What is the Difference Between Shampoo and Conditioner

The main difference between shampoo and conditioner is that shampoo cleans the hair while conditioner adds moisture and nourishment to hair.

Shampoo and conditioner are two common hair care products we use frequently. We first cleanse the hair with shampoo and then apply conditioner on the hair to moisturize it. There are different types of shampoos and conditioners in the market, but their main function is the same.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Shampoo 
     – Definition, How it Works
2. What is a Conditioner
     – Definition, Features
3. What is the Difference Between Shampoo and Conditioner
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Ket Terms

Conditioner, Hair Care, Shampoo

What is a Shampoo

A shampoo is a soapy liquid used for washing hair. We apply it to wet hair, massage it into the scalp, and then rinse it out with water. Shampoo can remove excess dirt, oil, and unwanted build-ups from the hair and scalp and clean them thoroughly. Let’s now look at how shampoos work.

How Does Shampoo Work

Our skin produces sebum, which coats and protects the hair and hair follicles. Over time, sebum gets accumulated in the hair, making the hair strands to stick together and giving it a dull and greasy appearance. Pollutants like dust and dirt also get attracted to sebum and stick to it. However, sebum and oil in the hair cannot be washed away with water. Shampoos help to cleanse the hair of oil and sebum.

The main ingredient of shampoo is surfactants, which work as detergents and remove impurities from the hair and scalp. With shampoo, you can remove oil and sebum easily from the hair and scalp. Even though shampoo cleans your hair, it doesn’t remove too much oil and moisture from the hair, making it look dry and brittle.

There are many types of shampoos in the market. There are shampoos specifically for men, women, and young children. In addition, there are also special shampoos for people with dandruff, hair fall, colour-treated hair, etc.

What is a Conditioner

A conditioner is a liquid you can apply on your hair after you have washed it with shampoo. It is a hair care product that adds moisture and nourishment to hair strands and makes them soften. Conditioning your hair can thus make your hair look soft, smooth, silky and shiny. You have to apply conditioner just after you have finished washing your hair with shampoo in order to restore the natural oils and moisture lost during cleaning.

When you use conditioner, apply it in long, fluid motions, and make sure to squeeze some of the water out of hair strands after shampooing. Excess water can diminish the effect of the conditioner. Also, make sure to wash out the conditioner after 2 – 3 minutes.  

Conditioners usually don’t contain surfactants like shampoos. They contain hydrating and moisturizing agents that make the hair soft and manageable. There are different types of conditioning products for different types of hair. Deep conditioners, leave-in conditioners, dry conditioners, and moisturizing conditioners are some of these types.

Difference Between Shampoo and Conditioner

Definition

A shampoo is a soapy liquid used for washing hair while a conditioner is a liquid you can apply on your hair after you have washed it with shampoo.

Order of Use

First, cleanse your hair with shampoo; apply conditioner on hair after you have rinsed the shampoo with water.

Purpose

Shampoos remove excess dirt, oil, and unwanted build-ups from the hair and scalp and clean them thoroughly, while conditioners add moisture and nourishment to hair strands, making the hair look soft, smooth, silky and shiny.

Lather

While shampoos produce lather, conditioners don’t produce lather.

Content

Moreover, shampoos contain surfactants like ammonium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, and Cocamidopropyl while conditioners contain hydrating and moisturizing agents Dimethicone and Dimethiconol.

Conclusion

The main difference between shampoo and conditioner is that shampoo cleans the hair while conditioner adds moisture and nourishment to hair. You should first cleanse the hair with shampoo, and then apply conditioner on the hair to moisturize it.

Reference:

1. Anne Marie Helmenstine. “How Shampoo Works and the Chemistry Behind It.” ThoughtCo, Available here.
2. Fasanella, Kaleigh. “Here’s Why You Should Always Use Conditioner.” Allure, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Air shampoo” (CC0) via Peakpx
2. “United states, new york, cap beauty, rahua, hair, haircare” (CC0) via Wallpaper Flare