Shampoo or Conditioner First? Should I Condition Before or After I Shampoo?

If you're like most people, you've been shampooing and then conditioning all your life without stopping to give this routine a second thought. So, the newer advice on 'reverse washing' might baffle you. What does this mean? Well, have you ever stopped to consider using shampoo or conditioner first? Let’s give it some thought.

Do you use conditioner before or after shampoo? This is something more people are asking regarding their hair care routine. Reverse washing is using conditioner before shampoo. There are more benefits of conditioning before shampooing than you may realise. It can also be more suitable for certain hair types. For example, caring for your hair in this order is a suitable prescription for fine, limp hair. But it's important to understand the purpose of shampoo and conditioner, and the benefits and drawbacks of reverse washing, to decide whether a change of habit is for you.

If you are debating using shampoo or conditioner first, there are some things you should know before making your decision. The benefits of conditioning before shampooing are evident. Reverse washing is known to prevent the flattening side effects of conditioner whilst still allowing hair to benefit from the hydrating and protective qualities of the product. This gives bounce and body to the hair. Applying a conditioner before washing instead of after also coats your hair cuticles with protection. In this instance, using conditioner before shampoo helps to protect your locks from environmental factors and damaging influences. Once rinsed, the protective coating left behind acts as a primer for your hair.

This conditioning coating helps with shampooing more evenly, leading to less product build-up. The shampoo will wash away the heaviness of the conditioner but won't reverse the hydrating benefits and glossy finish.

As the debate over using shampoo or conditioner first continues to grow, it helps to look at the benefits and drawbacks equally to make an informed decision. Not many people are accustomed to using conditioner before shampoo, meaning that some practice may be required. Frankly, reverse-washing your hair can take a lot of experimentation. You'll need to see which products work best for conditioning and shampooing your hair in this order, how much of each product to use, and where to apply it. This can lead to a few bad hair days! If you are willing to stick this out to experience the benefits of conditioning before shampooing, then great!

With reverse washing, there aren't many drawbacks for your hair's health. Some people just don't like the feeling of conditioning unwashed hair and may think their hair still feels unclean after the process. Whether you use conditioner before or after shampoo, it is important to check in with your hair and how it feels before continuing with this type of routine.

Shampoo or conditioner first? It is a question that will probably never be fully answered. But why should you condition hair before shampooing? Reverse washing is particularly beneficial for those with thin or fine hair. But if you have thick hair, you can still enjoy the priming effect that a pre-wash conditioner brings. Remember that protective coating we mentioned earlier? This will help massively, particularly if you enjoy styling with heated tools. However, we recommend that you condition, shampoo, and then condition again to ensure that your hair is properly hydrated. This way, no matter whether you use shampoo or conditioner first, you will have your bases covered.

Whether you choose shampoo or conditioner first, it can be helpful to know how to best use conditioner before shampoo to experience the full benefits. To reverse-wash, you need to apply conditioner all over your hair, as opposed to just the lengths. This is important to creating an even priming surface for the shampoo. Focusing on the lengths alone will leave areas exposed to shampooing and lacking the protective coating offered by the conditioner. You still need to rinse the conditioner thoroughly before applying shampoo. The coating alone will be enough to prime the hair, before or after shampooing.

It's also recommended that you use a clarifying shampoo to ensure a thorough clean. This is a good tip when you use shampoo before or after a conditioner. We recommend Christophe Robin Clarifying Shampoo.

Reverse washing is a trend that has completely changed many people's hair routines. Although the process of conditioning before shampooing may not replace traditional washing across the board, it's worth some experimentation to see if your hair enjoys the benefits.

Some of our top-rated shampoos to use after conditioner include:

Conditioner forms a coating on the hair's cuticle to protect and smooth the hair, leaving a sleek and shiny finish. Hair conditioners also penetrate the cuticle to hydrate the hair. Such conditioning products are applied to the lengths of the hair, especially the ends, which are older and typically more damaged. Some of our top-rated conditioners include:

Those with fine or thin hair often struggle with conditioner and consider skipping the step altogether. Using the wrong product or using it incorrectly can weigh hair down and stimulate oil production. So, if you use shampoo or conditioner first, always be sure to include both products in your hair care routine.