What Is The Difference Between A Hair Conditioner And Shampoo?
Let’s talk about the two most widely used haircare products: shampoo and conditioner. These are the best hair care products that almost everyone uses every other day. But what exactly do these two hair products do and how are they different from each other? The difference between conditioner and shampoo needs to be noted. Here’s a lowdown on the exact uses of shampoo and conditioner and how they are two very different products that work together to give you gorgeous and healthy locks.
Shampoo Vs Conditioner: Ingredients & Usage
Shampoo vs conditioner: what’s the difference between conditioner and shampoo? Well, one is for cleansing and the other is for moisturising. Shampoos are meant to cleanse the scalp and they need to be applied only to the scalp and roots of the hair. Conditioners are meant to moisture the hair and they need to be applied only to the hair lengths and not to the scalp. Shampoos typically contain surfactants to lather and clean the scalp whereas conditioners typically contain moisturising ingredients to add shine, soften, and strengthen the hair lengths.
What Is A Shampoo?
Shampoo is a liquid cleanser for the hair. It is the product used as the first step in a hair wash routine and it is usually followed by application of conditioner. The shampoo needs to be massaged on the scalp during a hair wash and rinsed out to remove dirt and product buildup from the scalp. There are many different types of shampoos formulated for different hair types and concerns such as:
# Hair Volumising Shampoo
# Natural Hair Shampoo
# Frizzy Hair Shampoo and so on.
Usage & Ingredients: Shampoos usually contain surfactants alongside other hair care ingredients. Some popular hair care ingredients used in shampoos these days are biotin, rosemary, onion, aloe vera, natural oils, and more all of which are scientifically proven to help strengthen the roots, promote hair growth, and prevent hair fall.
Shampoos need to be massaged on a wet scalp and worked into a lather. For best results, wait for at least a minute after massaging shampoo on a wet scalp so that the formula takes effect on the scalp better. After this, rinse it off thoroughly with water. It is ideal to shampoo your hair twice a week and after a rigorous workout or if you’ve been sweating profusely.
What Is A Conditioner?
Conditioner is a liquid moisturiser for the hair. It helps hydrate and moisturise the hair strands so that they are healthy and resilient to damage. Conditioners are to be applied to damp hair after a shampoo and then washed off with water. They help detangle hair and smoothen frizz while strengthening the hair and adding shine. There are many different types of hair conditioners for different hair types and concerns such as:
# Natural Hair Conditioner
# Hair Moisturising Conditioner
# Coloured Hair Conditioner, and more.
Usage & Ingredients: Conditioners contain moisturising ingredients and that’s why you will often find ingredients like argan oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, shea butter, cocoa butter and more such natural ingredients in conditioner formulations.
Squeeze out excess water and then apply conditioner only on the hair lengths while the hair is wet. Comb through with your fingers to evenly distribute the product and then wait for two to three minutes so that the conditioner works on the hair. Rinse it off with cool water for best results.
Difference Between Conditioner And Shampoo
| Shampoo | Conditioner |
| Shampoo is a liquid cleanser used to clean the scalp and hair. | Conditioner is a moisturising liquid used to strengthen the hair lengths and boost smoothness and shine |
| Shampoos are used as the first step of a hair wash routine. | Conditioners are used after shampooing the hair. |
| Shampoos help remove dirt, product buildup, sweat, and other impurities from the scalp and hair. | Conditioner helps detangle hair, improve hair elasticity, smooths frizz, and reduces split ends. |
| Shampoos produce a lather which helps cleanse the scalp. | Conditioners do not produce a lather. |
| Shampoos contain surfactants in their formulas. | Conditioners contain moisturising ingredients in their formulas. |
Shampoo Or Conditioner First: What Order To Use Them
If you’re wondering how to use conditioner on hair alongside shampoo, here’s a quick guide. Always follow the cleanse and moisturise rule. First wash or cleanse your scalp with a shampoo and after rinsing out the shampoo from your scalp and hair, only then should you apply conditioner on your hair lengths. Make sure to wash out the conditioner from your hair as well after letting sit for about 3 minutes.
How Do Shampoo And Conditioner Help Hair?
Want to know how shampoo and conditioner can help your hair? First you have to figure out how to know your hair type. Based on your hair type and hair concerns, you can then proceed to pick the right shampoo and conditioner to help boost your hair health.
Shampoo
Shampoos help clean the hair and scalp. This cleansing is important so that you have healthy hair. Shampoos help remove dirt, bacteria, product buildup, sweat and any other impurities that can clog the hair follicles and inhibit hair growth. Shampoos can also help get rid of dandruff causing bacteria. The right kind of shampoos that do not contain harmful ingredients will help promote hair growth and prevent hair fall too. The best shampoo for coloured hair is formulated specifically to treat colour treated hair and that’s why picking the right shampoo for your hair concerns is what you need to do.
Conditioner
Conditioners help moisturise and repair damage on the hair lengths. Using conditioner will help improve the appearance of your hair considerably. This hair care product smooths frizz, detangles knots, improves hair elasticity so that it is resilient to breakage, it moisturises the hair and so much more.
Conclusion
The difference between conditioner and shampoo is huge but the one thing the two products have in common is that they both work to promote healthy hair. The shampoo and conditioner are the ultimate hair care product duo that everyone can benefit from.
Frequently Asked Questions On Difference Between Conditioner And Shampoo
Is hair conditioner and shampoo the same?
No they are two different products that are used in a hair wash routine.
Can I use a conditioner before shampoo?
No, it is recommended to use conditioner after shampoo.
Can I wash my hair with conditioner only?
You can, just make sure to not apply the conditioner to your scalp. Only using conditioner will not remove dirt but it will only help tame frizz.
Can I use different shampoos and conditioners?
Yes, you can pair a different shampoo with a different conditioner according to your hair needs. For example, if you have hair fall and also have frizzy hair, you can use an anti hair fall shampoo paired with an anti frizz conditioner.
Who should condition hair before shampooing?
It is ideal to shampoo your hair before conditioner as this will also help the conditioner to work better because the hair will be clean.
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