What Is Co-washing, Anyway?

You may have heard of co-washing, but what is it? Why is everyone talking about it? And, most importantly, should you be doing it too?

Co-washing is the act of washing your hair solely with conditioner. If your hair is afro, mixed-textured, very curly or extremely dry, there’s a good chance that your haircare routine could benefit from it.

Many shampoos are formulated to include sulfates—detergents that clean hair thoroughly, but can actually strip natural oils and moisture from the strands of your hair, leaving them dry and more prone to breakage. By cutting down on the use of shampoo via a co-washing regime, your hair is able to maintain its natural moisture levels, so it can grow healthier and more resilient. However, co-washing isn’t just about skipping shampoo and applying conditioner as you normally would; it assumes you will use your conditioner in place of your shampoo.

Raring to co

If you’re eager to give it a ‘co’, you’ll need to find the right conditioner. Your personal favorite is probably fine, but you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t contain silicones. Silicones are added to many conditioners, because they add shine, but that effect is temporary and, over time, silicone builds up coating your hair and making it feel heavy, dull and lackluster.

Ingredients that will really benefit your tresses are emollients (shea butter, oils, wheat germ, etc.) which help to soften and smooth the cuticle and reduce frizz; proteins (wheat, wheat germ or soy protein, etc.) that will coat the hair shaft and help protect it; humectants (honey, panthenol, vegetable glycerin, etc.) that will absorb water and lock in moisture; and moisturizers (amino acids, aloe vera, etc.) that will add softness and shine. Power Conditioner for example, has a protein-packed formula made with sweet potatoes, maple syrup and ethyl macadamiate to strengthen and volumize curls and coils. If you prefer something more oil-based, Glory is a rich, thick and nourishing conditioner made with castor oil, coconut cream and okra gel—an ingredient rich in magnesium which volumizes without robbing you of definition and slip. Finally, Happy Happy Joy Joy, perfectly hit the trifecta with almond milk (protein), glycerin (a humectant) and jojoba oil (a moisturizer).

Once you’ve found a conditioner you’re happy with, it’s time to co. Wet hair, then take a small amount of conditioner (about a teaspoon) and massage your entire scalp, using your fingertips to rub gently just like you do when shampooing. The conditioner coupled with the friction of your fingertips will loosen any dirt and residue on your scalp without stripping away naturally beneficial oils.

Next, take your regular amount of conditioner and condition as usual, carefully removing tangles with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, and spread the conditioner throughout the length of your hair. If your hair is particularly coarse or curly, you might want to try leaving the conditioner in, or just rinsing for a few seconds so your hair is still coated with a light film, rather than rinsing out completely—this is where you can experiment with what works best for your hair.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat sparingly.

Depending on the styling products you use and how often you’re co-washing, you might find that you get a bit of product build-up. If that’s the case, it’s recommended that you cleanse hair with a clarifying shampoo like Rehab , as necessary (usually about once every three weeks). Many devotees of co-washing have eschewed shampoo permanently and find they’re able to exclude most styling products from their routine, thereby eliminating the problem of build-up altogether.

Not ready to completely swear off shampoo? We get it, and so we’ve created something that’s really the best of both worlds: Avocado Co-wash. This re-formulated solid shampoo/conditioner is an SLS-free co-wash perfect for nourishing, cleansing and caring for dry, curly, coily and textured hair. It contains fresh avocados and a nourishing mix of cupuaçu butter, cocoa butter and extra virgin olive oil to give it all the power of a conditioner to keep hair looking and feeling its best.

Style

When it comes to styling or maintaining in between washes, these products can help maintain your curls, coils and textured hair fresh, moisturized and shiny.

Seal in moisture and give curls definition and bounce with Curl Power. The name says it all; this hydrating, defining curl cream is made with a rich blend of cocoa butter and argan, coconut and jojoba oils to seal in moisture—and give coils and textured hair added bounce and hold. Or if you want something lighter, try Super Milk. This leave-in conditioner adds a touch of shine while soothing dry scalps. It's made with a dairy-free blend of almond, coconut and oat milks, plus lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil to nourish and protect.

If you want to learn more about our haircare range for curls, coils and textured hair, contact our Customer Care team or book a personalized virtual consultation with one of our expert staff. They’ll be more than happy to help you find the perfect products for your hair needs.