You know when your hair just feels heavy, flat, and no amount of dry shampoo will save it? That’s usually a sign of product build-up from the aforementioned product, and it’s exactly when a clarifying shampoo steps in. I have been in this situation more than once lately. I combination of being a lazy gal and being a bit poorly has my poor hair and scalp saying Help. I can't believe I have left it so long to talk about this product. I think I have been using it that long, you just forget about it.
So, I’m reviewing the Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo, a clarify and shine blend that promises to cleanse, soothe the scalp, and restore that healthy, glossy bounce we all want.
If you’re dealing with oily roots, flaky scalp, or dull strands, or too much product build up this sulfate-free formula might be the gentle reset your haircare routine needs. I mean, if it's good enough to be used by Jennifer Aniston and Victoria Beckham, is this a drugstore bathroom must-have shampoo?
Quick Take (in case you're in a rush)
The Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Clarify & Shine Shampoo deeply cleanses without stripping. It’s gentle enough for fine, bleached, or colour-treated hair, removes product build-up, and leaves my hair feeling fresh, light, and shiny. The apple cider vinegar blend restores balance to the scalp while adding natural shine. A real affordable hero if your hair feels congested and dull.
What is Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo?
The Aveeno Clarify & Shine+ Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo is part of the Aveeno Scalp Soothing Haircare range. It’s designed to clarify hair congested from product build-up. You know when you have hit that dry shampoo a few too many days in a row, it enhances shine, and soothes the scalp, all without stripping moisture.
Formulated with colloidal oatmeal extract and apple cider vinegar, it combines Aveeno’s famous skin-moisturising properties with natural clarifying power for clean hair that feels soft and healthy-looking.
Why is It So Hyped?
Many people rave about this shampoo because it manages to deep-clean without causing dryness, a rare feat among clarifying formulas. Aveeno’s gentle approach, plus botanical ingredients, makes it ideal for fine hair, oily roots, and itchy scalps. It is a classic for a reason.
Part of the hype comes from celebrity and wellness culture embracing apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has been in the spotlight for many reasons over the years.
Jennifer Aniston is a longtime user and ambassador of the Aveeno brand, lending credibility to the brand’s haircare expansion. I mean, who wouldnt want that woman's hair? It's always so clean and boncey and healthy all at the same time.
The formula itself is special, with apple cider vinegar purifies, oatmeal extract soothing, so your scalp feels balanced, not tight, and your hair feels refreshed and bright and it's free. There are just so many customer reviews raving about this product.
Why is Clarifying Shampoo Important?
Between styling products, conditioners, and environmental residue, hair gets congested. A clarifying shampoo cuts through that build-up to reset your strands. It needs to be a big part of your routine if you are on a hair growth journey.
Using one weekly (or bi-weekly for dry hair) helps your regular shampoo and conditioner perform better, because your scalp is clean, and your hair can actually absorb moisture again and will get the shiny hair of your dreams whilst caring for your scalp.
What Makes Apple Cider Vinegar a Popular Ingredient?
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a natural clarifying ingredient known for removing product build-up, balancing the scalp, and boosting shine. It’s one of those simple yet powerful ingredients that can completely refresh your hair routine.
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Removes residue and excess oils that weigh hair down
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Balances scalp pH to calm itchiness and irritation
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Enhances natural shine while keeping strands smooth and lightweight
That’s why you’ll find it in so many clarify and shine formulas. It helps create shiny, healthy-looking hair that feels light, clean, and soft after every wash.
Ingredients Breakdown
What are the Key Ingredients in Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo?
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Apple Cider Vinegar – Clarifies and boosts shine.
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Colloidal Oatmeal Extract – Soothes the scalp and helps with dryness.
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Glycerin – Hydrates hair and scalp.
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Cocamidopropyl Betaine – A gentle cleanser derived from coconut.
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Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) – Antioxidant for healthy scalp and hair.
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PEG-7 Amodimethicone – Adds smoothness without heaviness.
Are There Any Harmful Chemicals to Watch Out For?
It’s sulfate-free, which is ideal for colour-treated or dry hair. It uses sulfate-free surfactants to clean without stripping your natural oils.
Performance and Effectiveness
How Well Does Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo Clarify Hair?
It does an impressive job of removing product build-up while leaving hair feeling light and clean. After one wash, my scalp felt fresh and my roots were less greasy, without that squeaky, over-clean feeling. The differance when I have overused the product, then I wash with this instead of my Olaplex shampoo is incredible. Don't get me wrong, they both have their place, but this is detox to the max.
Does It Remove Product Buildup Effectively?
Absolutely. It lifted away dry shampoo residue and styling product film in one go. A little goes a long way thanks to the lathering formula, so the 300ml bottle lasts ages.
How Does It Affect Different Hair Types?
I have fine, bleached hair, and this shampoo gave me noticeable volume and bounce without frizz. It clarified beautifully without dulling my blonde tone or drying the ends — something that’s surprisingly rare for clarifying shampoos. My colour stayed bright and glossy, and my hair felt clean yet soft enough to style straight after.
My husband, on the other hand, has thicker, oilier hair, and he loved it too. He said it made his hair feel light, soft, and fresh, like it had been properly cleansed for the first time in ages. It also helped calm his itchy scalp, which tends to flare up with heavier products.
I’ve also read customer reviews from people with curly and textured hair, and the feedback is positive there too. Because it’s sulfate-free, it doesn’t strip away natural oils or cause dryness; instead, it gently clarifies the scalp while keeping curls defined and soft. If you have waves or coils, I’d still recommend following with a rich conditioner or mask to keep moisture levels balanced.
Overall, it works well across different hair types, from fine and colour-treated to thick, oily, or curly, leaving hair clean, balanced, and shiny without weighing it down.
I’ve also noticed this shampoo is amazing as a prep step before curling or styling. Because it removes residue and oil build-up, my fine, bleached hair holds curls longer and feels weightless, that clean, just-blown-out texture that gives styling extra staying power.
Is Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo Safe for Colour-Treated or Bleached Hair?
Yes! This is one of the rare clarifying shampoos that’s gentle enough for bleached and coloured hair. Because it’s sulfate-free and packed with scalp-soothing ingredients, it refreshes blonde or dyed hair without fading your colour. It helps remove mineral build-up (especially if you live in a hard water area) and leaves hair shiny and balanced, never brittle.
My Experience
Scent and Texture
It has a clean, crisp apple scent, refreshing but not overpowering. The texture is very jelly-like, like frog spawn, so it doesn’t run everywhere when you apply it. It spreads easily and forms a rich, creamy lather once massaged into wet hair.
How Does It Feel During Application?
It feels soothing on the scalp, and you can tell the formula is gentle yet effective. It rinses out easily and leaves my hair squeaky-clean but still smooth.
How to Use (Step by Step)
I was taught how to wash my hair by my hairdresser.
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Pre-rinse (1 minute):
Thoroughly wet your hair and scalp with warm water for at least 60 seconds. This helps loosen product build-up and makes the jelly-like shampoo spread evenly. -
First cleanse (lift build-up):
Apply a coin-size amount to your palms, emulsify, then work into the scalp/roots only. Massage gently for 30–45 seconds to break down oil, dry shampoo, and residue.
Rinse thoroughly. -
Second cleanse (deep clarify):
Apply a smaller amount and repeat, focusing again on the scalp and crown, then lightly drag the lather through lengths for the last 10–15 seconds.
Rinse for a full 1 minute to ensure no residue remains. -
Condition:
Squeeze out excess water. Apply Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioner (or your Olaplex No.5) to mid-lengths and ends only. Leave for 2–3 minutes. -
Final rinse (1 minute):
Rinse for another full 60 seconds. If your hair is easily weighed down, finish with a brief cool rinse for extra shine.
Pro Tips
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Fine/bleached hair: Keep shampoo mainly at the roots, let the lather kiss the ends; don’t scrub lengths. Always follow with conditioner on ends to protect colour and softness.
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Oily scalp: Add 10–15 seconds to the scalp massage on cleanse #2 once a week.
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Frequency: Fine/oily hair: 1–2× weekly. Bleached/dry hair: every 10–14 days.
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Aftercare: Blot with a microfibre towel (no rough rubbing), apply a heat protectant, then style.
Styling Tip:
This shampoo is perfect to use before curling your hair, especially if it’s fine like mine or easily weighed down. It gives you that fresh, lightweight base so your curls hold better and stay bouncy all day, no heavy residue, no limp ends. It honestly helps.
My Review
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this shampoo. Clarifying shampoos can be hit or miss, and this one seemed too good to be true at this price point. Detox shampoos either make your hair feel squeaky and dry or not quite clean enough. But the Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Clarify & Shine Shampoo genuinely surprised me.
From the first wash, it made my hair feel amazing. It lifts away that “product build-up” heaviness I get from dry shampoo and heat protectant sprays. My scalp felt so clean, that lovely tingly-fresh feeling, but my fine, bleached hair still felt soft and manageable, not straw-like. You know the one you normally get from these types of shampoos.
The scent is gorgeous: a soft, crisp apple that smells clean rather than artificial. It lingers just enough to make your hair smell fresh all day. The texture is interesting too, it's a weird kind of jelly-like, which makes it easy to control how much you use. But fiddly to get in the hand. A little really does go a long way, so the 300ml bottle lasts for ages.
After using it a few times, my hair has definitely gained more natural shine and bounce. It’s the kind of shampoo that makes your hair feel “reset”, like light, fluffy, and easy to style. It cleanses my scalp like no other. It just gives you that clean feeling you have always wanted to feel.
I’ve noticed my curls hold better when I use it before curling, and my blonde looks brighter and cleaner overall.
I love that it’s sulfate-free, so it works for my colour-treated hair and my husband’s thicker, oilier hair too. He’s even pinched it for his work bag because it keeps his scalp fresh after cycling in.
Would I repurchase it? Absolutely. It’s affordable, smells amazing, and actually does what it says, which is rare: clarifies, soothes, and adds shine. It’s earned a permanent spot in my rotation for those weeks when my hair needs a total refresh and a price point that won't break the bank too.
What Are the Immediate and Long-Term Results?
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Immediately: Hair feels light, refreshed, and smooth.
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After a few weeks: Less scalp itchiness, improved shine, and healthier-looking roots.
How Often Should You Use Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo?
If you have fine or oily hair, once or twice a week is ideal to keep your scalp fresh. For dry, curly, or bleached hair, every 10–14 days is enough to clarify without over-cleansing.
Comparisons with Other Clarifying Shampoos
How Does Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo Compare to Other Brands?
Compared to OGX Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo, this feels gentler and less stripping. It’s closer in after feel to L’Oréal Elvive Dream Lengths Wonder Water, but Aveeno’s oatmeal blend focuses more on scalp comfort than instant shine.
What Are the Pros and Cons Compared to Competitors?
Pros:
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Gentle yet effective cleanse
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Sulfate-free surfactants
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Soothes itchy scalp
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Boosts shine naturally
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Affordable and long-lasting
Cons:
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Those with very dry or coarse hair may prefer using it less often
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The bottle could be slightly larger
Is It Worth the Price Compared to Alternatives?
Yes! For under £8 for 300ml, it’s excellent value. The quality feels salon-level and works brilliantly in conjunction with other Aveeno hair products.
This bottle has lasted me months. I use it once per week, or if I am laying off the dry shampoo, once every couple of weeks. A bottle can easily last 6 months, no problems.
Buy Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo (300ml) at:
Packaging & Sustainability
The 300ml bottle is recyclable, and Aveeno continues to improve its eco-friendly packaging across the Clarify and Shine range. It’s a nice touch if you’re trying to make more sustainable choices in your haircare routine.
Final Thoughts
Who Would Benefit Most from Using This Shampoo?
If you have oily roots, fine hair, or a flaky, itchy scalp, this is the perfect shampoo to reset your haircare routine and restore natural shine.
Are There Any Recommendations for Use?
Use weekly or bi-weekly, follow with a conditioner or mask, and avoid daily use if your hair tends to be dry.
Final Thoughts: Is Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo Worth Trying?
Absolutely, the Aveeno haircare Clarify and shine will always have a place in my shower. It’s one of the few clarifying shampoos that truly leaves my scalp feeling fresh and my fine, bleached hair soft, shiny, and healthy.
If you want clean hair without stripping moisture and a healthy scalp with shine, this Aveeno Clarify and Shine Apple Cider Vinegar Blend is a brilliant, affordable find.
FAQs About Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
1. Is Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo safe for colour-treated or bleached hair?
Yes, it’s completely safe. I have fine, bleached hair, and it works brilliantly. Because it’s sulfate-free, it cleanses without fading colour or drying out your ends. It also helps remove build-up that can make blonde hair look dull, keeping your colour bright and fresh.
2. How often should I use Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo?
For fine or oily hair, once or twice a week is ideal to remove residue and keep your scalp balanced. If you have dry, curly, or bleached hair, once every 10–14 days is enough to clarify without stripping natural oils.
3. Can I use this shampoo with other Aveeno hair products?
Definitely! It pairs perfectly with the Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioner for the full cleanse and shine routine. You can also rotate it with other Aveeno lines, like the Oat Milk Blend for moisture or Fresh Greens Blend for volume — depending on your hair’s needs.
4. Does Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo help with an itchy or flaky scalp?
Yes. That’s one of its best features. The apple cider vinegar removes product build-up that can clog follicles, while the colloidal oatmeal extract soothes irritation and dryness. It’s brilliant if your scalp feels congested, itchy, or uncomfortable.
5. Is Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo vegan or cruelty-free?
Aveeno doesn’t test on animals and is Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free in the UK. However, not every product in their range is officially vegan, so if you’re strictly vegan it’s worth checking each item’s ingredients list.
Written by Laura Martin, qualified makeup artist and skincare therapist at MissLJBeauty.com
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