A popular question that many haircare enthusiasts have been wondering recently is whether or not we should use conditioner without shampoo. The answer is not so simple because it ultimately depends on your hair type and preferences. Shampoo and conditioner have long been the staples of hair care and are both important steps to ensure your hair remains clean and healthy. However, with the growing trend of co-washing, many people have begun to wonder whether they should be switching up their regular routine by conditioning without shampoo.

Conditioner vs Shampoo: what’s the difference?

Shampoo is designed to clean your hair by removing dirt, oil, and product build-up. It contains surfactants that create a lather to help lift away impurities. Conditioner, on the other hand, is designed to moisturise and nourish your hair. It contains ingredients like oils, proteins, and vitamins that help to strengthen and protect your hair.

What is co wash?

Co-wash, short for ‘conditioner washing,’ is a haircare method in which the hair is both cleansed and conditioned using one product rather than the traditional combination of shampoo and conditioner.

When you co-wash, you only use one product to cleanse the scalp of build-up and condition the strands of hair. Washing hair with conditioner only means skipping the shampoo, although many co-washers still use the latter occasionally to give the hair a deep clean and restore the scalp.

What are the benefits of co-washing?

The benefits will depend on your hair type. Different hair types have different requirements, which means haircare regimens need to be tailored to suit each type of hair. The co-washing method is particularly common amongst women that struggle with dry, brittle, or frizzy hair.

Many people decide to co-wash because conditioner is gentle on their hair and adds the nourishment they need. While some shampoos can dry out hair, conditioner helps to infuse moisture and shine.

What’s the best conditioner for co-washing?

If you’re ready to trade in your existing regimen for co-washing, it’s important to consider your conditioner options. Being successful with co-washing is all about finding out which products work for your hair type. Several conditioning products are targeted at specific hair struggles, like dryness or flatness.

Aveda has created a wide range of conditioners that are formulated for all types of hair; be curly™ conditioner is designed to fight frizz and boost shine, scalp solutions replenishing conditioner soothes and balances the scalp, and pure abundance™ volumising clay conditioner adds volume to fine hair.

Should you co wash your hair?

As we’ve touched upon, co-washing can be incredibly effective in making hair healthier, more sleek, and nourished when it comes to certain hair types. However, it is important to understand that varying hair conditions will respond to certain products and processes differently. Co-washing, while an amazing method for dry, brittle, or frizzy hair, may not work quite as well for other hair types.

For some looking to tackle certain hair issues, you may consider keeping shampoo and conditioner products specific to your needs in your hair routine. There are many combined benefits of using shampoo and conditioner together, including increasing moisture to alleviate dullness and targeting scalp health specifically, through our scalp solutions range.

In some cases, co-washing may help tackle common problems such as dryness, brittleness, and frizz, while in others, combining the effects of shampoo and conditioner may be more useful.

Co-washing for curly hair is particularly popular, as well as for frizzy and dry hair types. While Aveda has formulated conditioners for all hair types, several formulas are designed specifically for curly and dry hair. You might try the co-washing method to see how it works with your hair type, with Aveda’s be curly™ co wash.

In truth, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to haircare. Whether you co-wash or prefer sticking to shampoo and conditioner, there is a huge range of amazing Aveda products for you to choose from.