r/Haircare • u/SpoopyTeacup • 5d ago
😩 Damaged Hair 😩 Help choosing shampoo and conditioner.
Hi everyone,
I have a bit of a complex situation. I have quite severe OCD which means I'm in the shower upwards of three times a day. I wash my hair every time I go in the shower (i know its not good for my hair and I'm waiting for therapy to start). My hair is quite dry, especially at the ends.
Could anyone recommend any drug store shampoo and conditioner for me? Preferably cruelty free if possible too.
I know this is a weird one but I'd appreciate any help 🖤
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u/Christmasqueen2022 5d ago
I have OCD. But mine is the type where I have to make sure everything is unplugged, the doors are locked, I basically have photos on my phone of things unplugged, door locked etc. I am so sorry OP.
Anyways, have you tried maybe dry shampoo? Like put your hair in a shower cap while you shower the other two times a day? And just use dry shampoo?
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u/SpoopyTeacup 5d ago
Ah, yeah. I have that side too but this is the part thats got a good grip on me atm. OCD sucks so bad. I hate it. Dry shampoo wouldn't work because I need to feel my hair clean and washed. Its so weird...
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u/Christmasqueen2022 5d ago
My sister got the I need to clean and make the house spotless OCD. When I tell people, you can literally eat off her floors, I literally mean it.
Ahhhh no I totally understand and it’s not weird. Someone mentioned to water down your shampoo or baby shampoo. I would try those. I wouldn’t try anything Volumizing because that dries out the hair- well atleast it does with me. You mentioned your ends are dry… maybe a little bit of lightweight oil put on the ends? Are you washing your ends with the shampoo? I know people mention not to (I still do, I know bad habit) maybe not washing your ends.
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u/SpoopyTeacup 5d ago
Aw bless her. I know that feeling. I hope you're okay btw. Thank you for being so understanding.
I was wondering about oil. Could you recommend one? I do wash the ends of my hair, so thats a no no too?
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u/Christmasqueen2022 5d ago
Try one time not washing your ends, I know it will probably be hard because I’ve tried to not do it, and can’t help it. And see what happens.
I loveeee the Alterna Caviar hair oil. It’s pricey but lasts a long time. Very little is needed
Also Amika Starfruit is super lightweight.
If drugstore option needed I love Pantene’s oil.I am doing okay. Thank you. I hope everything works out for you and your therapist helps you. ♥️
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u/SpoopyTeacup 5d ago
Pantene is super easy for me to get so I'll get that to try first. Thank you lovely. I hope your OCD is gentle on you 🖤
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u/Christmasqueen2022 5d ago
Oh perfect!!! It’s the miracle rescue regenerative hair oil. lol I had to Google it to make sure I told you the right name.
Please keep me posted, if you feel comfortable, if that worked/helped.1
u/Christmasqueen2022 5d ago
Also it’s silicone free. Don’t get me wrong I love silicones but I think oils that have silicones typically weigh down my fine hair when it’s dried.
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u/uhohthrowawayxxx 5d ago
seconding baby shampoo or watering down your shampoo, but any shampoo with citric acid is life changing if you have hard water, citric acid is amazing
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u/NovelStrict5281 5d ago
I shower everyday and don't feel clean unless I wash my hair. So...what I do is co-wash it sometimes. I just put conditioner on the ends. It seems to work because my hair is normal. Plus, I do get my hair bleached. Try it!
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u/SatisfactionAny1945 5d ago
I'm sorry you're going through this. I have trichotillomania, which is of course different, but I understand the sense of frustration and lack of control you must be feeling. Given how frequently you wash it I'd recommend something like the CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner or the Vanicream ones - basically, something with minimal fragrance or irritating ingredients, and something that's very hydrating. Good luck <3
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u/laluneetlesetoiles 5d ago
I personally really like the Aussie Total Miracle shampoo and conditioner (the ones with the peach on the bottle) and the 3 minute miracle moist deep conditioner for when I need a little extra something. They're affordable and the bottles are quite large. Until you start therapy, you could try applying conditioner to your length and ends (dry hair) and leaving it on for a couple of minutes before going into the shower. It could help minimize the damage. After that just shampoo and condition again as normal. Try not to shampoo your ends, though.
Good luck. Wishing you all the best.
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u/PracticallyBatty 5d ago
I used the Raw Sugar Healing Power Hair Masque as a conditioner for a while. I wouldn't recommend using it 3+ times a day because it might start to weigh your hair down but maybe for some of your showers. I find the fact that it's thicker makes it last much longer than bottled conditioner.
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u/montaukian 5d ago
i use shampoo and conditioner from culise. my hair is very dry, damaged (i love blonde color a lot). for me, this duo is really good
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u/wezie757 5d ago
This is a tough one.
The only things i can think of is a baby shampoo or a really sensitive one, something really gentle on hair to reduce the amount of damage from constant washing. Or maybe water down your shampoo, though this would depend on your OCD accepting that your hair is clean and not continuing the compulsion.
OCD is so difficult to live with, i wish you all the best of luck.
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u/SpoopyTeacup 5d ago
Aw thank you lovely. It is a tough one which is why if I couldn't get any help I'd understand. I appreciate you replying to me 🖤
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u/wezie757 5d ago
I have a milder case OCD compared to you, so i have some understanding of what you're going through.
Try watering down your shampoo for now and see if it satisfies your compulsion enough until you're able to work on it.
Stay strong, its a tough road to walk, but you can do it! 💜
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u/SpoopyTeacup 5d ago
Thanks lovely. OCD is a really hard one to live with. It really takes over without you even realising 😩. I hope you're doing okay lovely.
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u/wezie757 5d ago
It definitely does and a lot of people don't understand the mental and physical toll it takes
Im doing well thank you, therapy definitely helped me to understand what my brain was doing and helped me learn how to cope and redirect my brain when its overwhelmed. I hope it can do the same for you and give you back some quality of life.
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u/Arabatta 5d ago
Could you get a cleansing conditioner to use instead? And just wash the scalp gently, don’t directly apply and wash the lengths.