• What Is Co-Washing? Defining Co-Washing 
• Benefits Of Co-Washing Natural Hair
• Co-Wash Vs. Shampoo: Is Co-Wash Good For Your Hair?
• How To Co-Wash Your Hair 
• Pro Tips On How To Co-Wash Hair
• Frequently Asked Questions on Co-Washing Hair (FAQs)

When we wash our hair, we make sure to apply a conditioner after the hair cleanser or shampoo, to moisturise our hair. The ‘co-wash’ meaning is to conditioner wash our hair. 

What Is Co-Washing? Defining  Co-Washing 

The meaning of co-washing is washing your hair with a conditioner. In fact, only with a conditioner. Also known as conditioner-only washing, it is the process of using your conditioner in place of the shampoo. The hair conditioner you apply is the amount of cleanser you generally use. There are a few steps to follow when co-washing your hair:

Instructions:

• First, place your hair under lukewarm water and make sure it is fully wet before you apply anything else.
• Begin by co-washing with conditioner - take some of the product into your hand and massage it all over your scalp, just like you would do with your shampoo!
• Since the texture and effect of a conditioner differs from that of a shampoo, spend a good amount of time to rinse your hair, and double rinse if necessary.
• Finally, use a leave-in conditioner or your conditioner as you would normally.

Benefits Of Co-Washing Natural Hair

One of the key benefits of co-washing  is that it cleans your hair and scalp, even if it doesn’t give you the same results a shampoo would. Shampoos or hair cleansers can be really harsh on the scalp and hair, and conditioners step in to soothe, clean, and moisturise! Here are some additional benefits of co-washing your hair:

• More defined curls! – Do you have curly hair? Or someone who would love to have those pretty curls? Then co-washing should be your preferred choice, over styling products. Moisture helps give definition, shape, and a pattern to your curls, especially when you use a natural conditioner. Here are all the benefits of cowashing curly hair.
  
  
• Naturally lustrous hair – In our regular hair care routine, we use conditioner for a deep moisturising effect. Now, since you’re using this product as your primary hair care product, just imagine how shiny, smooth, and lustrous your hair will look post application!
  
  
• Soft, smooth tresses – Soft, velvety, silky and everything in between is what a conditioner makes your hair look like. Be it straight, wavy, curly, or any other hair texture, deep conditioning is all your tresses need to become softer. 
  
  
• Strengthened scalp – The lesser your hair breaks, the more it grows. Your scalp is the foundation of your hair that decides the strength of your hair strands. A conditioner can moisturise the roots of your hair and ensure less split ends, and damage.
  
  
• Tangle-free curls and coils – When your hair is smoother, softer, stronger, and bouncier, you know the tangles are no more a concern. Dry hair usually gets tangled, frizzy, and messy. Once your curls, and coils are softened, they will easily slide over each other, giving you tangle-free hair!
  
  

Co-Wash Vs. Shampoo: Is Co-Wash Good For Your Hair?

The benefits of co-washing may not be suited to each hair type. People with an oily scalp or thinner hair with less volume should try this method sparsely or during drier seasons like winters when your scalp needs extra moisture. Shampoos or hair cleansers take up the responsibility of cleansing your scalp and hair thoroughly, but is your hair really clean? 

Washing your hair with a shampoo can strip off natural moisture and oils present in your hair. This often leaves your hair in a drier state leading to breakage, hair fall, and frizz. This is where a conditioner comes in handy to save your hair with some much needed moisture. 

On the other hand, when you co-wash or condition-wash your hair with hair conditioner as your primary hair care product, you will have softer hair – but for how long? The benefits of co-washing are short-lived, so it is best to alternate between using a natural hair cleanser for seven-to-ten days, and a good co-wash every once in a while.  

How To Co-Wash Your Hair 

Are you ready to learn how to co-wash wisely? This mini guide will help you avoid some common mistakes and show you the best way to do it:

• If your conditioner is made for application after a hair cleanser, then it may not work well as a co-wash product. Unless it is powerful with potent natural ingredients, the conditioner you use will not have the desired effect. The ideal conditioner to use for the application would be a botanical cleansing conditioner which has more cleansing properties than conditioning, which detangle and smoothen your hair. 
• Try using hydrating, moisturising, and lightweight ingredients as using oil-heavy conditioners will add on to the existing moisture in your scalp. While deep conditioning is possible with moisturising products, you don’t want to overdo it!
• Don’t say a final goodbye to shampoos – although co-washing can make your hair soft, smooth, and bouncy (especially the curls and coils), you need your shampoo as well. Try alternating between a regular hair wash and co-washing your hair, to balance out the moisture in your hair and scalp.

Pro Tips On How To Co-Wash Hair

Keep your hair in check by monitoring the level of moisture you can feel in your hair. This is what happens to your hair when it gets an overload of moisture - you might notice  mushy or limpy strands, not-very-bouncy curls, and hair that takes a long time to dry. 

What to look for when choosing a co-wash product? 

• Shea butter and oils: These ingredients are essentially emollients. An emollient helps soften, smoothen, and reduce the frizziness of your hair.
• Amino acids and aloe vera: One of the most moisturising ingredients, they add moisture to your tresses and help restore the moisture in your scalp.
• Wheat germ and soy: These protein rich antioxidants slide into your hair shafts, and form a  protective layer for your hair. 
• Honey and other humectants: Known to absorb water and lock in moisture, humectants are perfect ingredients to condition your hair well.

Co-wash products we help you get started with – 

Ideally, you want a hair conditioner that is lightweight in texture, made with the goodness of nature, and provides a healthy, gentle conditioning to your hair. One such option is Coco Soul’s 100% vegan, organic, and ayurveda inspired Hair Conditioner. It is enriched with herbs hibiscus and lunuwila, and mixed with the potent unrefined and moisturising virgin coconut oil! Here’s how the ingredients make this product your best option:

 

• Hibiscus: A widely used herb, hibiscus aids in hair growth from inactive hair follicles that help cover bald patches, greying and dull hair, and dandruff. Hibiscus not only prevents hair fall but also strengthens them, from the roots, in turn adding volume and shine to your hair. 
• Lunuwila: Widely used in Ayurveda,  this ancient herb has been used to restore damaged hair since ages. Lunuwila is also known to have many benefits for hair, like prevention of premature greying, inducing healthy hair growth and combatting split ends. 
• Virgin King Coconut Oil: Coconut oil has antioxidant and healing properties, that prevent breakage, reduce hair loss, and result in long and luscious tresses. Virgin king coconut oil boosts hair health by packing the scalp with moisture and nourishing it from the roots.
  
  

Once you understand the meaning of co-wash, learn how to co-wash, and love the benefits of co-washing, nothing will be able to keep you from flaunting soft, smooth, and happy tresses. It is ideal to co-wash your hair like you would shampoo your hair. To strike a balance between the two, we suggest co-washing your hair once a week and building up the frequency to thrice a week, if it suits your hair. Coco Soul’s hair care products await you!

Frequently Asked Questions on Co-Washing Hair (FAQs) 

1. Is co-wash good for your hair?

   It is good to co-wash your hair, to make it softer, smoother, and tangle-free. The moisture added to your hair with a conditioning wash is how your scalp is strengthened and shafts are protected.
   
   

2. Shampoo vs. co-wash – which is better?
   

   What is co-washing? The meaning of co-wash is to use your conditioner to wash your hair. What is hair cleansing? It is when you use a shampoo, as well as a conditioner to wash your hair. Co-washing gives you extremely moisturising results in the short-term, but if you alternate between the two, it is the best way to look out for your tresses!
   
   

3. Do you need to condition after you co-wash your hair? 

   Yes, after you co-wash your hair with a conditioner that  gently and softly smoothens your hair and scalp, make sure to use a small amount of leave-in conditioner or conditioner. This will help to lock in the moisture-rich conditioning your hair has received and makes it healthier.