Quick answer

Shampoo cleans your scalp and hair by lifting oil, dirt and product build-up; conditioner is applied after rinsing shampoo to smooth the cuticle and make strands easier to manage. If your hair is oily, use a purifying conditioner like Faith In Nature's Grapefruit & Orange Conditioner on the mid-lengths and ends only, keeping it off the scalp. For normal hair, a balancing duo such as the Lavender & Geranium hair & body set covers both steps in one bundle.

What shampoo actually does (and why it comes first)

Shampoo is a cleanser. Its job is to remove sebum, styling residue and environmental grime from the scalp and hair so that nothing heavy is left behind. Faith In Nature's Aloe Vera Shampoo, for example, is formulated for normal hair and scalp and has been tested on sensitive skin. It is 99.5% natural origin and free of parabens, SLS and silicones, which matters if you want a gentle clean without the stripping feel some strong detergents leave. Because shampoo opens the cuticle slightly as it cleans, it always goes first. Conditioner applied before shampoo would simply be washed away.

  • Shampoo targets the scalp first, then works through the lengths.
  • Rinse thoroughly before moving to conditioner.
  • If you only wash occasionally, shampoo is still the step that removes build-up.

What conditioner adds that shampoo cannot

Conditioner is a finishing step. It smooths the hair surface, reduces friction and makes combing easier, which is why it comes after shampoo rather than instead of it. The Grapefruit & Orange Conditioner is specially formulated for oily hair and scalp and is 99.5% natural origin, free of parabens and silicones. That silicone-free detail is the practical difference: instead of coating hair with a film that can weigh oily roots down, it is designed to leave hair feeling smooth and healthy without that heavy after-feel. Use it from mid-lengths to ends, then rinse.

  • Apply after shampoo, on damp hair, avoiding the scalp if you are oily.
  • Leave for a minute or two, then rinse until the water runs clear.
  • Silicone-free conditioners may feel lighter but need slightly more thorough distribution.

How to build a shampoo and conditioner routine that suits your hair

The order is always shampoo, then conditioner. The variable is where you place the conditioner. For oily scalps, keep it off the roots and focus on the mid-lengths and ends. For normal hair, you can run it from mid-lengths down without much worry. If you want a single purchase that covers both steps, the Lavender & Geranium hair & body set pairs a balancing Shampoo and Conditioner for normal hair and scalp with a matching Body Wash, all in infinitely recyclable aluminium bottles. That is a bathroom-calm option rather than a purifying one, so choose it for normal hair rather than an oily scalp.

  • Shampoo first, conditioner second, every wash.
  • Match the formula to your scalp type, not just your hair length.
  • A set simplifies the routine if you dislike buying steps separately.

Trade-offs to weigh before you buy

  • Purifying vs balancing: The Grapefruit & Orange Conditioner is formulated for oily hair and scalp, while the Lavender & Geranium set is designed for normal hair and scalp. Pick based on your scalp, not your hair length.
  • Silicone-free smoothness: Grapefruit & Orange is free of silicones, so it smooths without a coating film. That can feel lighter but may need more careful distribution through the ends. Expect a natural finish rather than a slick, coated one.
  • 400ml vs 1L vs set: The 400ml conditioner suits a single user or trial; the 1L suits frequent washing or a shared bathroom; the Lavender & Geranium set covers shampoo, conditioner and body wash in one go. Match the size to how fast you get through product, not to shelf space.

Product facts

  • Grapefruit & Orange conditioner - 400ml: Grapefruit & Orange conditioner - 400ml is specially formulated for oily hair and scalp, is 99.5% natural origin and free of parabens and silicones, with grapefruit and organic orange essential oils. If you have an oily scalp, this is the conditioner step designed for you, and the silicone-free formula avoids the heavy coating that can flatten roots.
  • Grapefruit & Orange conditioner - 1L: Grapefruit & Orange conditioner - 1L shares the same purifying formula for oily hair and scalp, in a larger size. The 1L size suits frequent washers or shared bathrooms where the 400ml would run out quickly.
  • Lavender & Geranium hair & body set - 500ml aluminium: Lavender & Geranium hair & body set - 500ml aluminium bundles a Body Wash, Shampoo and Conditioner for normal hair and scalp, all 99.5% natural origin and free of parabens. This covers both the shampoo and conditioner steps in one purchase, so it is the simpler route if your hair is normal rather than oily.
  • Aloe Vera shampoo - 400ml: Aloe Vera shampoo - 400ml is formulated for normal hair and scalp, tested on sensitive skin, 99.5% natural origin and free of parabens, SLS and silicones. This is the cleansing half of the routine if you want a gentle shampoo to pair with a separate conditioner.

Who each option suits

Best for

  • Oily hair and scalp that needs a purifying, silicone-free conditioner
  • Anyone building a simple shampoo-then-conditioner routine and wanting a citrus option
  • Frequent washers who want the 1L Grapefruit & Orange size instead of 400ml

Not for

  • Very dry or coarse hair that needs a richer, heavier conditioner
  • Anyone wanting a single bundle that includes body wash, who should look at the Lavender & Geranium set instead
  • Shoppers who prefer a fragrance-free routine