We put WOW Skin Science's Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.
Editor’s Note: We reviewed this article on September 19, 2023. As per our editorial policy, we are constantly updating our content, to make sure it reflects the best of the best when it comes to beauty, wellness, and fashion. We want to assure our readers that we still stand by our recommendations, which we do.
As a wellness enthusiast, apple cider vinegar has been a favorite ingredient of mine for years. I cook with it, clean with it (yes, that’s a thing), and have even put it in my smoothies. While the science surrounding apple cider vinegar is a little shaky and needs further research, some of the supposed benefits include lowering blood sugar, increasing fullness, and lowering cholesterol.
One benefit I hadn’t heard about? Apple cider vinegar for hair health. That’s why I was so excited to try WOW Skin Science’s Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo, which promises to remove buildup and improve hair health via 100% natural and raw Himalayan apple cider vinegar, among natural, vegan ingredients. Read on for my full review.
WOW's Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
Best for: All hair types
Uses: Clears buildup, eliminates dandruff, smooths and nourishes hair.
Potential allergens: None
Active ingredients: Purified water, caprylyl/capryl glucoside, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, decyl glucoside, cocoamidopropyl betaine
Price: $30
About the brand: WOW Skin Sciences prides itself on being a 100% vegan company that combines natural ingredients with innovative formulations.
About My Hair: Wavy, frizzy, and a little bit damaged
While I tell myself that most people have hair that’s more damaged than mine, the truth is my hair has undergone some wear and tear over the years, thanks to the gray strands that started popping up in my late 20s (hello, hair dye), and the fact that I always need to run my flat iron through my hair a few times before I face anyone outside of my household.
Long story short: I’m always looking for a little something to spruce up my hair. Although I don’t deal with dandruff—which the WOW Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo promises to eliminate—I do deal with several other hair issues, so I was excited to give this shampoo a try.
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The Feel: A lot like your average shampoo
When it came to the feel of WOW's Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo, I was curious—would apple cider vinegar infused shampoo be thicker? More watery? Truth be told, I had no idea what to expect.
This shampoo felt a lot like what other shampoos feel like in my hand—slippery and soapy. In my hair, it felt a lot like other shampoos feel like, too: It was foamy, I had no issues rubbing it in, and it washed out easily.
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The Packaging: The top could use some work
While the instructions on the WOW Skin Science Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo instruct the user to use a generous amount, I tend to prefer the bottles that let you squeeze a little bit out at a time. With a wider mouth, I ended up pouring more than I intended to use into my hand, and as a result, felt like I was wasting some of the shampoo—not a great feeling when you want the bottle to go a long way and don’t like being wasteful.
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The Scent: Strong and not my favorite
Interestingly, when I read reviews of the WOW Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo, people raved about the smell. While I prefer my products to not smell like much of anything, I don’t mind a strong smell from time to time as long as I like it.
This smell was…not my favorite.
It reminded me vaguely of the cheap drugstore shampoo I used when I was a teenager, and it lingered in my hair the entire next day. Luckily, by day two the scent seemed to subside a bit.
The Ingredients: Creative and naturally derived
At this point, it’s no secret that I’m a fan of apple cider vinegar in shampoo. But that wasn’t the only ingredient that impressed me. It also had nettle leaf extract, almond oil, and argan oil—all interesting ingredients that can go a long way when it comes to giving hair a natural shine.
The Results: I was impressed
Despite the smell (I know, I keep harping on this), I was a fan of the results I got from the WOW Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo.
I did pair it with the recommended conditioner, which includes coconut oil and avocado oil, and I found that my hair was shinier, smoother, and healthier-feeling the next day.
Truth be told, the difference wasn’t that noticeable as compared with other shampoos I’ve tried, but those were full of chemicals that I wasn’t a fan of. I was impressed that I got these kinds of results with a more natural ingredient list.
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The Value: It’s probably worth it
At around $30, Wow Skin Science’s Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo isn’t cheap. Actually, it’s on the expensive side. But if you factor in the promised benefits (reducing buildup and dandruff) and the impressive ingredient list, it’s probably worth it.
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Similar Products: Get similar results
R+Co Acid Wash Apple Cider Vinegar Cleansing Rinse ($32): WOW Skin Science isn’t the first hair product to use apple cider vinegar. R+CO sells an acid wash apple cider vinegar cleansing rinse, which isn’t technically a shampoo but can be used as one. After trying WOW Skin Science’s Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo, I decided to try this one as well. The results were similar, and the scent was a little bit less strong. Overall, there’s not a huge difference between the two (they have similar price points!), so it comes down to what’s available.
Final Verdict
If your hair needs a bit of boost, it can’t hurt to try WOW Skin Science's Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo. While the smell isn’t my favorite thing, some people don’t mind it (and some even love it), so I wouldn’t let that stop you.
