Navigating the world of hair care can feel overwhelming, but finding your ideal conditioner is the single most transformative step for achieving salon-quality health and texture at home. Redken stands as a scientific leader in this space, formulating conditioners that are more than mere detanglers—they are targeted treatments. The right choice can elevate your hair, unlocking unparalleled softness, strength, and shine that forms the foundation of your entire styling routine.
However, the very specificity that makes Redken so effective can also lead to common frustrations. Selecting a formula mismatched to your hair’s true needs often exacerbates the problems you aim to solve. A heavy, moisturizing cream can overwhelm fine strands, leaving them limp and greasy, while a lightweight option may fail to rescue parched, brittle curls. Similarly, using a strengthening repair conditioner when your hair craves pure hydration can lead to a lackluster, stiff feel, wasting both product and potential.
This definitive guide cuts through the confusion by analyzing top Redken conditioners through the critical lenses of core benefit, active ingredient science, and verified user results. We move beyond marketing to highlight how formulas rich in argan oil combat severe dryness, where complexes with biotin actively reconstruct damage, and which solutions promote lasting volume. Our curated comparisons empower you to bypass trial and error, making an informed choice that delivers intense softness, precise fortification, or exactly the result your unique hair goals demand.
Redken All Soft: Intense Hydration & Softness
Brand: Redken | Model: All Soft Conditioner
Best for: Dry, Brittle, and Coarse Hair
Rating:
★★★★☆
4.4/5
Who It’s For: This conditioner is engineered for individuals with dry, brittle, or coarse hair types that lack manageability and shine. It’s ideal for those whose hair feels rough to the touch and is prone to breakage or frizz due to a lack of moisture and lipid content.
Performance & Real-World Application: The formula delivers on its promise of intense softening. It has a rich, creamy consistency that spreads easily through damp hair without feeling overly heavy. Upon rinsing, it imparts a noticeable slip that aids in detangling, leaving hair feeling pliable, smooth, and significantly more manageable with a healthy, non-greasy sheen. The signature floral scent is pleasant and lingers subtly post-wash.
Key Specifications:
- Key Technology: Interbond Conditioning System
- Active Ingredients: Argan Oil, Soy Protein, Ceramide
- Texture: Rich, Creamy Emulsion
- Hair Type Target: Dry, Brittle, Coarse
Pros:
- Effectively transforms dry, coarse texture into soft, touchable hair.
- Provides excellent slip for easy detangling, reducing breakage.
- Adds noticeable shine and manageability without weighing fine hair down when used correctly.
Cons:
- Can cause buildup or feel slightly heavy on very fine hair if over-applied.
- Higher price point compared to drugstore conditioners.
Redken All Soft: Intensive Softening Treatment
Brand: Redken | Model: All Soft Conditioner
Best for: Dry, Brittle, or Coarse Hair
Rating:
★★★★☆
4.4/5
Who It’s For: This conditioner is engineered for individuals with hair that feels perpetually dry, rough, or straw-like, lacking pliability and shine. It’s particularly effective for those with coarse textures, chemically processed hair, or styles that require frequent heat styling, as it aims to restore suppleness and manageability.
Performance & Real-World Application: The formula delivers on its promise of intense softening with a rich, creamy consistency that coats strands without feeling overly heavy or greasy. It rinses cleanly, leaving hair noticeably more pliable, easier to detangle, and with a healthy-looking sheen. The signature floral-woody scent is pleasant and lingers subtly post-rinse, contributing to the salon-quality experience.
Key Specifications:
- Key Technology: Argan Oil & Advanced Ceramide Complex
- Texture & Weight: Rich Cream, Mid-Weight
- Fragrance Profile: Floral-Woody
- Size Options: 300ml, 500ml, 1L
Pros:
- Dramatically improves hair softness and pliability after a single use.
- Excellent slip for easy detangling, reducing breakage during combing.
- Imparts a healthy, non-greasy shine and improves overall manageability.
Cons:
- Can be too rich for very fine or low-porosity hair, potentially weighing it down.
- Premium price point compared to drugstore alternatives.
Redken Extreme Length: Targeted Growth Support
Brand: Redken | Model: Extreme Length Conditioner
Best for: Supporting long-term hair growth and preventing breakage
Rating:
★★★★☆
4.3/5
Who It’s For: This conditioner is engineered for individuals actively trying to grow their hair longer who are frustrated by breakage at the ends. It’s ideal for those with medium to thick hair textures that need a blend of strengthening and lightweight conditioning to avoid weighing hair down.
Performance & Real-World Application: The formula delivers a creamy, medium-weight consistency that detangles effectively without leaving a heavy residue. It rinses clean with a subtle, professional-grade scent, providing a noticeable improvement in hair manageability and a silkier feel that reduces friction and snagging during styling—key for preventing mechanical breakage.
Key Specifications:
- Key Technology: Intra-Cylane & Citric Acid Complex
- Primary Benefit: Reduces breakage by up to 81% (per brand data)
- Texture: Creamy, medium-weight rinse-out
- Scent Profile: Clean, fresh fragrance
Pros:
- Clinically proven to significantly reduce hair breakage, directly supporting length retention.
- Provides excellent slip for detangling, minimizing stress and damage during combing.
- Strengthens hair without heavy buildup, maintaining natural volume at the roots.
Cons:
- May not be moisturizing enough for very dry, coarse, or chemically treated hair on its own.
- The price point is higher than drugstore alternatives, representing a professional-tier investment.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose
Choosing the right Redken conditioner means matching its formulation to your hair’s specific needs. The key criteria to consider are your hair type and concerns (like damage, volume, or color), the conditioner’s texture and weight, and how its price aligns with the performance and results you expect.
1. Match the Formula to Your Hair Type
Using a conditioner designed for your specific hair type ensures effective results without weighing hair down. For example, if you have fine, flat hair, a lightweight, volumizing formula like Redken Volume Injection Conditioner will provide body without residue, whereas thick, coarse hair needs the intense hydration of something like Redken All Soft Conditioner.
2. Identify Your Primary Hair Concern
This factor matters most when you are targeting a specific issue like extreme damage, frizz, or color fading. The key trade-off is often between intense treatment and daily manageability; a heavy reparative mask is excellent for weekly recovery but may be too rich for daily use, while a daily color-safe conditioner protects but may not offer enough repair for severely damaged hair.
3. Consider Long-Term Hair Health & Cost
Selecting the correct conditioner impacts long-term hair integrity and total cost. A formula that effectively addresses your core concerns reduces the need for additional corrective treatments, prevents further damage from using the wrong product, and provides consistent results that justify its price per use over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I use Redken conditioner every day?
A1: Yes, most Redken daily conditioners are safe for daily use, but it’s best to follow the product’s specific instructions. Those with richer formulas, like masks, are designed for weekly use.
Q2: Should I use a different conditioner than my shampoo?
A2: While using a matching system is ideal, you can mix based on need. For instance, you might use a clarifying shampoo with a hydrating conditioner if your scalp is oily but your ends are dry.
Q3: How much conditioner should I use?
A3: Start with a quarter-sized amount, focusing mainly on the mid-lengths to ends of your hair. You can adjust based on your hair’s length and thickness.
Q4: Will conditioner make my fine hair flat?
A4: It can if you use a heavy formula. Look for conditioners labeled “volumizing,” “weightless,” or “fine hair,” and avoid applying them directly to your roots.
Q5: Do I need a separate conditioner for color-treated hair?
A5: Yes, it’s highly recommended. Color-safe conditioners are formulated to be gentler and help seal the hair cuticle to lock in color and prevent fading.
Final Recommendation
Based on our review, here are the top recommendations from the Redken All Soft Conditioner, Redken Volume Injection Conditioner, Redken Extreme Conditioner, Redken Color Extend Conditioner, Redken Frizz Dismiss Conditioner.
Best Overall: Redken All Soft Conditioner. It delivers exceptional, universal results by transforming dry, brittle hair into noticeably softer, more manageable strands. Its balanced formula provides intense hydration without excessive weight, making it a reliable top performer for a wide range of hair types seeking improved texture and health.
Best Value: Redken Extreme Conditioner. This conditioner offers outstanding value by targeting a common, critical need—strengthening and repairing damaged hair—at a competitive price point. Its focused, effective formula for compromised hair provides a high-performance result that makes it a cost-effective solution for serious hair repair.
