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If yournatural curlsare looking dry, limp, or just not like their usually-bouncy selves, co-washing can be an easy way to revitalize them. Co-washing ditches the shampoo and instead uses conditioner to bring life, moisture, and bounce back to your curly hair. Co-washing (aka conditioner-only washing, aka no-poo) is when you—yup—use only conditioner to rinse your hair and cleanse your scalp. Unless you’re already slathering oils and butters on your hair every day, the idea of massaging conditioner through your roots can sound positively insane. "To find an effective co-wash that has a perfect balance of moisture and cleansings benefits, I would recommend looking for some key words on the bottles, such as cleansing wash and cleansing conditioner," she advises.
Shop co-washing products for your hair-care routine
In terms of ingredients, De Leon recommends avoiding certain alcohols (which can be drying), silicones (which sit on top of the hair and cause buildup), and sulfates (which strip the hair of moisture). That said, she also points out that some sulfates and alcohols are actually worth seeking out when selecting a co-washing conditioner, due to their hydrating, sealing, and gentle cleansing properties. Here are the ingredients to look for or avoid in cleansing conditioners according to De Leon. Co-washing hair, a.k.a. “conditioner washing,” is a popular no-shampoo approach to hair cleansing hair typically favored by those with curly hair. Many love how well it works to rehydrate curly and natural hair textures, which tend to be drier hair types. For that reason, “you may have heard of [a] co-wash referred to as [a] no-poo, a ‘no-shampoo’ take on cleansing very coarse, curly or frizzy hair,” says Santiago.
Love Beauty and Planet Sulfate-Free Blue-Green Algae & Eucalyptus Shampoo
Co-washing is a gentle and nourishing alternative to traditional shampooing and is unlikely to cause damage to the hair when done correctly. Choose a high-quality cleansing conditioner that is specifically designed for your hair type, and avoid using too much product or leaving the product on the hair for too long, as this can lead to buildup and other issues. Some people co-wash daily, while others may only co-wash once or twice a week. Co-washing is a gentler alternative to traditional shampooing and can be done more frequently without stripping the hair of its natural oils.
Everything You Wanted To Know About Co-Washing Your Hair - Well+Good
Everything You Wanted To Know About Co-Washing Your Hair.
Posted: Mon, 09 Nov 2020 08:00:00 GMT [source]
How to Co-Wash Your Natural Hair, According to Stylists
"The scalp becomes severely clogged because the cleansing ingredients in the co-wash product are not enough to break the flakes or excess oil down and remove them. People with fine, straight hair should skip co-washing because their hair could get weighed down. "Co-washing alone doesn't effectively treat either condition," says dermatologist Dr. Jeannette Graf. Stick with your regular shampoo-then-condition routine to remove buildup and flakes.
Afrocenchix Swirl Silicone-Free Conditioner
However, co-washing too often can lead to the same buildup you are trying to avoid because conditioner is not strong enough to cleanse the scalp deeply. Conditioning after you co-wash is optional and depends on your hair type and personal preference. Co-washing is designed to provide both cleansing and conditioning benefits, so you may not need to use a separate conditioner after co-washing. Although, you might want to if you have particularly dry or damaged hair or if you want to add extra moisture and nourishment. Cowashing can completely replace shampooing, or a person might alternate between the two. Some people who cowash do it as part of a specific hair care routine, such as the “Curly Girl Method,” which involves using silicone, sulfate, and alcohol-free products to maintain the health of curly hair.
Hair Dance Ultra-Light Conditioning Spray
With the popularity of co-washing rising, it is not difficult to find an abundance of co-washes on the market. Some feel that you should never use regular shampoo, and simply stick to co-washing. If you rely entirely on co-washing to cleanse your hair, you will most likely not be removing all the product and environmental buildup on your hair. This can lead to an itchy/sore scalp and, in extreme cases, hair loss. Finally, my favorite benefit of co-washing is that it allows you to restyle hair without shampooing it.
How do I co-wash with the Curl Defining Cleansing Conditioner?
You can use almost any conditioner to co-wash, but avoid silicones (usually listed as dimethicone in a conditioner’s ingredient list). Silicone is often added to conditioners to boost shine, but the buildup overtime can actually prevent moisture from penetrating the hair, leading to damage long-term. Customers love this rinse for its ability to their clean hair and scalp without drying their hair out. This product is great for users with natural hair of all levels of thickness. Described by the brand as the perfect wash for curl revitalization between wash-days, this ultra-moisturizing formula is made for hair in need of a hydrating pick-me-up. However, reviewers warn that if you have fine or straight hair, it may be too heavy.
Ouidad Curl Shaper Double Duty Weightless Cleansing Conditioner
If your hair is very thick and/or coiled, you may need a thicker, richer, more moisturizing co-wash. If your hair is fine, thin, or easily weighed down, you may best be looking for a lighter co-wash. Our Moisture Care Co-Wash Shampoo is suitable for all types of textured hair and contains special ingredients designed to hydrate the scalp and hair. A co-wash can help moisturize your hair and scalp to leave hair feeling softer and the scalp relieved from dryness.
The first thing to do, no matter what hair type you have, is to make sure your conditioner doesn’t contain silicones. Silicones can cause buildup that coats your hair, leading to dull and lackluster locks. “Many people report having softer hair once they have co-washed their hair, but the ‘benefits’ are often short-lived, with the practice leading to a host of hair and scalp issues,” says Corson. I didn’t test this one, but Richards recommends this mask for those looking to take extra care of color-treated hair. The formula — made with natural ingredients like green tea leaf extract and silk amino acids — is designed to help prevent split ends and protect your hair from heat, all while adding some shine and nourishment. When that happens, and you don’t catch it in time, your strands can become weighed down with the remnants of your hair products.
The brand formulated this pick using a six-oil blend that’s said to be suitable for all hair types, densities and textures. Here’s another cult favorite, formulated with straight, wavy, curly and coily hair types in mind. If you have fine waves or curls and need the hydration of a co-wash that doesn't lay the moisture on too thickly, this co-wash is for you. It contains the majority of good alcohols and sulfates recommended by De Leon — including cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and behentrimonium methosulfate — to gently cleanse the scalp and lift up dirt and residue. Meanwhile, avocado oil and quinoa seal moisture into the hair cuticle which means softer hair with less frizz or flyaways. If your curls or coils are constantly thirsty, this is the cleansing conditioner for you.
You can use a co-wash like ApotheCARE Essentials Replenisher Cleansing Conditioner which helps remove impurities from hair while locking in moisture and smoothness. Cleansing conditioners are conditioners with a mild cleaning agent included to prevent the dreaded product build-up that most people worry about when considering co-washing. There are plenty out there to try, some with more cleansing properties than others, but cleansing conditioners can be used between shampoos for an optimal hair care routine. This method is particularly beneficial for African-American hair types, both natural and relaxed. By shampooing less and co-washing more, an unprecedented amount of moisture will return to the hair, delivering the hydrated curls we all strive for.
This is because it is largely a cultural practice, and currently, no studies have looked at how it affects hair. By contrast, conditioners usually contain cationic surfactants, such as cetyl alcohol. These substances stick to the surface of the hair, coating the follicle and smoothing it down, rather than creating a lather. After you have co-washed your hair, pay attention to how your hair looks and feels. If it is too greasy, you may need to skip the step of conditioning it again after you co-wash. Now that you know pretty much all there is to know about co-washing, you need to know how to do it!
We’ve covered the basics below so you can focus on keeping your curls in their best condition without having to stress the details. This approach requires a willingness to experiment and adapt their cowashing approach to how the hair responds. A person may need to try several products before finding one they like.
However, if you're fed up with shampoo and never want detergents to touch your hair again, you're going to want something called a cleansing conditioner. Cleansing conditioners contain weak detergents that combat buildup to a lesser degree than traditional shampoos but more than your average conditioners, says Wilson. Simply put, "co-washing is when you use conditioner in place of a shampoo," explains Irinel De Leon, celebrity stylist and Ouidad brand ambassador. "It allows natural oils to cleanse and condition the hair and scalp since shampooing can cause dryness," she shares. Since it prioritizes moisture, “a co-wash is particularly beneficial for naturally porous or dry hair,” says DeBolt.
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