What is Co-Washing?
Co-washing is hitting a trend at the moment with drugstore cleansing conditioners popping up left and right. But what is co-washing? What does that even mean? And how do I co-wash my hair?
Wanna learn more about the mysteries of co-washing your hair?
Jump ahead for more details!
Although co-washing sounds like an intimate shower experience with a significant other it’s actually a one on one with you and a cleansing conditioner in your shower with your hair.
Co-washing your hair is a reference to shampooing and conditioning hair with a cleansing conditioner formulated for the task. Most cleansing conditioners lack sulfates which tend to strip hair especially color treated hair. if you have drier hair co-washing is an excellent way to cleanse your hair so it looks smoother, less frizzy, and softer.
I’ll let you in on a secret….you don’t technically need a cleansing conditioner to do this job. You can actually co-wash hair simply by skipping shampoo and using your conditioner daily! Of course, make room to shampoo your hair at least once or twice a week.
The downside of co-washing means you might run into build up as many of the newfangled cleansing conditioners contain a ton of silicones which aren’t water-soluble so they end up sticking around in your head causing major build up. I do recommend a detox and clarify with a good clarifying shampoo weekly to rinse away any build up that may occur during your co-washing adventures. Read your labels carefully if you wish to avoid silicones and the like. I don’t really have too many recommendations for cleansing conditioners sans cones as a majority of the ones I run across do indeed have them unfortunately!
I know my own hair is drier with curls and waves. My experience with co-washing is a good one as it refines my curls, I see less frizz, and my hair is softer and smoother. But co-washing isn’t really for everyone as oily hair does need a good shampoo to remove excess oil and co-washing can add extra oil where it is NOT needed.
I typically co-wash five days a week and give my hair a break for two days. One of those two days I use a clarifying shampoo and conditioner and the other day I use a shampoo and conditioner of my choice.
What is co-washing is a question I commonly get so I hope this helps you understand what it is and if it might be for you!
Do you currently co-wash?
What do you use to do so?
How do clarify after co-washing?
Do share!