Why use a co-wash?
Hair product companies saw how the general public grew concerned with the less than desirable hair care options available to us. As the companies listened intently on what the direct needs of the consumers were, they found that many women desired gentler options for caring for their curls. Desiring to live a more natural lifestyle, curlies realized there was less of a need for a heavy-duty shampoo. So, back to the drawing board the companies went and delivered us co-wash conditioners. When these products first arrived, many thought it was simply a marketing ploy to get women to purchase something that they thought was gentler. However, the truth is that the formulated co-washes are indeed gentler! They are designed to gently cleanse your hair and scalp and provide conditioning benefits without taking away the necessary oils that keep hair healthy. In essence, they provide a light cleansing and light conditioning of the hair and scalp. In fact, it is so gentle (yet effective”> that product companies like Ouidad and As I Am recommend finishing with a leave-in conditioner, especially for thicker hair that may need more conditioning. This blend will contain both elements of cleansing and nourishing agents.
Co-wash formulation
Take a sneak peek at the ingredients in the Ouidad Curl Co-Wash (the first five ingredients have agent indicators”>:
Aqua (Water/Eau”>, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate (cleansing agent“>, Cetearyl Alcohol (conditioning agent“>, Behentrimonium Chloride (conditioning agent“>, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate (thickening agent“>, Ricinus Communis (Castor”> Seed Oil, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary”> Leaf Oil, Salvia Officinalis (Sage”> Oil, Fragrance/Parfum, Citric Acid, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone
Expert opinion: When to use what
While it would appear that the formulated co-wash would be a better choice than the latter, both concoctions will rinse away most of the product, therefore taking dirt and debris with it, leaving some nourishment behind. However, I am a firm advocate of using your hair products the way they were designed to work. Product companies put their best foot forward when communicating to the consumer the best practices of a particular product, as this is most beneficial to the company. While a daily conditioner can absolutely suffice for your gentle wash, its cleansing capabilities are a by-product of what it is designed to do, which is to condition. Over time, conditioner washing exclusively can result in product buildup and will likely a shampoo depending on the solubility of the ingredients in your daily conditioners, moisturizers, and styling products that were used to maintain your styles between washes. Are you noticing that your hair is becoming drier no matter how much you co-wash? Check out Signs that Co-Washing is Not Enough. Due to the cleansing agent in the co-wash conditioner, it may take much longer to develop product buildup. According to Ouidad, their co-wash can be “used as often as desired.” When abiding by a healthy hair care regimen, I believe it would be beneficial for curlies and coilies who like to co-wash to cleanse with a sulfate-free shampoo every 4-8 weeks to prevent product buildup from forming on the hair, and more importantly the scalp.
Wrap up
As you can see there are benefits to using either formulation. Be careful to look at the ingredients in these two products. In this example, only the Ouidad Curl Co-Wash has an intentional cleansing agent within the formulation. The Ouidad Whipped Curls Daily Conditioner and Styling Primer on the other hand is chock-full of conditioning ingredients. Whichever route you choose to take, consider a product that fits with your lifestyle and works for your texture.
- Women who exercise frequently sweat profusely from their scalps and may want to use a product formulated with a cleansing agent.
- Short hairstyles have more freedom and flexibility due to frequent cutting than women who want to retain length.
- Be sure your choices fit within a holistic hair care regimen complete with suitable cleansing, conditioning, moisturizing, styling, and trimming.
Do you prefer to co-wash with a daily conditioner or co-wash conditioner?
