Co-washing is a method of washing your hair using only conditioner instead of shampoo. This act has become incredibly popular in the natural hair community, especially among those with curly and coily textures. The primary reason for its popularity is the deep hydration it provides. Unlike shampoos, conditioners hydrate and moisturize the hair, making it smoother, softer, and easier to manage.
This method falls somewhere between squeaky clean and second-day hair, offering a balance that many find appealing. The idea of using conditioner only can be surprising at first, but it works well for many, particularly for those with curls and waves. Dermatologists and hair experts often endorse this method, emphasizing how well it can work when done correctly.
What is Actually Co-Washing?
Co-washing is the act of washing your hair with conditioner or a cleanser that has more moisturizing ingredients and no harsh foaming agents or sulfates. If your hair is curly, coily, textured, or very dry, incorporating co-washing into your haircare routine can be beneficial.
Many shampoos contain sulfates, which are detergents that thoroughly clean hair but can also strip it of natural oils and moisture, leaving strands dry and prone to breakage. By cutting down on the use of shampoo and adopting a co-washing regime, you help your hair maintain its natural moisture levels, allowing it to grow healthier and more resilient.
Co-washing isn’t just about skipping shampoo and applying conditioner as usual; it means using conditioner in place of shampoo, often referred to as conditioner-only washing or no poo. This method works especially well for those with coily, mixed-textured, or extremely dry hairy treasure.
Most conditioners contain trace amounts of detergents called cationic surfactants, or quats, which, when mixed with water, can remove small amounts of dirt, leaving the hair feeling clean but not overly so.
Additionally, the moisturizing agents in conditioners leave the hair smoother and silkier. It’s important to use a conditioner specifically formulated for co-washing or one that is silicone-free and lightweight to avoid buildup.
Co-washing protects your hair’s natural oils and keeps your scalp hydrated, which can help prevent hair breakage.
It also helps to reduce frizz and recover severely dry or heat-damaged hair.
Additionally, co-washing can save you time in the shower and extend the shelf life of your shampoo.
Who Can Benefit from Co-Washing?
Co-washing is great for those with curly, wavy, or coily hair types that are prone to dryness and damage. Traditional shampoos can be too harsh, causing dryness and frizz. With co-washing, you cleanse your hair without stripping its natural oils, leaving your curls feeling soft, moisturized, and healthy.
If you have dry, coarse, or frizzy hair, you will benefit from the added moisture that co-washing provides. It helps nourish and strengthen your hair, making it more resilient and less prone to breakage.
Those with high-porosity hair, which has gaps in the cuticle layer, can also benefit from co-washing. It helps seal these gaps and retain moisture, leading to more manageable curls. If you wash your hair frequently due to exercise, co-washing is a gentler option.
It allows you to rinse away sweat and sebum without drying out your hair. People with dry scalps can also find relief as co-washing soothes and moisturizes, reducing flakiness over time.
Color-processed hair is another good candidate for co-washing, as it prevents the stripping of pigment that often occurs with traditional cleansing.
Which Hair Types Should Avoid Co-Washing?
While co-washing can be beneficial for many, those with fine, thin, or straight hair might want to avoid it. This is because it can leave their hair weighed down and greasy-looking.
Additionally, individuals with oily, flaky, or irritated scalps should also be cautious. It’s important to focus on getting the scalp in balance first before considering co-washing.
How Often Should You Co-Wash?
If you have extremely textured hair that is very dehydrated or suffers from excessive heat damage, you should co-wash it every two to three days.
This helps maintain moisture and manageability. However, if your hair needs a good cleanse from product buildup, co-washing can be beneficial.
Be cautious not to co-wash too often as this can lead to the same buildup you are trying to avoid since the conditioner is not strong enough to cleanse the scalp deeply.
How to Find Your Perfect Co-Wash?
Compounds You should Consider
Finding the perfect co-wash for your hair involves looking for specific ingredients that can cleanse and condition your hair at the same time.
The best co-washes for curly hair use gentle surfactants like coco-glucoside, a plant-derived cleansing agent that removes impurities without stripping your hair’s natural oils. Look for humectants such as glycerin, which attract and retain moisture, helping to hydrate and soften your hair, making it easier to manage and style.
Additionally, seek out moisturizing and nourishing ingredients like avocado oil and aloe vera to strengthen and soothe your scalp, promoting healthy hair growth. Strengthening and repairing ingredients like Anagain™, derived from pea sprouts, can increase hair density and thickness.
Emollients like shea butter, argan oil, castor oil, and coconut oil help soften and smooth the cuticle, reducing frizz. Proteins such as almond milk, wheat, wheat germ, and soy can coat the hair shaft to protect and add natural volume without buildup.
Finally, look for moisturizers like honey, maple syrup, panthenol, vegetable glycerin, amino acids, jojoba oil, and aloe vera to provide extra softness and shine.
Compounds You should Avoid
When looking for the best co-wash for curly hair, it’s important to avoid silicones in your conditioners. While they add shine, this effect is temporary and artificial, leading to buildup and a waxy coating that makes hair feel heavy, dull, and lackluster.
When shopping, choose products free of silicones or any ingredients ending in -cone, -conol, or -siloxane. Avoid heavy products with high oil content, as they can weigh down the hair. Instead, opt for lightweight, water-based products with beneficial ingredients that don’t leave a greasy residue.
This ensures proper hair and scalp cleansing, prevents buildup, and allows other products to penetrate the hair shaft effectively.
How to Co-Wash Hair?
- To start co-washing, first wet hair thoroughly. Take a small amount of conditioner, about a teaspoon, and massage your entire scalp using your fingertips.
- Rub gently, as if you were shampooing, to create friction that will loosen any dirt and residue without stripping away naturally beneficial oils.
- Then, apply your usual amount of conditioner from the mid-point to the ends, avoiding the freshly washed scalp.
- You can detangle your hair using your fingers or a wide-toothed comb. For coarse or curly hair, try lightly rinsing the conditioner out, leaving some in for a light film that provides extra hydration throughout the day.
Be sure to rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water to avoid residue. After the allotted time, rinse out the conditioner, then dry and style your hair as usual. You may find that you need less styling products because your hair will be less parched and more responsive.
Need A Clarifying Shampoo?
Even if you love co-washing, you might still notice some product buildup from your styling products or conditioner. To cleanse this buildup, you can use a clarifying shampoo as necessary, usually every three weeks.
Some devotees of co-washing have eschewed shampoo permanently, allowing them to exclude many styling products from their routine and avoid the problem of buildup altogether. However, buildup from sweat, stylers, or conditioner is inevitable, whether you shampoo or co-wash.
To find the right balance, you may need to experiment with how often to clarify your hair. In general, a once-a-month or twice-a-month wash can remove dullness without drying your hair.
If your hair feels weighed down after biweekly clarifying, try to alternate between co-washing and shampooing. This method will help you enjoy the benefits of co-washing while maintaining volume.
When to Avoid Co-Wash?
For many people, co-washing can transform their hair, but some individuals, especially those with waves or ultra-fine curls, may find it causes buildup if done regularly. It’s best to wash your hair every 7 to 10 days with a mild, sulfate-free shampoo, especially if you use a protective style to prevent scalp buildup.
This routine helps remove sebum, dirt, and dust particles. Experts warn that contact dermatitis can occur if conditioners are not rinsed off properly, as continuous contact with these substances can irritate the skin.
Buildup can make products less effective, forming layers on the hair cuticle and blocking other products from working, leading to wasting time and money. An irritated scalp can become itchy and flaky, often mistaken for dandruff but usually due to not properly cleansing the scalp.
Final Words
Co-washing can drastically change your hair in positive ways. Moving away from shampoo to co-washing products could be the secret to softer, healthier hair. Be selective with the type of conditioner you use, as every person and every hair type react differently.
FAQs
What does a cowash do?
Co-washing means using conditioner to wash your hair instead of shampoo. It can ease hair dryness and reduce breakage, but it might lead to oily residue buildup. To manage this, use a clarifying shampoo occasionally to remove the buildup.
How often should I co-wash my hair?
Try co-washing once or twice a week between your wash days. Straight, fine, and wavy hair textures tend to wash more frequently, especially with styling. To keep your scalp and hair clean and well-moisturized, start once a week and see how your tresses react.
How to make co-wash?
Get 2 cups of coconut milk in a pot. Add 1/3rd cup of rolled oats. Simmer for 3 minutes, then strain, cool, and co-wash.
What’s the difference between conditioner and Cowash?
Unlike regular conditioners, you don’t need to shampoo before using co-wash. Co-wash options are formulated with special cleansing agents that remove product buildup and impurities from your hair. They also boost your strands with moisture, making them soft, clean, and healthy-looking.
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