Pureology Strength Cure vs Hydrate (The Definitive Guide)

So, you've decided you want to try one of Pureology's cult-favorite, best-selling shampoos/conditioners, but you can't quite figure out what the differences are? We've all been there, don't worry!

Come with us as we compare the Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo vs Pureology Hydrate Shampoo (as well as their conditioners) side-by-side to help you decide which is right for you. Enjoy!

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Pureology Strength Cure vs Hydrate Shampoo

First and foremost, it's worth establishing the fact that the Hydrate Shampoo and the Strength Cure Shampoo are formulated for slightly different purposes.

While they have both been formulated for color-treated hair, the "Hydrate" range is intended to deeply hydrate dry hair, and the "Strength Cure" range is intended to fortify and repair damaged hair.

Seems straightforward enough, but of course there is quite an overlap when it comes to treating dry hair and damaged hair. So is there really that much difference? Let's investigate a little further.

To start with, they are *both* completely free from nasties (such as sulfates) and they each contain Pureology's patented 'Antifade Complex' (including Sunflower Seed, a UV filter, and Vitamin E) to help protect color vibrancy.

They both also contain an aromatherapy blend. The Hydrate Shampoo smells like a mix of Lavendar, Bergamot, and Patchouli, whereas the Strength Cure Shampoo includes a fragrance comprised of Raspberry, Peach, and fresh water flowers.

Where they truly begin to differ, though, is at the heart of their formulas:

• The Strength Cure Shampoo contains Keravis & Arginine proteins which strengthen strands and prevent damage, as well as Astaxanthin which is a powerful antioxidant that helps to heal and repair existing damage.
• The Hydrate Shampoo instead contains a concentrated, nourishing combo of Green Tea (supports healthy hair growth), Jojoba (protects against dryness), and Sage (improves circulation to the scalp) which yields an addictingly touchable softness to the hair.

One's for damage repair, and one's for dry hair, and there's no points for guessing which is which.

Or at least that's how night and day it seems until you realize that the Hydrate Shampoo *also* contains hair-strengthening proteins, specifically: Wheat Protein, Soy Protein, and Vegetable Protein.

That's the overlap we were on about before, and it understandably causes a bit of confusion when it comes to choosing between the two, because surely that makes both shampoos ideal for damaged hair, right?

The key thing to realize here is that these proteins are purely temporary in preventing hair damage—which is important when it comes to treating both dry or damaged hair types, sure—however they don't help to repair damage.

That's where the Astaxanthin (Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract) in the Strength Cure Shampoo comes in, and what ultimately makes the biggest difference.

So, we've come full circle. While the Pureology Hydrate Shampoo is for dry, color-treated hair, the Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo is for damaged, color-treated hair.

The similarities and differences are more or less the same when it comes to comparing the conditioners, too, with the Hydrate Conditioner being intended for dry hair types, and the Strength Cure Conditioner being aimed at damaged hair types.