Washing your hair may sound simple, just apply shampoo and rinse, but if you’re embracing your natural curls, wash day takes on a whole new meaning! Should we use shampoo with curly hair? What type of shampoo should we be using, if any?
As with most things curly-related, it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Let’s dive in and see how to take care of our gorgeous curls.
Should we use Shampoo or Co-wash for Curly Hair?
Some curlies prefer to avoid shampoo in their routine, but the right shampoo can be beneficial for curls. Those with fine hair or looser curl patterns may find they need to use shampoo more regularly as these hair types are more easily weighed down and can be prone to build-up.
For those with thicker curls, co-washing regularly may be better suited to their hair to add more moisture, and they can do a deeper clean with shampoo less frequently. A co-wash is a hybrid between a shampoo and a conditioner. It gently cleans your hair while also adding moisture. See more about co-washing here.
Whatever your preferred method, it’s so important to make sure that our scalps are cleansed properly to maintain healthy hair.
To find out how often we should be washing our curls, check out our guidelines here.
Use Sulfate-Free Shampoo For The Best Curls
The best regular shampoo to use on natural waves and curls is what’s known as a “low-poo.” This is simply a shampoo that is free of sulfates. One such shampoo is our All Curl Cleanser, which has no sulfates and is kind on curls. Its special formula gently foams and cleans without stripping the hair of its natural oils, with the gentle foaming action naturally derived from coconuts.
Why no sulfates? Sulfates are not a bad ingredient, they are a very effective cleansing agent, however they can be a little too harsh on curly hair. This is because curly hair is typically dry as it takes much longer for the natural oils from our scalps to travel down the spirals. So the tighter your curls, the dryer your hair may be.