Some people might be put off by the word ‘conditioner’. It sounds like something fancy and an extra chore that you don’t need to integrate into your beard care routine. But what you need to know is that conditioners are designed to provide extra moisture and smooth out the surface of your hair fibres.
A good conditioner acts like a softener, making your facial hair easier to comb and tame. It can also give you the shiny, healthy look that makes a difference between a nice beard and a great beard that’s worthy of legend.
Read on to explore our top picks and a detailed guide to help you find the best beard conditioner.
The Best Beard Conditioners For Men In 2024
1. Radiance Beard Conditioner
Best Beard Conditioner On Our List
TBS conditioner uses valuable ingredients like apricot kernel oil and silk amino acids to smooth out the surface of your hair fibres. This reduces the friction between the hairs which helps get rid of frizz and lessen the damage caused by daily exposure to the elements, combing or styling.
Another important benefit is the intense hydration effect which will transform your whiskers into a softer and healthier beard. The Radiance beard conditioner is suitable for all beard types and you can enjoy the best results by pairing it with the Radiance beard wash.
Key Features:
- Comes in a 240 mL / 8 fl. Oz. PET bullet bottle
- A great variety of cologne-grade fragrances
- Cruelty-free, paraben-free, vegan-friendly
2. Billy Jealousy Beard Conditioner
Best Leave-In Conditioner
This product strays a bit from the classical conditioner genre. It doesn’t require rinsing and doubles as a light hold styling product. It uses good ingredients like aloe leaf juice and jojoba seed oil to soften hair fibres and create a nice shine.
Key Features:
- Comes in a 236 / 473 mL or 8 / 16 fl oz bottle
- Cruelty-free, vegan-friendly
- Leave-in
3. Viking Revolution Beard Conditioner
Top Beard Conditioner for Dry Skin
This conditioner can help get rid of the itching and irritation associated with dry skin. It uses argan and jojoba oils to moisturize your beard and the skin underneath it. When your hair is hydrated, it becomes softer and easier to comb and style.
Key Features:
- Comes in a 17 oz pump container
- Vegan-friendly
- Fresh peppermint and eucalyptus scent
4. The Art of Shaving Beard Conditioner
Recommended Conditioner For Itchiness
Designed with a gentle formula and adapted for daily use, this product incorporates natural ingredients like olive and castor oil to provide your beard with nutrients and hydration. It helps alleviate itchiness by keeping your skin moisturized and with the use of refreshing essential oils such as peppermint.
Key Features:
- Comes in a 120 mL or 4 fl oz bottle
- Peppermint scent
5. Scotch Porter Beard Conditioner
Best Beard Conditioner for Sensitive Skin
We liked this product because it uses an interesting blend of skin-friendly, natural ingredients like Abyssinian oil to help hydrate the hair fibres. It also contains biotin, a member of the B vitamin complex, with multiple roles in the metabolic processes of the human body.
Key Features:
- Comes in a 118 mL or 4 oz bottle
- Paraben-free
- No synthetic colours
- Signature scent with complex floral and spicy notes
- Leave-in
6. Bossman Fortify Intense Beard Conditioner
Top Conditioner For Shine
Infused with natural ingredients like avocado and argan oils, this product aims to bring back the natural shine of your beard. It provides your facial hair with hydration and protection to help minimize the effect of daily stressors and keep your beard looking its best.
Key Features:
- Comes in a 180 mL or 6 oz bottle
- Cruelty-free
- Custom scent with a sandalwood and vanilla base
7. Anthony Conditioning Beard Wash
Best Conditioning Beard Wash
This product can be used as a wash and conditioning combo. It uses natural ingredients like coconut oil and black currant extract to provide your hair with nourishing elements that can make your beard softer and give it a natural shine. This product also uses an interesting blend of natural extracts to cleanse and exfoliate your skin.
Key Features:
- Comes in a 177 mL or 6 fl oz bottle
- Paraben-free, gluten-free
- Used as a beard wash and conditioner
8. Murdock London Conditioner
Best Beard Conditioner to Promote Growth
This beard conditioner uses a well-crafted formulation centred on wheat protein. It promises to balance your skin’s pH, reduce hair damage and help detangle your beard. This product can soften your beard and take care of your skin. When your skin is happy and healthy, the hair follicles within it can flourish.
Key Features:
- Comes in a 250 mL or 8.5 fl oz pump bottle
- No synthetic dyes
- Paraben-free, cruelty-free
9. Smooth Viking Beard Conditioner
Best Conditioner for Short Beards
This product is a great fit for short beards because it targets the skin of your face by delivering rich and nourishing ingredients like argan oil and shea butter which provide a good amount of hydration. Because it also contains beeswax, it can be used as a styling agent. The ingredient list is probably more similar to a beard balm.
Key Features:
- Comes in a 2 oz container
- All-natural formula
- Beard balm with conditioning properties
10. Polished Gentleman Beard Conditioner
Recommended Balm for Beard Conditioning
This product incorporates natural and organic ingredients to hydrate and softens your beard for a more tamed and polished look. Its moisturizing ingredients like argan oil can also help prevent itchiness and help prevent your hair and skin from drying out.
Key Features:
- Comes in a 118 mL or 4 oz bottle
- Cruelty-free
What to Consider When Choosing a Beard Conditioner?
1. Ingredients
A beard conditioner has ingredients that soften your hair and make it more flexible and less prone to breakage. These ingredients are represented by oils, humectants or fatty alcohols. Some oils will also have other beneficial properties.
For example, apricot kernel seed oil is regularly used in skin products for its wound-healing properties and the treatment of acne, dandruff, and various types of local inflammation.
Other ingredients you might find in conditioners are proteins like silk amino acids that help smooth out the surface of your hair fibres and bind the split ends. Some products also incorporate vitamins and minerals. For example, there is little scientific evidence on whether topical application of vitamins like biotin has a positive effect on hair growth and health.
2. Type of conditioner
Maybe you’ve noticed this with multi-use products you might have around the house, but the best products will always be those designed for a single and specific purpose. That being said, you can find many types of conditioners out there.
Some act more like a cream that you can apply after washing your beard and it acts like a leave-in conditioner. Other products are used exactly like a scalp hair conditioner that you apply after washing your beard and rinse off before getting out of the shower.
3. Fragrance
Picking the right scent is important and it all depends on your personal preferences, your fragrance tolerance and the ingredient list of your product. Keep in mind that if you have sensitive skin, you should try to use products with natural oils and scents, such as aloe vera or coconut oil.
4. Skin Type
Beard conditioners can be used on any type of beard hair and skin. This might seem counter-intuitive, but oily skin needs just as much hydration as dry skin. The key here is finding the right product to suit the needs of your skin.
5. Beard Thickness
Beard conditioner is highly beneficial if you have a long and thick beard. The protective ingredients of a conditioner will coat your hair fibres and help prevent any damage caused by your hairs rubbing along each other. A conditioner will also provide extra hydration and make detangling less of a chore.
6. Price
The price of any product you choose should reflect its quality. Products that incorporate good quality ingredients tend to have a slightly higher price range, but make up for it with the extra benefits they bring to the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the Difference Between Beard Conditioners and Beard Oils?
Conditioners and beard oils contain hydrating elements like oils that help moisturize your facial hair and skin.
The main difference between beard conditioners and beard oils is that a beard conditioner incorporates other ingredients that help smooth out the surface of your hair fibres and protect them from damage.
While you apply your beard oil as a leave-in product, most beard conditioners are used like a scalp hair conditioner which you apply and then rinse after using your beard wash.
How Does Beard Conditioner Work?
Beard conditioner operates by deeply moisturizing and nourishing the facial hair and skin beneath. Infused with a blend of hydrating elements, it goes beyond the simple oil-based hydration offered by beard oils. Upon application, a beard conditioner works to smooth the hair fibers, offering protection from damage and making the beard easier to manage. Unlike beard oils, which are left in, conditioners are designed to be rinsed out after application, typically post-beard wash, ensuring that every strand of hair receives the benefits of its smoothing and protective qualities, resulting in a softer, more well-groomed beard.
How Often Should I Use a Beard Conditioner?
Most products have specific directions for use that range from once a week to several times a week. But as a general rule, you can apply your conditioner every time you wash your beard.
Do You Rinse Out Beard Conditioner?
There’s no such thing as a leave-in beard conditioner. After using your favourite beard wash, apply your beard conditioner and spread it evenly along your hair fibres. Then rinse your beard with lukewarm water until you don’t notice any more suds. Make sure that you’ve rinsed thoroughly by paying some extra attention to the thickest parts of your beard.
How Do I Make My Beard Soft?
A soft beard is the result of a good beard care routine. This includes using a good quality beard shampoo, beard oil, and other products with moisturizing and protective qualities. This includes beard butter, beard balm and beard conditioners. For better results, you can wait a couple of minutes before rinsing off your conditioner. This will maximize the action of its nourishing ingredients.
Condition Your Facial Hair To Become A Beard Of Viking Legend
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