12 Beard Conditioners to Transform Your Scruff from Scratchy to Silky Soft

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Are you growing out your beard? If you’re new to this unexplored foreign land populated by mountain men and Brooklyn hipsters, note that inhabiting this frontier requires maintenance. Along with brushes, trimmers, and all the tools to keep your scruff tidy (please keep your scruff tidy), you’re going to want to get your hands on one of the best beard conditioners. Because, folks, beardruff is very real.

Rocking a prickly pack of bristles on your face with white flakes sprinkled in ain’t a good look. Sticking to a grooming routine is essential. Yes, adding yet another step to your regime can feel exhausting, but like brushing your teeth and washing under your pits, it’s important to make a habit of applying beard conditioner. Investing time and a few dollars in your personal appearance is well worth the effort.

It's no exaggeration to say the right beard conditioner can be a game-changer, transforming the untamed whiskers dominating your face into a soft, silky mass any significant other will want to run their hands through for hours on end. Beard conditioners aim to please. They're for you, your skin (still your body's largest organ, FYI), and your partner. And to help you conquer this new world, we corralled 12 of the best products, all of which will make the process of softening yourself up as easy as possible.

The Best Beard Conditioner Ever

Calling your beard conditioner the "best ever" right off the bat is a bold claim, but it's backed up by the brand's commitment to keeping your skin hydrated as hell, courtesy of a blend of oatmeal and aloe that'll last for two full days. An added bonus? It's completely scentless, so you won't get overwhelmed by a strong (and usually unpleasant) aroma.

Beard Conditioner

You don't need to have the beard of a Viking (or his general lack of personal hygiene) to appreciate the nourishing powers of this product. Viking Revolution's beard conditioner locks in moisture to reduce itchiness and irritation and prevent your skin from flaking, all while strengthening the hair on your face. In other words, it lets your beard go from awesome to ultra-badass.

Beard Growth Shampoo and Conditioner Set

The only thing better than finding the perfect conditioning product for your untamed facial mane? Finding the perfect shampoo in the process. Polished Gentleman sells a set of the two to make your search that much easier, especially if you're looking for a conditioner that emphasizes hydration and will leave your beard feeling soft and smooth. It gently yet thoroughly cleanses the beard and skin underneath, removing dirt, oil, and build-up, and helps stimulate beard follicles, promoting a thicker, fuller, and healthier beard.

Restorative Leave-In Beard Conditioner

Scotch Porter's blend of botanically infused natural ingredients makes for one of the most effective conditioning products on the market, especially if you tend to have sensitive skin. The brand's mix of fortifying oils prevents excessive shedding and frizz and is completely sulfate-free. It's like a drink for your whiskers— quenching their thirst and leaving them gleaming with a softness that's nothing but silky luxe.

Conditioning Beard Balm

With hemp, aloe, and other botanical ingredients, Burt's Bees has an easy beard balm that softens up your hair in seconds. Did we mention it's also dermatologist-approved? Oh, and another thing, this tin is super easy to pack and use on the go—bring it to the office, on the airplane, wherever.

Beard Lube Conditioning Shave

Jack Black is a classic in the men's grooming sphere, and there's no question as to why. Their ingredients are quality—this balm has jojoba and eucalyptus—and get the job done. In addition to conditioning your beard, this product also lathers it up for a shave, so you can easily navigate around sideburns and mustaches.

Conditioning Beard Absolute

Small but mighty, this all-natural serum with grapeseed and argan oils leaves your beard silky soft and smooth. Just a few drops can be used as an allover facial moisturizer to improve skin tone, fight signs of aging, and energize dull, tired skin.

Beard Conditioner

A newer power player in the world of grooming, Bevel has a beard conditioner that's entirely affordable and very effective. This 2-in-1 pomade is just the right consistency, doesn't leave a residue, and has detangling properties. Use this product to condition and prep your beard without leaving behind excess residue.

Beard Balm Leave-In Conditioner

Honest Amish makes its two-in-one beard balm and conditioner with natural ingredients including a shea and cocoa butter base and essential oils extracted from almond and avocado for maximum effect. Once you've thoroughly rubbed it in, leave it there—this conditioner isn't meant to be washed out.

Beard Control

We've extolled the virtues of this product before, but it's too damn good to leave off the list. Billy Jealousy's beard control can be used as a more conventional styler, but the brand's combination of aloe leaf juice and jojoba seed oil hydrates the skin while helping to soften your beard, a winning combo that can't be beat.

Peppermint Beard Conditioner

Let's be honest: The Art of Shaving is almost always a safe bet if you're looking for a new go-to grooming product, and the brand's beard conditioner doesn't disappoint. It smooths and moisturizes the skin beneath the hair, and if you're prone to acne and breakouts, this product doesn't clog your pores. A subtle peppermint scent definitely isn't hurting its case here—come for the hints of herbal fragrance, and stay for the long-lasting hydration and shine.

Beard Conditioner

Murdock doesn't mess around. The British brand sells a premium conditioning product that incorporates wheat protein to strengthen your hair and prevent breakage down the line, while using citric acid to promote a pH balance specifically suited to facial hair. It makes your beard one worth showing off.

Why You Should Trust Us

We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great.

Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams. When it comes to beard conditioners, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear.

We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these beard conditioners are the ones that are simply the best. Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who and care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.

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