Dear Madame Patriot,

What is the deal with cleansing conditioner? I keep hearing how good it is for your hair, but I don’t understand how a conditioner can clean hair if it doesn’t lather. Can you tell me how this works and if it works?

Sincerely,

Confused about Cleansers

Dear Confused,

Let me help you to clear up some of these misconceptions. A cleansing conditioner is a product that cleans hair without using harsh cleansers and detergents. These chemicals strip the hair of the natural oils it needs. I’ve mentioned this before and I’ll say it again, these natural oils are important! They are what help to maintain the hair’s natural shine and bounce, and taking these oils out can leave your hair looking flat, dull, dry, and more prone to breakage. Cleansing conditioners are great because they clean hair without taking out the good stuff. For first-time users, it may feel strange to clean hair without that familiar lathered up “bubbly” feeling. You use the cleansing conditioner in the same way you would shampoo: massage the product into the scalp and through the ends of the hair. Then, just as if you were using conditioner, leave the product on for a few minutes, then rinse off. I am an avid user of Wen, one of the biggest suppliers of cleansing conditioners. I have thick, wavy hair and before using a cleansing conditioner my hair was a frizzy, tangled mess. It is much more easy to manage and style when I use this product. I swear by the stuff and even though it is more expensive than regular old shampoo, it is definitely worth the investment. Brands like Herbal Essences, Pantene, Aussie and Matrix make cleansing conditioners, so I would suggest any of those brands to start out with. Good luck!

Sincerely,

Madame Patriot