Redken All Soft Vs. Acidic Bonding: In-depth Difference

When you’re staring at your hair in the bathroom mirror trying to decide if it needs a drink of water or a full reconstructive surgery, the choice between Redken’s iconic lines is everything.

I have spent months analyzing how these formulas behave on different hair textures to bring you this definitive Redken All Soft vs. Acidic Bonding Concentrate comparison.

My intent is to help you distinguish between simple surface dryness and deep structural damage so you can invest in the right bottle.

You should choose All Soft for silkiness, but Acidic Bonding is your hero for total repair.

Comparison Table: Redken All Soft Vs. Acidic Bonding Concentrate

My experience in the lab of my own bathroom

I remember the first time I realized my hair wasn’t just “dry” but was actually “compromised.”

I am someone who has gone from jet black to platinum blonde more times than I care to admit.

After my last bleaching session, my hair felt like wet spaghetti when it was damp and like a tumbleweed when it was dry.

I reached for my old faithful, Redken All Soft, thinking that the argan oil would save the day.

While All Soft did make the hair feel a bit more “slippery” in the shower, the moment I rinsed it out, the breakage returned.

I realized then that argan oil is like a moisturizer for your skin—it’s great for the surface, but it won’t fix a broken bone.

That is when I switched to the Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate (ABC) system.

The first thing I noticed was the smell; it has a professional, bright citrus scent that feels very “clinical” in a good way.

The shampoo is thick and rich, and despite being sulfate-free, it creates a very dense lather that felt like it was actually coating my strands.

After using the three-step system (Pre-treatment, Shampoo, and Conditioner), my hair felt fundamentally different.

It wasn’t just “soft” in that slippery, silicone way; it felt “tough.”

I could brush through it without seeing those tiny, snapped-off ends in the sink.

From an analytical perspective, I have found that All Soft is the perfect “maintenance” line.

If your hair is naturally coarse or just gets dry from the sun and wind, the gold bottle is unbeatable for making you feel like you have “princess hair.”

But if you are a frequent user of hot tools or chemical lighteners, you need the silver bottle.

The Acidic Bonding Concentrate focuses on the pH of your hair, which is something many people overlook.

Chemical treatments raise the pH of your hair, causing the cuticle to stay open and vulnerable.

The ABC line brings that pH back down, “sealing” the hair shut.

Nowadays, I actually alternate: I use ABC once a week to keep the structure strong, and I use All Soft on other days to keep that touchable, silky bounce.

Maintenance and tips for your Redken routine

To see the best results from these professional formulas, you should treat them with the same precision a stylist would in a salon.

• The “Pre-Shampoo” Secret: If you are using Acidic Bonding Concentrate, do not skip the Intensive Pre-Treatment. Apply it to damp hair before you even shampoo. This is where the highest concentration of bonding agents lives, and it makes a world of difference in the final strength of your hair.
• Less is More: Both of these formulas are highly concentrated. You should only use an amount roughly the size of a nickel. If you aren’t getting a lather with the ABC shampoo, add more water to your hair rather than more product.
• Rinse with Cool Water: To maximize the smoothing effects of the argan oil in All Soft or the pH balancing in ABC, always do your final rinse with cool water. This helps the cuticle stay flat and “locked.”
• The Squeeze Method: After conditioning, don’t rub your hair with a towel. Squeeze it gently. Rubbing creates friction that can ruff the cuticle, undoing the work your expensive products just did.
• Know Your Cycle: If you have damaged hair, start with the ABC system for a month to “reset” your hair’s health. Once your hair feels strong and resilient, you can introduce All Soft every other wash to bring back that extra touch of silkiness.

Pros and Cons of Redken All Soft

Pros of Redken All Soft

• Instant Tactile Transformation: If you want your hair to go from feeling like straw to feeling like silk in a single wash, this is the gold standard of the industry.
• Argan Oil Enrichment: The use of high-quality argan oil provides a specific type of suppleness that makes hair move beautifully and prevents that “stiff” look.
• Incredible Detangling: The “slip” provided by the All Soft conditioner is legendary; it allows a comb to glide through even the most stubborn knots without effort.
• Affordability within Luxury: While still a professional product, the All Soft line is generally more accessible in price than the specialized bonding treatments.
• Great for Coarse Textures: It works wonders on hair that is naturally thick or “hard” to the touch, softening the strands so they are easier to style into sleek looks.

Cons of Redken All Soft

• Contains Sulfates: The standard shampoo uses sulfates to achieve its rich lather, which might be too drying for some people or could cause color to fade slightly faster than a sulfate-free option.
• Surface-Level Only: It does not contain bonding agents, meaning it cannot repair the internal damage caused by bleach or high-heat styling.
• Can Be Too Heavy for Fine Hair: Because it is so rich in oils, people with very thin or oily-prone hair might find it weighs their style down by the end of the day.

Pros and Cons of Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate

Pros of Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate

• Deep Structural Repair: It uses an acidic pH and Citric Acid to reinforce weakened bonds within the hair, actually making the hair stronger against future breakage.
• Sulfate-Free Cleansing: This is a massive pro for anyone with a sensitive scalp or expensive hair color that they want to preserve for as long as possible.
• Significant Reduction in Split Ends: Regular use of the full system is clinically proven to reduce visible split ends by up to 82%, which is a lifesaver for those trying to grow their hair long.
• Ultimate Shine and Smoothness: By closing the hair cuticle through pH balancing, it reflects light much better than “open” damaged hair, resulting in a glass-like finish.
• Heat Protection Built-In: The leave-in treatment in this line offers thermal protection up to 450 degrees, simplifying your post-shower routine.

Cons of Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate

• Potential for Protein Overload: If your hair is not actually damaged, using this intensive bonding system too often can make your hair feel “stiff” or “coated.”
• Premium Price Point: This is one of Redken’s most expensive lines, and since it works best as a multi-step system, the total cost adds up quickly.
• Texture Preference: Some users find the “strong” feeling it gives the hair to be less desirable than the “fluffy softness” provided by the All Soft line.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Thoughts

Deciding between Redken All Soft vs. Acidic Bonding Concentrate is a choice between immediate “feel” and long-term “repair.”

I have found that Redken All Soft is the perfect companion for your daily life if you just want soft, shiny, and easy-to-manage hair that smells like a dream.

However, you should buy Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate if you have pushed your hair to the limit with bleach or heat and you need a serious intervention to stop breakage.

I believe that once you understand the difference between a thirsty strand and a broken one, you will finally achieve the hair goals you have been chasing.

You should consider starting with the Acidic Bonding leave-in treatment as a “gateway” product, as it provides the best of both worlds: repair, heat protection, and a touch of that All Soft silkiness.