Is 2 in 1 shampoo bad?
Is 2 in 1 shampoo bad? Or is 2 in 1 shampoo good?
What’s the deal!?
It can be a controversial topic in the salon. Some stylists say it’s harmless, others say avoid it at all costs.
But why?
Allow me to explain.
Is 2 in 1 Shampoo Bad or Good?
In my professional opinion, it’s bad. I do not recommend 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner, EXCEPT for 2 in 1 hair and beard washes. Those I can approve of.
This is why –
How Does 2 in 1 Shampoo Work?
The 2 in 1 products combine both the shampoo and conditioner together.
This is not good for the skin or hair because the pH of these products need to be different to effectively cleanse AND effectively rehydrate and restore the pH of the skin and hair.
What Is Bad About 2 in 1 Shampoo?
It’s all about the pH.
Shampoo is supposed to throw off the pH of the scalp by 3 notches on the pH scale. Human skin and hair (and the beard) sits at a 4.5 – 5.5, leaning on the acidic side of the pH scale.
Shampoo is designed to throw off the pH to a neutral or slightly more alkaline, just enough to break down the dirt and oil, product and build up and pull those out of the hair.
Conditioner is supposed to sit at a 4.5 – 5.5 on the pH scale. Closer to the skin.
Whats the Deal With 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner?
If a product says it’s both shampoo AND conditioner, the pH isn’t going to be able to actually clean off the dirt and oil AND rehydrate the skin by rebalancing the pH to the natural 4.5-5.5.
Do you see?
How the pH System Works with Shampoo
☑️ If a shampoo sits at a pH of 8, more alkaline, and a conditioner at a pH of 5, if it’s a good one.
👉 Combining a high pH shampoo and low pH conditioner would make the product roughly a pH of 6.5. Neither really able to break down the dirt and oil, or rehydrate by rebalancing the pH to normal. 👈
Now, to only use 2 in 1 body washes, is a little different. The scalp and the skin that covers the rest of your body are the exact same pH, 4.5 – 5.5, correct?
☑️ If there is a wash that is at the correct pH level (7 or 8) then it should be safe for both hair and body.
How to Safely Rebalance the pH and Still Use 2 in 1 Shampoo
If you want to finish off the 2 in 1 that you already have, conditioner is imperative.
Conditioner is the product that brings your skin back to its natural pH.
The Downsides to 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner
When you use 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner, it combines the two products to both wash and condition the hair, but you can’t have both mixed or it doesn’t properly cleanse AND rehydrate the hair in a healthy way that doesn’t damage the hair in the long run.
To use 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner –
- Damages the hair because it will buildup (shampoo isn’t properly breaking down the product and dirt)
- Dries out the hair because the conditioner isn’t at the correct pH level because it’s been mixed with the shampoo
Do not skip the conditioner!
Women tend to use conditioner as a detangler for long hair. But in reality, that’s not what it was designed for.
Conditioner is definitely helpful for detangling, but it’s really for maintaining and restoring the pH level of the hair, skin, and scalp.
CONDITIONER IS FOR MEN TOO!
Are there any 2 in 1 Shampoo – Conditioners that aren’t bad?
Very few, in my professional opinion can actually both cleanse and hydrate the hair and skin at the same time.
If you have to just pick one product to use, choose conditioner.
Only using conditioner to wash your hair is called co-washing. It’s when the conditioner is the primary product but you use shampoo occasionally to really get in there to break down the oils.
Having natural oils in your hair is essential for healthy skin. And I understand that sometimes not using shampoo can make it seem like grease-city up there.
But in the end, allowing more natural oils on the scalp will help rebalance the pH naturally and eventually stop making excess grease.
How to Train your Hair to Not get Greasy
What Shampoo and Conditioner is Best for pH Balance?
My personal and professional favorite is Original Sprout Shampoo and Conditioner.
Original Sprout has a shampoo with a pH of 7, which is perfect! And the conditioner has a pH of 5, double perfect!
Original Sprout was originally designed by a hairstylist with curly hair for her daughter who has skin sensitivities.
All of the products in this brand is pH balanced, gluten, soy, and dairy-free. As well as paraben and sulfate-free.
There is actually an entire article about Original Sprout, if you’d like to read more about it, please check it out Original Sprout Best Shampoo for Sensitive Skin
To sum up… Is 2 in 1 shampoo bad?
2 in 1 shampoos and conditioners are controversial because using them is counterproductive to the skin. It doesn’t clean as efficiently or rehydrates the way skin needs to be.
Use separate shampoos and conditioners. If you choose to use shampoo as a body wash too, it’s up to you, it won’t hurt your skin. But rehydrating it is key. No matter what climate you live in.
Skin is naturally dry, so hydrate it! And your skin is the largest organ of your body, treat it like you would if your heart or stomach were exposed. Keep it safe! Hydrated, and at its original pH.
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FAQs for Is 2 in 1 Shampoo Bad?
Are there any benefits to using 2 in 1 shampoo?
Not really. Besides that it’s convenient and ‘saves money’ in the long run it will leave your hair greasy and unclean because the products mixed together prohibit them to do their job properly.
Is 3 in 1 shampoo actually bad?
Unless it’s a Hair, Body, Beard wash (all of which have the same pH), then yes, most 3 in 1 shampoos are bad.
By combining products that have opposite jobs – shampoo breaking down dirt, oil, and product, conditioner rehydrating and rebalancing the pH – neither will be able to do their job mixed.
Is it better to use 2 in 1 shampoo?
Using 2 in 1 shampoo is not better for the hair or skin. It is safe however to use it and use a conditioner afterwards.
Mixing the two throws off the pH off just enough that it can still possibly cleanse the skin and remove the grease but you must restore the pH and rehydrate with a conditioner.
Does 2 in 1 cause hair loss?
Avoid products that include these ingredients that have been known to lead to hair loss –
- dimethicone
- cetyl dimethicone
- cetearyl methicone
- dimethiconol
- stearyl dimethicone
- cyclomethicone
- amodimethicone
- trimethylsilylamodimethicone
- cyclopentasiloxane
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Is 2 in 1 Head and Shoulders good?
No. Head and Shoulders as a brand is designed to dry out the skin to treat dandruff, which is actually an oily fungus that flakes.
2 in 1 Head and Shoulders is not good to use as an everyday wash.
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