While a sudsy shampoo followed by a conditioner may be the wash day default, certain hair types — specifically curly or textured hair — may benefit more from a co-wash (shorthand for “conditioning wash”), which merges the two-part routine into a single step that leaves hair soft, smooth and moisturized, according to experts.
To that end, “a co-wash is a hybrid product that combines the properties of both shampoo and conditioner,” says Mark DeBolt, a hair colorist and the co-owner of Mark Ryan Salon in New York City. Unlike the two-in-one formulas of yore, these usually contain more conditioning ingredients; in fact, you can think of them as conditioners with a handful of cleansing agents. Because of their ability to moisturize, co-washes are akin to “a cream cleanser for your face,” says Amy Abramite, creative director and stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, IL.
While co-washes can benefit inherently dry hair types, like those with curly and textured hair, they can also offer additional benefits, such as UV protection and frizz control.
How I picked the best co-washes
Co-washes are an especially great way to moisturize thick, dry hair textures, such as curly and coily hair, experts say. When shopping, they recommended considering the following factors:
- Ingredients: Look for nourishing oils, which not only cleanse hair but can give it added shine and softness. It’s also a good idea to avoid certain ingredients, such as sulfates, which can be overly drying.
- Foam: You can find foam, low-foam and no-foam co-washes out there; it’s a matter of personal preference, since foam can recreate the sudsy feel of traditional shampoo.
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The best co-washes of 2026
Below, I compiled expert-recommended co-washes to help cleanse hair while actively replenishing moisture. Most formulas on my list are also free of sulfates and silicones.
Best overall
This Oribe cream comes recommended by both DeBolt and Abramite. “It rinses well and won’t weigh down curls,” says Abramite. It has a blend of oils, including coconut, watermelon seed and moringa seed oils. Plus, it effectively tames frizz and smells delightful, according to DeBolt, who also likes that it offers UV protection.
Best for strengthening curls
NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin uses this co-wash six days out of every week (the other day she relies on a clarifying shampoo). “It’s super creamy and gentle, and great at detangling my hair and making it feel smooth,” she says. “It’s also a good budget find since it’s under $20.” Like other formulas on our list, you can use it on its own as a co-wash or as a conditioner on days when you also want to shampoo your hair.
Editor’s pick
DeBolt is also a fan of this co-wash, since it can leave hair “refreshed and revitalized.” It has argan oil, green tea and other botanical extracts to soften hair and control frizz, while the foam texture has a weightless feel, according to the brand. This co-wash also comes recommended by multiple members of NBC Select.
“I’ve been using this cleansing conditioner for a couple of months and it has been my favorite of the five I have tried previously,” says NBC Select editorial operations manager Rebecca Rodriguez. “I love that it’s foam at first and seems to grow as it dispenses, almost like a mousse, so a little goes a long way. After using it, my hair always feels clean without feeling stripped of moisture, if anything, it feels hydrated.”
Best for wavy hair
This is just the right co-wash for my wavy hair — not only does it help define and soften my 2C curls, but the tea tree oil also contributes to a tingly sensation that feels refreshing on my scalp. With this, I don’t need extra stylers to control my frizz, and the scent is relaxing without being overpowering. The best part: Since I can get it in a jumbo-sized bottle, I don’t have to constantly restock it.
Best scent
Intended to smooth coarse curls, this cleanser is infused with glycerin, grapeseed oil and vitamin E. “I get the best curl definition from DevaCurl products in general, but the No Poo is one of my favorites,” says NBC Select senior editor Nikki Brown. “The smell is amazing and I find it super easy to detangle my hair after using it.” It won’t create a lather, though, so you do need to thoroughly massage it into the scalp to cleanse it, according to the brand.
Best budget
Like an oil cleanser for your scalp, this co-wash deploys several types of oil (including castor and coconut) to gently remove excess sebum and product buildup from the roots while also targeting hair growth at the follicle level, according to the brand. It has a 4.6-star average rating from over 12,100 reviews on Amazon and is ideal for all curl types and natural hair, according to As I Am.
Best for curl definition
Looking for versatility? Consider this no-lather formula. As a conditioner, it detangles, moisturizes and adds volume; and as a co-wash it’ll remove excess buildup, impurities and oil, according to Ouidad. “My hairstylist recommended I use this as a co-wash to help my hair stay moisturized and reduce frizz,” says Malin. “It smells incredible and the large bottle lasts me months. I also think it helps define my curls, making them tighter and keeping their hold once they dry.”
Best for shine
This co-wash pairs non-foaming surfactants (which are cleansing agents) with a blend of oils, including avocado, coconut and sunflower oils, to leave your hair looking shiny and soft, according to the brand. Like many others on our list, it’s free of both sulfates and silicones, and works for all curl types. It has a 4.6-star average rating from over 1,800 reviews on Amazon.
Best for protein boost
This option comes recommended by DeBolt for curly hair not only because of its performance, but because “its fragrance is absolutely delightful,” he says. It foams up and replenishes moisture to hair with a blend of chia seed oil, nigella seed oil, shea butter and protein-rich flaxseed milk — which helps manage frizz and impart shine — and can also detangle your hair while you wash, according to the brand.
Best for color-treated hair
Unlike traditional shampoos, this moisturizing co-wash uses cationic cleansers to remove dirt, buildup and more, without leaving your hair and scalp dry. Its formula includes ingredients like shea butter, keratin and sea buckthorn for overall hydrated, shiny and soft hair, according to the brand. Reviewers say this creamy wash, which has a 4.4-star average rating from over 1,400 reviews on Amazon, works especially great on their dry and frizzy hair and doesn’t cause added color to fade, including bold, bright shades and natural hair colors like black, brown and blonde.
Best for scalp health
This co-wash, which has a 4-star average rating from more than 1,000 reviews on Amazon, is designed to be an alternative to traditional, harsh shampoo detergents, as well as a way to balance the scalp. It’s lightweight enough for all hair types, helps control frizz and can even preserve hair color too, according to the brand.
Best splurge
If you have wavy to very curly hair, consider this cleansing cream, which removes buildup while also maintaining the integrity of curls and keeping them moisturized, protein-rich and voluminous, according to the brand. For the best results, work the cream into your hair, leave it on for five minutes and rinse. For every third shampoo, you can alternate between a hair mask or standard shampoo and conditioner, according to Davines.
Best detangling co-wash
After being sent this co-wash by the brand and using it multiple times, Malin has added it into her rotation. “I wash my hair after working out, so it’s often knotty from being in a sweaty ponytail or bun,” she says. “Once I lather this co-wash into my hair and scalp, it starts detangling — after running my fingers through my hair a few times, it’s smooth and knot-free. The co-wash doesn’t dry out my hair when I use it daily, and I like that it has a lasting herbal, floral scent without being overwhelming or too potent.”
What does a co-wash do?
While shampoo can easily cleanse hair at the roots, it too strips the hair, says Amarilis Badillo, a hairstylist at Tricoci Salon in Chicago, IL. Co-washes take shampoo out of the equation entirely, replacing the cleansing detergents with oils.
“You may have heard of [a] co-wash referred to as [a] no-poo, a ‘no-shampoo’ take on cleansing very coarse, curly or frizzy hair,” says Santiago. “Using a conditioner instead of shampoo continues to add moisture to the hair — and oil removes oil, therefore it cleanses the hair and scalp.” Co-washes are formulated to rinse away excess oil, grime and other debris at the scalp, which is what sets them apart from traditional conditioners.
Co-washes also come in handy during the colder season. “The cold air and indoor heating during winter months reduce moisture in the hair, causing static electricity. Co-washing will neutralize the negative charge in dry hair to remove static, frizz and flyaways by hydrating and sealing the cuticle,” says Abramite.
How to shop for co-washes
Here’s what hair experts say to consider when shopping for a co-wash:
Ingredients
Start by looking at the ingredient list. When DeBolt looks for a co-wash, he recommends seeking out a formula that has “nourishing oils, such as jojoba oil, wheat bran extract, panthenol, camellia seed oil, argan oil, vitamin E and marula oil.” They’re popular in co-washes because of their ability to condition hair, he says.
Similarly important is what to leave out. Santiago, for instance, looks for formulas that avoid sulfates and don’t have silicones that can create build-up on strands over time. Both of these are ingredients that may be drying on hair (and are most often found in traditional shampoos).
Lather level
Finally, you might want to consider the level of lather. While shampoo is known for being sudsy — which can feel satisfying in the shower — co-washes tend to be low- or no-lather, since they lack the surfactants that create these bubbles. If you miss them, you can opt for a foam formula. “It’s a personal preference,” says DeBolt, who sticks with a low lather. It shouldn’t impact the results.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Mark DeBolt is a hair colorist and co-owner of Mark Ryan Salon in New York, NY. He specializes in foil highlighting, balayage and color correction.
- Amy Abramite is the creative director and stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, IL.
- Mia Santiago is a celebrity hairstylist at Sharon Dorram at Sally Hershberger Salon in New York City. Her clients include Mariska Hargitay, Martha Stewart, Dove Cameron and Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
- Amarilis Badillo is a hairstylist at Tricoci Salon & Spa in Chicago, IL.
Why trust NBC Select?
Deanna Pai is a freelance beauty writer and editor who has been covering beauty and health for more than a decade, including topics like hair care and sun protection. For this article, Pai spoke to four hairstylists to narrow down the best co-washes to shop, and highlighted their recommendations about what to consider when shopping.
Bianca Alvarez is a former associate reporter who has covered skin care and hair care for NBC Select.
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