Is co-cleansing or double cleansing for me?

We don’t all have the same skincare routine, so it makes sense that we shouldn’t take the one-size-fits-all approach to our haircare regime, too. However, we have a hard enough time choosing a shampoo, do we really need to also decide on which way to wash our hair? Yes, actually.

Of all the different ways to wash your hair out there (and there’s far more than you’d think), choosing the right one for you could mean the difference between a frizzy ‘fro and defined, shiny curls. But to keep things nice and simple, we’ve narrowed the field down to conditioner-only washing and double cleansing (rinse and repeat), and asked the pros to weigh in on each side to give us their reasons for why you should go down the co-cleanse or double cleanse route…

Co-cleansing is great for: Coloured, curly or coarse hair types

The pro says: “Co-cleansing, or conditioner-only washing, is what everyone is talking about in the world of hair innovation, as more and more people are choosing to ditch the styling tools and opt for a natural finish. Although it works on all hair types, this formula is most suitable for coloured, curly and coarse hair types that are prone to frizz and dryness,” explains Sam Burnett, owner of London’s award-winning Hare & Bone and winner of 2017’s Most Wanted Hair Trend award. 

The biggest benefit of co-cleansing is that it doesn’t disturb or affect the placement and direction that the hair naturally falls. This is ideal for people wanting to achieve an undone finish with minimal-to-no styling. By gently cleansing the scalp, it creates less frizz overall, while thoroughly cleaning the hair follicles. Differing from traditional shampoos, co-cleansing shampoos, such as the KMS MoistRepair Cleansing Conditioner, do not disturb the cuticle as much, making it much smoother and softer. This particular formula has been created to ensure the hair is balanced and refreshed without stripping its natural oils and nutrients, which we need to keep hair looking shiny and strong. By minimising the detergent used (commonly found in traditional lathering shampoos), it keeps the hair more moisturised and conditioned.”

Double-cleansing is great for: Fine or weak hair and those worried about scalp health
​
The pro says: “It’s an urban myth that we shouldn’t wash our hair every day. Our scalp is an extension of the skin on our face so we need to look after it similarly,” says Kay McIntyre, owner of the award-winning mcIntyres salons in Scotland.

“Double cleansing helps to promote scalp health, which means healthier, stronger hair. With the removal of all impurities on the scalp, the hair can easier penetrate the follicle so there’s no chance of weakening. In the salon, we always promote double cleansing for the most effective removal of residue on the scalp. The first wash removes the oils, letting the second cleanse deeply clean, unclogging the follicles. Many people believe that the sebum that builds up on the scalp (within only three hours of washing) helps to protect the skin. However, sebum provides no benefits. In fact, as the oily sebum creates a film over the scalp, it stops the promotion of healthy hair growth as each new strand must fight through a barrier, causing stress and weakening the hair. I’m an ambassador for Nioxin, which specialises in products for fuller-looking hair, so scalp and hair health is at the core of what I believe. This is why I promote double cleansing to anybody who wants stronger, thicker, fuller looking hair – and who doesn’t want that?”

This article appeared on Layered