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The question: “I’ve heard that it’s better to use separate bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Is that true, or will a conditioning-shampoo be just as effective?”

The expert: Cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson from BeautyStat.com

The answer: Two-in-one shampoo-and-conditioner products became popular in the ’80s because consumers were using shampoo regularly but not conditioning enough—so brands began to incorporate conditioning ingredients into their shampoo formulas, says Robinson. But while those products were closer to true shampoos, these days, conditioning-shampoos are closer in nature to true conditioners.  

If you have locks that are prone to damage—such as curly or color-treated hair—you might want to use a conditioning-shampoo product since daily shampooing can strip hair of natural oils and dull color, says Robinson. Conditioning-shampoos are less harsh and damaging—but they may be too heavy for oily hair types. If you have fine hair, you’ll also want to avoid a conditioning-shampoo since it’ll weigh down thin strands.

The final verdict? Conditioning-shampoos can be better than two separate bottles if you’re showering every day or have curly or brittle hair. If you have thin or oily hair, though, stick to your separate shampoo and conditioner bottles and opt for a lighter formula that won’t weigh your strands down.

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