"Excessive shampooing can dehydrate the hair," said Morgan Willhite, Ouidad creative director and lead stylist. "Cleansing conditioners are designed to gently cleanse the scalp and hair. The combination of a mild cleanser and hydrating moisturisers help avoid stripping of one's natural oils."
You can use any conditioner to co-wash, but over the last decade, the trend has gone mainstream (remember those Wen infomercials featuring Alyssa Milano and Chaz Dean?). Especially within the last several years, big-name beauty brands like L'Oréal, Pantene, and Kérastase have brought co-washing to the high street and salons under the term "cleansing conditioner." People with thick, dry, colour-treated, curly, kinky, and afro hair types can all benefit from the extra moisture co-washing provides. "The benefits of co-washing include the reduction in dryness to the hair shaft, leaving the hair shinier and smoother-looking," said NYC dermatologist Rosemarie Ingleton. "It also doesn't strip colour-treated hair of its pigment."
Image Source: Ouidad