A question we get regularly is what the real difference between shampoos, cleansers and co-washes is and when to use which. Although every product and every brand will differ slightly in how they define their products, the main difference between cleansers, shampoos and co-washes is how deeply they clean your hair and scalp. A general rule of thumb is that a shampoo usually is the strongest of the three, as it is normal to incorporate ingredients such as sulphates and other strong detergents to deeply clean both the scalp and hair, with the side effect of sometimes leaving the hair feeling quite dry (though many brands are now replacing sulfates with other milder detergents – we at Bobbys only have one or two shampoos in our assortment with sulfates, but the vast majority is now without). A cleanser is usually milder on the hair as its main goal is to remove product build up and deeply clean the scalp, leaving you with refreshed scalp and hair that feels clean, but not stripped of oils. Co-washes provide cleansing, conditioning and generally have a great detangling ability for those looking to spend less time washing their hair. In this post we will take you through eight of the cleansers/shampoos we carry at Bobby’s, and hopefully leave you with a better understanding of the differences between our cleansers, and with new ideas for which cleansers to incorporate into your hair routine.
Curlsmith Wash & Scrub Detox Shampoo
This exfoliating clarifying shampoo is suitable for everyone, no matter the hair type, looking to melt away dirt and product build-up while soothing a flaky, dry scalp. It contains micro-fine beads that are eco-friendly and wash out easily to gently exfoliate your scalp. The fine beads won’t get stuck in your hair or leave residue, and instead gently unclog your follicles. The beads are made from volcanic minerals, and the cleanser contains other ingredients such as apple cider vinegar, radish root and mellow flower, to name a few. It contains no sulphates, parabens, silicones or mineral oils. It is also ethically sourced, cruelty-free and vegan. It is recommended to use every 4-5 washes as to not over exfoliate and cleanse.
Mielle Mongongo Oil Exfoliating Shampoo
Although this product is technically classified as a shampoo, I’ve chosen to incorporate it into this list as it is very similar to a cleanser. The shampoo has a sulphate-free formula and is made to gently, but effectively, clean the hair without stripping away any essential moisture. As it contains no harsh chemicals or preservatives it should be safe to use on all hair types.
Pattern Cleansing Shampoo
Made for curly, coily and tight textures (3A-4C) this cleansing shampoo is made with matcha (green tea), aloe vera and panthenol to provide a strengthening factor to your wash day. The cleanser gives your scalp a fresh start without stripping away healthy oils, making it an excellent choice for those with low porosity hair looking to keep the hair cuticle more open in order to fully benefit from their conditioners and leave-ins. The cleanser is made to have a clean, not overpowering scent with notes of jasmine, bergamot and sweet sandalwood. It is paraben-free, free of cyclic silicones, SLS/SLES and phthalate-free. It is cruelty-free and gentle enough to safely be used on color treated hair.
Note from Bobbys: Unfortunately, Pattern has for now chosen to withdraw from the European market and focus solely in the US. We hope this can change in the future as we really love their products!
Camille Rose Sweet Ginger Cleansing Rinse
A cleanser removes oils and product build up while giving moisture to the hair. It is infused with aniseed oil and sweet ginger to nourish the scalp and hair, and is light enough to be used on all hair types. If you have dry hair naturally the recommended use is every 3-5 washes, however for those who struggle with an overproduction of oils, it can be used every other day as a shampoo replacement. The aniseed and castor oil in the cleanser will provide nourishment and moisture while helping to promote hair growth. It is formulated to best suit high porosity hair but can be used on medium and low porosity as well if needed, since it has a water-based formula.
Keracare Natural Textures Cleansing Cream
Creamy and light, this cleanser is ideal for those looking to gently clean their hair and scalp while being able to detangle at the same time. With key ingredients such as amla oil, argan oil and abyssinian oils, it will provide great slip, shine and moisture to the hair. Due to the neem leaf extract in the cleanser, it can also be beneficial for those struggling with impurities, mild dryness or itchiness in the scalp. It is vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, paraben-free, talc-free and phthalate-free. As it is a gentle, moisturizing but effective cleanser, this is also what we recommend washing all human hair extensions and wigs with to keep them looking good and healthy for longer.
Crème of Nature Argan Oil Apple Cider Vinegar Clarifying Rinse
This deep cleanser infused with argan oil from Morocco, is good for removing weekly product build up from the hair (and even braids and locks as it has a watery consistency!) without stripping away the natural oils that are essential for healthy hair and scalp. It is also made to protect and keep the PH of your scalp balanced. While using this rinse you will experience a cooling and refreshing sensation to the scalp. It also helps seal the cuticle of the hair and minimizes breakage. This rinse contains no sulfates, no silicones, no mineral oils and no petrolatum. It will make your hair feel smoother, softer and add shine to your strands. Crème of Nature recommends it to be used as a shampoo replacement or after shampoo to close the cuticle and seal in shine.
Jessicurl Cleansing Cream
Best suited for thick, dry hair that requires a lot of moisture, this gentle moisturizing cleanser is an excellent choice for those who feel like regular cleansers and shampoos strip away too much from the hair. It won’t create a lot of lather, which might take some getting used to, but it will clean your hair thoroughly while leaving the hair soft and moisturized. This is a protein-free formula that is safe for color treated hair and made to make your hair look good from your wash day up until the next.
Aunt Jackies Coco Wash Coconut Milk Conditioning Cleanser
This cleanser gently washes without stripping dry curly hair of oils and will leave your hair feeling clean and free of impurities, while it stays soft, hydrated and manageable. Coconut milk is the main star of this product but is also contains a blend of avocado and shea butter to make it extra nourishing and hydrating. It is gentle enough to be used as a daily cleanser and can be used on all hair types, although some might feel that it is too heavy as it is a very moisture heavy cleanser.
In conclusion there are many different cleansers to choose from, the most important thing (as always) is to choose what most suits your needs and testing out what works best for you. All the products listed above have some common factors, such as being quite gentle, but effective in cleaning the hair and scalp, however there are minor differences in all of them that might make a product better or worse for you.
Here is an overview of the cleansers to give a quick comparison:
