What Is Co-Washing?

Co-wash, also known as “conditioner-only wash,” is when you use only a conditioner to cleanse your hair and scalp. Co-washing helps soften and hydrate the hair without stripping its natural oils. Co-washes do not lather much and are gentle on the scalp. To know more about the best conditioners and other facts about co-washing, keep scrolling!

15 Best Drugstore Conditioners For Co-Washing

1. Best For Color-Treated Hair:As I Am Classic Coconut Cowash

4.5 Image: As I Am BUY ON AMAZON | $7.97
The As I Am Classic Coconut Cowash gently cleanses the hair and scalp without stripping the moisture. It is enriched with castor oil, tangerine, and coconut oil that eliminate product buildup and impurities, promoting healthy hair growth. This conditioner hydrates and detangles your hair, making it more manageable. This video will help you make an informed decision about your purchase. Pros

Safe for color-treated hair Suitable for daily use Gentle formula

Cons None

2. Best For Damaged Hair:Renpure Coconut Creme Cowash

4.3 BUY ON AMAZON | $9.0
This Coconut Creme Cowash by Renpure lubricates your hair and protects it from damage. The gentle formula is infused with keratin, amino acids, and proteins that repair damaged hair and restore its strength. Shea butter and protective lipids help condition the hair, while coconut oil hydrates the hair and imparts shine to it. Watch this video to get a detailed review of the product. Pros

Paraben-free Sulfate-free Dye-free Gluten-free No harsh salts Sodium chloride-free

Cons

Unpleasant smell

3. Best Anti-Breakage:Cantu Complete Conditioning Co-Wash

4.5 BUY ON AMAZON | $4.97
This co-wash helps restore the natural beauty of your hair while removing product buildup and impurities. It contains shea butter and oils that moisture the hair and reduce hair breakage. The gentle formula helps detangle the hair without tugging or pulling. Here’s a video to help you know more about this product. Pros

Suitable for all hair types Sulfate-free Paraben-free Silicone-free Mineral oil-free

Cons None

4. Best Hydrating:Creme Of Nature Creamy Hydration Co-Wash

4.4 BUY ON AMAZON | $7.52
This co-wash is formulated with argan oil that helps hydrate your tresses. It gently cleanses your hair and removes product residue. This co-wash helps tame frizz and add shine to your hair. The product claims to retain 90% of hair color after 10 washes. Pros

Lightweight Color-safe Sulfate-free Petrolatum-free Paraben-free

Cons

Unpleasant fragrance

5. Best Frizz-Controlling:Palmer’s Olive Oil Cleansing Conditioner Co-Wash

4.1 BUY ON AMAZON
The Palmer’s Olive Oil Cleansing Conditioner Co-Wash contains extra virgin olive oil, vitamin E, keratin protein, and natural herbal extracts that soften and detangle the hair. The gentle formula hydrates dry hair and controls frizz. The extra virgin olive oil protects your hair from free radical damage, while keratin helps strengthen and repair damaged hair. Jamaican black castor oil relieves dry, itchy scalp and protects the hair from styling damage. Pros

Paraben-free Sulfate-free Gluten-free Phthalate-free Mineral oil-free Dye-free Gentle formula

Cons

Greasy

6. Best For Curly Hair:SheaMoisture Curl Moisture Co-Wash

4.3 BUY ON AMAZON | $10.49
The SheaMoisture Curl Moisture Co-Wash removes impurities from your scalp and hair without stripping the natural oils. It contains raw shea butter, coconut oil, and neem oil. The coconut oil reduces hair breakage, while the neem oil controls frizz and adds shine to your hair. Pros

Lightweight Sulfate-free Paraben-free Gluten-free Phthalate-free No synthetic colors and fragrances Paraffin-free Mineral oil-free Suitable for curly hair types

Cons None

7. Best For Chemically-Treated Hair:LuxeOrganixCoWash Cleansing Conditioner

4.2 BUY ON AMAZON | $32.47
The LuxeOrganixCoWash Cleansing Conditioner contains mint that helps soothe your scalp. It does not strip the natural oils of your hair and make it dry. This co-wash has a refreshing scent that uplifts your mood and is suitable for chemically-treated hair, colored hair, and hair extensions. Pros

pH-balanced Sulfate-free Cruelty-free Paraben-free Sodium chloride-free Gluten-free Phthalate-free No harsh salts Suitable for all hair types

Cons None

8. Best Moisturizing:Flawless By Gabrielle Union Hydrating Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner

4.1 BUY ON AMAZON | $9.97
The Flawless By Gabrielle Union Hydrating Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner removes dirt and product buildup from your hair and scalp. It is enriched with coconut oil, castor seed oil, passionfruit seed oil, rice oil complex, acai palm oil, shea butter, and marshmallow extract. These ingredients help nourish, detangle, and moisture your hair. Pros

Paraben-free Sulfate-free Silicone-free Safe for color-treated hair

Cons None

9. Best For Coily Hair:MopTop Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner

4.1 BUY ON AMAZON | $17.99
The MopTop Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner contains aloe extracts and sea botanicals that hydrate the hair, add shine, and make it manageable. Honey moisturizes the hair and balances its natural oils. This co-wash is infused with lemon, orange, and grapefruit essential oils that impart an invigorating fragrance to your hair. It prevents product buildup and does not weigh your hair down. Pros

Lightweight Pleasant fragrance Sulfate-free Paraben-free Silicone-free Phthalate-free Dye-free Phthalate-free Color-safe Suitable for wavy, curly, and coily hair types

Cons

Runny consistency

10. Best Anti-Dandruff:head & shoulders Co-Wash

4.2 BUY ON AMAZON | $17.99
The head & shoulders Co-Wash moisturizes your scalp and prevents dandruff. It is enriched with vitamin E, almond oil, and coconut essence that reduce itchiness, dryness, and flakiness. The pH-balanced formula is suitable for all hair types. Pros

Non-drying pH-balanced Safe for chemically and color-treated hair Suitable for all hair types Gentle formula

Cons

Contains silicones

11. Best Hair Detangling:Mixed Chicks Conditioning Cleansing Co-Wash

4.4 BUY ON AMAZON | $9.99
This co-wash conditioner is enriched with active botanicals that hydrate your hair while removing dirt and impurities. It helps detangle your hair and adds natural bounce. This co-wash is infused with the natural goodness of coconut, castor, jojoba, wheat germ, and olive oils that nourish your hair and scalp. Coconut oil conditions and softens your hair and imparts luster. Castor seed oil minimizes dandruff and scalp irritation. Jojoba seed oil promotes hair growth and enhances shine, and wheat germ oil strengthens the hair and controls moisture loss. Olive fruit oil restores moisture to your hair and scalp and makes your hair soft and shiny. Pros

Color-safe Suitable for all hair textures Safe for chemically treated hair

Cons

Might weigh the hair down.

12. Best Hair Softening:Pantene Pro-V Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner

4.5 BUY ON AMAZON | $15.87
This Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner by Pantene Pro-V cleanses, conditions, and detangles your hair without stripping its natural moisture. It is infused with nutrients and antioxidants that strengthen and soften your hair and prevent damage. This co-wash refreshes unmanageable curls, adds shine, and controls frizz. Pros

Color-safe No residue Smells good Non-greasy

Cons

Contains drying alcohol

13.  Best For Split Ends:tgin Quench 3-In-1 Co-Wash Conditioner And Detangler

This co-wash conditioner cleanses, moisturizes, and detangles your hair and restores moisture to dry strands. The lightweight formula contains sweet almond oil and pure African shea butter that revitalize curls and promote healthy hair growth. This co-wash removes excess product buildup and prevents split ends, frizz, and fly a ways to leave your hair soft, smooth, and manageable. Pros

Lightweight Paraben-free Sulfate-free

Cons

May make the hair limp.

14. Best For 4C Hair:Taliah Waajid Shea-Coco 2-In-1 Conditioning Co-Wash

4 BUY ON AMAZON | $12.38
This co-wash helps detangle your hair without making it dry. It is enriched with sesame oil, coconut oil, and shea butter that eliminate frizz and soften your hair. You can also use this product as a leave-in conditioner.

Pros

Paraben-free Sulfate-free No harmful chemicals Lightweight Suitable for 3C and 4C hair types

Cons None

15. Brittanie’s Thyme Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner

This co-wash conditioner purifies your hair and scalp while removing product buildup. It also protects your hair against styling damage. This product contains organic Moroccan argan oil, rice bran oil, and almond oil that detoxify your scalp and restore hair moisture. Pros

Vegan Paraben-free Silicone-free Sulfate-free Lightweight Contains organic ingredients Suitable for all hair types Color-safe

Cons None Now that you are aware of the best cleansing conditioners to buy, follow these steps to co-wash your hair the correct way.

How To Co-Wash Your Hair

1. Saturate Your Hair With Water

The hair strands should be dripping wet. Washing your hair with water loosens the debris, making it easy to rinse all the dirt. It also helps distribute the co-wash conditioner evenly throughout your scalp and hair length.

2. Take The Required Amount Of Conditioner

No dime-sized and quarter-sized dollops! Take enough conditioner to coat your hair from the roots to the tips. Do not forget that you are cleansing your hair and not just conditioning it.

3. Massage Your Hair With The Conditioner

Rub the conditioner on your palms and apply it to your hair from the roots to the tips. Massage your hair gently and ensure that the product is evenly distributed on your scalp. Let it get absorbed for at least 3-5 minutes.

4. Rinse And Towel Dry Your Hair

Rinse your hair thoroughly with water and towel dry it. You can apply a hair serum if needed.

5. Use A Clarifying Shampoo

Whether you use a shampoo or co-wash, you need to clarify your hair. Using a clarifying shampoo once or twice a month will remove any product buildup without drying your hair. Co-washing helps prevent hair breakage and makes your hair silky smooth. Scroll down to know more about the benefits of co-washing.

Benefits Of Co-Washing

Co-washing is an excellent conditioning treatment for your hair. It cleanses the hair and scalp without stripping the natural oils. It makes the hairstyling process easy. Co-washing adds an extra layer of moisture to your hair and helps you ace any hairstyle like a pro. This gentle cleansing process does not irritate and dry out your scalp. It reduces hair shedding and breakage. It helps detangle your hair and prevents knots. Co-washing adds definition to your curls.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Oyendrila Kanjilal is a certified skin care coach whose well-researched articles help her readers identify authentic skin and hair care products. Here, she has compiled a list of the best drugstore conditioners for co-washing. Shiboli has described the important features of each product and included a buying guide to help you select a product that lets you clean and moisturize your hair without using shampoo. Can you co-wash and condition with the same conditioner? No. Co-washing conditioners contain mild surfactants that cleanse the scalp and moisturize the hair. In contrast, a regular conditioner does nothing to cleanse the hair. So, use different products for co-washing and conditioning. Is co-wash better than shampoo? Yes. Co-wash conditioners contain gentle surfactant-like ingredients that cleanse the scalp without stripping its natural moisture. They nourish the tresses while washing impurities and dirt. In contrast, shampoo cleanses the scalp and does little to moisturize the hair. How often should I co-wash? Co-wash your hair once or twice weekly. However, co-wash more if you have thick, coarse hair and indulge in heat styling. Is it okay to co-wash natural hair every day? No. Skip co-washing natural hair daily to prevent buildup. It may turn the hair brittle. If you have an oily scalp, start by co-washing daily and gradually limit it to twice weekly. Can you use a drugstore deep conditioner as a co-wash? No. Deep conditioners contain a high concentration of harsh surfactants that cause product buildup. Therefore, skip co-washing with these products to prevent the hair from weighing down.

15 Best Co-Washes For Curly Hair Top 17 Hair Conditioners 11 Best Drugstore Conditioners 17 Best Drugstore Shampoos And Conditioners