Would co-washing make your hair easier to manage?
Check the roots and the lengths separately.

Choose a cleansing conditioner

For this trial, use a product labeled co-wash or cleansing conditioner. A bottle labeled only conditioner may have no washing instructions. Read the cleanser’s amount, scalp and length placement, rinse, and follow-on conditioning steps before you start.

Keep a cleanser that already works

Styling creams, oils and gels change what a wash needs to remove. If your familiar shampoo clears them comfortably, keep it available. Try the co-wash on a usual wash day, without adding new styling products at the same time.

Your lengths feel dry after shampooing

• First try keeping shampoo mainly at the scalp and using conditioner through the lengths that tangle.
• If you try co-washing, follow the full product routine and keep styling familiar.
• Compare detangling and the dry result.
• If it stings or irritates, rinse it off and stop using it.

Your roots still feel oily or coated

• Before adding more cleanser, move the hair aside and finish rinsing the crown, sides and nape.
• If the dried roots still feel greasy or coated, use your familiar shampoo for the next wash.
• If this happens after each co-wash, stop using that cleanser.

The roots feel clean but the ends catch

• Follow the co-wash’s directions for any conditioner afterward.
• For a rinse-out conditioner, work it through the lengths that catch and allow its waiting time.
• Ease loose tangles apart from the ends, then rinse.
• Keep this step if it makes handling easier.

A cleanser with a complete method

Check whether the co-wash needs scalp massage, distribution through the lengths, a waiting time or detangling before rinsing. Choose one whose full routine you can finish comfortably. A low-lather formula does not need extra product just to make foam.

Browse cleansing conditioners. For help choosing a cleansing conditioner, describe your wash routine and any buildup you notice.

Shampoo for oil or product residue

Use a shampoo that has cleaned comfortably for you when co-washing leaves the roots oily or the hair coated. You can use shampoo as your regular cleanser. There is no need to alternate just to keep the co-wash in use.

Browse cleansing products. For shampoo recommendations, share how your roots feel between washes and what you use now.

Conditioner for easier handling

If the cleanser’s directions include conditioning afterward, follow that step. When it is optional, judge whether the lengths still catch as you detangle. Use rinse-out conditioner where it helps, then complete its rinse before drying or styling.

Browse rinse-out conditioners. For conditioner recommendations, share where your hair tangles and which products you have tried.

For a co-wash trial

Wet underneath the hair before applying the label’s amount. Gently massage the scalp with finger pads and work through the lengths as the product explains. Complete any waiting or detangling step, then rinse thoroughly. The linked photos demonstrate a fixed shower.

For your shampoo wash

Work your chosen shampoo over the wet scalp with finger pads. Keep lengths hanging loose, then rinse the crown, sides and nape before conditioning. Use it when oil or product residue needs washing away, rather than delaying a wash to follow a co-washing schedule.