Redken All Soft Vs. Pureology Hydrate: Which One Is Better?

If you have ever sat in a salon chair and complained about your dry, straw-like ends, your stylist has almost certainly recommended one of two bottles: the gold bottle of Redken All Soft or the purple bottle of Pureology Hydrate. I have spent years rotating between these two titans of the haircare world. They are both owned by L’Oreal, they both promise to resurrect dead hair, and they both have cult followings.

However, they are not created equal. Redken All Soft is the heavy hitter for texture transformation—it turns coarse, brittle hair into silk using Argan oil, but it relies on traditional sulfates to get the job done. Pureology Hydrate is the “cleaner,” more luxurious option—a sulfate-free, minty-tingling spa treatment designed specifically to protect expensive hair color while moisturizing.¹ Here is how I decide which one to keep in my shower caddy.

A Brief Comparison Table

My Experience With Redken All Soft

I reach for Redken All Soft when my hair feels “angry.”

You know the feeling—when your hair feels stiff, tangles easily, and makes a crunching sound when you brush it.

Redken All Soft is essentially a fabric softener for your hair.

The first time I used it, I was shocked by how immediate the results were.

I washed my hair, conditioned it, and as I rinsed it out, my hair felt like liquid silk.

The scent is warm and comforting, almost like a nutty honey or vanilla. It feels rich.

The shampoo lathers aggressively because it contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES).²

While “sulfate” is a dirty word in some beauty circles, in this context, it creates a lush, foamy wash that makes your hair feel incredibly clean.

The conditioner is the real star, though. It uses Argan oil to coat the hair shaft, smoothing down the cuticle instantly. When I blow-dry my hair after using All Soft, I don’t need as much flat iron work because the hair naturally lays flatter and smoother.

Pros Of Redken All Soft

• Instant Texture Change: This is the biggest selling point. If your hair feels like straw, All Soft will make it feel like silk in one wash. The Argan oil and “Moisture Complex” work very fast to soften the actual fiber of the hair.³ It doesn’t just hydrate; it changes the tactile feel of the strands.
• Manageability: Because it softens the hair so aggressively, it melts tangles away. If you struggle with knots or matting at the nape of your neck, the “slip” provided by the conditioner makes combing out wet hair significantly easier and less damaging.
• Affordability (Relative): While not drugstore cheap, Redken is significantly more affordable than Pureology.⁴ You can often find liter sales at Ulta or salons that bring the price down to a very reasonable level for professional quality.
• Protein-Moisture Balance: Redken uses an “RCT Protein Complex” (Root, Core, Tip).⁵ This means it isn’t just coating the hair in oil; it is delivering protein to strengthen the hair structure.⁶ This makes it excellent for hair that is brittle and snapping off, not just dry.

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Cons Of Redken All Soft

• Contains Sulfates: The standard All Soft Shampoo is not sulfate-free.⁷ It uses SLES.⁸ While this is gentler than the harsh SLS found in cheap dish soap, it can still strip hair color faster than a true sulfate-free shampoo. If you have vivid fashion colors (like pink or blue) or a fresh keratin treatment, this might be too stripping.
• Can Be Heavy: The focus on “softening” means coating the hair. For fine or thin hair, All Soft can sometimes be too heavy, leaving hair looking flat or greasy by the end of the day. It is designed for medium-to-coarse hair that needs weight to calm it down.
• Silicones: To achieve that slippery, silky feel, Redken relies heavily on silicones (Dimethicone).⁹ While this makes hair look great, some people find it causes buildup over time, requiring a clarifying shampoo every few weeks to reset the hair.

Maintenance Tips For Redken All Soft

• Focus on Ends: Because this formula is rich, avoid putting the conditioner near your roots unless you have a very dry scalp. Apply it from the ears down to avoid losing volume at the crown.
• The “Mega” Option: If you try All Soft and still feel dry, Redken makes a spin-off line called All Soft Mega.¹⁰ This is designed for extremely coarse or ethnic hair types that need even more oil. If the gold bottle isn’t enough, the brown “Mega” bottle is the next step up.
• Clarify Occasionally: Since All Soft uses silicones to smooth the hair, use a clarifying shampoo once every two weeks to remove any product coating. This ensures the Argan oil can actually penetrate the hair shaft rather than just sitting on top of old buildup.

My Experience With Pureology Hydrate

Switching to Pureology Hydrate feels less like washing your hair and more like a spa ritual. The first thing you notice is the smell: a strong, herbal blend of peppermint, lavender, and patchouli. It smells expensive. When you apply the shampoo, you get a distinct cooling, tingling sensation on your scalp from the menthol and peppermint. I personally love this—it makes my head feel invigorated and clean—but it can be surprising if you aren’t expecting it.

Pureology is famous for its “ZeroSulfate” formula.¹¹ Despite having no sulfates, it lathers incredibly well, producing a thick, creamy foam that feels luxurious.¹² The conditioner (Condition) is unique because of the menthol tingle. It hydrates deeply without feeling as “heavy” or “oily” as Redken.¹³ When I use Pureology, my hair feels light, bouncy, and hydrated, rather than weighed down and coated. It also preserves my color better than anything else I have used. I can go weeks longer between salon visits when I stick to the purple bottle.

Pros Of Pureology Hydrate

• Superior Color Protection: This is the brand’s main mission.¹⁴ The “AntiFade Complex” is legitimate.¹⁵ Because it lacks stripping sulfates and contains UV filters (sunflower seed oil), it keeps expensive hair color vibrant for much longer.¹⁶ If you are a blonde trying to avoid brassiness or a redhead trying to avoid fading, this is the safer choice.
• Concentrated Formula: The price tag is high, but the bottle lasts forever.¹⁷ Pureology formulas are extremely concentrated. You only need a dime-sized amount of shampoo to wash a whole head of hair.¹⁸ If you use it like normal shampoo, you are wasting it. One bottle often lasts me twice as long as a bottle of Redken.
• Scalp Health: The inclusion of green tea, sage, and peppermint stimulates the scalp. If you suffer from a dry, itchy, or tight scalp, the cooling menthol sensation provides immediate relief and promotes blood flow, which feels amazing in a hot shower.
• Hydration Without Weight: Pureology manages to hydrate thirsty hair without making it look greasy.¹⁹ It uses Jojoba esters to moisturize.²⁰ The result is hair that moves and bounces, whereas Redken can sometimes make hair hang heavy.

Cons Of Pureology Hydrate

• The Price Tag: There is no getting around it—Pureology is expensive. It is a luxury product. While the concentration helps justify the cost, dropping $70+ for a shampoo and conditioner set is a significant investment for many people.
• Strong Scent: The aromatherapy scent is polarizing. It is strong. If you love herbal, minty, earthy smells, you will adore it. If you prefer fruity or sweet floral scents, or if you are sensitive to strong fragrances, the patchouli and lavender might give you a headache.
• The “Tingle” Factor: Not everyone likes their scalp to tingle. If you have sensitive skin or open scratches on your scalp, the menthol can sting rather than soothe. It is a sensory experience that you either love or hate.

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Maintenance Tips For Pureology Hydrate

• Add Water, Not Product: Because the formula is so thick, if it isn’t lathering, don’t add more shampoo. Add a splash of water and keep scrubbing. The water activates the concentrated surfactants. You will save a fortune by learning this technique.
• Choose the Right Version: The standard Hydrate (purple bottle) is for medium-to-thick hair.²¹ If you have fine, thin hair, Pureology makes Hydrate Sheer.²² It comes in a slightly lighter purple/white bottle and provides the same hydration without the weight. Do not buy the standard thick version if you have fine hair, or you will look flat.
• Let the Conditioner Sit: To get the full benefit of the menthol cooling and the Jojoba hydration, leave the conditioner on for at least 60 seconds. This gives the “tingle” time to activate and the moisture time to penetrate.

Comparison with other brands

• Redken All Soft vs. Olaplex No. 4/5: Olaplex is a bond builder, not a moisture line. If your hair is chemically damaged (breaking, gummy), you need Olaplex to repair the bonds. If your hair is just dry and brittle, you need Redken All Soft. Using Olaplex on simply dry hair often makes it feel brittle because of the protein overload. Use Redken for moisture, Olaplex for structural repair.
• Pureology Hydrate vs. Biolage HydraSource: Biolage (the aloe plant one) is a classic moisturizing option and is generally much cheaper than Pureology. Biolage is great for basic moisture, but it lacks the sophisticated color protection technology of Pureology. If your hair is natural (uncolored), save money and buy Biolage. If your hair is colored, stick to Pureology.
• Redken All Soft vs. Moroccanoil: Both rely on Argan oil.²³ Moroccanoil tends to be heavier and has a distinct musk scent. Redken All Soft feels slightly more “engineered” with its protein complex, whereas Moroccanoil feels more like a pure oil treatment. Redken is generally better for daily washing; Moroccanoil is better for styling products.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

In conclusion, your choice should come down to the condition of your hair cuticle and your bank account.

Choose Redken All Soft if your primary battle is with texture. If your hair feels like a broomstick, tangles uncontrollably, or feels rough to the touch, the Argan oil and protein blend in All Soft provides the heavy-duty softening you need.²⁷ It is the best value for turning “crunchy” hair into soft hair.

Choose Pureology Hydrate if your primary concern is preservation. If you invest heavily in hair color, have a sensitive scalp, or want a lightweight luxurious experience, Pureology is the superior product. It treats the hair gently, preserves your color investment, and turns your morning shower into a minty aromatherapy session.²⁸ It is the “self-care” choice, while Redken is the “utility” choice.