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1
Best of Amazon
R+Co Lost Treasure Apple Cider Vinegar Cleansing Rinse
1
Best of Amazon
R+Co Lost Treasure Apple Cider Vinegar Cleansing Rinse
Pros
Great for a dry scalp- Great scent
Cons
Pricey- Can’t be used with extensions
Previously named Acid Wash, this R+Co rinse features the star ingredient to cleanse and purify, plus glycerin and tamanu seed oil for locking in moisture and fortifying strands. “I recommend this one especially for blondes,” Rugetti says. “I find it really cleanses the hair and makes lighter tones brighter when there’s buildup.”
Amazon rating: 4.6/5
Amazon reviewers are saying: “I AM OBSESSED. The scent is amazing, my hair is growing, less dandruff, and SILKY smooth hair. Every time I use this my co workers compliment me and how shiny and bouncy my hair looks. Because I loved this product so much – I decided to completely switch to R&Co for all of my hair care products.”
2
Best Clarifying Shampoo
OUAI Detox Shampoo
2
Best Clarifying Shampoo
OUAI Detox Shampoo
Pros
- Great for all hair types
- Removes mineral deposits from hair
- Color-safe
Cons
- Strong scent
Although this option is technically a clarifying shampoo, it is infused with ACV to prevent over-stripping the scalp of necessary oils. Additionally, it’s boosted with keratin to make your hair stronger and smoother.
Sephora rating: 4.5/5
Sephora reviewers are saying: “I have fine wavy hair that gets weighed down by products very easily- this shampoo is what keeps my hair clean and healthy! It really removes buildup- the smell is fantastic and you don’t need much for it to be effective. I use this twice a week and follow up with the Ouai fine conditioner.”
3
Best for Thinning Hair
SheaMoisture Strengthen and Restore Shampoo
3
Best for Thinning Hair
SheaMoisture Strengthen and Restore Shampoo
Pros
- Helps with regrowth
- Great for natural hair types
Cons
- Formula may separate between uses
If you do prefer a lather, try SheaMoisture’s Strengthen and Restore shampoo. It’s formulated with softening Jamaican black castor oil and shea butter, making it a particularly great option for curly, wavy or coarse hair types. The addition of peppermint oil gives the scalp a super fresh feeling, too. “This is the best wash day shampoo and conditioner combo for a pre-protective style instillation. It really helps strengthen thinning and damaged hair. This leaves my hair feeling so clean, soft, and shiny,” states Danielle James, Digital Beauty Director, ELLE.
Amazon rating: 4.6/5
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4
Best for Easy Application
RENPURE Apple Cider Vinegar Clarify & Shine Scalp Serum
4
Best for Easy Application
RENPURE Apple Cider Vinegar Clarify & Shine Scalp Serum
Credit: Renpure
Pros
- Resolves itchy scalp
- Plant-based formula
Cons
- Strong scent
Renpure’s deep-cleaning ACV rinse offers all the purifying and shine-enhancing benefits you crave, as well as extra-smoothing perks thanks to the inclusion of argan oil and coconut. What’s more, it contains bacteria-fighting tea tree oil to ward off dandruff and ginger root extract to prevent free radical damage.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5
Amazon reviewers are saying: “I wash my hair once, maybe twice a week and this works wonders as a scalp rinse on days in between washes. Hair feels soft and clean but doesn’t strip my hair like shampoo does!!”
5
Best Affordable Apple Cider Vinegar Product
Head & Shoulders Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
5
Best Affordable Apple Cider Vinegar Product
Head & Shoulders Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Pros
- Affordable
- Pre-shampoo treatment
Cons
- May be hard to apply
The maker of one of the most popular and affordable dandruff shampoos on the market also offers this ACV rinse for those struggling with flakes. It removes excess oil and buildup without being overly drying.
Target rating: 4.3/5
Target reviewers are saying: “Great smell. I was Leary of home remedy suggestions of using straight apple cider vinegar, but H&S gets the formula right so that my scalp gets the benefits without extreme effects on the hair or any unpleasant smells in the shower. Works with occasional usage too.”
6
Best Scrub
dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub
6
Best Scrub
dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub
Pros
- Made with soothing aloe vera & avocado oil
- Only need a little
- Great for dandruff
Cons
- Pricey
A best-seller from dpHue’s popular ACV line, this pre-rinse scrub gently exfoliates to detoxify and invigorate the skin. “There are a lot of salt scrubs with larger granules that can actually scratch the surface of the scalp, which can in turn damage the follicle and cause it to die off,” Ruggeri explains. “The fine Himalayan salt granules in this product strike just the right balance to promote healthy skin and hair.” It also includes aloe vera for a cooling, soothing effect.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5
Amazon reviewers are saying: “This is honestly my favorite beauty product I have ever purchased. I used to have super greasy hair and I felt like I had tried everything to fix it but nothing worked. Until I discovered this. I only use it around once every week or two and I don’t have any problems with oil anymore. And my hair feels softer than it ever has. It also doesn’t take much to do a treatment and it feels so good and clean. I’m always going to use it now. I don’t even care about the smell because magic doesn’t come without a price.”
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7
Meet the Experts
Hearst Owned
Gregorio Ruggeri, a certified trichologist and creative director of Salon Ruggeri in NYC
Bobby Michael, co-owner of Manhattan’s Maverick House salon and Randco global educator
Bridgette Hill, a certified trichologist and founder of Root Cause Scalp Analysis — a digital platform that offers virtual scalp analysis consultations, treatments and guidance to help improve users’ scalp health
8
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
Hearst Owned
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com editors spoke with hair experts about the absolute best apple cider vinegar hair products for every hair type. The authors personally tested a number of these products and scoured reviews for the top-rated products on the market.
Senior Commerce Editor
Sam Peters is a Senior Commerce Editor at Hearst covering fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Her writing has appeared in WWD, Footwear News, Real Simple, PopSugar and Bridal Guide, among others. She enjoys unpacking the latest trends and testing and reviewing some of the most innovative, emerging products on the market.
Beauty Editor
As ELLE’s beauty editor, Margaux wants to try it all and do it all…and she does. She’s not afraid to chop, slather, dye, swipe, inject, and more—and if it’s worth your time and money, she’ll rave about it here.
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