2-in-1 shampoos sound like a good deal. Not only do you get two hair products for the price of one, you also save time applying the products and save space in the shower.
But, many men and women wonder: does a 2-in-1 shampoo conditioner really work? How effective is it at both cleaning the hair and moisturizing it? By using a 2-in-1 shampoo conditioner are you compromising how clean and moisturized your hair is?
We’ve done the research for you and found answers to the questions you’ve been asking.
2-in-1 shampoos became popular in the 80’s. Hair care brands discovered that individuals were not conditioning their hair as often as they should, so they decided to included conditioning ingredients in their shampoos, hence the 2-in-1 concept.
The question of efficacy of a 2-in-1 shampoo soon followed the trend by chemists who didn’t think it was possible to properly condition the hair when it was combined with a cleaning agent (the cleaning agent would negate the efficacy of the conditioner).
It turns out, hair care manufacturers were able to use a particular conditioning ingredient that isn’t effected or negated by the cleaning agent. Making the 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner an effective product at both cleaning and moisturizing the hair.
But how effective is it? There’s only so much a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner can do. Since the shampoo ingredients and conditioner ingredients clash by nature (read: positive vs. negative ion charges) you’re never going to get as good of a conditioning in a 2-in-1 as you would with a separate shampoo and conditioner.
The take-home? If you have the time, money, and space, opt for the separate shampoo and conditioner. Your hair will be able to reap the full benefits of the shampoo and conditioner alike.
If time, money, space, or just convenience is priority, you’ll be fine with a 2-in-1. They get the job done efficiently enough for most.