5 Game Changing Pre Shampoo Treatments to Improve Your Hair Routine

Updated:

4 Mar 2024

I've been in the beauty industry for 4+ years now, although my background is in fine arts. My current role is in digital content production as an SEO Coordinator. In between researching and publishing our guides, I’m usually snacking and making spontaneous (and somewhat chaotic) choices about what to do with my hair.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

While we’ve been shampooing, conditioning, and adding serum for years, it’s time to introduce the pre shampoo mask and the pre shampoo treatment to your hair.

Heard of the pre-poo? Maybe not. Pre shampoo washes, masks, and treatments penetrate the hair before you clean it. Butters, oils, masks are all applied to damp hair before the big wash to help boost hydration and your hair’s health.

But what exactly is a pre shampoo mask, and how do you know which one your hair needs? What is the real pre shampoo meaning?

To help you figure out the best pre wash hair treatment to transform your tresses, we’ve done some research and have the answers to your haircare questions...

What Is a Pre-Shampoo Treatment?

A pre shampoo can come in many forms. There are pre shampoo treatments, pre shampoo washes and even pre shampoo masks.

A pre shampoo oil treatment will help protect your hair before you put it through a rigmarole of shampoo and conditioner. However, a pre poo before shampoo is different from a conditioner.

If you have dry ends and oily roots, a pre shampooing treatment will work to add moisture back into your hair before you wash it. Pre shampooing will help balance out the overall look of your locks.

If you can’t decide what product will work best for you, you could always try coconut oil as pre shampoo. Seriously, is there anything that coconut oil can’t do?!

Here Are the Best Pre Shampoo Treatments

Work In to Reconstruct

Wella Professionals SP Luxe Oil Reconstructive Elixir 100ml

$55.85

4.7 of 167 reviews

Wella SP Luxe Oil Reconstructive Elixir is a great go-to for when your tresses are looking a little tired. This luxurious hair oil offers long-lasting smoothness and reconstructive powers after every use. Designed to revive hair and take it back to its best, this oil has been scientifically proven to hydrate and restore. With a formula that protects the keratin in your hair, it’ll deliver long-lasting smoothness and a little extra shine.

For Over-Processed, Coloured Hair

Revitalize your over-processed, colored locks with the R+Co GEMSTONE Pre-Shampoo Color Protect Masque. Specially designed to save and rejuvenate hair that has been treated and colored excessively, this masque delivers a remarkable transformation, leaving your mane instantly softer, shinier, and stronger. Give your hair the salvation it deserves.

The Luxurious, Cult Favourite Pre Shampoo

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer 150ml

$81.00

4.3 of 42 reviews

Known in the industry for bringing damaged locks back to life, Philip Kingsley Elasticizer melts into hair to deeply moisturise and protect strands from everyday environmental aggressors. Made with castor oil, hydrolyzed elastin and olive oil this wonder keeps hair from drying out and experiencing any further damage. This is the perfect treatment to add strength and shine back into hair while reducing frizz, plus it can be left on overnight for a deeper treatment.

ColorWOW Dream Filter Pre Shampoo Spray 200ml

To Brighten Up Your Hair

ColorWOW Dream Filter Pre Shampoo Spray 200ml

$59.95

4.6 of 18 reviews

Color WOW Dream Filter Pre Shampoo Spray is perfect if your once-bright, lively hair is now looking a little dull and dark. This pre shampoo mineral spray is a great pre shampoo for hair extensions, and it’s super easy to use. Paraben-free, sulphate-free, and cruelty-free, this industry-first product has been formulated to remove minerals, metals, and build-up. It works hard to transform coloured hair, and you’ll see results after just 3 minutes.

The Exfoliating Scalp Scrub

Oribe Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scalp Scrub 125ml

$84.00

4 of 4 reviews

If your scalp is feeling a little flaky and … off, Oribe Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scalp Scrub could help bring it back into balance. A gentle combination of physical and chemical exfoliants works to remove oil, build-up, and impurities. This treatment will help relieve a dry, itchy, flaky scalp, making it a great pre shampoo treatment for dandruff. The vegan and cruelty-free formula contains Polymer Beads that break down as you work the scrub in. The naturally-derived AHAs help keep your colour and keratin safe.

How Do You Use Pre-Shampoo?

The best pre-shampoo will dislodge a build-up of product from the roots, which can then be washed away, leaving hair super clean and nourished.

If you’re wondering how to pre shampoo natural hair, it really depends on the type of product you choose to apply.

Slather on your potion of choice and leave for 10 minutes or more. Some enjoy leaving the product overnight to really reap the rewards. Wash out with your regular shampoo and conditioner, and work a sassy hair flick to finish. That’s how to pre shampoo!

A pre shampoo hair mask will coat the hair in a nourishing layer that you can leave before you rinse it out in the shower.
A pre shampoo scrub will really get to the root of your hair care problems by helping remove stubborn impurities. Take a gentle approach when you scrub to help keep the hair protected.
A pre shampoo oil will soak your hair and tend to brittle, dry, and broken ends. This type of treatment won’t strip your hair of its natural oils and will help keep hair hydrated, flexible, and silky-smooth.
A pre shampoo treatment for dry hair is something we’ll always recommend to add moisture back to lifeless locks.

Is Pre-Shampooing Necessary?

While it’s not essential to add a pre-wash hair treatment to your routine, if you’re struggling with tangled strands, it could really help. We put our hair through a lot! Washing, towel-drying (even though we know we shouldn’t), blow-drying, straightening, curling—phew!

If you’re into the idea of giving your locks a little more love, a pre shampoo oil or treatment could really turn your routine around. It’s not a totally essential step, but who wouldn’t want softer, easier-to-manage hair?

What Are the Benefits of Pre-Shampooing?

Well, there are lots! At the heart of it, a pre shampoo will help restore hair to its natural beauty. The right product will help reduce frustrating frizz, and if you colour-treat your hair, a pre shampoo will help reduce colour damage too.

Adding a pre shampoo before you wash with your normal shampoo will help reduce tangles. You’ll also see a reduction in excess oils and product build-up at the root.

A pampering pre shampoo could also aid with hair growth by promoting healthier hair. And you could also use a pre shampoo to massage your scalp too! Picking up a pre shampoo botanical oil treatment could act like a little aromatherapy treatment at the end of a hard day. Sounds pretty luxe!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Oribe (@oribe)

If your hair is looking a little more tired than normal and your usual haircare routine is failing you, a pre shampoo could help with your good hair mission.

With a different formula for every hair type and concern, the pre shampoo step is easy to work into your regime. Get ready to swish your hair with a little more confidence!

VIEW ALL HAIR TREATMENTS →

Want to discover more amazing hair care products? Have a read through some of our guides!

Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.