Ever wondered if you should pick hydrating or moisturizing shampoo for your hair? You may be surprised to know that they are not the same but different! Each has its benefits/ uses, so keep reading to show you how they are different.
Hydrating shampoos, as the name suggests, are used for adding moisture. This moisture keeps your roots healthy and can prevent your hair from possibly becoming dry. Moisturizing shampoo, on the other hand, helps to seal in the moisture. A coat is created on the outer surface of the hair, preventing moisture from escaping.
Knowing the difference between these shampoos, you probably are so eager to find out more about these shampoos! You NEED to continue reading as we have product suggestions and other helpful tips – Trust us, your hair will thank you immensely!
What is the Difference Between Hydrating and Moisturizing Shampoo?
The main difference is the effect they both have on your hair as a whole. Think of hydrating shampoo as your ‘intense moisture booster’ and moisturizing shampoo as your ‘intense moisture boosters’ maintainer.
When Should I Use Hydrating Shampoo?
If your hair is dry or keeps tangling? It’s time to hydrate!
Most people tend to hydrate their hair every three days or twice a week, whichever is most convenient for them. It can seem frustrating if you are experiencing dehydrated hair and have tried everything to help it when nothing seems to work! Don’t worry; we’ve got your back; just follow the routine below:
- Hydrate your hair with water and hydrating shampoo once a day for a week.
- After daily hydrating, see if your hair has improved in terms of moisture.
- If your hair feels less dry, you can now make the switch to hydrating every three days.
- Still, got a moisture-free scalp? Try again for another week.
- If you’re still not seeing positive results after week two, you might need to hydrate multiple times a day to remove the dryness.
While it can be annoying to regularly hydrate your hair throughout the day, keep in mind that this isn’t a permanent routine! Once your hair has its moisture back, less hydration is needed, and your moisturizing shampoo is there to maintain it.
When Should I Use Moisturizing Shampoo?
After you’ve washed your hair, consider adding some moisturizer. You could also use moisturizer as a ‘top up’ if your hair feels a little dull.
Moisturizing your hair with shampoo is something that should be done more often than hydrating as it is more intense, once a day with less heavy products, or a few times a week. Feel your hair and scalp! Doing this is a great way to tell if your hair needs a little extra TLC by adding some must-needed moisture back into it.
Like applying hydrating shampoo, you should first get your hair to a sufficiently moisturized point before starting your routine. After that, adding moisturizing shampoo after every hair wash should be enough to regain the recommended amount of moisture.
Adding moisturizing products should only be done when your hair is wet; this will ensure sufficient moisture will be held near the roots. Before use, don’t skip the instructions on moisturizing shampoo, as applying the correct amount is incredibly important. Remember the age-old saying; a little goes a long way!
**Top Tip – There are many alternatives on the market to moisturizing shampoo. You can also get sprays and mists that will bring life back to your hair during a busy day. These are often premixed to ensure that the correct percentage of water and product are added.**
What are Good Hydrating and Moisturizing Shampoos to Use?
Hydrating Shampoos:
- Pureology Hydrate Shampoo
- Kérastase Bain Magistral
- MoroccanOil Hydrating Shampoo
- Coco & Eve Like A Virgin Super Hydrating Shampoo
- Pattern Hydration Shampoo
Moisturizing Shampoos:
- Redken All Soft Mega Shampoo
- Paul Mitchell Instant Moisture Shampoo
- L’anza Healing Moisture Tamanu Cream Shampoo
- Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo
- Living Proof Restore Shampoo
- Noughty To The Rescue Moisture Boost Shampoo
How to Find the Best Hydrating or Moisturizing Shampoo for Your Hair
According to Rossano Ferretti, you want to avoid hydrating and moisturizing shampoos advertised as being ‘heavy.’ In other words, if you want light, refreshing products, go for shampoos most suited for your hair type! Say goodbye to the days of itchy scalp and greasy feeling hair by avoiding products advertised as ‘heavily hydrating’ or ‘heavily moisturizing.’
If you have made a mistake and fallen into the trap of buying these products, DO NOT WORRY. Clarifying shampoo is the answer for you! Remove the build-up and experience that feeling of squeaky-clean hair again. We recommend you try out KMS California HEADREMEDY Deep Cleansing Shampoo followed by your favorite light moisturizing/hydrating hair mask like MorrocanOil Weightless Hydrating Mask.
Avoid shampoos that have a high alcohol percentage. Using research by Byrdie, some alcohols, such as Cetearyl alcohol, can be beneficial to your hair, however, do not get Byrdie wrong! High alcohol percentages have been shown to cause an itchy or irritated scalp, so it’s best to keep your hair ‘sober’ from alcohol ingredients!
Still, need more information for keeping your hair at peak performance? Here are a few valuable tips just for you:
- Stick To Your Routine – This is incredibly important when it comes to keeping your hair hydrated and moisturized. If you do miss a day, don’t double wash to make up for this. As mentioned earlier, this can end up doing more harm than good.
- Hydrate Then Moisturize After – Add the required hydration to your scalp, then use moisturized to preserve this until the next wash. While it is recommended to moisturize more than you hydrate, the two can be seamlessly added to a routine.
- Remove The Tangles – Before applying any sort of product to your hair, get the brush out! Reducing the tangles in your hair can help avoid ‘clumping’ of the product, helping it be evenly distributed throughout.
- Enjoy The Process – Hydrating and moisturizing your hair with shampoo doesn’t have to be a chore. Run a nice bath or a relaxing shower while you perform your hair care steps. If you can enjoy the process, it’s far more likely you’ll stick to it long term.
Conclusion
While hydrating and moisturizing shampoos are different, it’s essential to know that they can be used well together. Finding the perfect routine to match your hair is often the trickiest part of the process. Be patient; this takes time! So, keep an eye out for how your hair is feeling at all times. It’s not only the routine you can experiment with; why not try out a few different shampoos and see what works best for you?
Now that you are equipped with the proper knowledge of the two types of shampoo, you can begin your renewed hair journey and find your perfect washing pattern. Cheers to happy and healthy luscious locks!
References:
https://www.rossanoferretti.com/uk/how-to-choose-the-best-shampoo-for-your-hair/