11 Co-Washing Mistakes You're Making With Your Hair

If you have textured hair that needs extra moisture and tends to get stripped by regular shampoos, you might want to consider cleansing your hair with conditioner instead. Wait, what? Yep, we're serious. Co-washing, or conditioner washing, is a recommended cleansing alternative to harsh shampoos because it cleanses hair while maintaining the natural oils that keep hair hydrated. "Co-washing hair is a great alternative to shampoo for hair that’s porous and loses moisture quickly," Sarah Sango, a R&D Stylist at Lush, says. "Moisture that has taken days or possibly weeks to be built in curly, coily or Afro hair through routines such as the LOC Method can easily be stripped away with a high-cleansing shampoo. Co-washing enables hair to maintain its natural moisture levels and become healthier and more resilient."

But, as with all things beauty, there are common mistakes people make when co-washing, and while it may benefit and maintain the health of your hair, it only does so when it's done right. Using your favorite conditioner works on occasion, however, we want you to consider a few more options for your co-washing routine. We spoke to three natural hair experts to get all the tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your co-washing hair routine,

Keep scrolling to learn how to co-wash, as well as some common mistakes to avoid while co-washing hair.

Using Regular Conditioner as a Co-Wash

You may have heard that co-washing your curls with conditioner is the way to go, but Armstrong, wants you to rethink that strategy. "Using a conditioner to co-wash instead of an actual co-wash is one of the biggest mistakes naturals make," says Armstrong. "Co-washing will cleanse the scalp in a way that conditioner cannot on its own, as long as you focus your fingertips [on massaging] the scalp and [rinsing] thoroughly."

Sango says you shouldn't use a regular conditioner to co-wash, as it will not properly cleanse the hair. Conditioners do not contain the surfactant ingredients that lift away product, dirt, and sebum. "I recommend using Lush's Avocado Co-Wash ($19), which contains Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate: a sulphate alternative that is often referred to as ‘baby foam’ as it is a less active surfactant, better for gently cleansing fragile hair."  

Using Oil-Heavy Products While Co-Washing

Co-washing works best if you stick to lightweight products that don't include heavy oils. It's tough to completely wash away petroleum-based products without a foaming agent like sodium lauryl or, preferably, sodium laureth sulfate (found in traditional shampoos). Your hair may feel clean for a while if you only co-wash while using these products, but over time, the buildup will get worse. If you're committed to co-washing, use more water-based products that are easier to wash away without the need for drying suds.

Skipping a Detox Hair Mask

If you haven't tried a detox hair mask, you should put it on your products to try list for when it's time to replace your empties. Armstrong recommends looking for a mask with bamboo charcoal and wintergreen extract. "A gentle detox hair mask [can] remove some of the oil and creams (and silicones) that can buildup on the scalp and hair overtime," she says, adding that this can be done once for those who don't like to use shampoo often.

Co-Washing With a Heavy Product

In order to clean your hair without making it greasy or weighed down, it's important to look for a light conditioner—or a conditioner made specifically for co-washing, as mentioned. You can look for a two-in-one co-wash conditioner such as Hairstory's New Wash.

Ignoring Your Scalp

While one of the main purposes of conditioner washing is to provide a gentle cleansing method for your strands, it's important to show your scalp some love, too. Make sure you're rubbing your scalp thoroughly to loosen and remove dirt, grime, and buildup. "There are many co-washes on the market, so finding one that really focuses on ensuring your scalp is clean is key," says Armstrong. Whether you alternate co-washes with shampoos or you only stick to co-washing, spend a little more time rubbing your scalp than you do on your hair. Remember: good hair growth requires a clean and healthy scalp, so make that the focus of each cleansing session.

Using the Wrong Styling Products

"If you are using [styling] products that contain heavy oils or petroleum-based ingredients and you only co-wash your hair, over time there will be a significant amount of buildup," says Whiteman, "In order to avoid that, choose lightweight [petrolatum-free] products.”

Not Detangling Thoroughly

Part of cleansing and conditioning is detangling. Your hair products will work much better and deliver more even results when they reach all of your strands. And, tangled hair will not only look less than stellar in its final style, it won't get all the benefits of the products you put on it. Hair that's saturated with conditioner is in prime detangling condition, whether you use your fingers, a comb, or detangling brush, so take advantage.

Using Ingredients That Don't Work for Your Hair

Even the best ingredients don't work the same across all heads of hair. If you find your conditioner isn't delivering the results you want, check out the ingredient list. You might be able to easily identify the ingredient your hair doesn't like; other times, it may be near impossible. Bottom line: If the product isn't working for you, don't be afraid to try something new.

Not Thoroughly Rinsing Out All of the Conditioner

Some women purposely don't rinse all of their conditioner out to keep it hydrated throughout the day, but if this isn't for you, be sure and thoroughly rinse after your co-wash. Otherwise, you run the risk of buildup. Also, some conditioners leave a filmy mask if not rinsed well, and this can interfere with styling products. Your water should run clear, but you should still have a good amount of slip on your hair.

Forgetting to Use a Clarifying Shampoo

"Co-washing is an alternative to harsh shampoos because it cleanses the hair while maintaining some of the hair's natural oils," says Whiteman. However, removing buildup should always be a priority, especially for those with oilier hair types and heavy product users. If you are a heavy product user, be sure to have a clarifying shampoo on hand to bust that buildup.

Thinking Co-Washing Is Only for Certain Hair Types

Sango says all hair types can benefit from using a co-wash, especially if your hair is extremely dry or recovering from heat or chemical damage. "Co-washing also benefits the scalp by preventing dryness and itchiness, which can be triggered by using ingredients that strip away the scalp's natural oils," she adds.