A co wash or co wash is short for conditioner washing . It is a hair product for curls that you use when washing your hair within the CG Method . You have probably seen this term within the CG Method. But what exactly is co-washing? And how often can you do it and does it suit your curls? In this article we will explain everything to you!
What is a co wash?
A co wash is a hair care product that has been around for several years. Instead of a CG shampoo or conditioner, use a co wash to wash your hair. The idea behind these co washes is that you can wash your hair with mild cleansers (Cationic Surfactants). Cationic Surfactants have the power to cleanse, but they do not deep cleanse like a CG Shampoo does.
At the time, a co wash was often used by women with curly hair and/or very thick hair. Over the years and the emerging trend of using a co-wash, numerous different co-washes have now been formulated. Due to new techniques and the use of new or different ingredients, the co-washes are currently suitable for all types of curls and hair textures.
A co wash is actually a 2-in-1 product. It contains the cleansers of a shampoo and caring ingredients of a conditioner. These two functions have been brought into one product and this has created the co-wash.
How do the ingredients of a cowash work?
When looking for a co wash, it's important that the formula contains some cleansing ingredients. This is important as the formula will otherwise not be able to cleanse your hair.
Co washes are formulated with Cationic Surfactants. In other words, surfactant is an active substance in a hair product. A Cationic Surfactant is a cleansing agent that is extremely mild and suitable for daily use. Cationic Surfactants are mild cleaners and do not foam (as you can see in the photo). They cannot be used together with Anionic Surfactants (which are strong enough to really cleanse the hair and rid it of product build-up). But Cationic Surfactants are suitable for cleaning your hair, making it feel softer and nourishing your hair. In short: Cationic Surfactants are milder/weaker surfactants. They can clean, but cannot completely rid your hair of build-up and dirt. Cationic Surfactants can cause build-up, so always use a CG shampoo in your routine in addition to co-washing. Anionic Surfactants are strong enough to effectively remove build-up and dirt
Photo: RedCarpetCurls
A co wash is a cleansing product that you can use while washing your hair. A co-wash is a product that you can safely use within the CG Method as long as it meets the guidelines of the CG Method . There are many variants of a co wash available, we have included all CG variants in our collection for co washes.
Can I also use a conditioner as a co wash?
A co wash cannot be compared to a conditioner only wash. This is because most conditioners do not have the cleansing effects that the CG co wash does. You can often also apply a co wash to the scalp, but when using a conditioner we advise you to focus on the hair lengths and avoid your scalp. Most co-washes on the market are made with cationic surfactants, which really makes them a co-wash rather than a conditioner.
History of the Co Wash
Let's take a step back. Because where does the co-wash actually come from? And who invented it? Hair styling routines started (as far as is known) 4000 BC. From the Middle Ages, external hygiene became increasingly important. Over the years it was noted that soap could remove dirt and residue. The first liquid shampoo was created in 1927. At that time it consisted of soap and several types of herbs.
Sulphates were introduced from the 1930s onwards. Not much later, many people noticed that sulfates made the hair and scalp drier. The result? More moisture was needed for the hair. Conditioners and co-washes followed, to make the hair feel softer, add moisture and to treat the hair better.
Sulphates were introduced from the 1930s onwards. Not much later, many people noticed that sulfates made the hair and scalp drier. The result? More moisture was needed for the hair. Conditioners and co-washes followed, to make the hair feel softer, add moisture and to treat the hair better.
Will a co wash work for me?
Some curlies do not recommend using a co wash for finer hair or a looser curl. It would be too heavy for the hair, but there are more and more co-washes that are a lot lighter. With fine hair, it is extra important to use a CG shampoo in your curly hair routine in addition to your co wash. Do you regularly do a co-wash? Then we advise you to use a clarifying shampoo monthly.
A co wash is not made for regular use with the aim of really cleaning your hair to perfection. It is a product for anyone who wants to wash their hair more often or has to do so because they exercise more often, want to do so or in an environment where it is desirable to wash their hair more often. So you can use a co-wash, but you will also have to regularly use a CG shampoo within your routine to properly remove build-up and dirt.
It has not been scientifically proven, but certain blogs and articles mention that co-washing has a good effect on hair breakage and restoring balance after excessive shampooing. All hair types can therefore benefit from using a co-wash. And especially hair that is extremely dry.
How do you use a co wash?
So, as mentioned, a co-wash is a product that you use when you wash your hair. Every brand has his or her view on the use of a product, but with a co wash we often see the same explanation for use. So, do you already have a co wash at home? In addition to our explanation, always check the label to be sure.
Step-by-step plan for co-washing your curly hair:
- Wet your hair completely in the shower with warm water.
- Take a generous amount of the co-wash into your palm.
- Then apply this to your scalp and massage it gently.
- If necessary, add some water to distribute it even better.
- Focus on your entire skull (including the back and sides!) These are often places that are sometimes forgotten! Bend your head to massage everything thoroughly.
- With one product you can also apply the co wash over the hair lengths and with the other product only on the scalp. Check the label for this.
- Then let the product absorb briefly (3-5 minutes). Always check the label again to be sure. This duration always takes precedence over any other information that can be found. In the meantime, you can brush your hair to get rid of knots and tangles.
- Does your scalp not feel clean yet? Then repeat steps from 1 to 7.
- Then rinse the co-wash completely from your hair.
- Do you suffer from extremely dry hair? Then you could possibly use a conditioner.
- Then get started with your styling products.
How often do you use a co wash?
We are happy to explain how often you use a product. We would like to emphasize that it is always good to keep a close eye on your own hair and experiment with different routines. This is our guideline regarding the use of a co-wash:
- Use a CG Shampoo weekly together with a conditioner or mask .
- Do you want to wash it more than 3/4 times a week? Because you often exercise or work in an environment that means you really have to wash it more often? Then you can replace the second wash with a co-wash. Do you want to wash it more than twice a week? Then also use a co wash.
- Do you regularly use a co-wash? Then do a deep cleansing wash once a month.
You can experiment with the above guidelines. In addition, it is also very important what your own wishes are. Do you want a slightly cleaner feeling on your second wash? Then feel free to use a shampoo again. We think it is important to combine regular use of a co wash with a weekly CG shampoo.
What are the benefits of cowashing?
- It gives you a fresher feeling than just washing your curls with conditioner.
- A co wash provides extra moisture and hydration to the hair.
- Fewer knots and tangles after washing.
- Extra mild cleaning.
What are the disadvantages of co-washing?
- Build-up (always use a CG shampoo weekly in addition to co-washing!)
- Oily hair with looser curl patterns and/or finer hair.
- Itchy scalp (if you don't use CG shampoo in your routine).
- Too heavy for certain hair types if you don't choose the right product.
Build up
Because you use different products, you can suffer from build-up. Due to this accumulation of certain ingredients, other caring ingredients and moisture in your products can no longer reach your hair. Of course you don't want that! A build-up can happen faster than you think. Signs of build-up are:
- Limp/lifeless hair.
- Fluff.
- No/less shine.
- Itching on your scalp.
- A greasy layer on your scalp.
- No more getting cast .
Which CG Co wash is suitable for my curls?
As you can see above, with a looser curl pattern or finer hair it is very important to choose the right product. When choosing the right product, more factors play a role, including your hair properties and, importantly, your own wishes.
It is important to find out what your porosity is. The porosity of your hair is about the extent to which your hair can absorb and retain moisture.
It is also useful to know the elasticity of your hair. The elasticity of your hair gives you an indication of how healthy it is. Take a loose strand from the hair and gently stretch it.
And finally, we also find one of the important things: your texture. Your texture should not be confused with your curl pattern. We think your curl pattern is less important: your texture is a better indication of what your hair can handle. For example, do you have finer hair? Then we do not recommend products that contain all kinds of heavy butters and oils. On the other hand, for finer hair you can simply use a stronger hold gel .
To return to elasticity and porosity: based on these two you can determine whether you will get a co wash with or without protein. It's also important to look at what the rest of your routine looks like. Do you already have many CG products with protein at home? And do you want to keep a good balance? Then you can safely choose a co-wash without protein. Do you use no protein at all in your routine? Then a co-wash with protein may be recommended.
Are you in doubt? First make sure you get a travel size . You can then test the product properly!
Top 3: Best co wash (CG) for curls
1. Only Curls Cleansing Co-Wash
2. Curlsmith Quenching Co-Wash
After washing with this co wash conditioner you are ready for a new start. You experience fewer tangles and knots and can easily comb through your hair. This co wash contains no protein.
3. Pretty Curly Girl Peppermint Co-Wash
Are you going to use a co-wash? Let us know in the comments or discover even more co-washes that you can shop with us.
