May 22, 2025

Is Shampoo Really Necessary? Let’s Talk About It!

Is Shampoo Essential?

We get asked all the time, is shampoo essential? With the emergence of the "no-poo" movement and the rise of interest in low-maintenance hair care, you might have asked yourself if you've come to the point of deeming shampoo optional (especially if you have curly hair).

However, here at CurlyEllie, we believe a proper shampoo is an essential foundation of any healthy hair routine — especially to maintain curls!

Myth 1: Hair Cleanses Itself

There is a common myth that your hair can eventually cleanse itself, and that at some point in your hair-care regime that shampoo actually makes your hair less healthy. While this sounds ideal; it is not entirely true, especially in relation to your scalp.

Think of your scalp as an extension of your skin: just like your face or armpits; it produces oil (sebum), collects dead skin cells, and is exposed to the environment's daily pollution and product build-up.

Given too much time without cleansing, your scalp can become a thriving community for bacteria and yeast which may cause itchiness, flakiness or even conditions on your scalp.

Curly hair, especially, dries out quickly. That’s because natural oils take longer to make it to the end of a curly hair strand. This doesn’t mean to stop using shampoo altogether, just to get one that’s gentle and appropriate for your specific hair type!

Why Do Some People See "Shinier" After Stopping Shampoo

Why Do Some People See "Shinier" Hair After Stopping Shampoo? Some people do notice their hair looks shinier after quitting shampoo. However, that shine is usually only a temporary effect of the natural oils from the scalp coating the hair - not necessarily a sign of actual health.

Typically, people who see the "shine" have been using shampoo with harsh sulfates (sodium lauryl sulfate for example), strong synthetic fragrances or drying alcohols. When they stop using shampoo, they are no longer stripping the oils from their scalp and the hair feels softer - for a short time.

Over time, a scalp becomes unbalanced and oily with a large build-up of oils, dirt and dead skin cells causing the hair to feel heavy, dull, and sometimes greasy.

So… What is the Appropriate Shampoo to Use ?

The trick is not to stop shampooing, but to switch to a shampoo that is mild, moisturising and free of harsh ingredients.

This is where CurlyEllie Gentle Shampoo comes in. Our shampoo is free of sulfates, silicones and drying alcohols. It will lift dirt and build-up away from the hair without stripping away your hair's moisture. It has ingredients like aloe vera, quinoa protein and pro-vitamin B5, nourishing and soothing your scalp and protecting and strengthening your curls from root to tip.

Without wishing to name any specific competitors, a lot of commercial shampoos give a false impression of healthy hair by coating strands with synthetic ingredients that do not promote healthy hair in the long-term, whilst allowing your curls to only just survive, not thrive.

Clean Scalp = Healthy Curls

Healthy curls come directly from a clean scalp.

Just as you would not skip washing your face, skipping shampoo entirely is not the best route for your scalp.

Especially if you are using products, living the urban lifestyle, or exercising regularly. So, shampoo is necessary; however, the right shampoo is important.

Choose wisely. Choose CurlyEllie.

How often should you shampoo?

That is very personal. It is up to the type of scalp, the texture of hair, and preference. Washing too often can desensitise the scalp and create irritation, however, not washing enough can contribute to grease and an imbalanced community of the scalp microbiome - the diverse population of bacteria that protects your hair and skin.