Co-wash and sulphate-free shampoo: The basics

If you've been keeping an eye on beauty trends over the past year or so, you would have undoubtedly stumbled across the term "co-wash" - after all, celebrity hairstylists like Kevin Murphy swear by it. Alternatively, hairstylists who are a fan of a good and thorough cleanse that won’t strip away natural oils, are all for choosing sulphate-free shampoo.

What is co-wash?

Co-washing is short for “conditioner washing.” It was first embraced by those with thick, curly hair, but the trend has gained popularity amongst those with wavy, and even straight hair, too. The co-wash trend is one the products of the “no-poo” movement, where consumers are choosing to stay away from harsh, chemically-rich shampoos and opting for a cleansing conditioner – and nothing else. There are some serious pros to co-washing, but just like with every haircare trend, it’s not a “one size fits all” solution, so keep reading to find out if it will work for you.

Who should co-wash?

To co-wash, apply a small of amount of your favourite co-wash to wet hair and massage it gently into your scalp, like you would use shampoo. The product and your gentle rubbing motions will loosen dirt without stripping away the scalp’s natural oils. Then, use a regular amount of co-wash on the rest of your hair and use a wide-toothed comb or detangler to spread the co-wash evenly throughout your hair.

If you have very dry or curly hair, you may consider leaving the co-wash in for a minute before rinsing, to allow a small amount of product to coat the hair shaft. It’s all about experimenting with what works best for your hair.  The results? Softer, smoother and more naturally volumised hair.  

But, remember, if you have thin or fine hair, co-washing may cause the hair to appear flatter, more weighed down and oilier. For that reason, co-washing is more suited to those with thick, textured or very curly hair. Looking for an alternative? We recommend reaching for sulphate-free shampoo.

What is sulphate-free shampoo?

Very simply, sulphates are the ingredient that adds the foam we've come to associate with shampoo and clean hair. The good news? Sulphates can remove dead skin cells and grime from your scalp when you massage shampoo into your hair. The bad news? They can also strip the natural oils from your scalp and hair, causing dryness and making the hair shaft brittle over time. Furthermore, if you have a sensitive or dry scalp, sulphates can cause irritation, dryness and itching. 

Who should use sulphate-free shampoo?

The three most commonly used sulphates in the hair care industry are sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulphate, and ammonium laureth sulphate. These are the ingredients you want to keep an eye out for if you’re going the sulphate-free route. 

So, should everyone be concerned about eliminating sulphates from their haircare routine? Well, it all depends on your hair type.

Sulphate-free scalp treatments have produced amazing results in those with sensitive skin or eczema - and, sulphate-free hair styling has reaped great benefits for women with colour treated hair because more often than not, sulphates have been known to strip the colour of the hair shaft. 

On the other hand, if your hair is very oily or you suffer from dandruff, shampoos with sulphates might work perfectly fine and provide you with the deep cleanse you need. And of course, there are many other sulphate-free options, like sulphate-free hair food and hair fragrance – try using the shampoo in tandem with one of these options and you’ll be able to make sure that the condition of your scalp and hair is perfectly maintained. 

IMAGE CREDIT: 123rf.com