The Best Products for Cleansing Protective Styles 2021
The Best Cleansing Products and Shampoos for Keeping Braids and Protective Styles Fresh
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After about a week of rocking your fresh braids or twists, you might be literally itching for a hair and scalp cleanse. While you may be tempted to go for your usual wash day routine — shampoo, condition, and moisturise — protective styles soak up a lot of water and make it difficult to thoroughly wash out residue from cleansing products. If you fancy giving your hair and scalp some TLC, without disturbing those intricate braiding patterns, then we've found seven great cleansing products to keep your style in top shape.
Dry shampoos are surprisingly a great shout for removing oil and dirt while minimising hair manipulation, but not all dry shampoos are suited for afro hair. We recommend choosing a foaming waterless shampoo to really capture the oil and dirt without drying out delicate kinks and coils. If you prefer something a bit more moisturising and good at eliminating itchiness, we highly recommend a cleansing oil or gel that contains tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar. Tea tree is known for calming an itchy scalp, and reducing oil and dandruff. Apple cider vinegar is recommended for balancing the pH of the scalp, reducing inflammation, minimising bacteria, and soothing itchiness.
If your hair and scalp needs a deeper clean, then it's okay to use a clarifying shampoo but you have to be prepared to put in some extra work. We recommend a micellar shampoo that has a spout cap so that you can focus application directly on your scalp, and the parts between your braids. When applying a clarifying shampoo, make sure to tie your braids up so that the length of the braids don't retain any excess water or cleanser. After gently emulsifying the cleanser on your scalp, and rinsing all the soap from your scalp and hair, then apply a light conditioner to the lengths and ends of your braids, and then rinse. Once your braids are fully dry, touch up your scalp with a nourishing hair oil.
Ahead, check out 7 of the best products for keeping braids, twists, and protective styles clean and fresh.
Taliah Waajid Refresh & So Clean Bamboo Avocado & Peppermint Dry Gel Shampoo
Taliah Waajid Refresh & So Clean Bamboo Avocado & Peppermint Dry Gel Shampoo (£6.50) is specifically formulated for refreshing protective styles. The peppermint and witch hazel work together to reduce build-up, dandruff, and soothe itchiness; bamboo also boosts the product's soothing properties, and avocado moisturises.
African Pride Black Castor Miracle Braid & Scalp Rinse
African Pride Black Castor Miracle Braid & Scalp Rinse (£5.50) can be used when you need more of a deep clean. It contains micellar water for getting rid of oil and dirt on the scalp, and peppermint oil to sooth irritation; Then, the black castor oil and coconut oil ensures that your hair and scalp are well-moisturised. This is a lather-and-rinse treatment that we highly recommend for people who are sensitive to apple cider vinegar, because micellar is a much gentler alternative.
Aveda Foam Reset Rinseless Hydrating Cleanser
Aveda Foam Reset Rinseless Hydrating Cleanser (£24.50) is a lightweight, waterless foaming cleanser that's great for braids that need a quick touch-up. We recommend using this product after a workout, or between washes to freshen up your style when you're short on time.
DevaCurl Buildup Buster
DevaCurl Buildup Buster (£19) is a micellar clarifying shampoo with a spout cap that's perfect for targeted application between your braid partings. Because micellar water is such a gentle cleansing agent, this product works well for lathering up your scalp and letting the suds run down the lengths of your braids for that extra clean feeling.
Cantu Apple Cider Vinegar Root Rinse
Cantu Apple Cider Vinegar Root Rinse (£7) is made with clarifying apple cider vinegar, soothing tea tree oil, and moisturising shea butter. It's a great shout if your scalp gets super itchy and micellar water just isn't giving you a deep enough clean. Just like a clarifying shampoo, apply the rinse directly to the partings between your braids, gently lather and try not to manipulate your braids too much, before rinsing down your lengths and ends.
ORS Herbal Cleanse Dry Shampoo
ORS Herbal Cleanse Dry Shampoo (£4) is a dry shampoo made specifically for afro hair. The herbal cocktail contains lavender oil, which is the main active ingredient that soothes the scalp, as well as basil oil, aloe vera, nettle, and kola nut. You can apply this product to the scalp directly, massage for a few minutes, and then remove the residue with a damp towel; for applying to the lengths of your braids, add some ORS Herbal Cleanse Dry Shampoo to a damp cloth and move the cloth along the lengths of the braids.
African Royale BRX Braid And Extensions Sheen Spray
African Royale BRX Braid And Extensions Sheen Spray (£2.50) won't clean your hair and scalp, but it's a cost-effective way to sooth irritation or itchiness between washes. The main active ingredient is tea tree oil and you can lightly mist the product over your scalp to minimise oil production, and add extra lustre to braids.
