Co-Washing vs. Shampooing: What’s Best for Grey & Curly Hair?

The Unique Needs of Grey, Textured Hair

Grey hair is beautiful and bold, but it often comes with changes in texture. As melanin production slows, hair can become drier, coarser, and more porous. For those with curly or coily textures, this can amplify existing dryness, leading to brittleness and dullness. That's where a carefully balanced cleansing routine—featuring regular co-washing and occasional gentle shampooing—comes into play.

Why Co-Washing is a Game-Changer

Co-washing, or washing hair with conditioner only, is particularly beneficial for grey hair. It’s a gentle way to cleanse and hydrate without stripping your strands of essential oils. Here's what makes it ideal for grey curls:

• Locks in Moisture: Critical for dry, coarse textures that grey hair often adopts.
• Enhances Color Vibrancy: Minimizes pigment loss during washing, keeping silver hues radiant.
• Boosts Shine & Reduces Frizz: Regular co-washing leads to softer, more manageable hair.

When and Why to Shampoo

While co-washing is a moisture-retaining wonder, shampooing still has a place in a healthy grey hair routine. Using a sulfate-free shampoo once every few washes helps remove build-up from products, excess oil, and impurities on the scalp, which co-washing alone may leave behind. This promotes a balanced scalp—and healthy hair always starts there.

The Best Routine for Your Grey Hair

For optimal hair health and style:

• Co-wash 2–3 times per week using a conditioner made specifically for cleansing or for color-treated hair.
• Shampoo gently (once every 4–5 washes) to refresh the scalp without stripping it.
• Always wash with lukewarm water to preserve hydration and prevent color fade.

Pro Tip: Avoid using traditional conditioners to co-wash unless they’re formulated for cleansing. Overdoing co-washing without shampoo can cause buildup, itchiness, and dullness—all of which can steal the spotlight from your crown of silver curls.

By alternating between co-washing and gentle shampooing, you can keep grey, curly hair deeply nourished, soft, and full of life—on your own terms.

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Manhattan Grey is a line of premium moisture products formulated for textured grey hair. Our signature products are a lightweight pomade and hydration oil help to eliminate dryness, prevent breakage, and sooth itching. It’s also safe to use on our skin and facial hair.

We are committed to giving our customers, who have been largely overlooked by the beauty and personal care industry, a product experience that offers premium hair care products uniquely blended to address the challenges of grey or greying hair.

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