Should You Use Shampoo or Conditioner First?

There are a few steps in our beauty routine that seem like they shouldn’t be questioned—and the order of washing our hair is one of them. But just when we figured there was no room for error, a recent beauty trend has us wondering whether or not we should use shampoo or conditioner first—and now everything we thought we knew about hair care is up for debate. 

Most of us were taught how to use conditioner as the natural next step after sudsing up with shampoo. Using conditioner before shampoo almost sounds counterintuitive until you hear about all that this unusual practice has to offer. Sometimes referred to as the “reverse hair washing method,” this order of application can actually have many benefits for your hair if done properly. 

If you’re ready to try this hair-washing method, check out why it might be particularly beneficial for you if you have frizzy or fine hair, and how you can put it to the test in your own hair care routine. 

Why Use Conditioner Before Shampoo?

To understand the rationale behind conditioning before applying shampoo, it’s important to remember their basic functions. Shampoo is used to cleanse the scalp and roots (and subsequently the hair) of excess oil, product buildup, and dead skin cells. 

Conditioner, on the other hand, is meant to smooth the strands and seal in moisture. It should be applied directly to the lengths and ends of the hair—not the scalp. For people with fine or oily hair, conditioner can weigh down and make your hair appear greasy, which is definitely not the result you want after washing your hair. 

By reversing this process and starting with conditioner, your strands could get the hydration and nourishment they need from conditioner without feeling heavy and oily. You’ll shampoo the hair after working in the conditioner and let it sit for a few minutes (don’t rinse the conditioner before applying shampoo), and this will prevent the conditioner from being too rich on fine hair. 

Conditioners coat the hair shaft and protect against harsh chemicals and pollution. So applying conditioner first can act in the same way, protecting the hair against chemicals in shampoos. This can help preserve moisture, natural oils, and even your hair color. 

This shampoo vs conditioner technique is particularly useful for someone with frizzy hair. Shampoo strips the tresses of the natural oils needed to create a smooth finish, causing the hair to appear frizzy. So coating in conditioner first means less stripping of oil, and in turn, less frizz. Apply a smoothing serum like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In after washing and you can keep those excess flyaways in check long-term.

Can You Use Any Conditioner Before Shampoo?

There are plenty of options for using conditioner before shampoo, but you shouldn’t reach for just any product combo to try the reverse washing method. Whether or not to use shampoo or conditioner first depends on the formula of the conditioner, as some are simply too heavy for this process. 

As a rule of thumb, it’s best to follow the instructions found on the back of your shampoo and conditioner bottles. If it says to shampoo first, the product was specifically formulated to give the best results that way. If you’re wondering “what shampoo and conditioner should I use for the reverse washing method?” it’s best to seek out formulas that are intended for this process.

Co-Washing vs. Reverse Washing: What’s the Difference?

You might think that reverse washing sounds a lot like co-washing—and you’re not wrong. Co-washing is the process of cleansing your hair with conditioner or a specially formulated cleansing conditioner. This hair-washing method can work best for people with extremely dry hair and scalps, as traditional shampoo can contribute to dryness. 

The difference between co-washing and reverse washing is that co-washing cleanses the hair with one product that covers both steps. Reverse washing is still a two-step process—it simply flips the traditional order of shampoo and conditioner. Both methods can be great for people who find shampoo to be too drying.

If you have dry or dehydrated hair but you prefer to stick with the traditional order of shampoo and conditioner, try using a hydrating cleansing system like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Conditioner. This duo is formulated with hyaluronic acid to instantly hydrate and plump hair, giving it a boost of moisture without weighing it down. And just look at the before and afters below. 

When should you use conditioner before shampoo?

Should you use a conditioner daily, it’s important to understand the right circumstances to opt for a conditioning product before applying shampoo. Factors like the climate, your lifestyle, and your preferred hair look can all come into play when you’re mixing things up with your hair care routine. Below are a few examples of how to use conditioner first in a way that’s best for your hair.

• Dry, winter months: Along with the holiday season, the winter brings with it a host of harsh environmental elements that can potentially damage your hair. When the temps drop, so does humidity, creating dry, cold air that lifts the cuticle of your hair strand, which can affect your hair’s moisture level. This is why you may find your hair to be more brittle and fragile during the winter months and more vulnerable to breakage and split ends. Prioritizing conditioner before shampooing can coat the hair, help maintain its natural oils, and keep frizz and overall damage at bay. 
• Before heat styling: If blowouts and flatirons are a weekly occurrence, then consider using conditioner before shampoo to help ward off potential damage. After all, what is conditioner used for if not for protection? Leveraging the moisturizing powers of a conditioner first—or adding a leave-in conditioner to your routine—can make your hair more resilient to breakage and help prevent split ends, brittle hair, or excess damage due to dryness. 

Next Up: Nix Scalp Buildup With This Comprehensive Scalp Care Routine

Photo Courtesy of L’Oréal Paris