How to Use Shampoo and Conditioner

You want great hair. But do you know how to get great hair?

If the answer is no, don't worry. Many men are confused about haircare and their hair wash routine. Unless you were lucky enough to have a barber or stylist who gave you step-by-step instructions on haircare, you probably didn't have many opportunities to learn the ins and outs. 

Nowadays, we have TikTok and Instagram influencers spotlighting the latest styles and products, and promising "one cool secret to great hair days."  But it seems like no two influencers or so-called experts say the same thing about building a hair-care routine. It's overwhelming if you're looking for the right hair washing technique.

We suggest starting with the basics for your hair wash routine: wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner. These workhorse haircare products are the foundation of any good hair styling routine. And side note - use lukewarm water for the best results. Very hot water is very hard on your hair and scalp.

Keep reading to learn how to use shampoo and conditioner like a haircare pro. 

What's the Difference Between Shampoo and Conditioner? 

If you asked a cosmetic chemist to describe shampoo and conditioner, they would tell you that shampoo is a surfactant and conditioner is an emollient. 

In plain language, that means that shampoo is for cleansing hair and conditioner is for hydrating it. They work together like a facial cleanser and moisturizer. You wash your hair with shampoo to clear away dirt, oil, sweat, and product residue. Conditioners coat hair with hydrating and nourishing ingredients that leave it soft, detangled, and healthy. 

Shampoos contain detergents that remove all the unwanted grime from your hair and scalp and give shampoo its foamy lather. You'll also find additional ingredients like botanical extracts and essential oils to replenish moisture and make hair look soft and shiny. 

Many shampoos use sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate for cleansing, which can be harsh and drying. Sulfate-free shampoos like our Daily Strengthening Shampoo contain gentler ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfoacetate or cocamidopropyl betaine to cleanse without stripping hair oils and drying hair out.

Conditioners don't contain cleansing agents; instead, they offer a healthy dose of lipids and botanicals that add strength and moisture to your hair. In our Revitalizing Hair Conditioner, you'll find rich, nourishing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, avocado oil, and aloe vera. 

How Often Should I Use Shampoo and Conditioner? 

Now that you know the basics, it's time to tackle how to use conditioner and shampoo in your hair wash routine.

Determining the ideal frequency of washing and conditioning may take some trial and error. The hair wants what the hair wants, and several factors drive how often you should shampoo and condition - including hair type and style.

Length

Counterintuitive as it may seem, longer hair can go longer without washing with hair products. Instead of building up near the scalp and being readily apparent, the natural oils from the scalp can move down the hair shaft. This can benefit the hair, as the ends receive natural hydration and protection. 

With shorter hair, oil builds up, making hair look greasy and weighing it down. Guys with longer hair might be able to get away with shampooing twice a week, whereas men with short cuts might want to up their hair wash routine to every day or every other day.

Thickness

Fine hair, especially if it's straight or wavy, is an ideal conduit for the natural oils on your scalp. Sebum distributes itself easily down the shaft of the hair, weighing fine strands down. This can make your hair look limp, flat, and oily. A more frequent hair wash routine helps clear away oil and keep fine hair looking fresh. 

Coarser hair, on the other hand, doesn't get greasy as quickly as fine hair, and it retains its volume better. You may be able to wash coarse hair a couple of times per week and still have great style. 

Texture

If you've got curly hair, then you have hair at risk for dryness. The twists and bends that make hair curly also make it harder for natural oils to move down the hair shaft, unlike straight strands, which are an ideal conduit for moisture to spread. The internet is full of curly haircare tutorials that caution against frequent washing, as it can dry out curls, leaving you with limp or frizzy hair. Some people with curls swear by using conditioner to cleanse hair gently (use your fingertips to scrub the scalp and roots) most days and only use shampoo once or twice per week, followed by conditioning to replace lost moisture. 

Lifestyle

If you're an athlete, work outdoors, wear protective headgear often, or come in contact with substances that you don't want to leave on your skin and hair, you probably want to shampoo more frequently. Sweat, dirt, oil, and other substances can all coat your hair, leaving it grimy. Add a hat, protective goggles, or a helmet to the mix, and your hair could look like a flattened, hat-headed mess at the end of the day. In those cases, getting clean is the priority. Pick a shampoo that doesn't dry your scalp and hair, followed by a nourishing conditioner for hair that feels clean after a long, hard day. 

How Much Shampoo and Conditioner Should I Use?

You don't need to squeeze half a bottle of product over your head every time you go to wash. 

An amount about the size of a quarter is usually enough Daily Strengthening Shampoo to work up a good lather and distribute across your whole head. You might need a touch more or less, if your hair is really long or very short. 

Use clarifying shampoo to cleanse the hair by using your fingertips to give yourself a scalp massage and spread the product down the length of your hair. Rinse shampoo thoroughly after washing. There's no need to double-wash hair unless you've gotten especially sweaty or grimy. Simple hair washing techniques are usually best and help prevent hair damage, including split ends.

You may need slightly more conditioner than shampoo, since it's thicker and doesn't lather up for easy distribution. Use just enough Revitalizing Hair Conditioner to work through all of your hair thoroughly. You don't need to rub it into your scalp, since that can leave product build-up behind that clogs hair follicles - not great for your scalp care routine. You can let the conditioner sit for a minute or two to penetrate the hair shaft, or rinse it out right away. 

What if I Have Dandruff? 

If you have dandruff, use a type of shampoo with dandruff-fighting ingredients. Dandruff is often caused by the overgrowth of microorganisms on the scalp, which leads to greasy flakes. Antifungal and antibacterial ingredients get to the root cause of dandruff to leave the scalp healthier, with less flaking. 

Our Relieving Dandruff Shampoo uses ziziphus joazeiro bark extract, an organic antibacterial and antifungal agent. It's derived from Brazilian tree bark to combat dandruff, for shiny, healthy, flake-free hair. 

You should let Relieving Dandruff Shampoo sit for two to three minutes to allow the ingredients to work — you can use that time to make use of our Invigorating Body Wash and Clarifying Gel Face Wash while you wait! Wash with dandruff shampoo three to four times per week for the best effects. Follow it with your favorite conditioner and style your hair as usual. 

What if My Hair Is Thinning?

Hair loss is a reality for man guys in their 30's or older. You should wash and condition thinning hair, but it's essential to choose the right products. Heavy conditioners that contain waxes and silicones can build up on the scalp, blocking follicles and inhibiting hair growth. 

Shampoos with excessively drying detergents can weaken the strands and lead to breakage, which exacerbates hair loss and makes hair look even thinner. The best shampoo and conditioner for thinning hair are mild, lightweight, and water-soluble to protect hair and encourage new growth. Ideally, you want to choose a scalp nourishing & thickening shampoo.

Pick products like Daily Strengthening Shampoo and Revitalizing Hair Conditioner that are formulated with natural ingredients, including hydrolyzed protein, vitamin E, omega-6 fatty acids, and tea tree oil. Our pH-balanced shampoo includes these natural ingredients to promote hair growth while keeping your hair clean and manageable. 

What Is the Best Shampoo and Conditioner?

The best shampoo and conditioner for men are the ones that work best for your hair. Your needs will depend on your hair texture, volume, and length. Your lifestyle will also play a role in what products you need to keep your hair clean and conditioned. 

In general, it's best to avoid harsh detergents and heavy fragrances. These ingredients can dry out your hair and irritate the skin on your scalp. That can worsen issues like dandruff and thinning hair.

The natural ingredients in our shampoo and conditioner are suitable for all hair types. The shampoo is formulated to be effective while still being gentle on the scalp and hair. The conditioner is lightweight enough for regular use, without weighing hair down and making it look dull or limp - unlike some leave-in conditioner. You can expect clean, manageable hair without drying, flaking, or buildup.

Does Shampoo and Conditioner Expire?

Shampoo and conditioner don't expire. Even though the ingredients are natural and cruelty-free, they have a long shelf life. But a long shelf life doesn't mean forever. Even high-quality products degrade over time, so it's best to use your shampoo and conditioner within a year of purchasing them.  

Shampoo and conditioner are important, but they don't have to be complicated. Stick with natural ingredients and gentle products that don't damage your hair. Wash and condition hair on a schedule that works for you, and follow up with your favorite styling products. 

You can check out our entire line of men's haircare products to find the best routine for your hair. Here's to good hair days!