compensate for the increased alkalinity, the cuticle layer on hair strands opens up. The opening of these overlapping scales can not only expose the hair strand to damage but also make it appear rough, dull, lackluster, and unappealing. When the pH environment is rebalanced, the cuticles close which results in the hair strand becoming smoother, shinier, and prettier.
Who Should Use ACV Shampoos?
When we talk about ACV shampoos, we are referring to shampoos that contain ACV in large quantities. We’re not referring to shampoos that contain ACV as one of the more minor ingredients in the formula.
The reason for this is the fact that as apple cider vinegar’s concentration drops in a formula, its benefits lose their intensity too. In fact, it is most beneficial in its rawest form i.e., in a water solution.
However, it is also important to note that while ACV’s benefits become less intense when it is mixed with other ingredients, its side effects get reduced too. Further, the benefits offered by other ingredients also come into play. This is why it is so important to choose your ACV shampoo wisely.
Despite all this, though, ACV-based products are best suited for people with hair that tends towards oiliness and buildup. For example, it doesn’t even matter if the ACV shampoo contains a lot of hydrating and moisturizing agents and very little ACV. Dry hair, to begin with, will get dryer and more straw-like when exposed to ACV.
Similarly, ACV-based shampoos may not be right for you if you have blisters, boils, wounds, or sores on your scalp. ACV, after all, is acidic and can severely aggravate open injuries even in its most diluted form.
What to Look for While Buying ACV Shampoos?
The main thing to look for while trying to choose an ACV shampoo is to see its suitability for your hair type.
If you have very oily hair then you should choose very strong ACV shampoos. On the other hand, if your hair is normal with only a little tendency towards oiliness then you’ll need milder ACV shampoos. Similarly, you need to decide how moisturizing you want your chosen ACV shampoo to be.
While the vast majority of ACV shampoos will have a drying effect on your hair, how strongly they do it will vary based on how much ACV they contain and to what extent it is balanced with moisturizing agents. Even though most will make your hair dry, a few will have so many moisturizing agents that they’ll make your hair greasy.
Looking at their ingredients will help you choose between these two extremes. Further, some manufacturers offer ACV shampoos along with matching ACV conditioners. These combos or sets can be very helpful if dryness is a major concern for you.
Evaluating the ingredients lists is also important to figure out the additional capabilities of the ACV shampoo. For instance, many ACV shampoos contain multiple anti-DHT agents that can be very useful against hair loss.
DHT or dihydrotestosterone is a hormone produced by the human body that is known to be behind male pattern baldness. It bonds with hair follicles and prevents them from growing and in turn producing healthy hair. DHT blockers can prevent this bond from forming which is how they slow down hair loss.
It is also advisable to analyze the scent of the ACV shampoo. Most will smell of either apple cider vinegar or simply apples but there are a few exceptions. You should also know that the strengths of their scents will vary along with their sweetness. It is always best to make sure that you wouldn’t hate the scent of the product you’re choosing.
Finally, you should consider what kind of dispensing mechanism the ACV shampoo comes with. Does it come with a dispensing pump or is it packed in a squeezy bottle? A dispensing pump is always easier to use unless the product has a very thick consistency. Squeezy bottles are easier to use with very viscous shampoos.
Top 9 ACV Shampoos Comparison Table
Top 3 Budget ACV Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
1. Aveeno Scalp Soothing Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
The Scalp Soothing Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo from Aveeno is drastically different from most other ACV shampoos available in the market. The reason for this is that this shampoo’s formula combines apple cider vinegar with oats.
Every product from Aveeno, a company that has been around since 1945, is based on oats so this isn’t very surprising. However, the combination of ACV and oats is something that works particularly well.
After all, both ACV and oats are known for clarifying the scalp even though they use different mechanisms to achieve the same objective. ACV cuts through scalp buildup while oats are known to absorb oils and grime. As a result, these two ingredients work well together because ACV frees up the buildup while oats absorb the detritus.
The only problem is a third ingredient – silicones. The presence of silicones is a problem because it tends to accumulate in the scalp over time resulting in more buildup.
Silicones are also known for preventing the hair from getting excessively dry, though. However, unless your hair is very dry, to begin with, silicones can end up making it greasy. This is exactly what happens with this shampoo i.e. if you don’t have very dry hair, it will make your hair oily instead of leaving it refreshed.
This is despite the fact that Aveeno says that this product is intended for people with normal to oily hair. While the silicones make the hair greasy, they do combine well with the ACV when it comes to making hair smooth and shiny.
Apart from silicones, though, the formula of this ACV shampoo is quite clean. It is free of other synthetic ingredients such as parabens and sulfates. Even without sulfates, it generates considerable lather which will make it easier for you to transition from mainstream shampoos to this one.
One of the worries people have when considering ACV products is that they’ll smell of apple cider vinegar. When it comes to this product from Aveeno, though, the scent is only of apples. Even though the scent is light, clean, and a little too sweet, there’s no vinegar note in it.
This also happens to be one of the cheapest ACV shampoos available in the market right now. You can also buy a matching ACV conditioner or an ACV rinse if you need stronger ACV treatment.
You should also know that none of the variants come with dispensing pumps. They’re all traditional bottles with holes and lids on top.
Who’s it for: If you have very dry hair but still want the benefits of ACV, get this moisturizing ACV shampoo from Aveeno.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 12 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal extract, coconut-based cleansers, apple cider vinegar, silicones, and hydrolyzed potato starch |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Contains oatmeal to support apple cider vinegar |
| Smells slightly of apple |
| Produces considerable lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| An extremely cheap product |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Contains silicones |
| Can leave hair a bit greasy |
| Its smell can be a bit too sweet |
| Doesn’t come with a dispensing pump |
2. Bellisso Apple Cider Vinegar Soothing Scalp Shampoo and Conditioner
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
This pair from a little-known brand is the first shampoo and conditioner set in our guide. However, it is one of the more effective offerings especially if you have very oily hair. The reason why we say that this product is best suited to people with very oily hair is that it is very strong in the cleansing department.
In fact, it is so strong that it will leave your hair very dry and straw-like. Your hair would only be able to cope with its cleansing strength if it is very oily, to begin with.
Manufactured by Bellisso, this set offers everything that you would expect from ACV-based products. It rebalances the pH of the scalp, rids it of dandruff and white flakes, soothes any irritation, and even makes hair lustrous and more attractive looking.
While it depends on ACV for all these qualities, it contains other highly beneficial ingredients such as provitamin B5, keratin, coconut oil, argan oil, and avocado oil. Further, it is completely free of harmful ingredients like parabens and sulfates. Despite the absence of sulfates, it lathers fairly well because it is loaded with coconut-based cleansers.
The conditioner does contain silicones, though. These silicones are helpful because they reduce the dryness created by the shampoo. This set will leave your hair smelling nice too. It has a light floral scent that should appeal to women especially. Similarly, if you love animals, you’ll appreciate this combo because it is rated to be cruelty-free.
The bottles this shampoo and conditioner come in are also unique in terms of their design. They have a pretty pink, translucent outer covering but it is very fragile and breaks off easily. In fact, it is a hazard because the shards can be sharp. On the functional side, the bottles do come with a dispensing pump.
This is a cheap shampoo and conditioner set that shouldn’t peg your bank balance back by much.
Who’s it for: If you have oily hair, like flowery smells, and want a pocket-friendly shampoo and conditioner set, try Bellisso’s pairing.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo & Conditioner Set |
| Product weight: 2 x 16.9 ounces |
| Active ingredients (Shampoo): Coconut based cleansers, hydrolyzed keratin, hydrolyzed collagen, hydrolyzed silk, and provitamin B5 |
| Active ingredients (Conditioner): Silicones, provitamin B5, argan kernel oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, hydrolyzed keratin, and hydrolyzed collagen |
| The Pros |
|---|
| A shampoo and conditioner combo set |
| Specifically intended for oily hair |
| Has a slight floral scent |
| Produces decent lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Rated to be cruelty-free |
| Comes equipped with a dispensing pump |
| An extremely cheap product |
| The Cons |
|---|
| The conditioner Contains silicones |
| Can leave hair a bit too dry |
| The outer casing on the bottles is very fragile |
3. Luseta Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo and Conditioner (Best Budget)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
In the budget market segment, this shampoo and conditioner set from Luseta is the best, especially if you’re looking for maximum cleansing and highly effective buildup removal.
This set is loved by all simply because of how good the ACV shampoo is. In fact, most people don’t even like the conditioner that much but they tolerate it because of how useful and effective the shampoo is.
The shampoo has great cleansing potential and can deal with virtually every type of buildup regardless of how difficult or stubborn it is. This makes it very useful against dandruff too.
Further, the shampoo’s formula also incorporates two different types of proteins – hydrolyzed wheat and soy proteins. As a result, when you use it, the proteins penetrate deep into individual hair strands before the cuticles are closed off by the apple cider vinegar.
The proteins are beneficial because they help the hair strand repair itself. Therefore, if you have damaged hair with buildup, this ACV shampoo might be perfect for your needs.
The shampoo produces a lot of lather too, in case you’re one of those people who are used to a lot of suds from their shampoos. The lather comes from coconut-derived cleansers because the shampoo is completely free of sulfates. It doesn’t even contain parabens and is rated to be cruelty-free.
The conditioner, in contrast, isn’t all that effective, which is why so many people dislike it. First, it doesn’t have enough moisturizing power to prevent the hair from getting dry after the thorough cleansing it gets from the ACV. Second, it contains silicones. These silicones coat the hair strands but end up making them very greasy.
Neither the shampoo nor the conditioner in this set smells of vinegar. They smell light and only of apple cider. Unlike many other ACV-based products, the smell is not too sweet either.
This product is competitively priced, irrespective of which bottle size you pick. The surprising part, though, is that the smaller bottle size turns out to be cheaper than the bigger one. The bigger 33.8-ounce bottles are about $0.20 per ounce more expensive than the smaller 16.9-ounce bottles.
The company also offers an exclusive Empty Bottle Guarantee to its customers. This guarantee means that you can ask them for a full refund even if you’ve completely consumed the shampoo and conditioner.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a strong cleansing ACV shampoo but want a balancing conditioner along with it too, try this Luseta combo.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo & Conditioner Set |
| Product weight: 2 x 16.9 ounces |
| Active ingredients (Shampoo): Coconut based cleansers, and apple cider vinegar |
| Active ingredients (Conditioner): Silicones, apple cider vinegar, hydrolyzed soy protein, hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed corn protein, and provitamin B5 |
| The Pros |
|---|
| A shampoo and conditioner combo set |
| Specifically intended for oily hair |
| Smells slightly of apple cider |
| Produces decent lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Rated to be cruelty-free |
| Comes equipped with dispensing pumps |
| Available in two bottle sizes |
| A cheaply priced product |
| Backed by an empty bottle guarantee |
| The Cons |
|---|
| The shampoo can leave hair a bit too dry |
| The conditioner contains silicones |
| The conditioner can make hair greasy |
Top 3 Value ACV Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
4. New York Biology Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo and Coconut Avocado Oil Conditioner
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
In the majority of cases, ACV shampoos are accompanied by conditioners based on apple cider vinegar too. However, this set from New York Biology is different. While it has an ACV-based shampoo, the conditioner is based on coconut and avocado oil instead.
The fact that the conditioner in this set is based on such strongly moisturizing agents is the reason why it complements the ACV shampoo and its strongly drying tendencies. In fact, if you use this ACV shampoo without using the conditioner, you’ll find your hair husk-like and similar in texture to hay. On the other hand, if you use this conditioner without the shampoo, your hair will become extremely greasy and grimy.
The shampoo, though, offers all the benefits of apple cider vinegar. For instance, it can remove all kinds of buildup from the scalp regardless of whether they’re natural i.e., sebum, or artificial i.e., silicones. This also means that it has great anti-dandruff properties. Further, it can smooth individual hair strands and make them shiny.
While the majority of the clarifying work is done by the apple cider vinegar in the shampoo, the presence of coconut-based cleansers helps too. These cleansers are there in place of sulfates and help the shampoo produce sufficient lather too.
In addition to clarifying and cleansing the scalp, the shampoo is also great at volumizing which makes it a great choice for people with thinning hair. Even if you have damaged hair because of over-processing or excessive exposure to hot tools, this set will be useful because it has repairing properties.
The formula of both the shampoo and conditioner in this set boasts of some great natural ingredients while completely shunning artificial chemicals and compounds. Both the products are without parabens or silicones.
They have different scents too. The shampoo, being based on ACV, has a light smell of apples. The conditioner smells of shea butter and coconuts. The conditioner’s scent, however, is very strong and tends to linger well after the hair has dried up. Therefore, if you’re sensitive to scents, then the shampoo will work for you but the conditioner will not.
Further, both the shampoo and conditioner have a very thick consistency. Their viscosity makes them difficult to use. Even though the bottles come with dispensing pumps, the thickness of the product prevents them from working properly.
The price of this set isn’t very high. However, it isn’t low enough for us to put it in the budget category either. What we can say is that it is closer to the budget category than the expensive category.
It is important to note that this set is exclusively manufactured in the US and is rated to be cruelty-free.
Who’s it for: If you have thinning, dry hair and want a volumizing ACV shampoo along with a moisturizing conditioner, get this set from New York Biology.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo & Conditioner Set |
| Product weight: 2 x 16.9 ounces |
| Active ingredients (Shampoo): Apple fruit extract, shea butter, apple cider vinegar, coconut-based cleansers, argan kernel oil, provitamin B5, hydrolyzed nettle leaf extract, hydrogenated sweet almond oil, and biotin |
| Active ingredients (Conditioner): Coconut oil, avocado oil, hydrogenated sweet almond oil, provitamin B5, vitamin E, hydrogenated castor oil, jojoba seed oil, argan kernel oil, shea butter, olive oil, and castor oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| A shampoo and conditioner combo set |
| The shampoo smells of apples |
| Conditioner has a coconut scent |
| Produces decent lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Rated to be cruelty-free |
| Comes equipped with dispensing pumps |
| Manufactured in the US |
| A fairly affordable product |
| The Cons |
|---|
| The shampoo can leave hair a bit too dry |
| Thick consistency stops the pump from working properly |
| The conditioner doesn’t contain ACV |
| The conditioner has a very strong smell |
| The conditioner can make hair greasy |
5. PURA D’OR Apple Cider Vinegar Thin2Thick Shampoo & Conditioner (Best Value)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
Pura D’Or is known for its anti-thinning and hair loss products because of how consistent they are with their results. For this reason alone, their gold and blue label shampoos are much more well-known than the pair we’re reviewing here.
This is important because the Apple Cider Vinegar Thin2Thick Shampoo and Conditioner we’re reviewing has a formula that is very similar to the company’s more popular shampoos. For instance, the Pura D’Or blue and gold labels are so effective because of the anti-DHT agents they contain.
This shampoo and conditioner set also contains the same DHT blockers. In fact, like the ingredient lists of the gold and blue label shampoos, this pair also boasts of one of the longest and most exhaustive ingredient lists.
Many of the ingredients are DHT blockers but the list also contains ingredients known for their moisturizing properties. As a result, this shampoo and conditioner pair may make your hair greasy. This is likely to happen to people with oily hair, though.
On the other hand, the moisturizing qualities counteract the apple cider vinegar’s drying properties very well, particularly for people with already dry and damaged hair. If you find your hair getting too oily, we suggest diluting the conditioner or not using it completely.
Further, the ingredients are suspended in a pure aloe vera base which makes this set particularly effective. As good as the aloe vera base is, it can also end up being a problem for some people. Aloe vera, in such high concentrations, can cause allergic reactions in some people. Therefore, if you’re going to use this set, make sure that you’re not allergic to aloe vera by doing a patch test on the inside of your elbow.
Apart from cleansing and moisturizing your hair, this pair will help in other ways too. You can expect it to smooth and shine your hair along with de-frizzing it. Of course, the DHT blockers will slow down hair loss and encourage new hair growth on the edges too.
All the ingredients are natural too. The formula doesn’t contain any sulfates, parabens, or even silicones. Despite the absence of sulfates, the shampoo will produce a lot of lather while the conditioner will hydrate amply.
The combination of so many great natural ingredients also means that this pairing has a distinctly citrus scent. The scent, though, is quite strong and overbearing, which can be seen as a flaw. Therefore, if you’re very sensitive to scents, then this set may not be the right choice for you.
On the other hand, if you don’t have scent sensitivity issues and love animals, then you would be glad to know that this is a cruelty-free product. It is also a good choice for patriots since it is manufactured in the US.
In terms of pricing, this pair is fairly affordable. It is also supported by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. Further, each bottle comes with a dispensing pump that makes it easier to use in the shower or the bath.
Who’s it for: If you want an ACV shampoo that will not only cleanse your scalp but also nourish your hair and prevent DHT-fueled hair loss, get this set from Pura D’Or.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo & Conditioner Set |
| Product weight: 2 x 16 ounces |
| Active ingredients (Shampoo): Aloe vera leaf juice, keratin, coconut-based cleansers, biotin, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, biotin, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, castor oil, apple cider vinegar, peppermint oil, lavender flower oil, amla fruit oil, argan kernel oil, black cumin seed oil, cedarwood bark oil, grapefruit seed oil, Fo-Ti root extract, hibiscus flower extract, lemon peel oil, nettle extract, rosemary leaf oil, saw palmetto fruit extract, tea tree leaf oil, geranium oil, and bergamot fruit oil |
| Active ingredients (Conditioner): Aloe vera leaf juice, apple fruit extract, zinc pyrithione, caffeine, biotin, oat bran extract, orange peel extract, keratin, saponins, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, biotin, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, castor oil, peppermint oil, lavender flower oil, amla fruit oil, argan kernel oil, black cumin seed oil, cedarwood bark oil, grapefruit seed oil, Fo-Ti root extract, hibiscus flower extract, lemon peel oil, nettle extract, rosemary leaf extract, clary oil, saw palmetto fruit extract, tea tree leaf oil, geranium oil, and bergamot fruit oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| A shampoo and conditioner combo set |
| Boasts of an incredible ingredients list |
| Based on aloe vera |
| Contains multiple anti-DHT agents to help against hair loss |
| Has a citrus scent |
| Produces sufficient lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Rated to be cruelty-free |
| Comes equipped with dispensing pumps |
| Manufactured in the US |
| An affordably priced product |
| Backed by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Aloe vera base can cause allergies |
| Can make hair greasy |
| Has a very strong scent |
6. Maple Holistics Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
The Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo from Maple Holistics is similar to the ACV shampoo from Pura D’Or because it also tries to tackle hair thinning and hair loss along with providing the core benefits of ACV. However, the two are different in some ways too.
For one, this ACV shampoo doesn’t have as elaborate an ingredients list as the previous one. Its formula is simpler but it still contains ingredients that offer similar benefits. For example, instead of incorporating multiple DHT blockers, this one features only two in the form of rosemary and jojoba oil.
Another key difference between the two is that this one uses argan oil and castor oil as primary moisturizing agents with a little botanical keratin while the one from Pura D’Or relies completely on keratin and biotin for hydration.
Since this ACV shampoo doesn’t contain keratin in high quantities, its moisturizing abilities are not as strong as the hydration properties of the Pura D’Or ACV shampoo. This is why this shampoo can leave your hair dry if you have dry to normal hair type or if you use too much of it in a single application.
This ACV shampoo will be particularly beneficial to people who have sensitive skin and scalp, especially when compared to the Pura D’Or ACV shampoo. The reason for this is that this one from Maple Holistics isn’t based on aloe vera. Instead, it is based on coconut-based cleansers.
These cleansers help this product produce lather and clear the scalp of buildup along with the apple cider vinegar it contains. Since it relies on coconut-derived cleansers, it doesn’t need to contain sulfates. In fact, like all good ACV shampoos, this one is free of silicones and parabens as well.
Other natural ingredients that this ACV shampoo contains include sunflower oil, provitamin B5, and wild mint extract. The wild mint, along with rosemary is responsible for this shampoo’s scent too.
This product is also decently priced. It won’t hurt anyone’s monthly budget and most people will find it affordable to buy and use. However, you should know that it comes in a squeezy bottle instead of a bottle with a dispensing pump. The squeezy bottle also happens to be a bit too hard and difficult to squeeze.
Who’s it for: If you want an ACV shampoo that can help you counter hair loss and don’t mind pump struggles, get this one from Maple Holistics.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 10 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Coconut based cleansers, apple cider vinegar, common sunflower oil, argan kernel oil, castor oil, rosemary leaf oil, wild mint extract, provitamin B5, botanical keratin, and jojoba oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| A shampoo and conditioner combo set |
| Specifically intended for thinning hair |
| Contains multiple anti-DHT agents to help against hair loss |
| Has a blended scent of mint and rosemary |
| Produces sufficient lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| An affordably priced product |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Can make hair a bit too dry |
| Doesn’t come with a dispensing pump |
| The squeezy bottle is difficult to squeeze |
Top 3 Premium ACV Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
7. ACURE Buildup Balancing Hemp & ACV Shampoo (Top Pick)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
Apple cider vinegar inherently has a very strong and distinctive scent. Most people don’t like the vinegar scent either. Different manufacturers use different techniques to mask that scent. Most, though, end up burying that scent with other scents with sweet apples being very common.
Whether the added scent is that of apples or something else, the result of this technique is that most ACV shampoos have very strong smells. People with sensitive noses, unfortunately, cannot handle such strong scents. If you’re one such person then you already know how difficult it can be to find unscented products.
The people at Acure, however, understand your problem. This is why they’ve developed this Buildup Balancing Hemp & ACV Shampoo. This shampoo is completely unscented and will never trouble your nose.
You will still get the benefits of ACV for your hair, though. This shampoo will rebalance your scalp’s pH value and will remove all kinds of buildup from your scalp.
Like most Acure products, this one’s formula also benefits from some rarely seen ingredients such as acai fruit extract, blackberry fruit extract, pomegranate extract, rosehip fruit extract, calendula flower extract, and rooibos leaf extract. Additionally, it contains many of the usual suspects too such as aloe vera and matricaria.
None of the synthetic ingredients you usually find in mainstream shampoos are present in this product, though. There’s no place for parabens, silicones, and sulfates in the formula and all ingredients are strictly vegan.
To compensate for the absence of sulfates, the formula makes use of coconut-based cleansers. As a result, this shampoo produces sufficient lather to complement the inherent clarifying qualities of the apple cider vinegar. This product is also certified as cruelty-free.
Since it contains exotic ingredients, this shampoo is priced a little on the expensive side. It is available in two sizes and buying the bigger one will make it more affordable for you. The two available sizes are eight ounces and 12 ounces.
If you buy the smaller size, you’ll get the product in a tube. Buying the bigger size will mean getting it in a unique rectangular bottle.
Who’s it for: If you are very sensitive to scents but still want a good apple cider vinegar shampoo, get this product from Acure.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 8 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Coconut based cleansers, hemp seed oil, apple cider vinegar, aloe vera leaf juice, acai fruit extract, blackberry fruit extract, pomegranate extract, rosehip fruit extract, calendula flower extract, rooibos leaf extract, and matricaria flower extract |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Combines ACV with hemp oil |
| Is a completely unscented product |
| Produces decent lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Rated to be a vegan and cruelty-free product |
| The Cons |
|---|
| A fairly expensive product |
| Doesn’t come with a dispensing pump |
8. WOW Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
The Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo from Wow is easily one of the most popular ACV shampoos in the industry right now. This is mainly because of how effective it is. It offers all the excellent benefits of apple cider vinegar such as countering dandruff, cleansing the scalp, removing frizz, and even shining the hair strands.
Compared to its counterparts, it has a simpler formula too. Other than ACV, the formula comprises provitamin B5, nettle leaf extract, saw palmetto extract, almond oil, and argan oil.
The almond and argan oils are a part of this formula to nullify the excessive dryness that exposure to apple cider vinegar can create in the scalp and hair. The only problem is that these two oils are a bit too effective. This is why this shampoo often leaves the hair greasy and oily.
The nettle leaf and saw palmetto extracts give this shampoo anti-DHT properties, which come in very handy for people dealing with hair loss.
The formula of this shampoo is also very clean. It doesn’t contain any synthetic ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, or silicones. This is why it doesn’t produce a lot of lather. The natural ingredients do mean that this product is rated to be vegan and cruelty-free.
This product performs well in terms of smell too. It has a strawberry and apple scent that most people end up liking.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the cheapest ACV shampoo in the market. It is priced expensively and cost can put off a lot of people especially since the bottle doesn’t even come equipped with a dispensing pump.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking to clarify your scalp and slow down hair loss at the same time, try this product from Wow.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 16.9 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Provitamin B5, apple cider vinegar, nettle leaf extract, saw palmetto extract, almond oil, and argan oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Contains multiple anti-DHT agents to help against hair loss |
| Smells of sweet strawberry and apples |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| A vegan and cruelty-free product |
| The Cons |
|---|
| A fairly expensive product |
| Can leave hair a bit greasy |
| Doesn’t produce sufficient lather |
| Doesn’t come with a dispensing pump |
9. AG Hair Care Natural Balance Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
The Natural Balance Shampoo from AG Hair Care is different from all other ACV shampoos in this guide. The first difference is that it isn’t marketed as an apple cider vinegar shampoo. However, it still contains a large amount of it. The fact that it isn’t marketed as an ACV shampoo is one difference but another is its cost. This is one of the most expensive shampoos on the market.
The reason for that is the type of ingredients it contains. The ingredients in this shampoo aren’t commonly known. Some would even call them obscure but those who are well-versed in East Asian and oriental cultures will know how well-regarded those ingredients are.
For instance, some of the ingredients in this shampoo are acacia Concinna fruit extract, desert date fruit extract, common baby’s-breath root extract, proso millet seed extract, flax seed extract, and mountain arnica flower extract and extracts from a series of fruits such as apricots, peaches, apples and almonds
Additionally, this shampoo contains the more commonly known moisturizing and DHT blocking ingredients such as aloe vera leaf extract, argan kernel oil, lavender oil, olive leaf extract, rosemary leaf oil, lemongrass oil, clary oil, wild mint leaf oil, and spearmint leaf oil too.
This shampoo’s rosemary, lemongrass, clary sage, and lavender content give it its scent. The scent is unique and exclusive to this brand.
It also contains completely organic apple cider vinegar in large quantities which is why it can offer benefits like pH balancing, clarification, smoothing, softening, and shining.
AG Hair Care says that 98 percent of this product is based on plant-based ingredients. This makes sense because it doesn’t contain synthetic ingredients like sulfates, parabens, and silicones. It uses alternatives for sulfates which is one of the reasons why it doesn’t produce a lot of lather. This shampoo is also vegan and gluten-free, making it a great choice for people with celiac disease.
You can get this shampoo in two different bottle sizes. The smaller one will contain 12 ounces of the product while the larger one will have a capacity of 33.8 ounces. Both bottles, though, will come equipped with an effective dispensing pump.
Who’s it for: If you want a premium-grade apple cider vinegar shampoo and don’t mind spending a lot on it, get this one from AG.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 33.8 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Acacia Concinna fruit extract, desert date fruit extract, common baby’s-breath root extract, apple cider vinegar, apricot fruit extract, peach fruit extract, apple fruit extract, almond seed extract, proso millet seed extract, flax seed extract, olive leaf extract, rosemary leaf extract, mountain arnica flower extract, aloe vera leaf extract, argan kernel oil, lavender oil, rosemary leaf oil, lemongrass oil, clary oil, pea peptide, provitamin B5, wild mint leaf oil, and spearmint leaf oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Contains a series of organic, plant-based ingredients |
| Very gentle on the scalp and skin |
| Has a uniquely blended scent of rosemary, lemongrass, clary sage, and lavender |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Rated to be vegan and cruelty-free |
| Comes equipped with a dispensing pump |
| Available in two bottle sizes |
| The Cons |
|---|
| A super expensive product |
| Doesn’t produce sufficient lather |
