If you’re starting the Curly Girl Method and one day you realize you used a product with silicones, it doesn’t mean you “ruined” your progress. It’s a common mistake, it’s fixable, and in most cases it comes down to a solid cleansing plan plus a couple of temporary adjustments.

In this guide you’ll find:

What can happen when you use silicones in a curly routine
How to recover without “starting over”
How the plan changes depending on your routine (original CGM, low-poo, co-wash)
Signs you’re back on track

1) First: it’s not a failure (it’s information)

A lot of people quit the Curly Girl Method after a “mistake” because they feel it’s not worth continuing. In practice, what usually happens is:

You use a conditioner, mask, or leave-in with silicone
Your hair feels softer or has more slip at first
Over time (sometimes quickly), it starts to feel coated or weighed down
You feel like nothing moisturizes, curls won’t form, or hair looks dull

The good news: if the issue is buildup, you can remove it.

2) What silicones do on hair (and why they can conflict with CGM)

Silicones are ingredients that can provide:

A smoother feel
Easier detangling
Less frizz (in some cases)
Friction and/or heat protection (depending on the formula)

The problem in a CGM context is that many silicones form a film. That film can:

Make it harder for water to penetrate the hair fiber
Make conditioners or treatments feel like they “don’t work”
Lead to buildup, especially if your cleansing is very gentle

Important: not all silicones behave the same. Some are easier to remove; others are more persistent.

“More problematic” silicones (more likely to build up)

In general, these tend to be harder to remove or more likely to leave a coating:

Behenoxy Dimethicone
Cetyl Dimethicone
Stearyl Dimethicone
Trimethylsilylamodimethicone

“Less problematic” silicones (in many routines)

Some silicones can be lighter or more water-dispersible, for example:

PEG-modified silicones (e.g., PEG-12 Dimethicone)
Cyclopentasiloxane (more volatile)
Amodimethicone (often associated with more selective deposition)

Even then, results depend on:

Whether the product is rinse-out or leave-in
How often and how much you used
Your cleansing routine

3) Quick checklist: do you actually need silicone “recovery”?

You don’t need to panic over a one-time use. Recovery is more worth it if you notice several of these signs:

Hair feels “coated” or heavy
Curls lose shape even with your usual routine
Hair looks dull or gets dirty fast
Water seems to “slide off” and hair doesn’t wet easily
Frizz goes up, but hair still feels odd (not moisturized, not clean)

If it was only once and nothing changed, keep your routine and observe.

4) What to do if you used silicones: a step-by-step recovery plan

Step 1: do a deep cleanse (clarifying wash)

To remove silicone buildup, the most effective approach is usually a clarifying shampoo (a “deep clean”) that cleans more strongly than a gentle cleanser.

In many curly routines this means:

Using a sulfate shampoo (depending on tolerance and need)
In some cases, doing two washes back-to-back if buildup is heavy

If you want a refresher on what clarifying is and how often it makes sense, see What Is Clarification.

What to avoid in this step

Using co-wash as your only cleanse if you suspect silicone: it usually isn’t enough
Trying to “fix it” only with masks: if there’s a film, hair may not absorb well

Step 2: go back to a simple routine for 1–2 washes

After clarifying, it helps to avoid overloading:

A simple conditioner (no silicones, not heavy on oils/butters)
Light styling (gel or lightweight cream)

It’s normal if hair feels different at first—sometimes it feels more “real” and less slippery.

Step 3: adjust based on the routine mode you follow

This is where many people get stuck: the “same” ingredient can be more or less of a problem depending on how you cleanse.

If you follow original CGM (very gentle cleansing, no sulfates)

Buildup can show up faster if the silicone is persistent
A one-time clarifying wash is often the reset you need
Then return to your usual cleansing and observe

If you do low-poo

Sometimes low-poo can remove lighter silicones, but not always the more persistent ones
If low-poo isn’t cutting it, do a one-time clarifying wash and then go back to low-poo

If you do co-wash

If silicone is built up, co-wash often becomes ineffective (it doesn’t fully clean)
During recovery, you almost always need to step away from co-wash temporarily to remove the film
Once recovered, you can return if your routine tolerates it

Step 4: monitor 1–5 washes (without overthinking it)

A reasonable guideline (with individual variation):

1 wash: a clear “clean” feel
1–3 washes: most buildup is usually gone
4–5 washes: hair adjusts to a routine without that cosmetic coating

There’s no magic number. If your hair is very fine or very porous, it can vary.

5) How long recovery takes and signs it worked

Good signs include:

Hair wets more easily (water doesn’t “slide off”)
Products start feeling effective again
Curls form better with less effort
The heavy/coated feeling fades

If after several washes (for example, 4–5) you still feel the same, there may be another factor besides silicone:

Too many oils/butters
Buildup from other film-formers
Hard water
Very heavy styling routines

6) What to use during recovery (silicone-free alternatives)

For a couple of washes, prioritize formulas that are light and easy to remove.

In general, look for

Lightweight conditioners
Hydrolyzed proteins (if your hair tolerates them)
Light gels or lightweight creams

In general, avoid (temporarily)

Heavy oils
Butters (like shea) if they leave you feeling coated
Very dense products that build up quickly

If you’re unsure about a specific product, the most practical step is to check the INCI and see how it fits your routine mode.

7) “What if I mess up again?”: how to avoid the loop

Instead of chasing “perfection,” build a simple system:

Check INCI for new products
If you switch brands or formulas, observe 1–2 washes
Keep a clarifying option available for when you need it

It also helps to understand ingredients that can build up in certain routines (not just silicones). For example, see What Are Polyquats and Why They Matter for Curly Hair to understand why some conditioning polymers behave differently depending on how you cleanse.

Summary

Using silicones early on doesn’t ruin your progress.
If there’s buildup, clarifying is usually the starting point.
The plan changes depending on your mode: co-wash and low-poo may need temporary adjustments.
Recovery often shows up within 1–5 washes, with individual variation.

Recover from Silicone Mistake in CGM | Bönpello