Beard Shampoo & Conditioner: The Best Options & Why You Should Use Them

Have you heard that you need to regularly shampoo your beard? Perhaps you’ve seen a growing trend of shampoo on the beard accessories market? What about conditioner? Do men need to condition their beards too?

In this guide, you will learn about shampoo and conditioner for beards. You will discover their benefits, how to use them and the correct frequency of usage.

Furthermore, this article will include our evaluation of the best beard shampoos and conditioners available on the market.

1. Why Do You Need To Shampoo Your Beard?
2. Why Should I Use Beard Conditioner?
3. How Often Should I Wash My Beard?
4. How Do You Shampoo Your Beard?
5. Top 5 Beard Shampoos & Conditioners On Amazon

Simply click one of the above links to jump straight to that section. Alternatively, keep reading to learn more!

Why Do You Need To Shampoo Your Beard?

A common question is whether you need to shampoo your beard at all. In short, facial hair is not too different from the hair on your head. Therefore, it needs the proper care in order to thrive. Some may say that a beard should never be shampooed and there is some logic to this argument, which we will cover below.

Shampooing your hair is important because your hair roots produce a natural oil called sebum. Sebum naturally nourishes and protects hair, which is what makes it shine and creates volume. However, when the build-up gets too much, hair can become greasy and even begin to smell. Shampoo works by essentially stripping the hair of grease and oils.

Similarly, the roots of your beard hair create sebum too. Consequently, the principles remain the same but there are some significant differences. Shampooing your beard not only cleans and de-greases it, but it also removes pollution, dust and sweat.

Can I Wash My Beard With Normal Shampoo?

It’s logical to assume that normal hair shampoo will have the same effect on your beard as on your head. After all, they’re both hair, right? Well, not quite. A beard is more sensitive and dries easily. Therefore, it requires a much greater concentration of sebum than hair on the head.

Most shampoos readily available on supermarket shelves are far too aggressive for your beard and face’s skin. Furthermore, they contain harsh chemicals that will simply strip all the sebum away, which causes dryness and itchiness.

In addition, you may even experience breaking hairs as well as patchy growth due to the weakened roots.

Toxic chemicals in normal shampoo can include any of the following:

• Paraben: A chemical compound that can cause an array of issues from obesity to infertility.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): A common and cheap detergent that strips away sebum.
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): Similar to the above but a known carcinogen used for subduing petroleum-base side effects.
• Polyethylene Glycol: Believed to hinder human development.

Finally, shampoos can even contain artificial fragrances that are derived from other toxic ingredients. However, a high-quality natural shampoo, which is based on argan oil or even Aleppo soap can be an effective shampoo for beards. Nevertheless, if you do choose a natural shampoo, be sure to complement it with the use of conditioner.

What Is In Beard Shampoo?

Beard washes and shampoos are a growing industry and usually cater to those concerned by the casual use of toxic substances like the above. Given that beards experience the side effects of chemicals much sooner, they’re often made with a delicate balance of natural ingredients.

Firstly, beard shampoos contain carrier oils. These dilute essential oils and nourish the hair and skin. They also provide a number of other benefits too such as vitamins and antioxydants.

One of the most common carriers is argan oil. However, castor, almond, jojoba and coconut oil are other well-known carrier oils.

Furthermore, they are complemented by essential oils such as eucalyptus, tea tree and cedar wood. Not only do these offer natural scents but they have a number of soothing effects on the skin. For example, sandalwood is known to relieve itching and can act as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory remedy.

Finally, some shampoo bars contain other ingredients such as butters or beeswax. These will add a coating over the skin that protects it from the elements as well as retains moisture.

Why Should I Use Beard Conditioner?

As previously mentioned, shampoo works by stripping away and trapping sebum. Consequently, using it will dry the hair and skin. In turn, conditioner is designed to replenish the follicles with much-needed nourishment through oils that will act like sebum.

If you don’t use conditioner, you may quickly find yourself with a very dry and frizzy beard, which can break or tangle. The skin will eventually become dehydrated and begin to itch and in some cases, break into sores.

If you want to keep your beard healthy, it is of absolute importance that you use a quality conditioner after shampoo. Furthermore, some people even advocate using conditioner more regularly than shampoo for this very reason.

Again, a lot of commercial conditioners can contain chemicals that make hair artificially soft. At a push, however, they can be used in emergencies. Yet, there are a number of conditioners available that cater specifically to beards. These will provide all the nourishment a beard needs in a natural and sustainable way.

How Often Must I Wash My Beard?

A number of factors come into play in order to find the right frequency to wash your beard. Things like your skin’s natural dryness, the beard’s thickness and length play a big role. Your environment and daily routine can also decide how often you should wash your beard.

For example, if your skin or hair is naturally dry, you should shampoo less. However, if it’s quite oily, you should consider doing it more often. The oiliness of your pores usually suggests the speed at which your body produces sebum. So you should adjust your washing habits to match it.

Similarly, a thick and long beard takes longer for sebum to spread all over it whereas a short beard is quickly replenished. Therefore, bigger beards should be left a little longer to let them benefit from your natural oils. In fact, shorter beards need to be washed as regularly as normal hair for this reason.

Finally, your environment has an effect on your washing needs. If you have a manual job or live in a humid area, you may sweat more so you’ll need to wash your beard more often.

Wash Your Beard Less Often

As a general rule, you should only shampoo your beard 2-3 times a week. Nevertheless, you should condition it more regularly at around 3-4 times a week. In any case, a beard oil or balm should be used to complement this on an almost daily basis.

Shampoo infrequently may sound like the recipe for a dirty beard but remember that its health depends on your skin’s flow of sebum.

You may feel awkward at first but you’ll feel a noticeable difference after a few days. For instance, if your beard was itchy and coarse, you’ll soon feel the symptoms subside.

Finally, if you’re washing less, you’ll likely be using shampoo in smaller quantities and saving money. Therefore, consider investing in a quality shampoo with your savings!

How Do You Shampoo Your Beard?

Use the steps below as a guide to a full beard washing routine. Remember that you shouldn’t follow all these steps on a daily basis but should use shampoo and conditioner according to the frequency mentioned above.

1. Brush your beard before stepping into the shower to exfoliate.
2. Rinse your beard thoroughly.
3. Massage a nut-sized amount of shampoo for 2-3 minutes.
4. Rinse out the shampoo.
5. Massage a nut-sized amount of conditioner for 3-5 minutes.
6. Rinse out thoroughly.
7. Pad your beard dry with a clean towel.
8. Gently comb your beard while still damp.
9. When dry, massage 3-4 drops of beard oil or balm into your beard.
10. Brush your beard again to evenly distribute the oil.

Remember to use oils on an almost daily basis. This is important as it nourishes the beard and skin as well as strengthens the roots. Finally, make sure that you always rinse thoroughly to remove soapy residue. A frequent cause of dandruff is not rinsing enough, which causes dryness and flaking.

Top 5 Best Beard Shampoos & Conditioners

As mentioned above, shampoo and conditioner have different functions. However, they also come in different solid and liquid forms as well as varying price tags. Below we handpick the best of each type of beard shampoo and conditioner, which should help you find the one that best suits your needs.

1. Best All-In-1: Honest For Men Mint Tea Tree Oil Beard Wash

• Notable Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil, Mint Essential Oils (Spearmint, Peppermint, Tea Tree)
• Country Of Origin: USA
• Price: $9
• Check Price On Amazon.com

Honest For Men offers an ideal entry-level all-in-one beard wash bar, which even contains 100% natural ingredients. Free of any chemicals, the Mint Tea Tree Oil Beard Wash is an ideal candidate for budding beard enthusiasts.

Furthermore, it prevents flakes and itching with its full blend of various oils such as Coconut, Jojaba and Castor oil.

Each of these serve as carrier oils for the essences of spearmint, peppermint and tea tree that add a burst of freshness when washing. Furthermore, it was awarded as the best beard wash and an editor’s pick on AskMen.com.

Beard dandruff is efficiently reduced through regular use and any itching quietly subsides. Its careful balance of oils ensures that you have a deep cleansing experience without being stripped of your important oils. In addition, it nourishes and protects hairs by adding oils of its own.

Overall, Honest For Men offer a fantastic product at a low price, which can be found at around $9 on Amazon. It may not be as effective as using a combination of specialised shampoo and conditioner, but it’s an ideal beginner’s wash and a fantastic, compact travelling companion.

2. Best Liquid Shampoo: Billy Jealousy Beard Wash

• Notable Ingredients: Aloe Leaf, Soy Protein, Honey Extract, Green Tea Extract
• Country Of Origin: USA
• Price: $20
• Check Price On Amazon.com

Billy Jealousy came to fame in 2014 when it was recognised at the Esquire Grooming Awards. This sulfate-free concoction features aloe leaf and soy protein to soften the hair as well as honey and green tea extracts.

It gently soothes the skin and softens beard hairs, which consequently reduces any itchiness. Furthermore, its blend treats dandruff and effortlessly removes any pollution, dirt and grime.

The shampoo features an entirely sulfate-free formula yet leaves beards frizz-free and manageable.

The use of soy protein and aloe leaf soften and hydrate the hair and skin. Meanwhile, the honey nourishes with with a moisturising action. In turn, the green tea provides important antioxidants, which not only soothes irritation but also provides an anti-ageing effect.

All of the above is topped off with a mild woody scent that isn’t overpowering and subsides after washing. Although the Billy Jealousy is slightly more premium than alternatives, it’s one of the best liquid beard shampoos on the market. A bottle of 236 ml (8 Oz) can be found on Amazon for $20.

3. Best Shampoo Bar: Professor Fuzzworthy Beard Gloss Shampoo

• Notable Ingredients: Kunzea Oil, Leatherwood Honey, Beeswax
• Country Of Origin: Australia
• Price: $14
• Check Price On Amazon.com

Professor Fuzzworthy from Down Under is one of the internet’s most celebrated beard shampoos and for good reason. Unlike Billy Jealousy, it comes in a solid bar, which is a somewhat different experience to the norm.

However, its suds lather very quickly and provides a deep-cleansing experience. Fuzzworthy’s chunky cube is packed with a plethora of natural ingredients from castor and olive oil to leatherwood honey and beeswax.

Whilst the oils nourish the skin and provide nutrition, the leatherwood honey tames itchiness and the beeswax offers a final layer of protection. It’s also completely paraben and palm oil free and has no artificial fragrances.

Some users claim that it’s so nourishing that you can even dispense with conditioner and reduce the use of oils and balms. Furthermore, it can also be used on the hair and body and even act as a replacement to your entire showering routine. It leaves a pleasantly mild wood scent that many fans adore.

Although a bar might be a bit of a change for some, the manufacturer argues that it equates to around 24 Oz of liquid. This hardy cube goes a long way and at $14 on Amazon.com, it’s worth your consideration.

4. Best Liquid Conditioner: Beard Necessities Grizzly Beard Conditioner & Softener

• Notable Ingredients: Organic Aloe Vera, Argan Oil
• Country Of Origin: USA
• Price: $22
• Check Price On Amazon.com

Beard Necessities offers a premium yet rich beard plant-based conditioner. Featuring active ingredients such as organic aloe vera and argan oil, it fights irritation and itchiness with these so-called superfoods.

For those that don’t like scented conditioners, this is an excellent option as it is fragrance free aside for organic citrus and orange peel oil for a mild scent.

Beard Necessities’ conditioner nourishes your beard with the ingredients it needs to flourish. It softens the hairs and ensures that the skin is properly moisturised following the use of even the most severe shampoos.

Many rave about how efficient this conditioner is and often see results after only two washes. Unlike many beard conditioners, Beard Necessities’ concoction isn’t designed to be left in to dry but washed out under the shower. This means that it can be comfortably followed by your favourite beard oil or balm afterwards.

Finally, at $22 on Amazon, it’s one of the most premium options on the market. Nevertheless, given its efficiency, it may be well worth the investment if you suffer from a dry beard.

5. Best Dry Conditioner: Smooth Viking Beard Conditioner

• Notable Ingredients: Shea Butter, Argan Oil
• Country Of Origin: USA
• Price: $13
• Check Price On Amazon.com

Dry conditioners are growing in popularity as a post-shower treatment and alternative to beard oil. In this light, Smooth Viking proposes a beard conditioner, which offers you an all-natural conditioning experience.

Packed with  nourishing ingredients such as shea butter, it moisturises your beard by replenishing its oils. Meanwhile, a good dose of argan oil reduces frizz and gently treats any split ends.

Unlike Beard Necessities’ Grizzly Conditioner, Smooth Viking doesn’t require rinsing. Instead, you can just let it absorb into the hair and skin by drying naturally. You can help distribute it with the use of a quality beard brush.

Furthermore, it covers a relatively middle ground in terms of pricing and sells for a mere $13 on Amazon.com. Given that it can even replace balms or oils, it might be worth the leap.

Having now read about the importance of shampoo and conditioner, consider reading up on beard brushes and become fully equipped. Otherwise, check out the variety of styles you can try on our beard homepage!