The quest for shampoo-commercial-worthy hair is often driven by the mantra "lather, rinse, repeat" and gallons of shampoo. But in a cruel twist of fate, some experts believe that shampoo is the very thing that's holding us back from the hair of our dreams. Normal shampoos are designed to remove dirt and oil from the hair, by way of detergents and chemicals called sulfates. Sulfates give us that rich lather and squeaky-clean feeling we all crave. However, says New York-based dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum, MD, FAAD, they're also stripping our hair of natural oils that keep it shiny and healthy.

So what's a girl in search of glossy -- not greasy -- hair supposed to do? Enter: these ways to not wash your hair. We got the scoop from Nussbaum, Amy McMichael, MD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Dermatology at Wake Forest Baptist Health, Shani Francis, MD, the director of Hair Disorders Center for Excellence at Northshore University System and celebrity stylist Naté Bova on all the ways you can cleanse your hair sans foamy, sudsy shampoo.

What It is: "This is simply shampoo without the added chemical that causes the foaming action," explains McMichael. Francis says that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Ammonia Lauryl Sulfate are the two most common surfectants used in shampoo, but they can be just as irritating to sensitive skin as strong soap or fragrance. Non-foaming and sulfate-free shampoos are considered less damaging to your hair, because they don't contain harsh chemicals that can strip your hair of natural oils, says Nussbaum.

Tips: According to Nussbaum, you shouldn't wash your hair on a daily basis. "The drier your hair, the less you should wash."

But, you also can't forget about your scalp. Because sulfate-free shampoo is gentler, it doesn't remove as much dirt and oil as one with sulfates. Francis says this can lead to scalp inflammation, so you may have to shampoo your hair more frequently with a sulfate-free shampoo to ensure your scalp is free of product buildup.

Look for sulfate-free shampoos with any of the following ingredients: disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium lauroyl sulfoacetate, decyl glucoside, coco-betaine. Bova says these are all gentle cleansers.

Try:

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Shampoo: In lieu of sulfates, this shampoo uses the brand's patented OFPMA molecule to cleanse hair. It's also paraben- and silicone-free.

Kerastase Chroma Sensitive: This gentle cleansing balm was designed with color-treated hair in mind.

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Shampoo: For dry, damaged hair, this shampoo contains a blend of algae and seaweed to repair and hydrate.

What It Is: Generally speaking, cleansing conditioners are two parts conditioner and one part shampoo, says McMichael. You may have also heard this used interchangeably with the term "co-washing" (McMichael says this is basically the same, just a shortened representation).

Benefits: The presence of a shampoo element cleanses the scalp and hair, but the overload of conditioner coats the hair shaft and keeps it from drying out, says McMichael. This writer would also like to note that cleansing conditioners remove a step from your shower routine, which is great if you're lazy, super busy or just hate showers.

Who It's Good for: With thicker, wiry textures it's hard for the natural oils in your hair to distribute throughout, resulting in dry hair, says Bova. A cleansing conditioner replenishes that moisture. Frizzy hair can also benefit, as the lingering conditioner weighs down hair. Dry, damaged and color-treated can also benefit from the added moisture of a cleansing conditioner.

Cons: McMichael says that if your hair is fine, a cleansing conditioner can weigh your hair down, making it lifeless and limp.

Tips: If you have fine hair, but still want to reap the hydrating benefits of a cleansing conditioner, Bova says to shampoo once or twice a week with a sulfate-free cleanser. Even if you don't have fine hair, you still want to consider a good old-fashioned shampoo every week or two to eliminate buildup (Bova recommends Aviva Hydracreme Shampoo, a paraben-, sulfate- and sodium chloride-free formula with botanical extracts). McMichael agrees, saying you can use cleansing conditioners every day if you so choose, or can stagger them between more traditional shampoo methods. Or, see one of the DIY versions above.

Try:

Unwash Bio-Cleansing Conditioner: This sweet-but-fresh-smelling cleansing conditioner leaves hair manageable, and, most importantly, doesn't weigh it down.

Wen Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner: This cleansing conditioner, infused with sweet almond oil and aloe leaf juice, boasts a 5-in-1, Swiss Army knife, do-it-all formula that acts as shampoo, conditioner, detangler, deep conditioner and even a leave-in conditioner.

Herbal Essences Naked Cleansing Conditioner: This drugstore buy leaves your scalp feeling refreshed, thanks to an invigorating scent of mint and herbs. It contains peppermint oil, which helps mimic that squeaky-clean feeling without stripping your hair.

Cantu Shea Butter Complete Conditioning Co-Wash: This co-washing formula is creamy and hydrating with a blend of 15 different butters and oils. It also happens to smell exactly like a piña colada.

Shea Moisture Co-Washing Cleansing Conditioner: Like all of Shea Moisture's products, this co-wash contains hydrating shea butter that's ethically sourced from West Africa. It's also packed with everyone's favorite oil, coconut, which leaves hair soft and silky.

Ouidad Curl Co-Wash: This floral-scented co-wash is sulfate-free and contains cumin seed and castors oils to de-frizz and condition hair, along with rosemary and sage oils to make hair shine bright like a diamond.

What It Is: Rinsing your hair with a mixture of apple cider vinegar (ACV) and water. Bova recommends a blend of 1/3 cup ACV and one liter of water (this will get you at least two rinses).

Benefits: Nussbaum says that the function of doing an ACV rinse is to balance the pH of your scalp, which keeps it healthy, shiny and dandruff-free. It can also help whisk away buildup from styling products.

Pros & Cons: Rinsing with ACV can fade your hair color, according to McMichael.

Tips & Tricks: "Apple cider vinegar doesn't leave your hair silky-smooth when you get out of the shower," Nussbaum warns. To ensure that it's soft when it dries, make sure your hair is thoroughly detangled. "Wet hair is far more fragile and can break more easily," she says.

What It Is: "This is being touted as a clarifying product to use on the hair," says McMichael. She says it's a gentle cleanser, but you miss out on the convenience aspect because you have to mix it with water before you apply it to your scalp.

Cons: "The biggest problem with 'no poo' [washing your hair without shampoo] is that many experience extremely oily and greasy looking strands in the beginning," Nussbaum says. That's because your scalp is still producing oil at the elevated rate it was when your hair was being stripped with your regular shampoo. "Baking soda doesn't strip your hair of the natural oils so there is a buildup of oils for a period of time till your scalp readjusts and stops pumping out extra oil," she explains.

Who It's (Not) Good for: McMichael doesn't recommend this treatment to those with hair that's damaged or very dry.

Tips & Tricks: Use one part baking soda to three parts water to get rid of silicones from your styling products. And concentrate the mixture on your scalp, where most of the buildup occurs, says Nussbaum. She adds you should always (always) follow up with an ACV rinse to restore the pH of your scalp.