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Side by side

Nioxin Nioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 1 Shampoo vs Nioxin Nioxin Scalp Recovery Purifying Shampoo

70% function match · 8 of the 13 functions we compared match Formula overlap 47%. Nioxin Nioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 1 Shampoo and Nioxin Nioxin Scalp Recovery Purifying 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.

  • Nioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 1 Shampoo — fragrance-free
  • Nioxin Scalp Recovery Purifying Shampoo — flaking scalps

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
Nioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 1 Shampoo — front of package Nioxin

Nioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 1 Shampoo

  • Shampoo
  • Salon
  • Silicone-free
  • Fragrance-free
Nioxin Scalp Recovery Purifying Shampoo — front of package Nioxin

Nioxin Scalp Recovery Purifying Shampoo

  • Shampoo
  • Salon
  • Silicone-free
  • Protein-free
Price, size & price per ounce
$19–28 10.14 oz · $2.33/oz
$44–63 33.81 oz · $1.62/oz

Compared at different sizes — 33.81 oz against 10.14 oz. Per-ounce prices favour the larger bottle.

Value / price positioning
Upper-mid price for a shampoo $$$$$ Salon tier · costs more than 66% of the 817 shampoos we’ve priced
Upper-mid price for a shampoo $$$$$ Salon tier · costs more than 53% 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
Low Humectants appear, but low enough to be a minor part. Your hair
Low Humectants appear, but low enough to be a minor part. 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 Differs
Little Nothing here is built to reduce combing force. Your hair
Moderate Conditioning agents are present, lower in the list. Your hair
Weight on hair
Light Water-first and light: unlikely to flatten fine hair. Your hair
Light Water-first and light: unlikely to flatten fine hair. Your hair
Fragrance
None listed No fragrance is listed. 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 Same
None Nothing here needs a detergent wash to remove. Your hair
None Nothing here needs a detergent wash to remove. Your hair
Clarifying wash needed
Low 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 Differs
None No over-the-counter scalp active. Your hair
pyrithione zinc, 1% Carries an over-the-counter scalp active, listed under Drug Facts. Your hair
Hard-water defence Differs
Chelators present Chelators are present — they bind hard-water and pool minerals. 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
  • Fragrance-freeno fragrance (parfum) on the label — scented
  • Fast-oiling scalpsthat need a real reset wash
  • Hard waterand swimmers dealing with mineral deposit
  • Fine hairthat flattens under most products
  • Flaking scalpsthis carries an over-the-counter active
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
  • Fast-oiling scalpsthat need a real reset wash
  • Fine hairthat flattens under most products
Why you might skip it
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a strong 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 strong 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
Line
System 1
—
Where to buy
Ulta · Manufacturer · Amazon
Ulta · Amazon
Free of
  • silicone-free
  • fragrance-free
  • silicone-free
  • protein-free
Cruelty-free
Not cruelty-free · PETA-listed
Not cruelty-free · PETA-listed
Scent
Mint & herbalStrong
Scented, not described

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

IngredientNioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 1 ShampooNioxin Scalp Recovery Purifying Shampoo
Water
Neutral
#1Leading
#1Leading
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleanses
#2Leading
#2Leading
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleanses
#4Supporting
#6Supporting
Sodium Benzoate
Stabilizes
#6Below the 1% line
#12Below the 1% line
Citric Acid
pH balancer
#7Below the 1% line
#13Below the 1% line
Sodium Chloride
Stabilizes
#8Below the 1% line
#5Supporting
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Fragrance
#10Below the 1% line
#15Below the 1% line
Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil
Fragrance
#11Below the 1% line
#16Below the 1% line
Limonene
Fragrance
#17Below the 1% line
#27Below the 1% line

What only one of them carries

Nioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 1 Shampoo

Nioxin Scalp Recovery Purifying Shampoo

Full ingredient list — Nioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 1 Shampoo (42)
Full ingredient list — Nioxin Scalp Recovery Purifying Shampoo (52)

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.

VerdictsNioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 1 ShampooNioxin Scalp Recovery Purifying Shampoo
Supported
0
1
Partly supported
0
0
Stated by brand
3
1
Potential conflict
0
0

Nioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 1 Shampoo

  • 85% of consumers noticed a thickening effectStated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.
  • 80% noticed an increase in hair densityStated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.
  • 80% noticed an increase in hair fullness (230-person, 2016 survey)Stated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.

Nioxin Scalp Recovery Purifying Shampoo

  • Combats dandruff from the first useSupportedA recognised active does the work.
  • Gently cleanses your scalp, helps to restore its natural balance and reduces hair fall associated with itchingStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.

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.

Nioxin Nioxin Scalp Recovery Purifying Shampoo draws complaints about the scent and residue or cast.

Nioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 1 Shampoo

Perceived to balance oily scalp/hair and leave hair feeling clean with added volume

oily-scalp users

Reviewers, many identifying as stylists, report visible hair thickening/growth and reorder for salon clients

stylist/salon users, repeat buyers

Some reviewers with scalp eczema or sensitivity report it calms irritation without over-drying, and less menthol-forward than other Nioxin-type products

sensitive/eczema-prone scalp users

A minority report drying effects or increased shedding, especially those with fine hair

fine-hair users

Strong minty/eucalyptus-menthol scent noted, described as refreshing by most but off-putting to some

general users

Nioxin Scalp Recovery Purifying Shampoo

The shampoo is described as economical -- reviewers report needing only a small amount per wash, making a bottle last a long time.

general reviewer feedback on value/usage amount

Several reviewers of the Scalp Recovery line describe reduced hair fall and shedding noticeable within one to two weeks of regular shampoo use.

multiple reviewers, 1-2 weeks of use

A recurring complaint across the Scalp Recovery line is a strong, lingering fragrance, which some reviewers find unpleasant even when satisfied with the anti-flake results.

reviewer using the shampoo as part of the routine

One reviewer with a self-reported thyroid condition reported increased scalp dryness and hair breakage on weekly use, a caution against assuming uniform results.

reviewer with a self-reported thyroid condition, weekly use

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.

$1.62/oz vs $2.33/oz — Nioxin Nioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 1 Shampoo costs about 1.4× more per ounce than Nioxin Nioxin Scalp Recovery Purifying Shampoo.

$0.00/oz median $1.48/oz $17.29/oz $2.33/oz Nioxin Scalp + Hair Thicke $1.62/oz Nioxin Scalp Recovery Puri

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

Value readNioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 1 ShampooNioxin Scalp Recovery Purifying Shampoo
Label
Upper-mid price for a shampooSits 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.

Nioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 1 Shampoo vs Nioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 2 ShampooNioxin · 100% function matchNioxin Scalp Recovery Purifying Shampoo vs Volume Injection ShampooRedken · 85% function matchNioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 1 Shampoo vs A Curl Can Dream Deep Cleansing ShampooMatrix · 96% function matchNioxin Scalp Recovery Purifying Shampoo vs Kerastase Specifique Bain Divalent ShampooKerastase · 85% function matchNioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 1 Shampoo vs DHS Tar ShampooPerson & Covey · 95% function matchNioxin Scalp Recovery Purifying Shampoo vs Extreme Length ShampooRedken · 83% function matchNioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 1 Shampoo vs Pro-V Sheer Volume ShampooPantene · 93% function matchNioxin Scalp Recovery Purifying Shampoo vs Elvive Collagen Peptide + Lifter Volumizing Shampoo for Thin, Flat HairL'Oreal Paris Elvive · 83% function match

Nioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 1 Shampoo · Nioxin Scalp Recovery Purifying 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.
  • 13 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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