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Side by side

Biolage Strength Recovery Shampoo vs Biolage Ultra Hydra Source Shampoo

74% function match · 9 of the 13 functions we compared match Formula overlap 88%. Biolage Strength Recovery Shampoo and Biolage Ultra Hydra Source 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
  • Your answers appear here

When each one is the right call

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

  • Strength Recovery Shampoo — fast-oiling scalps
  • Ultra Hydra Source 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 Strength Recovery Shampoo — container, alternate view Biolage

Strength Recovery Shampoo

  • Shampoo
  • Salon
Biolage Ultra Hydra Source Shampoo — 13.5 oz container Biolage

Ultra Hydra Source Shampoo

  • Shampoo
  • Salon
  • Silicone-free
  • Protein-free
Price, size & price per ounce
$6.50 17 oz · $0.38/oz
$42.95 13.5 oz · $3.18/oz
Value / price positioning
Lower cost than most shampoos $$$$$ Salon tier · costs less than 94% of the 817 shampoos we’ve priced
Same job for less elsewhere $$$$$ Salon tier · costs more than 77% 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 Same
Moderate Humectants in the working part of the formula. Your hair
Moderate Humectants in the working part of the formula. 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
Prominent Fragrance sits in the first eight ingredients — a larger share of the formula. Your hair
Present Fragrance is listed; it sits below the working ingredients. Your hair
Protein Differs
Minor Protein appears, low enough to be a supporting ingredient. Your hair
None No protein or amino acids in the list. Your hair
Silicone / wax buildup Differs
High Water-insoluble silicones or waxes: a detergent wash is what removes them. Your hair
None Nothing here needs a detergent wash to remove. Your hair
Clarifying wash needed
Moderate Your hair
Low 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
  • Fast-oiling scalpsthat need a real reset wash
  • Very dry hairno fast-drying alcohol in the list
  • Sun and colour fadea UV filter is in the list
  • Cuticle-smoothing pHa pH adjuster brings it to the acidic range hair prefers
  • 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
Why you might skip it
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Sulfate-free routinesit uses a sulfate detergent
  • Curly-method routinesthese silicones need a detergent to remove
  • 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
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
Where to buy
Salons · Specialty beauty
Grocery / mass
Free of
—
  • silicone-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

IngredientStrength Recovery ShampooUltra Hydra Source Shampoo
Water
Neutral
#1Leading
#1Leading
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleanses
#2Leading
#2Leading
Coco-Betaine
Cleanses
#3Leading
#3Leading
Sodium Chloride
Stabilizes
#4Supporting
#5Supporting
Glycol Distearate
Softens
#5Supporting
#4Supporting
Citric Acid
pH balancer
#7Below the 1% line
#7Below the 1% line
Fragrance
Fragrance
#8Below the 1% line
#9Below the 1% line
Salicylic Acid
Active
#13Below the 1% line
#13Below the 1% line
Limonene
Fragrance
#16Below the 1% line
#15Below the 1% line
Hexyl Cinnamal
Fragrance
#19Below the 1% line
#16Below the 1% line
Coumarin
Fragrance
#20Below the 1% line
#17Below the 1% line
Sodium Benzoate
Stabilizes
#9Below the 1% line
#8Below the 1% line

What only one of them carries

Strength Recovery Shampoo

Ultra Hydra Source Shampoo

Full ingredient list — Strength Recovery Shampoo (27)
Full ingredient list — Ultra Hydra Source Shampoo (26)

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.

VerdictsStrength Recovery ShampooUltra Hydra Source Shampoo
Supported
0
1
Partly supported
1
1
Stated by brand
1
2
Potential conflict
1
1
Suitable for color-treated hair
Potential conflictLikely to pull colour faster.
Potential conflictLikely to pull colour faster.

Strength Recovery Shampoo

  • cleanses & detangles for less breakage & more strengthPartly supportedSupports the surface, not a treatment.
  • 3x stronger hair after one useStated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.

Ultra Hydra Source Shampoo

  • Gently cleanses very dry, thick or coarse hair without stripping oilsStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.
  • Deep hydration and softness via cupuacu butterPartly supportedSome hydration, at a low level.
  • Removes buildup and impurities with filtered salicylic acidSupportedResets a coated scalp.
  • Helps prevent frizz and flyaways for up to 72 hoursStated by brandMay help, but not a primary focus.

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 Ultra Hydra Source Shampoo draws complaints about how it cleanses and breakage.

Strength Recovery Shampoo

Makes hair feel soft, silky, and healthy when formula works effectively for the user

Users who find the product effective reporting positive hair texture results

Formula has been reformulated and customers prefer the discontinued FiberStrong predecessor

Long-term product users expressing strong preference for the original FiberStrong formula that was discontinued

Product contains silicones despite marketing claims of being silicone-free

Users comparing ingredient list to marketing claims and finding misleading labeling

Causes scalp irritation, itchiness, and reported hair loss in some users

Users with sensitive or previously healthy scalps experiencing adverse reactions after using the product

Ultra Hydra Source Shampoo

Exceptional hydrating and softening properties, particularly valued by customers with thick, curly, and coarse hair textures

multiple customers with different hair types across 1,990 reviews

Superior moisture retention and frizz control that lasts several days, keeping hair manageable through multiple days

multiple reviewers highlighting long-lasting benefits

Potential for hair breakage and damage, especially when used on extensions or with certain hair conditions

two reviews describing severe breakage issues

Color stripping and scalp irritation are reported by some users, particularly those with color-treated hair

negative reviews from customers experiencing adverse reactions

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.

$0.38/oz vs $3.18/oz — Biolage Ultra Hydra Source Shampoo costs about 8.4× more per ounce than Biolage Strength Recovery Shampoo.

$0.00/oz median $1.48/oz $17.29/oz $0.38/oz Strength Recovery Shampoo $3.18/oz Ultra Hydra Source Shampoo

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

Value readStrength Recovery ShampooUltra Hydra Source Shampoo
Label
Lower cost than most shampoosCosts less per ounce than most shampoos we have researched.
Same job for less elsewhereYou are paying above the range for a formula close to several lower-priced options.

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.

Strength Recovery Shampoo vs L'Oreal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Shampoo for Color Treated HairL'Oreal Paris Elvive · 96% function matchUltra Hydra Source Shampoo vs Biolage Ultra HydraSource ShampooBiolage · 100% function matchStrength Recovery Shampoo vs Extreme ShampooRedken · 96% function matchUltra Hydra Source Shampoo vs Elvive Collagen Peptide + Lifter Volumizing Shampoo for Thin, Flat HairL'Oreal Paris Elvive · 96% function matchStrength Recovery Shampoo vs Garnier Fructis Grow Strong Fortifying ShampooGarnier Fructis · 94% function matchUltra Hydra Source Shampoo vs Hydra Source Shampoo for Dry HairBiolage · 96% function matchStrength Recovery Shampoo vs Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin Riche ShampooKerastase · 94% function matchUltra Hydra Source Shampoo vs Wonder Curl ShampooFanola · 96% function match

Strength Recovery Shampoo · Ultra Hydra Source 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.
  • 7 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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