blackberry815 avg is aloe vera gel...it has various properties including being antibacterial and antifungal.
I find that silicone builds up and
my hair does not feel clean after a cowash with products that contain it....that's just me though I believe
sunnieb who also cowashes uses silicone products but also shampoo's weekly (why do I seem to know her reggie
) I wouldn't necessarily say that silicones prevent product absorption (although in my mind it does) but I'm sure those that use it regularly don't find that.
Tea's are amazing...for stimulating, moisture, strength, shine, etc....I personally always dry dc...meaning that I I dampen my hair with tea (avg before I discovered tea) then apply my dc over top THEN I cowash or poo wash. For added moisture and such I would strongly suggest that you look into teas