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Side by side

Biolage Biolage Ultra HydraSource Shampoo vs Biolage Scalp Sync Shampoo

74% function match · 9 of the 13 functions we compared match Formula overlap 66%. Biolage Biolage Ultra HydraSource Shampoo and Biolage Scalp Sync Shampoo share 4 ingredients among each other's most prominent.

Based on your consultation

Which of these fits your hair?

We check your pattern, moisture need, scalp, fragrance tolerance, weight sensitivity and more against each formula — and say which one lines up.

Your profile at a glance

  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here
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When each one is the right call

What each formula is built for, from its own ingredient list.

  • Biolage Ultra HydraSource Shampoo — protein-sensitive hair
  • Scalp Sync Shampoo — protein-sensitive hair

Side by side

Every trait, aligned

One row per trait, read from each product’s own ingredient list and record. A dash means we have not researched that field for that product — it is not a “no”.

Trait
Biolage Biolage Ultra HydraSource Shampoo — 33.8 oz container Biolage

Biolage Ultra HydraSource Shampoo

  • Shampoo
  • Salon
  • Silicone-free
  • Protein-free
Biolage Scalp Sync Shampoo — container, alternate view Biolage

Scalp Sync Shampoo

  • Shampoo
  • Salon
  • Protein-free
  • Moisture-rich
Price, size & price per ounce
$43–45 33.8 oz · $1.33/oz
$27 13.5 oz · $2.00/oz

Compared at different sizes — 33.8 oz against 13.5 oz. Per-ounce prices favour the larger bottle.

Value / price positioning
Priced with its peers $$$$$ Salon tier · costs less than 54% of the 817 shampoos we’ve priced
Upper-mid price for a shampoo $$$$$ Salon tier · costs more than 62% of the 817 shampoos we’ve priced
Best for hair types
All types Nothing in the formula or the claims narrows this to one pattern. Your hair
All types Nothing in the formula or the claims narrows this to one pattern. Your hair
Moisture level Differs
Moderate Humectants in the working part of the formula. Your hair
High Humectants near the top — water-binding is a headline mechanism here. Your hair
Cleansing strength Same
Strong Removes oil, buildup, and most residue — a reset wash. Your hair
Strong Removes oil, buildup, and most residue — a reset wash. Your hair
Slip / detangling Same
Moderate Conditioning agents are present, lower in the list. Your hair
Moderate Conditioning agents are present, lower in the list. Your hair
Weight on hair
Medium Middle of the range — noticeable on fine hair, light on coarse hair. Your hair
Medium Middle of the range — noticeable on fine hair, light on coarse hair. Your hair
Fragrance
Present Fragrance is listed; it sits below the working ingredients. Your hair
Present Fragrance is listed; it sits below the working ingredients. Your hair
Protein Same
None No protein or amino acids in the list. Your hair
None No protein or amino acids in the list. Your hair
Silicone / wax buildup Differs
None Nothing here needs a detergent wash to remove. Your hair
High Water-insoluble silicones or waxes: a detergent wash is what removes them. Your hair
Clarifying wash needed
Low Your hair
Moderate Your hair
Expected lather Same
High Thick foam that spreads quickly through the hair. Your hair
High Thick foam that spreads quickly through the hair. Your hair
Scalp active Same
None No over-the-counter scalp active. Your hair
None No over-the-counter scalp active. Your hair
Hard-water defence Same
None No chelating agent in the list. Your hair
None No chelating agent in the list. Your hair
Formula completeness
out of 10
Complete for its job
out of 10
Complete for its job
Who should choose this
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
  • Fast-oiling scalpsthat need a real reset wash
  • Silicone-free routinesno silicones appear in the list
  • Very dry hairno fast-drying alcohol in the list
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
  • Fast-oiling scalpsthat need a real reset wash
  • Dry, thirsty hairhumectants and emollients both sit up front
  • Very dry hairno fast-drying alcohol in the list
Why you might skip it
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Sulfate-free routinesit uses a sulfate detergent
  • Dry or damaged haira strong detergent system strips as it cleans
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Sulfate-free routinesit uses a sulfate detergent
  • Curly-method routinesthese silicones need a detergent to remove
from the formula stated by the brand reported by reviewers Scale: 1 dot low · 5 dots high, within this product type.
More facts about each one
Type
Shampoo
Shampoo
Line
Ultra Hydra Source
—
Where to buy
Target · Salons · Brand website
Grocery / mass · Salons
Free of
  • silicone-free
  • protein-free
  • protein-free
Scent
Scented, not described
Scented, not described
How often
—
every wash

Facts as we recorded them. A dash means we have not researched that field for that product — it is not a "no".

The bottom line

The bottom line depends on your hair

Which of these two suits you is a question about your hair, not about them. The consultation answers it — and tells you what your routine needs around it.

Take the consultation

$49.00 once, for your consultation and hair profile. No subscription, no required purchases.

The detail behind the table

Where the readings above come from: the ingredient lists themselves, each brand’s claims checked against them, what owners report, and cost per ounce in context.

Shared and distinct ingredients

Shared and distinct ingredients

Computed from the ingredient lists as printed. "Shared" means both lists carry it; where it sits on each label is stated, because position is what tells you how much.

What both formulas carry

IngredientBiolage Ultra HydraSource ShampooScalp Sync Shampoo
Water
Neutral
#1Leading
#1Leading
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleanses
#2Leading
#2Leading
Coco-Betaine
Cleanses
#3Leading
#14Below the 1% line
Glycol Distearate
Softens
#4Supporting
#6Supporting
Sodium Chloride
Stabilizes
#5Supporting
#7Supporting
Cocamide MEA
Cleanses
#6Supporting
#5Supporting
Citric Acid
pH balancer
#7Below the 1% line
#11Below the 1% line
Sodium Benzoate
Stabilizes
#8Below the 1% line
#12Below the 1% line
Fragrance
Fragrance
#9Below the 1% line
#10Below the 1% line
Salicylic Acid
Active
#13Below the 1% line
#23Below the 1% line
Limonene
Fragrance
#15Below the 1% line
#19Below the 1% line
Hexyl Cinnamal
Fragrance
#16Below the 1% line
#24Below the 1% line
Hexylene Glycol
Moisturizes
#11Below the 1% line
#8Supporting

What only one of them carries

Biolage Ultra HydraSource Shampoo

Nothing notable here that the others do not also carry.

Scalp Sync Shampoo

Full ingredient list — Biolage Ultra HydraSource Shampoo (26)
Full ingredient list — Scalp Sync Shampoo (37)

Claims check

What each brand says, against what each formula shows

Claims are quoted from each brand. We only mark one supported, partly supported, or conflicting when that product’s ingredient list actually speaks to it.

VerdictsBiolage Ultra HydraSource ShampooScalp Sync Shampoo
Supported
0
1
Partly supported
1
0
Stated by brand
2
3
Potential conflict
1
0

Biolage Ultra HydraSource Shampoo

  • Gently cleanses very dry, thick, or coarse hair without stripping essential oilsStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.
  • Infused with cupuacu butter to deliver deep hydration and softnessPartly supportedSome hydration, at a low level.
  • Helps prevent frizz and flyaways for up to 72 hoursStated by brandMay help, but not a primary focus.
  • Suitable for color-treated hairPotential conflictLikely to pull colour faster.

Scalp Sync Shampoo

  • Helps reduce the appearance of dandruff and visible flakesStated by brandSoothing, not an active treatment.
  • Supports scalp balance by helping remove buildup and excess oils while maintaining hair comfortSupportedResets a coated scalp.
  • Refreshing cleansing care for a cleaner, healthier-looking scalp environmentStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.
  • Developed for dandruff-prone scalp concernsStated by brandSoothing, not an active treatment.

What owners say

What people report

Recurring themes our researchers wrote in their own words from sourced reviews. We do not store or scrape star ratings, and we never balance one product’s themes against another’s by inventing them.

Biolage Biolage Ultra HydraSource Shampoo draws complaints about how it cleanses and breakage; Biolage Scalp Sync Shampoo draws complaints about dryness and irritation.

Biolage Ultra HydraSource Shampoo

Reviewers frequently mention pairing it with the matching conditioner/leave-in as part of a full hydrating routine, reporting best results as a system

used as part of full Ultra HydraSource system

Reviewers with very dry or curly hair report meaningful moisture improvement, softness, and multi-day manageability

dry/curly hair users

A recurring complaint describes the product stripping or dulling color-treated (especially grey/blonde) hair, contradicting the brand's color-safe claim

color-treated hair, particularly grey/blonde

Some reviewers with curly or fragile hair report breakage or increased shedding after use

curly/fragile hair

Scalp Sync Shampoo

Many reviewers say the shampoo visibly reduced dandruff and flaking within the first few washes, especially when used with the rest of the Scalp Sync line.

reviewers with dandruff

A few reviewers reported skin reactions such as neck or scalp irritation and hives, in at least one case tied to a known allergy to an ingredient in the formula.

reviewers with sensitive skin or known allergies

Several long-time users say a past reformulation made the shampoo noticeably less effective at controlling their dandruff than it used to be.

long-time repeat buyers

A large minority of reviewers report the opposite: the shampoo left their scalp and hair very dry or brittle, sometimes described as 'straw-like,' and required extra conditioning to recover.

reviewers with dry-leaning scalps or hair

Reviewers are split on the mint/menthol scent and cooling tingle: many find it refreshing, but a notable share call it too strong or medicinal-smelling.

general reviewers

Price check

Cost per ounce, in context

Cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in. Value labels are computed from that percentile and from how many products that do the same job cost less; they are comparisons, not judgements about a brand.

$1.33/oz vs $2.00/oz — Biolage Scalp Sync Shampoo costs about 1.5× more per ounce than Biolage Biolage Ultra HydraSource Shampoo.

$0.00/oz median $1.48/oz $17.29/oz $1.33/oz Biolage Ultra HydraSource $2.00/oz Scalp Sync Shampoo

Every mark sits on one distribution because these are compared against the same set: 817 shampoos with a computable unit price.

Value readBiolage Ultra HydraSource ShampooScalp Sync Shampoo
Label
Priced with its peersSits in the middle of the range for shampoos per ounce.
Upper-mid price for a shampooSits in the middle of the range for shampoos per ounce.

Computed from cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced, and from how many products that do the same job cost less. It is a comparison, not a judgement about the brand.

Compare with something else

Close formulas to each of these, as their own comparison pages.

Biolage Ultra HydraSource Shampoo vs Ultra Hydra Source ShampooBiolage · 100% function matchScalp Sync Shampoo vs Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin Riche ShampooKerastase · 94% function matchBiolage Ultra HydraSource Shampoo vs Elvive Collagen Peptide + Lifter Volumizing Shampoo for Thin, Flat HairL'Oreal Paris Elvive · 96% function matchScalp Sync Shampoo vs Elvive Glycolic Gloss Shine Boosting ShampooL'Oreal Paris Elvive · 94% function matchBiolage Ultra HydraSource Shampoo vs Hydra Source Shampoo for Dry HairBiolage · 96% function matchScalp Sync Shampoo vs Garnier Fructis Grow Strong Fortifying ShampooGarnier Fructis · 94% function matchBiolage Ultra HydraSource Shampoo vs Wonder Curl ShampooFanola · 96% function matchScalp Sync Shampoo vs Kerastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste ShampooKerastase · 94% function match

Biolage Ultra HydraSource Shampoo · Scalp Sync Shampoo · All shampoos in the library

How this page was made

  • This page is assembled from the same researched records the individual product pages render: identity, each ingredient list as printed, each brand's own claims, dated price observations, and review themes written in our researchers' own words. Nothing on it is written per comparison.
  • We do not rank these against each other. Which of them suits you depends on your hair, and that is what the consultation works out.
  • The formula similarity percentage is a stored, precomputed number: position-weighted overlap of the two ingredient lists blended with agreement on the attributes we derive. It measures how alike two formulas are, not how well either works.
  • The value band is a fixed label over two stored numbers: this product’s cost per ounce as a percentile of every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in, and how many products we score as doing the same job cost at least a quarter less per ounce.
  • The "Is this right for you?" panel reads only your own consultation answers, and it applies exactly the filters our recommendation engine applies. It is computed when you load the page and is never stored on it.
  • 8 sources were consulted across the products on this page.
  • Ingredient order tells you relative amount only above roughly 1%. Prices are observations on the dates shown and change without notice. We do not sell these products and take no placement fees.
  • This is cosmetic information, not medical advice, and nothing here diagnoses or treats a health condition.

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