Beauty Redken All Soft Guide: Moisture Science and Dry Hair Care
An educational guide from the Beauty AMZ research team. No hard sell, just what you need to know.
Why Hair Becomes Dry
Hair dries out when the cuticle lifts and moisture escapes. Chemical processing, heat styling and sun all damage the cuticle. Coarse and curly textures lose moisture fastest naturally. Hard water minerals can also rough up the cuticle. Understanding the cause helps you treat it correctly. Moisture-focused lines like All Soft address the symptom effectively.
How All Soft Delivers Moisture
Argan oil is rich in oleic and linoleic acids that condition deeply. Amino acids help hair retain water within the strand. The formulas use a slightly acidic pH to smooth the cuticle. Silicones seal in the moisture after conditioning. This layered approach explains the signature softness. Results are immediate but improve with consistent use.
The Moisture-Protein Balance
Hair needs both moisture and protein to stay healthy. Too much moisture without protein causes mushy, stretchy hair. Too much protein without moisture causes brittleness. All Soft leans heavily toward moisture. Pair it with a protein treatment monthly for balance. Fine hair needs this balance most carefully.
Routine for Severely Dry Hair
Shampoo with All Soft, focusing on the scalp. Apply conditioner generously and leave for five minutes. Rinse with cool water to seal moisture in. Work argan oil through damp ends before styling. Sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce overnight moisture loss. Repeat consistently for two weeks to judge results.
All Soft vs Other Moisture Lines
Redken's own Hydrate line offers lighter moisture for normal hair. All Soft is the richest option for truly dry hair. Drugstore moisture lines cost less but use simpler formulas. Salon competitors like Pureology offer similar richness at higher prices. For the balance of performance and price, All Soft is hard to beat.
Recommended Products
These Redken All Soft products earned the highest ratings for restoring softness to dry, brittle hair.
Best for: First-time buyers testing All Soft on dry hair.
Redken All Soft Shampoo, 10.1 oz
- Moisturizing shampoo for dry hair
- Argan oil enriched formula
- Gentle daily cleansing
- Signature All Soft fragrance
Pros
- Hair feels softer after one wash
- Great lather for a moisturizing shampoo
- Perfect trial size
Cons
- Higher cost per ounce
- May be too rich for fine hair
- Runs out in a month or two
Best for: Committed All Soft users wanting maximum value.
Redken All Soft Shampoo, 33.8 oz
- Salon-size value bottle
- Same moisturizing formula
- Far lower cost per ounce
- Pump dispenser included
Pros
- Huge savings for loyal users
- Lasts four to six months
- Convenient pump bottle
Cons
- High upfront investment
- Bulky for small showers
- Big commitment for new users
Best for: Dry-haired users completing the All Soft system.
Redken All Soft Conditioner
- Daily moisture conditioner
- Argan oil softness
- Detangles dry, brittle hair
- Pairs with All Soft shampoo
Pros
- Excellent daily detangling
- Noticeable softness boost
- Works well as a system
Cons
- Too heavy for fine hair
- Needs thorough rinsing
- Premium price
Best for: Very dry, coarse hair needing intense moisture.
Redken All Soft Heavy Cream
- Intense moisture treatment
- Thick cream for very dry hair
- Use weekly or as conditioner
- Deep softening action
Pros
- Strongest moisture in the line
- Transforms straw-like hair
- A little goes far
Cons
- Too heavy for regular fine-hair use
- Can cause buildup
- Takes time to rinse fully
Best for: All Soft users wanting the perfect finishing shine.
Redken All Soft Argan Multi-Care Oil
- Argan oil finishing treatment
- Seals in All Soft moisture
- Adds shine and frizz control
- Lightweight oil texture
Pros
- Perfect finisher for the routine
- Beautiful glossy results
- Long-lasting bottle
Cons
- Premium price for the size
- Easy to overapply
- Not a standalone treatment
Ready to Choose?
See our top product picks for redken all soft, or jump straight to the head-to-head comparison of the two most popular options.
All Soft on Fine Hair: Avoiding the Weighed-Down Look
The All Soft line is unapologetically rich, which is wonderful for coarse dry hair and risky for fine hair. The workaround is placement, shampoo normally, then apply conditioner only from the ears down, keeping it completely away from the crown. Rinse longer than you think necessary, since the creamy residue that makes coarse hair happy is exactly what flattens fine roots. The Argan Multi-Care Oil works for fine hair only in tiny doses, one drop warmed between palms and pressed onto the very ends. If your hair is fine and low-density, consider using All Soft as a twice-weekly treatment rather than a daily system, alternating with a lighter volumizing wash on other days.
How to Tell the Moisture Is Actually Working
Give any moisturizing shampoo at least two weeks and four to six washes before judging it, since hair needs time to shed old buildup and respond. Positive signs include less snapping when brushing wet hair, ends that feel smooth rather than crispy, and frizz that calms without heavy styling products. Warning signs of over-moisturizing are just as real, hair that feels mushy or gummy when wet, styles that fall flat within hours, and a general limpness are classic hygral fatigue. If you see those, cut back to using the rich conditioner every other wash.
Moisturizing Shampoo and Dandruff: The Honest Interplay
Rich moisturizing shampoos can make flaky scalps worse when the flakes come from excess oil rather than dryness. If your dandruff is the oily, yellowish kind, heavy butters near the scalp feed the yeast that drives flaking, so keep All Soft products on the lengths and use a dedicated anti-dandruff shampoo on the scalp. If the flakes are small, white, and the scalp feels tight, that is genuine dryness, and the moisturizing line helps. Many people need both products in rotation, medicated shampoo on the scalp once or twice weekly and All Soft on the lengths every wash. Alternate rather than mixing them in one wash for the best of both. The All Soft routine breakdown details the full lineup, and the Oil For All guide covers the finishing oil step.