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Apr 29, 2024

10 Best Beard Shampoos of 2023

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process. Yep, you've got to lather

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Yep, you've got to lather your facial hair, too.

Just like the hair on the top of your head, beards and other facial hair need TLC — especially if you have skincare concerns like dry, flaky skin or are targeting hair growth for men. Getting a good lather on your beard not only helps clean the hair, removing any dirt and oil, but it also helps condition the hair and can even prevent dandruff and itchiness.

Sure, you can use a conventional shampoo for men, but beard hair is typically coarser, so an ultra moisturizing product specifically formulated for the area is generally a better alternative, says Lauren Kunijo, a master stylist and co-founder of Kenna Kunijo, a salon in Charlotte, North Carolina.

There are many brands of beard shampoo out there, but when making your selection, think of the best beard shampoo as part hair care, part skincare, suggests Cody Renegar, a master barber and hairstylist in Los Angeles. “Formulas packed with natural ingredients — jojoba, avocado and aloe — as well as vitamins tend to perform best and leave your hair in a healthier state.” He also suggests avoiding formulas with chemicals such as sodium chloride or formaldehyde, he adds.

To make our top picks, our editors polled stylists like Kunijo and Renegar, plus scoured online reviews at top retailers for the best-selling products, reading hundreds of reviews and specifications. Based on our research, these are the most nourishing, conditioning beard shampoos on the market today.

Made with natural ingredients like rosemary seed oil, organic sea kelp and aloe vera, this popular beard wash is backed by stylists as a gentle yet effective option. “The formula is great at removing dirt and oil that collects in the beard,” Renegar says. It’s also highly nourishing on the skin. The wash boasts jojoba protein, which helps moisturize, leaving your beard feeling softer and healthier, even if you have coarse hair. As a nice bonus, it’s a particularly good bet for preventing dandruff, too, according to Renegar.

Proof that you don’t have to spend a pretty penny on a high-quality beard wash, Shea Moisture’s formula is gentle yet invigorating to cleanse and condition your beard without stripping it of its natural oils.

It's packed with hydrators like shea butter, argan oil and maracuja oil for softer, more manageable hair. It also has a pleasing vanilla aroma that some users consider a nice departure from other spicier scents. What it doesn’t contain? Potential irritants like sulfates, phthalates and parabens.

"I always recommend my clients use this product on a daily basis to remove dirt, oil and debris from the skin and the beard so it stays clean and soft," says Barry Hairston, a celebrity barber based in Dallas. "It contains coconut water and avocado oil which gives a great clean and isn’t harsh on the beard and face."

Users rave about the scent, too. It's woodsy and earthy with a hint of invigorating mint, thanks to the menthol on the ingredient list. It's also a great budget-friendly pick, especially considering the size of the bottle.

Polished Gentleman makes one of the most popular beard shampoos sold on Amazon, largely because the formula is made from all-natural and organic ingredients.

Biotin and argan oil are among the most hardworking on the ingredient list, and are exactly what makes this formula such a great option for anyone targeting hair growth. Tea tree works to stimulate hair follicles, while argan oil hydrates and locks in moisture to help prevent breakage. Users say the scent is very neutral — a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your preferences.

It may not be a dedicated beard shampoo, but Renegar still recommends this product as an all-in-one option for the hair on your head and your beard. "It has high-quality, natural ingredients that are backed by science — like jojoba oil and aloe for moisturizing," he says.

It also boasts biotin, an ingredient widely considered to benefit hair growth, and aloe, which can help soothe any irritated or flaky skin underneath the hair. Unfortunately, this product is only available through limited retailers.

It may be more of a splurge than your average beard shampoo, but users rave about this luxe option, noting how soft and clean it makes their beards.

Here’s what makes it so special: The formula is pH-balanced, meaning it’s specially formulated with a pH similar to that of facial hair strands and the skin it grows on. The result is a shampoo that’s less likely to cause dryness that can lead to itching and flaking. Users also appreciate the smell — it’s much less pungent than other brands, but still fresh.

For those who prefer to stock a set — one product for cleansing, another for conditioning — this hardworking duo is a highly regarded option. It's garnered over 8,000 reviews on Amazon with a collective 4.7 stars.

What sets the product apart is that it's created with all-natural ingredients like argan and jojoba oils. For even more nourishment, the conditioner is formulated with beard oil that leaves strands and skin softer. Both products have a spa-like eucalyptus scent you'll love, too. If users have any complaint, it's that the bottles are made of a very hard plastic that can make it difficult to dispense the product.

Infused with natural ingredients like burdock root, nettle leaf and aloe vera, this beard shampoo effectively cleanses without stripping the hair of natural oils — particularly important for coarse hair that craves extra moisture.

Users love the scent, which strikes the perfect balance between floral and spicy. It's ripe with notes of sandalwood, carnation, oak moss, musk, vanilla, cashmere and amber. Just note: The manufacturer recommends limiting usage to two to three times per week, so you may want to look elsewhere if you need to cleanse more frequently.

Limit plastic use with a barred version — the brand claims it replaces three regular bottles of liquid beard soap. It's just as effective as any other cleanser.

This product contains antiseptic beer hops and flowers, plus a unique ingredient called rhassoul clay, a Tasmanian ingredient ripe with trace minerals. The result is a product that not only cleanses, but also deeply conditions dry, coarse hair. It also contains raw leatherwood honey and beeswax to nourish and soothe the skin underneath — perfect for anyone prone to dryness or itching.

Whether you're short on space or just prefer a self-care routine that's no muss, no fuss, this all-in-one product is the answer. It's meant to work as a shampoo, a conditioner and a body wash. It's gentle enough for facial hair, too.

Though sulfate-free, you'll experience a rich lather that infuses skin and strands with hydrating macadamia, jojoba and quinoa. The scent — a blend of saffron, dark-toned vanilla, honey and tobacco — is a nice touch, too. Plus, who could resist the cool retro appeal of the bottle itself.

Though we haven't formally tested beard shampoos in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab, our staff has tested and reviewed hundreds of personal grooming products over the years, including shampoo. We relied on this categorical expertise to make our recommendations, and also consulted professional barbers and hairstylists to get their take and considered top-selling products with overwhelmingly positive reviews.

Ultimately, we made our selections based on a combination of findings from previous Lab tests and expert guidance, selecting products with quality ingredients, a pleasing scent and great overall value.

Brigitt Earley is a writer and editor with over 15 years of experience writing about personal grooming products. She worked under the guidance of experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute, plus numerous professional barbers and hairstylists, to research and review the beard shampoos recommended in this story.

Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.

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