Cleansing Conditioners: Everything you wanted to know

huibing

12 Jun 2017

1/5
What is it?
Throw away your shampoo bottles (of course, after you’re finished with them) because co-washing is short for conditioner-only washing. The basis is applying conditioners on your scalp, before combing it to the tips. And cleansing conditioners do the job by cleaning while conditioning!
2/5
Why is it good?
As shampoo foams up, it captures the grime and dirt collected throughout the day and thoroughly cleanses it away in a satisfying manner, leaving your scalp squeaky-clean and reinvigorated. However, shampoos are usually filled with chemicals like sulfates and parabens, which may irritate your scalp. Meanwhile, conditioners are usually lighter and locks in nutrients, and may effectively retain the much-needed oils.
3/5
Who is it best for?
For people with drier hair and coloured hair, this may be the perfect routine for you to bring life back into your tresses as it doesn’t remove the pigments and oils that you need to keep your hair shiny and glossy.
4/5
Who should consider giving it a pass?
However, this isn't suitable for everyone. People with scalp conditions, like scalp psoriasis or dermatitis, should avoid co-washing as it may aggravate the situation. Similarly, people with fine hair should also be wary, as the constant usage of conditioners may actually weigh down your hair, and cause it to be greasy instead.
5/5
How do I get started?
Living in a humid country (like Singapore) means you might have to modify the western-based routine to better suit your hair and the environment it resides in. Perhaps opt for a milder shampoo first, instead of jumping straight onto this trend, and then ending your routine with a good conditioner. Or, maybe try co-washing every other day first! Once you know your scalp can handle it, try co-washing full-time!

Cleansing conditioners: yay or nay?

Okay, true. A no-poo routine in Singapore may not sound feasible, considering how incredibly humid and hot the weather can get, despite the list of benefits it has been said to bring. For those unfamiliar with the term, the no-poo routine means to reduce usage of shampoo; either through the use of baking soda for the cleansing of your scalp and apple cider vinegar for moisture retention, or just plain-old water. It has been said to reduce strain on the environment, reduce reliance on chemicals and improve hair quality which certainly sounds good.

But, for such a drastic change, the results have been polarising. Many people have reported that it doesn’t work for them, or have said that their hair quality has gotten worse — essentially, for every believer, there’s a naysayer who snorts at the effectiveness of apple cider and vinegar to maintain their hair. But the benefits are undeniably appealing, and having a hair full of chemicals might not be the best thing in the long-run. So, here’s another option for you to consider: cleansing conditioners.

Scroll back up to check out a low-down of what they are, and whether they should replace your beloved shampoo!

Lee Hui Bing

Photos: Getty Images

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