The best beard conditioners will soften even the coarsest beard. These products are specially formulated to support beard health. Many of these softeners work to moisturize the skin underneath. Most men who are just starting to grow a beard often mistakenly believe that one styling product is all they need to maintain beard health, but unfortunately, they’re wrong. Aside from a styling product, proper beard care requires shampoos and conditioners designed for facial hair care, in addition to another conditioning agent, such as a cream or balm, that will prevent skin irritation, moisturize the skin and beard, and promote good beard health.
While beard conditioners and a good choice for your go-to hair care product, oils are very similar. But many people mistakenly believe they’re the same thing. Beard oil will hydrate and moisturize, but a conditioner works to moisturize, hydrate, repair damaged hair, and soften the beard. They can also treat many skin issues caused by poor hygiene, or new beard growth, such as redness, irritation, itchiness, rashes, and more.
Here, you can check out some of the top products on the market that have a reputation for their hydrating power, mild scent, and most importantly, the type of results every beard wearer is looking for, which is an instantly softer, easy to manage beard that looks, feels, and smells great.
Below, you’ll find a comparison chart that lists the leading conditioners, what type of beard care product it is whether it’s a deep conditioner or a styling product, and other important information that will make it easier for you to narrow in on which product will work the best for you and your beard.
Table of Contents
Beard Conditioners Comparison Chart
Product | Sctive ingredient | Product size | Scent | Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
Grave Before Conditioner![]() | Argan Oil | 6 oz | Argan Oil | |
ZEUS Beard Conditioner![]() | Avocado oil | 8 oz | Sandalwood | |
The Art of Shaving Coditioner![]() | Peppermint oil | 4 oz | Peppermint | |
Cremo Beard & Scruff Softener![]() | Glycerin | 4 oz | Fresh | |
Billy Jealousy Beard Control![]() | Jojoba oil | 8 oz | Woodsy/Lavender | |
Beardsley Ultra Conditioner![]() | Glycerin | 8 oz | Wild cherry |
Grave Before Shave Beard Conditioner
Our Rating:
This is a deep conditioner that you’ll use in the shower, either right after washing your beard, or you can use it alone, daily. This product’s active ingredient is argan oil, which has a reputation for its hydrating power and mild scent. This is a pretty small tube at just six ounces, but a little goes a long way. To use, you’ll just add a dime-sized amount to your beard, work up a lather and leave it in for five minutes before rinsing it out.
Pros
- Mild scent
- Impressive hydrating power
- Can be used daily with or without shampoo
Cons
- The tube is very small
- The price
Conclusion
This conditioner is packing some serious power, thanks to the active ingredient, argan oil, which works to instantly make your beard look thicker, fuller, and smooth. While the tube may be pretty small considering the price tag, you’ll only need to use a small amount. This product can be safely used daily and features a non-greasy formula, which will make your beard more manageable. I gave this product a rating of four and a half out of five stars.
ZEUS Beard Conditioner Wash for Men
Our Rating:
This is another deep conditioner that should be left on for ten minutes and rinsed out. It can be used right after you wash your beard with a dedicated facial hair shampoo, or you can use it alone. This conditioner works to soften the beard and keeps it hydrated, thanks to its powerful all-natural formula that includes avocado oil and jojoba seed oil. This formula also includes aloe vera, vitamin B5, and dragon’s blood moisturizer. If you’re looking for a product that will make styling your hair more manageable, while keeping it soft and tangle free, then this is the conditioner for you. It’s also a great choice for new beard wearers who are struggling with the itchy stage of the growth process. This product will not only keep your beard hydrated, but it will instantly work to reduce itchiness, helps to eliminate and prevent dandruff, and prevents hair breakage.
Pros
- Contains a variety of powerful hydrating agents
- Reduces itchiness
- Can be used daily
- Detangler
- Works instantly
Cons
- Some users may find the scent overwhelming
Conclusion
This deep conditioner is gentle enough for daily use and contains a variety of powerful moisturizing agents including avocado oil and jojoba oil. It not only helps to keep the skin and beard hydrated, but it also works as a detangler, promotes beard growth, and works wonders when it comes to relieving dry itchy skin.
The Art of Shaving Beard Conditioner
Our Rating:
If you’re looking for a powerful deep conditioner, and one that smells like peppermint, then check out the latest product from The Art of Shaving. This conditioner contains peppermint oil extract and jojoba oil. It’s perfect for all beard types and lengths and features a powerful hydrating formula that works to eliminate and prevent dandruff, itchy skin, rashes, and more. Since peppermint oil contains antibacterial properties, it can also kill any bacteria in the beard and on the skin. This product can be used daily, in the shower, alone or after washing your beard with a dedicated facial hair shampoo.
Pros
- Peppermint scent
- Contains jojoba oil
- Non-greasy formula
- Can be used daily
Cons
- Can be difficult to wash out
Conclusion
This peppermint scented deep conditioner can be used daily, to fight dandruff, itchiness, dry skin, and more. It’s a great product for all beard types and features a powerful anti-itch formula that will make it invaluable to the new beard grower. Reasonably priced, and featuring an amazing scent, this product earned a rating of four and a half stars out of five.
Cremo Beard & Scruff Softener
Our Rating:
This is a great product for men in the early stages of beard growth. This is a conditioning scruff softener, which means it works well on shorter beards and features ingredients that are specifically designed to relieve itching and irritation. It will also focus on treating rashes, softening stubble or shorter beards, and leaves the beard looking softer and shiny. It has a mild fresh scent that’s not overwhelming, so it won’t compete with your other grooming products.
Pros
- Mild scent
- Reduces itching
- Treats irritation
- Designed to treat stubble and short beards
- Low price
Cons
- Not designed for longer beards
- Semi-greasy formula
Conclusion
To use this product, all you have to do is take a quarter-sized drop, lather up your beard and leave it in for just thirty seconds before rinsing it out. This product is perfect for new beard wearers since it’s specifically designed to relieve itching and soften scruff. However, it’s not a good product to choose if you have a medium-length or long beard and it doesn’t possess any detangling ingredients. Overall, while it can’t handle thicker or longer beards, it’s an excellent choice for the beard wearer struggling to make it through the first growing phase.
Billy Jealousy Beard Control
Our Rating:
This is a leave-in conditioner, which means it works to moisturize the skin around the clock. Unlike a deep conditioner, you’ll apply this product to a damp beard, work it in by combing it through your beard, allow your beard to dry and style it as usual. It contains panthenol and aloe leaf juice and features a nice woodsy scent with a hint of lavender. Some men may not appreciate the strong scent, especially those that wear cologne. This formula is specifically designed to detangle, soften, and condition the beard, leaving it looking full and healthy. It also works to soothe irritated skin and can treat and prevent dandruff and it’s perfect for men who are looking for a product that can help shape a long beard and add a little style.
Pros
- Treats dandruff
- Moisturizes the skin and beard around the clock
- Low price
- Can be used daily
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Scent may be too strong for some men
- Cannot be used on dry hair
Conclusion
This is a leave-in conditioner that can be used to treat dandruff, dry and itchy skin, and works to hydrate the skin and beard around the clock. It’s a great choice for beards of all lengths, textures, and thicknesses. Some men may not appreciate the strong woodsy fragrance that features just a touch of lavender, while those who don’t wear cologne or other scented grooming products will enjoy the masculine scent. I gave this product a rating of four and a half out of five stars.
Beardsley Ultra Conditioner
Our Rating:
This powerful deep conditioner features a creamy texture, so a little goes a long way. Since it’s so powerful, you’ll only have to use it twice a week, unlike competing conditioners that should be used daily. This conditioner is perfect for new beard growth since it can instantly soothe dry, irritated, itchy skin. It works to immediately relieve itching, softens your beard, and will make it more manageable to style. It also helps to reduce frizzy, wiry beards, so you can finally achieve that well-groomed look.
Pros
- Soothes dry skin
- Relieves itching
- Moisturizes skin
- Only has to be used twice weekly
Cons
- Fruity scent
- Formula is greasy
Conclusion
This is a deep conditioner that only needs to be used twice a week. It works well for fine and thick beards, beards that are just growing in, and long beards. It will help hydrate the skin and beard, treats dryness, and prevents and eliminates dandruff. The biggest drawback for some men is its strong cherry scent. If you’re not looking for a fruity smelling conditioner, then you may want to pass this product by. Additionally, the conditioner can leave your beard feeling greasy, if you use more than a quarter-sized drop. Overall, it features a powerful formula that can tame your beard after just one wash. I gave this product a rating of four and a half out of five stars.
Beard Conditioner Buyer’s Guide
Is a beard conditioner really necessary if you already use a beard shampoo and oil or a good beard wax? It is, and for a variety of reasons. Most new beard wearers simply don’t know that having a beard can be pretty high-maintenance, but if you want great results, you’re going to have to use a product that focuses on keeping your beard tame and hydrated.
Including a conditioner in your beard care routine is very simple. You can use a conditioner before bed, or apply it in the shower, or even use a styling product that works to condition the beard and skin, while making styling a beard fast and easy.
A good deep condition in the shower can do wonders for a dry beard. Unlike a beard shampoo, which should only be used three to four times a week, a conditioner can be used daily. Using a conditioner after you’ve washed your beard is the best time to use a conditioning product. But the steps for using a conditioner will heavily depend on the product itself. There are some products that are designed to be left in, while others should be rinsed out.
If you’re new to growing a beard, then this guide will go over why using this type of product daily is so important, the different types of conditioners to choose from, how often you should conditioner your beard, and what to look for in a conditioner that’s powerful and effective.
How it Works
The term conditioner not only applies to conditioners that you’ll use in the shower after you’ve washed your beard. It can apply to any product that’s designed to condition and soften a beard. This can include deep conditioners, oils, and balms. Some men choose balms and oils, especially during the winter months since these products will work around the clock to keep the skin moisturized and the beard soft, while others prefer a deep conditioning product that can be washed out after five to ten minutes.
This type of product is so important because it can treat the skin under the beard and nourish the beard at the same time. It will help to prevent a beard from feeling rough and wiry, and prevent flaky, dry skin.
Gentle Formulas
Regular soaps and shampoos can be too harsh on facial hair and more often than not will end up stripping the beard and face of natural oils, which will cause dry skin and beard dandruff. Products specifically designed for facial hair will usually contain all-natural ingredients including essential oils and butters designed to gently cleanse the hair follicles and skin, while adding much-needed moisture.
If you’re serious about your grooming, then you’ll definitely want to keep your beard clean and looking well-maintained.
You can try using a beard shampoo that contains a two-in-one formula with conditioning ingredients, however, some men will prefer a separate conditioner and shampoo since it will allow them to precisely control the amount of moisturizer they use.
Know the Difference
So, what are the differences between conditioners, balms, wax, and oils? Beard oil is simply just an oil, which can be used as both a styling agent and moisturizer, while wax is primarily used as a styling product, but it can also contain moisturizing agents.
In most cases, a beard oil can work the best for men with shorter beards, since the shorter beard length will easily allow the oil to penetrate deep down into the skin. Oils can also be used as a type of finishing product, one that will further protect the beard and skin from the elements, while adding a little shine.
Balms usually work well for people with dry skin and men with longer beards. It offers a much thicker consistency than an oil and can be used as a leave-in conditioner of sorts.
Standard beard conditioners are used in the shower and should be applied to a wet beard, worked into a lather, and left on the face for ten minutes. These products are designed to deep condition a beard and can be used daily or a few times a week. You do not first have to use a shampoo before adding the conditioner. This is a popular misconception.
If you’re not satisfied with the amount of moisture a deep conditioner has added to your beard, then you can finish it off with a little beard oil, applied while your beard is still wet.
Balms and oils are not rinsed out. Typically, they’re made out of fragrant herbs and essential oils, so they will leave a scent behind.
To learn more about the differences between different types of beard products, click here to read my in-depth article.
Benefits
No one wants to deal with a rough beard, whether it’s the beard wearer or their significant other. If you’re tired of the brillo pad look, then a conditioner is just what you need to instantly change the appearance and texture of your beard.
- But it will also help out in a major way if you’re looking for some relief from irritation and itching. Using a conditioner to reduce itching is one of the main reasons men will start using this type of product. The right product can instantly work to alleviate irritation and itchy, dry skin, allowing a beard to really flourish.
- Some beards can easily become tangled, which can make it both difficult and painful to comb or brush. Conditioner use can solve this problem, allowing you to easily pull a comb smoothly through your beard.
- Hydration is also important. Keeping your beard hydrated is crucial to beard health. If your beard isn’t hydrated it can prevent hair growth, can leave your beard looking dull, and can cause brittle hair and flaky skin.
- Of course, there are many other benefits linked to conditioner use, such as a beard that’s easier to style and how it can prevent a wide range of skin issues such as ingrown hairs, rashes, and even redness. With the right product, you’ll find that styling your beard and maintaining it is no longer a struggle.
Final Thoughts
Using the best beard conditioner is an easy way to keep your beard healthy and looking fantastic. Staying on top of grooming is a must, especially if you have a longer beard, or you’re just starting out and you’re currently in the itchy phase. Regularly applying a conditioner in the shower, then using a hydrating styling product, such as an oil or balm, will ensure beard and skin health, while keeping your beard looking groomed, shiny, and full. Of course, finding the right product for you will depend on many factors, such as beard length, hair type, thickness, and personal preference. However, the products I’ve included here should steer you in the right direction so you can find a product that really works and one that can provide impressive results with consistent use.