THE TRUTH ABOUT CO-WASHING (WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT ISN'T)
- CRIENATURAL
- Feb 4
- 3 min read
*By Aminah Lawson, Founder of Salon Crie & Crie Natural*
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## The Real Problem
We have to talk about co-washing because there is a lot of confusion out there. Many people believe that co-washing is simply taking a standard conditioner and putting it on their hair to "clean" it. But here is the reality: if you are just using a regular conditioner, you are not actually cleaning your hair. You might think you are co-washing, but often, you are just layering product without removing the dirt.
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## Why This Keeps Happening
- **Misunderstanding the Definition**
The word "co-wash" is a combination of "conditioner" and "wash." It means doing those two things together. If the product does not have a cleansing system built in, it is not a co-wash; it is just a conditioner.
- **Market Confusion**
As a product developer and cosmetic chemist, I often look at products on the shelf labeled "co-wash," but when I check the ingredient list, I don't see a cleanser. I just see oils and emollients. These products are wonderful conditioners, but they cannot perform the "wash" part of the job.
- **Missing the "Baby" Effect**
A true co-wash is like if a shampoo and a conditioner got together and had a baby. It should have the texture and feel of a conditioner, but it must perform like a shampoo with a mild surfactant (cleansing agent) included.
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## The Crie Perspective
At Salon Crie, we want to align everyone with the right information because we are focused on:
- **Systems:** A co-wash is a replacement for your normal shampoo process on days when you need a gentle reset.
- **Simplicity:** We want to simplify your hair process and make it as easy as possible.
- **Time Factor:** With the right product, you can cleanse, detangle, and treat your hair simultaneously.
- **Product Philosophy:** We use plant-based surfactants like Decyl Glucoside and Coco Betaine to ensure the product actually cleanses while it moisturizes.
- **Salon Methodology:** We ensure that if a client is extremely dehydrated, we use a co-wash that is suitable to hydrate while cleaning.
> "It is a conditioner in feel and texture, but it performs like a shampoo."
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## What To Do Instead
Give 3–5 actionable steps:
1. **Check the Ingredients**
Do not just read the front of the bottle. Turn it over and look for a surfactant (cleansing agent). If it is just a list of oils and butters, it is not a co-wash.
2. **Use it as a Replacement**
On weeks where you don't feel like going through a full shampoo process, or if your hair feels extremely dehydrated, swap your shampoo for a real co-wash.
3. **Detangle While You Cleanse**
Take advantage of the "conditioner" feel. Use the product to detangle and treat your hair while the surfactants clean your scalp.
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## Final Thoughts
You can have the certainty and confidence of knowing that at Salon Crie, we have developed a co-wash that actually does what it is supposed to do. It is our "star" on the set because it performs properly. Don't settle for products that just coat your hair—get one that cleanses it too.
**Call to Action:**
Book at Salon Crie: https://www.crienatural.com/salon-crie
**Watch the full breakdown here:**
[Co-Wash confusion💧✨How Cowash actually works. Ft. Crie Natural Moist Hair Hydrating #CoWash]
