Giovanni's Pros
Great for cleansing an oily scalp
Feel-good tingle
Affordable

Giovanni's Cons
Can be drying to most hair types


Trader Joe's Pros
Great cleanser
Feel-good tingle
Cheaper than Giovanni

Trader Joe's Cons
Can be drying for some hair types

These shampoos are so similar that for some people it's almost hard to tell the difference. They both stimulate your scalp, smell fresh, and may help with flakes.

In my experience Giovanni's shampoo cleans my scalp better. I have to use more of the Trader Joe's shampoo to get my scalp clean. Because of this, using Giovanni is a better value for me.
I like to dilute Giovanni's shampoo a little because it is a tad thick. It truly lasts longer for me than Trader Joe's version.
If you don't have a scalp with a lot of build up from oil, sweat, etc, then Trader Joe's version would be sufficient for you (and it is cheaper than Giovanni).

Bottom Line:

Use Giovanni's for a deeper clean. If you don’t need a deep clean then Trader Joe's is fine.

Vo5 Pros
Nice fruity smell
Cheap
Cleans my scalp in one application

Vo5 Cons
Extremely drying

Vo5 Shampoo was my go-to shampoo for a while during my transition to natural hair. As a broke college student it was affordable (sometimes as low as 50 cents on sale) and readily available in the CVS near the campus. At that time, I had no idea what "clarifying" meant and used it every week when I'd wash my hair.
As a clarifier, it works very well; almost too well. For the first time in my life I experienced what it was like to have dry scalp (my scalp is usually oily). I stopped using the shampoo regularly when I educated myself more on shampoo types. I saved it for the times when I really need a deep cleansing. It's effective and I love it, but now I know that I need to be careful.


Giovanni Pros
Great scalp cleanser
Feel-good tingle
Nice clean smell (minty)

Giovanni Cons
Affordable, but more expensive than Vo5
Can be drying to most hair types

I wouldn't consider Giovanni a clarifying shampoo, but some people consider it as such, especially if they have dry scalp. It cleans the scalp really well, but not sufficiently enough for me to consider it a clarifying shampoo for my scalp. However, as a regular shampoo, it does wonders. It's not too drying on my scalp and it feels good. It's definitely more expensive than Vo5, but affordable.

Bottom Line:

If I were judging on the ability to completely clarify the scalp, Vo5 wins. For a good regular cleansing, Giovanni wins.

Price: $6-$9
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


Product Description:

So good it tingles! Invigorating ingredients deliver unmatched clarity and rejuvenation for hair and scalp. You're left with something clean, pure, and incredibly stimulating...for hair and mind.

• Increases scalp circulation for a refreshed, renewed feel
• Strengthens hair with a three-organic-oil-blend to stimulate, condition and clarify
• Alleviates dry, flaking scalp with organic tea tree botanicals
• Zero sulfates 

Ingredients:

Aqua (purified water), *aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, sodium cocoamphoacetate, lauryl glucoside, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium lauryl glucose carboxylate, dexyl glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, menthol, panthenol, potassium sorbate, citric acid, polysorbate 20, *melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil, *eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) oil, *thymus vulgaris (thyme) extract, *urtica dioica (nettle) extract, *tussilago farfara (coltsfoot) flower extract, *salvia officinalis (sage) leaf extract, *rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, *lavandula angustifolia (lavender) leaf extract, *equisetum arvense extract, *chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, *achillea millefolium extract, carthamus tinctorius (safflower) oil, phenoxcyethanol, mentha piperita (peppermint) oil.


Review:

This is a great sulfate-free cleanser to get the job done. Even though it doesn’t have any sulfates, surprisingly, it still lathers up. I like the tingle I feel on my scalp when I use it and it gets everything clean in only 2 applications. It spreads well but I personally dilute it a little to adjust it to my liking.

The smell is a bit strong (but it smells good to me) while you're washing your hair but it won't stay in the hair after you rinse the shampoo out.

This shampoo will not cure an oily scalp and/or dandruff condition but it is a good relief for me.
The only downside that I've also seen in reviews is that it can be just a little drying. As long as you use a good conditioner it shouldn't be too much of a problem unless you have a dry, sensitive scalp.

Bottom Line:

Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo is a good, affordable, sulfate-free cleanser but may not be suitable for those with dry scalp or hair issues.