CLEANSING CREAM: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

CLEANSING CREAM: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

By Hairstory

Published on September 18, 2024 — 8 min read

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When it comes to haircare, the choice of cleansing products can make a significant difference in the health and appearance of your hair. While traditional shampoos have long dominated the market, they often involve harsh detergents that can strip hair of its essential oils and leave it dry and brittle.

In response to the need for a more nourishing approach, hair cleansing creams have emerged as a revolutionary alternative. These innovative products combine cleaning and conditioning in one gentle step, preserving your hair’s natural moisture and offering a healthier routine for all hair types.

Enter New Wash, our one-step hair cleansing solution.

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New Wash Original
New Wash Original
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New Wash Original

CLEANSING & CONDITIONING CREAM FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
8oz
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FOR DRY HAIR
New Wash Rich
New Wash Rich
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New Wash Rich

CLEANSING & CONDITIONING CREAM FOR THICK, COARSE AND CURLY HAIR
8oz
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FOR OILY HAIR
New Wash Deep Clean
New Wash Deep Clean
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New Wash Deep Clean

CLEANSING & CONDITIONING CREAM FOR OILY AND FINE HAIR
8oz
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New Wash Fragrance Free 8oz bottle
New Wash Fragrance Free 8oz bottle
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New Wash Fragrance Free 8oz bottle

CLEANSING & CONDITIONING CREAM FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
8oz
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New Wash Original Refill
New Wash Original Refill
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New Wash Original Refill

CLEANSING & CONDITIONING CREAM FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
8oz 20oz 32oz
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FOR DRY HAIR
New Wash Rich Refill
New Wash Rich Refill
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New Wash Rich Refill

CLEANSING & CONDITIONING CREAM FOR THICK, COARSE AND CURLY HAIR
8oz 20oz 32oz
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FOR OILY HAIR
New Wash Deep Clean Refill
New Wash Deep Clean Refill
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New Wash Deep Clean Refill

CLEANSING & CONDITIONING CREAM FOR OILY AND FINE HAIR
8oz 20oz 32oz
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New Wash Fragrance Free 20oz refill
New Wash Fragrance Free 20oz refill
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New Wash Fragrance Free 20oz refill

CLEANSING & CONDITIONING CREAM FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
20oz
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20% SAVINGS
New Wash Method for All Hair Types
New Wash Method for All Hair Types
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New Wash Method for All Hair Types

CLEANSING & CONDITIONING KIT
3 Product Set
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New Wash Method Fragrance-Free for All Hair Types
New Wash Method Fragrance-Free for All Hair Types
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New Wash Method Fragrance-Free for All Hair Types

CLEANSING & CONDITIONING KIT
3 Product Set
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BEST-SELLER
Pre-Wash
Pre-Wash
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Pre-Wash

PREBIOTIC MICELLAR SCALP RINSE
4oz 8oz
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New Wash Method for Dry Hair
New Wash Method for Dry Hair
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New Wash Method for Dry Hair

CLEANSING & CONDITIONING KIT
3 Product Set
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New Wash Method for Oily Hair
New Wash Method for Oily Hair
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New Wash Method for Oily Hair

PRE-WASH, NEW WASH DEEP CLEAN AND SCALP BRUSH
3 Product Set
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Massaging Scalp Brush
Massaging Scalp Brush
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Massaging Scalp Brush

SOOTHING SCALP BRUSH FOR NEW WASH
Clear
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AIR DRY ESSENTIALS
Care and Texture Set
Care and Texture Set
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Care and Texture Set

NEW WASH ORIGINAL, HAIR BALM AND UNDRESSED
3 Product Set
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New Wash Mini
New Wash Mini
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New Wash Mini

CLEANSING CREAM FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
3oz
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BEST-SELLER
Pre-Wash
Pre-Wash
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Pre-Wash

PREBIOTIC MICELLAR SCALP RINSE
4oz 8oz
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FOR RED TONES
Red Enhancing Color Boost Starter Set with New Wash Original
Red Enhancing Color Boost Starter Set with New Wash Original
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Red Enhancing Color Boost Starter Set with New Wash Original

8OZ BOTTLE NEW WASH ORIGINAL, RED COLOR BOOST, SPATULA AND COLOR RING
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FOR BROWN TONES
Brunette Perfecting Color Boost Set with New Wash Original
Brunette Perfecting Color Boost Set with New Wash Original
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Brunette Perfecting Color Boost Set with New Wash Original

8OZ BOTTLE NEW WASH ORIGINAL, BLUE COLOR BOOST, SPATULA AND COLOR RING
4 Product Set
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FOR RED TONES
Red Enhancing Color Boost Starter Set with New Wash Rich
Red Enhancing Color Boost Starter Set with New Wash Rich
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Red Enhancing Color Boost Starter Set with New Wash Rich

8OZ BOTTLE NEW WASH RICH, RED COLOR BOOST, SPATULA AND COLOR RING
4 Product Set
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Brunette Boosting Starter Set with New Wash Rich
Brunette Boosting Starter Set with New Wash Rich
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Brunette Boosting Starter Set with New Wash Rich

8OZ BOTTLE NEW WASH RICH, BLUE COLOR BOOST, SPATULA AND COLOR RING
4 Product Set
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New Wash Dispenser
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New Wash Dispenser

32OZ NEW WASH DISPENSER
32oz
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FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
New Wash Fragrance Free Refill Set 20oz
New Wash Fragrance Free Refill Set 20oz
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New Wash Fragrance Free Refill Set 20oz

CLEANSING & CONDITIONING CREAM FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
8oz Bottle + 20oz
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New Wash Original Purple
New Wash Original Purple
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New Wash Original Purple

DETERGENT-FREE CLEANSING CREAM FOR BLONDE TONES - ALL HAIR TYPES
8oz

WHAT IS HAIR CLEANSING CREAM?

Cleansing cream is a double-duty cleanser and conditioner designed to clean hair and leave it moisturized and soft at the same time.

One example of such a product is our Hairstory cleansing cream, New Wash. This oil-based formula offers a gentle cleansing experience without stripping hair of essential oils. By avoiding detergents, New Wash hair cleansing cream helps to preserve the good oils that protect and nourish your hair while effectively removing the bad oils and buildup. This approach not only keeps your hair moisturized and soft, but also helps maintain a healthy scalp.

HOW HAIR CLEANSING CREAM IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER METHODS

New Wash is a totally unique product—it’s not a no-poo, co-wash or cleansing conditioner. Here’s how it stacks up to other kinds of hair cleansing methods:

Cleansing Cream vs. Shampoo

Shampoos contain detergents and other harmful chemicals that overclean your hair and strip it of its natural oils. As a result, your scalp tries to overcompensate and produces more oil, which in turn makes your hair feel and look greasy—sending you running to wash it again. And so the cycle continues.

New Wash, on the other hand, is a detergent-free cleansing cream that uses essential oils and fatty alcohols to remove dirt and grease. It might seem counterintuitive to use oils to clean your hair, but oil cleansers are great for the skin on your face—the skin on your scalp is no different.

Cleansing Cream vs. No-Poo

No-poo methods include cleansing hair with products like baking soda or water-only washing. Many people like this method for its simplicity, and while using only water does keep the harsh chemicals of shampoos out of the picture, things like baking soda are caustic and can wreak havoc on the scalp by upsetting the natural pH balance, which can cause burning and irritation.

Both cleansing creams and no-poo (or no-wash) methods are shampoo alternatives, but that’s about all they have in common. In fact, New Wash works to rebalance the scalp to its optimal pH level.

Cleansing Cream vs. Low-Poo

Those who still want to use a shampoo but cut out the harsh ingredients often turn to the low-poo method. A low-poo cleanser is a type of shampoo that aims to be gentler on the hair. Some formulas skip harsh ingredients like sulfates, parabens and silicones, which make them safer chemically, though they typically contain detergent that may strip the hair of its natural moisture and must be followed up with a conditioner to keep hair from drying out. Still, a shampoo is a shampoo, even if it’s sulfate- and paraben-free.

New Wash is a detergent-free formula that cleanses and nourishes in one step—without robbing the hair of key nutrients. Naturally derived ingredients in New Wash cleanse without stripping the scalp’s protective barrier.

Cleansing Cream vs. Co-Washing

Co-washing is popular among those who use the Curly Girl Method, which rejects the daily (or overall) use of shampoos with ingredients that are too harsh on coils, curls and waves, including detergents, sulfates and phosphates. Instead of shampoo, a cleansing conditioner is used.

New Wash is also formulated without detergents and harmful ingredients, providing a gentle wash and enhanced moisture to curly (and all) hair types.

Cleansing Cream vs. Cleansing Conditioner

Cleansing conditioners are commonly used in co-washing. Cleansing conditioners are formulated with ingredients that detangle and moisturize the hair and remove buildup to gently clean. They’re fine for regular use, but might not cleanse the scalp as deeply as necessary.

New Wash cleansing cream combines the benefits of both cleansing and conditioning, offering a balanced approach to haircare that supports cleanliness and hydration.

HOW (AND HOW OFTEN) TO USE HAIR CLEANSING CREAM

When using a cleansing cream like New Wash, you can wash anywhere from once a day to once a month—it wholly depends on your unique hair behavior and what works for you.

Keep in mind that because no two scalps are exactly alike, you may notice some flaking or excess oil at first. This is completely normal—think of it as your scalp “purging” the way your face might react after you try a new product. This is more common among those with an oily scalp and fine hair.

New Wash is like using a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner because it effectively replaces both of these types of products. You’ll want to not only massage it into your scalp but also run it through your strands so every inch of your hair is able to soak in the conditioning ingredients.

Application Techniques

How to Use New Wash:

  • Wet hair. Dispense a generous amount of New Wash, about the combined amount of shampoo and conditioner you typically use.
  • Layer it on, from scalp to ends. Add a bit of water to get a smooth, milky consistency.
  • Work it into your hair and scalp, using our Massaging Scalp Brush to coat every inch. Scrub, massage, repeat.
  • Let it sit for 2-3 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Use the scalp brush to ensure all product is washed out.

Frequency of Use

Start with your regular routine: We recommend first trying out New Wash with your regular routine, seeing how your hair reacts and adjusting your wash schedule accordingly. New Wash is super gentle, so you don’t have to worry about drying out your hair or stripping it of color, even if you use it more often than you would a regular shampoo.

Adjust as needed: Typically, you’ll find that—once you’re used to New Wash—you’ll be able to go longer between washes. For dryer hair types, add an extra boost of moisture by using New Wash as the first step in the LOC method (or one of its variations).

WHY HAIR CLEANSING CREAM WORKS

Our New Wash cleansing cream is a dream for anyone looking for their healthiest hair ever. It allows users to avoid damaging detergents while making sure their hair is clean. New Wash is great for all hair types—thick, fine, straight, curly, dyed or any combination thereof. If you have specific concerns, check out New Wash Deep or New Wash Rich. New Wash Deep offers a stronger cleanse for those with oilier strands, while New Wash Rich provides richer moisture for those with drier hair.

Bonus: By using a product that replaces your shampoo and conditioner, you’ll save both time and money. New Wash and its packaging is also environmentally friendly. See which New Wash is the one for you by telling us your hair story with this quiz.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a hair cleansing cream?
    A hair cleansing cream is a double-duty cleanser and conditioner that cleans your hair while leaving it moisturized and soft in one step. Hairstory's New Wash is a detergent-free cleansing cream that uses essential oils and fatty alcohols to lift dirt and buildup without stripping the scalp's protective barrier, effectively replacing both shampoo and conditioner.
  • How is New Wash different from traditional shampoo?
    Traditional shampoos rely on detergents that overclean hair and strip its natural oils, which causes the scalp to overproduce oil and creates a cycle of greasy roots and frequent washing. New Wash is detergent-free and instead cleanses with essential oils and fatty alcohols, preserving the good oils that protect and nourish your hair while removing the bad oils and buildup.
  • How often should I use New Wash?
    New Wash is gentle enough to use anywhere from once a day to once a month, depending on your hair behavior and lifestyle. Most people find that once their scalp adjusts, they can go longer between washes than they could with traditional shampoo, without worrying about drying out their hair or stripping color.
  • Is New Wash the same as a co-wash or cleansing conditioner?
    No. Co-washing uses a cleansing conditioner that detangles and gently cleans curly hair, but those formulas often don't cleanse the scalp as deeply as necessary. New Wash combines the benefits of cleansing and conditioning in one detergent-free formula that fully cleans the scalp while still delivering the moisture curly and all hair types need.
  • Are no-poo methods like baking soda or water-only washing a good alternative to shampoo?
    Water-only washing keeps harsh shampoo chemicals out of your routine, but baking soda is caustic and can disrupt the scalp's natural pH balance, causing burning and irritation. A detergent-free cleansing cream like New Wash is a gentler alternative that actually rebalances the scalp to its optimal pH while still effectively removing dirt and buildup.
  • Which New Wash is right for my hair type?
    New Wash (Original) works for normal to thick hair and most hair types. New Wash Deep offers a stronger cleanse for fine, oily, or transitioning hair, while New Wash Rich provides richer moisture for dry, coarse, curly, or color-treated hair. You can take the Hairstory quiz to find your best match.
  • Is it normal for my scalp to flake or feel oily when I first start using New Wash?
    Yes. Some flaking or excess oil during the first few washes is completely normal — think of it as your scalp purging, similar to how your face might react to a new product. This is most common for people with an oily scalp and fine hair, and it resolves as your scalp rebalances to its optimal pH.
  • Is a sulfate-free or low-poo shampoo as gentle as New Wash?
    Low-poo and sulfate-free shampoos remove some of the harshest ingredients like sulfates, parabens, and silicones, but they still contain detergents that can strip the hair's natural moisture and require a separate conditioner. New Wash is a detergent-free formula that cleanses and nourishes in one step without robbing the hair of key nutrients.

SO, WHAT’S YOUR STORY?

Answer a few (easy) questions to get your personalized routine.