How Much Shampoo Should I Use?

Since shampoo is for your scalp, the length of your hair doesn’t matter, but your hair’s thickness does. For fine hair, you’ll want to use a teaspoon of shampoo. For thick hair, you’ll want to use a tablespoon. For medium hair, you’ll want to use something in the middle, so about two teaspoons.

 

Does it matter which shampoo I’m using?

It’s a good idea to use a shampoo that’s made specifically for your hair type. So if you have fine hair, a volumizing shampoo will give you a good cleanse and remove buildup and grease from your hair. If you have thick or coily hair, a hydrating or moisturizing shampoo will bring much-needed moisture to your scalp. For medium hair, a regular or daily use shampoo will strike the balance of a good cleanse without too much hydration.

 

Are expensive shampoos better than drugstore shampoos?

Inexpensive shampoos often have similar ingredients to more expensive brands, but a cheaper shampoo will often have more water and therefore a more watered down formula. More expensive shampoos will most likely give you more bang for your buck, giving you a greater concentration of effective shampo ingredients while also requiring you to use less shampoo. 

 

How do I know if I’m using too much or too little shampoo?

This often comes down to how well your hair has lathered. Hair that has been worked into a lather by shampoo is a sign of a clean scalp. If you don’t see your shampoo lathering, rinse out the shampoo and shampoo again. Your scalp may need a second round of shampoo if there is a lot of product buildup or if you have an oily scalp. On the second time around, you will likely notice a much more lathered hair and a cleaner scalp.

 

And how do you know if you’re using too much shampoo? Overusing too much shampoo can dry out your hair and scalp, so if you’ve noticed that your experience more dryness than usual after changing up your routine, try using a little less shampoo the next time you wash your hair.

 

How often should I be shampooing my hair?

This depends on your hair type. If you have fine or oily hair, you’ll want to wash your hair every other day. With medium hair, you can get away with washing your hair every 3-4 days. If you have thick or oily hair, you should be washing your hair about once a week.

 

Washing your hair too little if you have an oily scalp can lead to lots of buildup and make your hair even oilier, while washing your hair too much if you have a dry scalp can dry out your scalp even more.

 

How much conditioner should I use?

This will depend on your hair type and length, but for fine or short hair a tablespoon is a good rule of thumb. For thick hair or medium hair that is very long, use two tablespoons. If you find that’s not enough, you might benefit from a deep conditioning hair mask which can add more moisture to your hair and increase its softness.

 

You shouldn’t be applying conditioner to your scalp, especially if you have fine hair or an oily scalp. Shampoo is meant for cleansing your scalp, while conditioner is meant to add softness to your hair. Conditioning your scalp will lead to more buildup and oil on your scalp.

 

 

How often should I use conditioner?

You should use conditioner every time you wash your hair. Even if you have very fine hair or an oily scalp, conditioner is a necessary part of your routine because conditioner helps to soften and detangle your hair after shampooing. As with shampoo, make sure you are using the correct kind for your hair type. A heavy conditioner will weigh fine hair down and make it greasier while a light conditioner won’t be enough for medium long or thick hair. 

 

Can I Use a 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner?

2-in-1 shampoo and conditioners are meant to provide the benefits of both in one bottle, but these are best for people with very short hair (think chin-length or shorter) and who also don’t struggle with an oily scalp. The reason is that a 2-in-1 is effectively a conditioning shampoo with a lightweight conditioner. 

 

If you have an oily scalp, a 2-in-1 will deposit conditions ingredients onto your scalp which will only increase the buildup on your scalp. If you have longer hair, the ends of your hair (which are the oldest parts of your hair) will need a stronger conditioner than what a 2-in-1 can provide.

 

Best Shampoo and Conditioner Sets for Different Hair Types

 

Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Fine Hair: Redken Volume Injection

 

Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Medium Hair: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Shampoo

 

Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Thick Hair: Rahul Hydration Shampoo

 

Best 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner: Modern Mammals Hair Cleanser 2-in-1 Clarifying Conditioner

 

Hopefully you have a better idea now of how much shampoo and conditioner you should be using!