My hair is suddenly dirty and has buildup?
 

So I've been doing the CG method for a while now, probably a year at this point, though there was a little while a few months ago that I didn't pay attention to a label and was using something with sulfates in it again for a week or so. My problem is that I finally found products that worked for me (a cowash with Elucence Moisture Balance Conditioner followed by using that as a leave-in and CJCCCL as a styler and using an ACV rinse a few times a week) but for the past few weeks I've noticed my hair is... well dirty is the best way I can describe it. I've always had very dry, clean hair and I don't know what's up. It feels kind of oily, even after I cowash or use my AVC rinse it still feels like I have some kind of buildup and I don't understand why. It's causing my hair to look dirty and stringy and giving my curls this ugly frizz. I really don't want to have to go hunting again for different products since I'm on a college budget and schedule, but I will if I have to....

Has this ever happened to anyone else? Is it time for me to find a different cowash?

I have type 3a curls and haven't changed anything else like exercising habits or diet if that helps.

Please help! I'm incredibly frustrated and don't know what to do or try.

It sounds like build up. It seems you've only been using the products that work for you for a couple of months at most - I assume you found them after the sulfate mistake (I've done that, too, lol). Try clarifying - a simple BS wash should work for that. Also, are you living in a new location since school started? The water could be different. Hard water can cause problems.

I was home for the summer and moved back into my apartment in the city for school. I don't think we have hard water here (though I know we did back home) so I am not sure if that could be it (though I will say I swear our water smells like algae when it comes out super hot and I only drink it filtered).

I assume BS stands for baking soda? That didn't even cross my mind but I will definitely do that, thanks!!