Reactive Hair Editorial Team
This post was most recently updated on June 11th, 2023
Whether your hair is dry all year-round or when the winter chills begin, you should consider adding a hydrating shampoo like Biolage Hydrasource to your hair care routine to give moisture balance for healthy-looking hair. This Matrix Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo review is going to review if this is the right fit for you to improve your hair’s hydration and tame frizzy hair.
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We are going to do a deep dive into everything there is to know about the product, including the ingredient breakdown, authentic reviews, disadvantages, and alternatives.
| PROS | CONS |
| Effectively cleanses your hair without weighing it down or leaving a greasy look | Contains SLS and SLES that may strip your hair, especially if you have extremely dry hair |
| Delivers soft, smooth, and shiny hair from the first use | You may need to use it together with other products in the line to get the best results |
| Reasonably priced since it has a generous amount of product in it | May not be suitable for ultra-fine or oily hair |
Who is it for?
Inspired by the Aloe Plant that never seems to dry out, Matrix Biolage Hydra Source is an intense moisturizing shampoo that gently cleanses your hair and replenishes the moisture, leaving it soft and shiny. Dry hair can also lead to frizz and flyaways, so taking this shampoo will help to keep them at bay.
This paraben-free shampoo is ideal for dry hair of all hair types (1 to 4c) and textures (fine hair to thick). It is also safe for both natural and color treated hair. However, if you strictly follow Curly Girl Method (CGM), Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo is not for you given it contains SLS and SLES. You may want to try the LUS Curls 3-Step System which is free of sulfates and silicones.
Always finish your hair care with the Biolage Hydrasource Conditioner as the shampoo may leave your hair feeling dry due to sulfates. If you have parched, coarse, curly, and coily hair, it is best to use Matrix Biolage Ultra Hydrasource Hydrating Shampoo to get optimal moisture.
Next, let’s check out the formula.
The Scent, Feel, and Packaging of Matrix Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo
The shampoo is a bit runny in consistency. That being said, it lathers well when you massage it on wet hair and cleans all dirt, grime, and oil without leaving buildup or residues on your strand. A little goes a long way, so make sure not to apply too much, especially if you have ultra-fine hair to avoid a heavy feeling afterward.
When it comes to scent, it depends on personal preference. While many users love it, some may dislike it. Biolage Ultra Hydrasource Shampoo has a nice floral scent that stays for a while on hair. But it’s not overpowering, so it is less likely to trigger headaches.
Moreover, you’ll appreciate the packaging of the shampoo since it’s made of 100% recycled bottles (excluding the caps). It comes in a white plastic bottle with a purple flip, and it’s sleek enough to fit your storage pouch when you’re on the go.
Next, let’s check the price of the shampoo.
Price of Matrix Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo
The best place for you to get Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo is Amazon or the Biolage website. However, you’ll get a more affordable price when you buy it from Amazon since they usually offer big discounts. Currently, you can get Matrix Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo for $23 per 13.5-oz bottle (1.7 / Ounce). The shampoo is also available in other two sizes:
- Travel (1.7 fl oz): $6.50 No products found.
- Jumbo (33.8 fl oz): $38 No products found.
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At this price point, Biolage is a reasonably-priced option considering it gives you a very generous amount per bottle. The shampoo can be a good start to prevent future breakage and brittle hair due to insufficient hydration, which then can lead to more costly hair treatments.
Since dry hair needs extra moisture that can’t be obtained from the shampoo alone, we suggest using the Biolage Hydrasource Conditioner to fine-tune your haircare routine and intensively add moisture to your locks, preventing future damage.
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Now, let’s check out the ingredients of the product.
Ingredients in Matrix Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo
As part of Biolage’s commitment to a better future, Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo is free of paraben, animal-derived ingredients, and animal testing. All Biolage hair products are 100% vegan and Leaping Bunny–certified cruelty-free.
However, Biolage Hydrasource is not sulfate-free. It is formulated with a pH-balanced formula to prevent surfactants from stripping your hair’s natural moisture. The below picture displays the ingredient list of Matrix Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo.
| Solvent | Aqua / Water / Eau, Hexylene Glycol |
| Surfactant | Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide Mipa, Sodium Cocoate |
| Viscosity Control | Sodium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Coco-Betaine, Cocamide MEA |
| Perfuming Agent | Parfum / Fragrance, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hydroxycitronellal, Amyl Cinnamal, Bisabolol, Carbomer |
| Preservative | Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol |
| Exfoliant, Anti-Acne Agent | Salicylic Acid |
| Emollient | Glycol Distearate, Methyl Cocoate |
| Moisturizer | Aloe Barbadensis / Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (key ingredient), Passiflora Edulis Fruit Juice |
| Buffering | Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide |
The above table indicates that Matrix Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo contains many cleansing and perfuming agents in the formulation. It is also infused with hair-loving ingredients, such as Aloe Barbadensis, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Juice, and Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil which helps moisturize your hair and scalp.
Read our Biolage ColorLast Shampoo Review to learn more about this issue.
Click here to learn more about this ingredient.
Next, let’s take a look at the authentic reviews of Biolage Hydra Source Shampoo.
Reviews and Ratings of Matrix Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo
Matrix Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo boasts 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 15,551 ratings on Amazon with more than 13K users giving it 5 stars. Here’s the rating classified by feature:
- Scent: 4.4 stars
- Moisturizing: 4.3 stars
- Sheerness: 4.3 stars
- Value for money: 4.1 stars
- For traveling: 4.0 stars
Let’s check out what customers loved and disliked about the products.
What Customers Loved
Review of someone with fine, dry hair that noticed hair became more manageable.
Review of someone with dry, damaged hair due to coloring and excessive styling after using the shampoo along with the conditioner.
Review of someone with bleached and colored hair that noticed less frizzy hair after using Matrix Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo and Conditioner.
Review of someone with fine, wavy, dry hair that saw improved hair softness.
As you can see, this shampoo gently cleanses hair leaving it extremely moisturized, shiny, and smooth to many people with different hair types and textures.
What Customer Disliked
Reviews of someone who noticed greasy and limp hair due to hydration overload.
Reviews of someone who noticed hair becomes dry over time. This could be due to sulfates in the formula so if you have very damaged hair, it is best to use sulfate-free shampoo.
Reviews of someone who got leaked and broken products.
Reviews of someone who experienced side effects.
Biolage Hydrasource seems to be not for everyone since some users experienced unwanted effects on their hair. To learn more about the possible side effects of the product, let’s check out the next section.
Side Effects and Possible Disadvantages
Although it is free of paraben and silicone, some ingredients included may still cause discomfort and unwanted effects to you and your hair. Below we cover the disadvantages of the product:
- It may leave your hair drier due to harsh sulfates (SLES and SLS), especially if you have extremely dry or damaged hair. Always use the conditioner which can help add moisture and conditioning to prevent dryness and prone to breakage.
- You may experience eye irritation due to the presence of Cocamidopropyl Betaine, especially if you have sensitive eyelids. Rinse the product away with water if it runs into your eyes.
- If you are sensitive to fragrance, you may notice contact dermatitis like redness or swelling. Briogeo Be Gentle Be Kind can be an alternative for you as it is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.
- You may feel the need to use another product from the Biolage Hydrasource line, such as the conditioner or hair mask to see the best results of well-moisturized and nourished hair.
Do check the full ingredients before buying the product to avoid any unwanted effects. Next, let’s check out the alternatives.
Alternatives to Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo
If you’re looking for similar shampoos that can help moisturize and strengthen your hair strands, you may want to consider these options.
Nexxus Therappe Ultimate Moisture Shampoo
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It is packed with green caviar and elastin protein to help lock in the moisture of dry hair for 24 hours. The shampoo also helps improve your hair’s elasticity, which is beneficial to prevent future breakage. You can get a 13.5-oz bottle of shampoo for around $15.93, which is more affordable than Biolage. It has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,050+ reviews.
Read our Nexxus shampoo review to learn more.
Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo
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This is a sulfate-free shampoo that’s formulated with argan oil to boost your hair’s strength. It is also infused with red algae that keep your hair stay hydrated. Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo costs around $26 for 8.5 fl oz, which is a little bit expensive. It sits at 4.6 out of 5 stars from 20,073 ratings, which outweighs the no. of Biolage ratings.
Kérastase Nutritive Bain Magistral Shampoo
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Packed with unique ingredients like iris root extract and benzoin resin, this shampoo helps moisturize and nourish extremely dry hair while also improving its shine. The price of Kérastase Nutritive is $38 for 8.5 fl oz, which is the highest among them. It sits at 4.6 out of 5 stars from 2,423 reviews on Amazon.
The Verdict: Gives Well-Hydrated and Smooth Hair
Matrix Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo is effective to deliver hydrated and healthy-looking hair without weighing your hair down. Given that it’s not sulfate-free, always condition your hair to help bring moisture balance to your hair. If you want to try another Biolage shampoo, check out this article to find out which one suits your needs.
Hope you got everything you wanted to know about the product. Leave us with questions or thoughts in the comment section below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Matrix Biolage Shampoo good for your hair?
Matrix Biolage Shampoo is formulated with a highly concentrated and pH-balanced formula, which means it does a great job of cleansing your hair from sweat, sebum, and specks of dirt. It is also infused with hair-moisturizing ingredients to help hydrate and nourish your hair.
Is Matrix Biolage Hydrasource sulfate free?
No, Matrix Biolage Hydrasource is not free of sulfates. If this is your particular concern, you can try Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo or OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo as an alternative.
Is Matrix Biolage bad for your hair?
Matrix Biolage is good as long as you pick the right formula for your hair. For example, if you have dry hair, then Matrix Biolage Hydrasource can be your go-to. If you have thin hair, you can opt for Biolage Full Density Shampoo to boost your hair volume.
