Beauty As I Am Coconut CoWash vs Dry and Itchy: Which to Buy Now
As I Am makes two star cowashes that look similar but target different needs. The classic Coconut CoWash is all about moisture. The Dry and Itchy Scalp Care adds soothing oils. Here is how to choose.
| Factor | As I Am Coconut Cowash Cleansing Conditi | As I Am Coconut Cowash Cleansing Conditi |
|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Moisture and curl definition | Scalp soothing and flakes |
| Key oils | Coconut, castor, saw palmetto | Olive, tea tree, peppermint |
| Scent | Sweet coconut | Herbal mint |
| Best hair type | Curly, coily, dry | Itchy or flaky scalps |
| Cleansing strength | Gentle | Slightly deeper |
| Price | Around 8 to 11 dollars | Around 9 to 12 dollars |
| Keratin safe | Yes | Yes |
Our Verdict
Pick the classic Coconut CoWash if your main goal is soft, defined curls with gentle cleansing. It is the proven everyday choice. Pick Dry and Itchy Scalp Care if flakes or itch bother you. The tea tree and peppermint calm the scalp while it cleanses. Healthy scalps should start with classic.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Families or long-term cowash users stocking up.
As I Am Coconut Cowash Pack of 4
- Four 16oz bottles
- Stock-up multipack
- Sulfate-free formula
- For the whole household
Pros
- Lowest per-bottle price
- Share with family
- Never run out
Cons
- Large upfront spend
- Storage space needed
Best for: Natural hair wanting a fragrant gentle cleanser.
As I Am Coconut Cowash 16oz Classic
- Classic coconut cowash
- Cleansing conditioner
- For natural curls and coils
- Tangerine and coconut scent
Pros
- Smells great
- Soft defined curls
- Easy to find
Cons
- Scent may bother some
- Light for very dry hair
Best for: Itchy scalps needing soothing cowash care.
As I Am Dry and Itchy Scalp Care Cowash 16oz
- Olive oil and tea tree
- Peppermint soothing
- For dry itchy scalps
- Moisturizing cowash
Pros
- Calms scalp itch
- Cooling sensation
- Gentle cleanse
Cons
- Mint scent is strong
- Not for sensitive scalps
Want the Full Picture?
CoWashing Away Flakes: The Curly-Safe Routine
Standard dandruff advice assumes shampoo, but curly and coily hair cannot tolerate frequent medicated washing. No guide gives a curly-safe flake routine, so here is one built around the As I Am Coconut CoWash. Apply the CoWash directly to the scalp in sections, massaging firmly for two full minutes so the cleansing agents reach the skin under dense hair. Rinse thoroughly, since residue is the main cause of cowash-related buildup. During an active flare, use the Dry and Itchy Scalp Care formula for its soothing ingredients; once calm, the Classic Coconut CoWash maintains. Follow every session with a leave-in on the lengths. This routine treats the scalp without stripping the curls, which is the entire point of cowashing through dandruff.
Is It Dandruff or Just an Itchy Scalp?
The Dry and Itchy variant exists because itching and flaking are not the same problem, a distinction competitors gloss over. True dandruff means visible flakes plus oiliness or redness. An itchy scalp with no flakes is often dryness, product buildup, or sensitivity to fragrance. Check before you treat: scratch gently with a clean fingernail, flakes under the nail mean dandruff, a clean nail with tight-feeling skin means dryness. The Coconut CoWash line suits the dryness and mild-flake end well, since cowashing preserves scalp oils. Persistent greasy flakes or inflamed patches need a medicated active instead. Our anti-dandruff products overview explains which actives match each diagnosis.
How Long to Leave a CoWash on the Scalp
Contact-time advice is written for medicated shampoos and does not translate to cowashing. A coconut CoWash is not depositing an antifungal active, so a five-minute soak adds nothing; what matters is mechanical cleansing time. Two minutes of firm fingertip massage distributes the product and loosens flakes, which is the real work. If you want extra soothing from the Dry and Itchy formula, you can leave it for three to five minutes while you detangle the lengths, but longer is not better. Rinse with warm, not hot, water, and make sure the water runs clear. Residue left behind causes the itch you were trying to fix.
Tapering Off Once Flakes Clear
The maintenance phase is where most people undo their progress. Once flakes clear on the CoWash routine, do not jump straight back to your old products. Taper over three weeks: keep the Dry and Itchy formula for one more week after clearing, then alternate it with the Classic Coconut CoWash for two weeks, then settle into the classic for regular washing. Watch for the return of your original pattern, flakes in the same spots mean relapse and a return to the soothing formula. A brand-new itch in a new spot is more likely buildup or a product reaction. Dandruff management is cyclical; expect to cycle back to the treatment formula seasonally, especially in dry winter months.
Pre-Poo Protection Before Medicated Washes
When a flare forces you to use a real medicated shampoo, curly hair needs armor first. No competitor covers this, but the technique is simple: before the medicated wash, coat the hair lengths, not the scalp, with coconut oil or a cheap conditioner. This pre-poo barrier keeps the harsh active from stripping the lengths while you scrub the scalp. Apply the medicated shampoo only to the scalp with the nozzle, massage, rinse, then follow immediately with a deep conditioner. The As I Am line fits here as the recovery wash between medicated sessions, keeping the scalp calm while curls regain moisture. For gentler everyday soothing care, see our aloe vera for dandruff guide.