CONDITIONER MAY SEEM like one of those superfluous grooming products that’s the first to go when you’re in a time crunch. You’ve already washed your hair, so why double up, right? Wrong. The best hair conditioner for men performs an important task in your hair care routine, especially if you have dry hair or an itchy scalp, which could be a sign that your hair is lacking moisture.
“Most men shampoo their hair daily, or more frequently than women, causing their hair to become dry,” says celebrity hairstylist Ryan Richman. “Shampooing cleanses your hair, but it can also strip it of natural oils that keep your hair healthy and shiny. Using conditioner will help smooth the cuticle and replace moisture.”
BEST OVERALLLiving Proof Full Conditioner$19 AT WALMARTREAD MORE
BEST CONDITIONER FOR DANDRUFFHead & Shoulders Supreme Sulfate Free Conditioner$24 AT AMAZONREAD MORE
MOST AFFORDABLE CONDITIONERThe Ordinary Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner$9 AT SEPHORAREAD MORE
BEST LUXURY CONDITIONEROribe Gold Lust Repair Restore Conditioner$56 AT WALMARTREAD MORE
BEST CONDITIONER FOR CURLY HAIRSheaMoisture Men Deep Conditioner$8 AT WALMARTREAD MORE
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A good rule of thumb is to use conditioner every time you shampoo to avoid your hair getting dry or frizzy. Besides just keeping your hair moisturized, the best hair conditioners for men can also pump of volume and give your hair a thicker appearance, so if hair loss or thinning hair is a concern for you, consider conditioner a necessity (look for lightweight versions that say volumizing or thickening on the label).
The best conditioners for men feature a variety of ingredients, but the most important you’ll find are moisturizing and hydrating factors like plant oils, glycerin, and others. You’ll also notice that many are created with hair type in mind, so the best conditioners for men should be chosen based on your specific hair type and what it needs. This list of the 20 best hair conditioners for men is the ideal place to start for smoother, healthier, fuller-looking hair.
BEST OVERALL
Living Proof Full Conditioner
Now 30% Off
$19 AT WALMART$29 AT NORDSTROM
Hair looking a little flat? This conditioner gives your hair a 2x lift of volume, according to Living Proof. It’s lightweight so it won’t weigh down your hair, and the peptides plump each and every hair fiber, giving you the appearance of thicker, fuller hair.
Testing Notes: We’re always skeptical of shampoos and conditioners that claim to thicken your hair, but color us pleasantly surprised that this conditioner actually delivers on that promise. The key could be how lightweight it is, which helps to smooth and soften hair without weighing it down (always an important factor in a conditioner), but whatever this magic is, we’re not going to argue. Even after just one use, our hair looked fuller and thicker once it dried. Our advice: if you want even more volumizing action, use a blow dryer.
BEST CONDITIONER FOR DANDRUFF
Head & Shoulders Supreme Sulfate Free Conditioner
This conditioner isn’t just about what it doesn’t have (sulfates, parabens, dyes, silicones, and more) but what it does—namely pyrithione zinc which is proven to help reduce dandruff. It’s a double whammy of dandruff treatment when paired with another dandruff shampoo.
Testing Notes: We’re believers that your grooming products should work smarter and harder for you. Case in point: this conditioner. Anyone who struggles with dandruff knows that pyrithione zinc is one of the most effective ingredients in the fight against flakes—but you usually find it only in shampoos. This conditioner contains that important ingredient but doesn’t sacrifice any of the moisturizing, smoothing and softening abilities you want in a good conditioner—which is especially important when paired with a harsher dandruff shampoo.
Read more: Best Anti-Dandruff Shampoos
MOST AFFORDABLE CONDITIONER
The Ordinary Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner
Don’t let the low price tag fool you—this conditioner has just as much moisturizing power as others 10 times the price. The rich creamy formula may only have seven ingredients, but they work overtime to leave your hair smooth and shiny.
Testing Notes: When pitted against other low-cost conditioners, we found this one came out on top purely because it just plain works. Like, really works. The minimal formula is still rich and creamy and leaves even dry hair smooth and hydrated. We also liked that it’s fragrance-free since sometimes layering all those competing scents in a shower routine can feel a little overwhelming.
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BEST LUXURY CONDITIONER
Oribe Gold Lust Repair Restore Conditioner
$56 AT WALMART$176 AT NORDSTROM
There’s a reason this is one of the most iconic conditioners of all time. This ultra-luxe cream is thick, rich and leaves hair incredibly smooth and hydrated, not to mention shiny AF. The scent is less “hair product” and more “high end fragrance” which only adds to the luxurious experience.
Testing Notes: We have to be honest: this is one of our ultimate favorite conditioners. When it comes to luxury products, a lot of them can be smoke and mirrors (or just really good marketing) but they could charge twice the money for this conditioner and we would still buy it. It’s one of the most nourishing and smoothing conditioners we’ve ever tried and the shine it leaves on your hair looks like your hair is airbrushed—natural but just way, way better. The instantly-identifiable Oribe scent is just icing on an already perfect cake.
BEST CONDITIONER FOR CURLY HAIR
SheaMoisture Men Deep Conditioner
Curly hair requires a lot of conditioning because curls can dry out fast (the oils have a harder time flowing from the scalp to the ends of the hair strands). Deep conditioners like this are essential and this one is packed with ultra moisturizing avocado butter and manuka honey to help seal in moisture and healthy oils for the long haul.
Testing Notes: This conditioner is Thick with a Capital T, so if that’s what your hair needs, it’s perfect. We found that it’s definitely too heavy for anything but curly or textured hair, as it’s packed with so many oils that it can leave finer or straighter hair feeling oily. But on the right kind of hair, it is so deeply nourishing that our curls stayed coily and frizz-free all day.
BEST CONDITIONER FOR TEXTURED HAIR
Bevel Hair Conditioner for Men
This sulfate-free conditioner is designed specifically to preserve the moisture levels in textured hair, which can dry out quickly. Packed with moisturizing shea butter and coconut oil, it coats each strand to not only infuse them with hydration but also lock it in so they don’t get dry as quickly.
Testing Notes: While this conditioner is definitely not for fine or thinner hair, it does wonders for curly and textured hair. We found that the ultra-rich formula helps maintain hydration for hours and hours, even in heat and humidity, and helps keep coils intact. We found that it definitely makes the case for using a conditioner specific to your hair type for best results.
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BEST CONDITIONER FOR COLOR TREATED HAIR
Olapex No. 5 Bond Maintenance™ Conditioner
The color treating process may look cool, but it can be hell on your hair. This conditioner is a must have for anyone who dyes, bleaches or highlights their hair because it contains a proprietary bond building technology that helps repair and maintain the protein bonds within hair strands that get broken during the coloring process.
Testing Notes: While this conditioner is very good overall, we found that there isn’t much reason to use it unless you color your hair. It’s very good at smoothing and moisturizing strands, but where it really shines is bringing damaged hair back to life. Obviously it’s also color-safe, so won’t fade your color, and works wonders, especially when used in combination with other Olaplex products, to return damaged hair to a healthy state.
BEST NATURAL CONDITIONER
Ursa Major Go Easy Conditioner
Naturally derived ingredients like jojoba, aloe and sandalwood help to round out this mostly-natural formula making it ideal for easy, everyday conditioning. It’s pleasantly lightweight, washes out easily and leaves hair moisturized but not greasy.
Testing Notes: We reached for this conditioner over and over in the testing process when we wanted something straightforward. It’s not too thick, but the formula is hefty enough to deliver some serious hydration to your hair, making it ideal for everyday use. We don’t think it would be great for super curly or dry hair, but for normal to fine hair types, it’s a solid option.
BEST SMELLING CONDITIONER
Malin + Goetz Cilantro Conditione
Okay, yes, this conditioner does everything you want a conditioner to do—namely smooth your hair and keep it moisturized. But what really stands out is the scent—a wonderful, green herbal scent that’s heads above the other weird, chemically scent options out there.
Testing Notes: It’s one thing for a conditioner to do its job of hydrating your hair after a thorough cleansing—and this one does that very, very well. But in our testing, we kept coming back to it because of the addicting scent. It’s natural and green-smelling, without seeming fake or, worse, having that cloying, chemically “fresh” vibe.
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BEST DRUGSTORE CONDITIONER
Dove Men+Care Real Bio-Mimetic Care Conditioner
This silicone-free conditioner also contains naturally derived oils and (vegan) keratin to help strengthen your hair while it smooths. What we like most about it, however, is that it only has to stay on your hair for a minute or so to work—so if you find yourself pressed for time (or cash), this is a perfect pick.
Testing Notes: The brand calls the natural ingredients in this formula “bio-mimetic” meaning that theoretically your body knows exactly what to do with them so they work better. We can’t say whether that is really the case (we’re not scientists), but what we can say through our testing process is that this conditioner delivers on what a conditioner should: hydrating and smoothing strands. This particular version also claims to strengthen hair, which could be the case because our hair certainly looked healthier after using it.
BEST CONDITIONER FOR FINE HAIR
Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner
$32 AT SEPHORA$30 AT AMAZON$28 AT ULTA BEAUTY
It can be easy to think that fine hair doesn’t need conditioning, but it is susceptible to the same dryness and over-cleansing that other hair types are as well. This hydrating formula is super lightweight, which is ideal for fine hair because it won’t weigh it down with excess oils, plus contains keratin and biotin to help strengthen it.
Testing Notes: We found that this conditioner, while specifically designed for fine hair with it’s lightweight, easy-to-rinse-out formula and strengthening ingredients, is also pretty great for other types, too—as long as you’re not prone to dryness. It’s a great option if you tend to feel like conditioners weigh your hair down or make it look greasy. This one definitely won’t.
BEST CONDITIONER SCALP CARE
Act+Acre Cold Processed Hair Conditioner
Act+Acre believes that scalp health is the key to growing longer, fuller-looking hair. Scalp issues can lead to inflammation and itching, which damages the hair follicle and slows down growth. For a healthy scalp, wash your hair every two to three days with Act+Acre’s Cold Processed Hair Conditioner. The nourishing formula boosts hydration to help repair and restore the scalp biome.
Testing Notes: Some heavier conditioners can leave your hair feeling smooth but your scalp feeling greasy or, worse, can clog the pores on your scalp or make scalp issues worse. We found that this conditioner is lightweight but still nourishing to our hair, enough that our hair felt soft and smooth even the next day, but also left our scalps feeling clean and soothed instead of greasy. It’s ideal for all hair types, but we found it especially nice for shorter hair where the scalp is a little more exposed to the elements.
Read more: Best Scalp Treatments for Men
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MOST EXPERT-RECOMMENDED CONDITIONER
Kérastase Densifique Fondant Densité Conditioner
“Kérastase Densifique Fondant Densité is a lightweight conditioner that will amp up hair density for men with thinning hair,” says Richman. “It was designed to treat fine and thinning hair from the inside. Apply a quarter size amount and leave for 1-2 minutes and rinse.”
Testing Notes: You know how your face looks smoother and plumper when your skin is well-moisturized? It’s because your skin cells are full of water. The same idea goes into this conditioner, which is packed with hyaluronic acid (yes, the kind that’s in your moisturizer, too) to help plump up your hair with moisture and make it shinier and less brittle. We found that leaving it sitting on your hair for a few minutes, as Richman advises, also helps with the plumping effect as well as pairing it with the Densifique shampoo.
Read more: Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair
BEST CONDITIONER FOR NORMAL HAIR TYPES
Jack Black Nourishing Hair & Scalp Conditioner
$25 AT NORDSTROM$25 AT AMAZON$26 AT WALMART
Hydrate your hair and prevent dry scalp with this top-notch conditioner from Jack Black. Tea tree oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that helps to fight fungi and bacteria that can cause dandruff and itchiness, while unclogging pores to promote hair growth.
Testing notes: In our testing, this conditioner came out a winner because it’s a good option for pretty much all hair types. If you have extremely dry or extremely curly hair, you may want something a little thicker, but for most people it’s a solid option that moisturizes hair well and doesn’t weigh it down. The addition of tea tree oil gives it a nice fresh quality and the basil adds an herbal element to the scent that is nice but not overpowering. If you’re looking for an all-around generally good conditioner to use every day, grab this.
Read more: Best Clarifying Shampoos
BEST CONDITIONER FOR DRY, FRIZZY HAIR
Verb Hydrating Conditioner
$20 AT AMAZON$18 AT WALMART$20 AT MACY’S
Argan oil, hydrolyzed quinoa protein, and pro-vitamin B5 create the perfect trio of ingredients to power-up your locks in this moisturizing and thickening hair conditioner.
Testing notes: Compared to some of the other conditioners featured here, this conditioner is on the thicker side—exactly what you want if you have very dry or over styled hair (like if you used a blow dryer every day). Depending on how dry your hair is, you may not need to use this every day, but you can. Somehow it’s thick enough to deeply hydrate and smooth dry hair but still lightweight enough that it doesn’t feel greasy or weighed down.
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BEST CONDITIONER FOR THICK HAIR
Brickell Men’s Products Revitalizing Hair Conditioner
$20 AT AMAZON$20 AT WALMART$20 AT MACY’S
Score this natural hair conditioner with 72% organic ingredients including aloe vera, vitamin E, tea tree and peppermint oil that’s great for thick hair with a high-quality moisturizing formula.
Testing Notes: Thick hair needs conditioner just like every other type of hair (to prevent it from turning into a fluffball) but it doesn’t always need heavy, rich conditioner. We found in our testing that this conditioner is lightweight enough to not leave thick hair feeling greasy or weighed down, but moisturizing enough to keep it smooth and soft. We especially loved the fresh, zesty feeling from the peppermint oil and tea tree oil.
BEST HAIR CONDITIONER FOR HAIR GROWTH
Hims Thick Fix Conditioner
The personal wellness brand’s hair conditioner contains the vitamin niacinamide, which not only supports hair growth, but also boosts its appearance and makes your locks feel extra smooth to the touch.
Testing Notes: Okay so no conditioner is actually going to make your hair grow, but we found that this volumizing conditioner does work well to help thicken strands and make thinning hair look fuller. The addition of niacinamide is nice to help stimulate growth as well, but again, it’s not going to do much on its own. Where it really shines, we found, is when it’s part of a larger hair growth regimen with other growth-stimulating ingredients.
Read more: Best Hair Growth Shampoos
BEST EVERYDAY CONDITIONER
American Crew Daily Moisturizing Conditioner
Now 14% Off
$12 AT AMAZON$15 AT JOHN LEWIS$8 AT FRAGRANCENET.COM
Ideal for men who wash their hair every day, having a healthy mop on top doesn’t have to break the bank. Suitable for guys with normal to dry hair, American Crew’s conditioner replenishes moisture and prevents breakage. The citrus mint aroma is definite plus.
Testing Notes: Sometimes you just want to reach for the easiest option without putting too much thought into things, you know? File this conditioner under “the easiest option.” It’s deeply hydrating—enough for dry or curly hair—but also lightweight enough to use on fine or thinning hair. There’s plenty to like in the formula packed with naturally derived ingredients and the scent is pleasant without being overwhelming. Overall, we found that it’s a solid option for almost everyone.
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Sachajuan Moisturizing Conditioner
This conditioner is great for men with curly hair, thanks to Sachajuan’s Ocean Silk Technology that’ll detangle, moisturize, and provide extra shine to your thick mane.
Testing Notes: Truthfully, we were surprised by this conditioner – in a good way. The formula isn’t incredibly thick, so we thought it wouldn’t moisturize curls or dry hair as well as we expected. Boy, were we wrong. Perhaps it’s the argan oil or whatever Ocean Silk Technology is, but whatever they put in it, this conditioner delivers incredible moisturizing properties in a lightweight package.
California Naturals Coconut Milk and Apricot Kernel
The problem with most two-in-one products is that they are too heavy on the shampoo, so they often leave hair feeling dry and over cleansed. This one, however, is more of a conditioner which is not only why it’s on this list but also why it’s so good. It applies like a creamy conditioner but lathers as it rinses out, leaving hair clean but still moisturized.
Testing Notes: If we’re going to be completely honest, we almost never love a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner, so we were very skeptical to try this one. And, more honesty, all our expectations were immediately blown on that window. It has more in common with a co-wash (or cleansing conditioner) than it does your standard two-in-one. The cream smooths onto your hair the way a conditioner would but as you massage it into your scalp and apply water, it lathers up (not a ton, but enough) to let you know that it’s also cleansing your hair. It’s ideal for dry, curly, or thick hair that can’t take too much shampooing or anyone who just wants to save a little time.
Conditioners We Also Liked
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Huron Conditioner
$16SHOP NOW
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Argan oil, shea butter and vitamin B5 give this lightweight conditioner its moisturizing power and the fresh, light scent makes it a pleasure to use. It’s ideal for almost any hair type (if you have especially curly hair, you can even use this as a co-wash).
Horace Dry to Very Dry Hair Conditioner
This French cool-guy brand knows their way around grooming and this conditioner is no exception. This super thick conditioner is specifically formulated for dry hair with rich shea and mango butters to deeply moisturize dry, frizzy strands. A little goes a long way with this stuff, but it delivers on it’s promise of power packed hydration. Bonus: there’s a similar version, with the same pleasant woody scent, for normal to oily hair.
Aesop Conditioner
Come for the unique and luxurious scent, keep using it for the smoothing finish it leaves on your hair. It’s a great luxury conditioner that’s ideal for straight, normal and oily hair (thinning hair, too) but may not be quite moisturizing enough for curly or textured hair.
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Patricks CD1 Thickening Conditioner for Hair Loss
This conditioner may be expensive, but it really delivers on its thickening promise. Not only does it immediately plump hair to make it appear thicker, but it also contains a proprietary mix of ingredients that help to block DHT (which contributes to hair loss) and increase the health of your hair.
Briogeo Don’t Despair Repair Super Moisturizing Conditioner
Now 18% Off
This all-around great conditioner is ideal for pretty much anyone, but especially those with damaged or very dry hair. It instantly smooths and moisturizes hair with the help of argan and almond oils and also contains algae extract and vitamin B5 to help strengthen and support healthy hair.
Nécessaire The Conditioner
This lightweight conditioner is ideal for anyone worried about their strands getting weighed down with too much oil. There is coconut oil in the formula, but also hyaluronic acid which helps to impart hydration into your hair without the excess or risk of greasiness.
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Kiehl’s Amino Acid Conditioner
This conditioner is a classic for a reason. It’s lightweight enough to use on fine or thinning hair types but is deeply hydrating enough to use on dry hair. It’s also packed with amino acids that help fortify and strengthen hair to make it more resilient and less prone to breakage or damage.
How We Selected
For the past three years, we consulted with Men’s Health’s Grooming editors and writers on the best hair conditioners for men. Experts, including our Grooming Editor Garrett Munce, put a number of hair conditioners to the test and evaluated their effectiveness, texture, scent, and price. We also considered top-reviewed hair conditioners that had over 100 five-star ratings on e-commerce websites we trust.
What to Look for in a Conditioner for Men
All conditioners for men should contain some sort of moisturizing and hydrating ingredients. These are often found in the form of plant oils and butters, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and others. That’s just baseline. To really know what to look for in a conditioner, you need to conceder your hair type. Different hair types require different amounts of moisture, so by extension, require different types of conditioners. These are some common hair types to consider:
Straight: Straight hair can be either dry or oily, but tends to lack natural volume or fullness. Look for conditioners that are lightweight (so they won’t weight down straight hair) and are also volumizing or thickening.
Curly: Curly hair tends to need more moisturization because the natural oils from your scalp have a harder time reaching the ends of the hair, leaving it prone to dryness and frizziness. Look for conditioners that contain plant oils (jojoba and argan are good bets) but are still lightweight enough that they won’t weigh down curls.
Coily/Textured: Very coily or textured hair needs the most moisture, so heavier conditioners that contain ingredients like shea butter and cocoa butter will not only help moisturize but also seal in the moisture better. You may also want to invest in a leave-in conditioner for further moisturizing power. A good rule of thumb is to look for conditioners specifically formulated for textured hair and say so on the label.
Oily: It may seem counterintuitive to apply more moisture to oily hair, but moisture and oil are different animals. If you have oily hair, you may be able to get away with conditioning your hair less often, but when you do it (and you should do it), look for oily-hair formulas, many of which contain oil-absorbing ingredients.
Thinning: The biggest thing to consider when using a conditioner on thinning hair is the weight. Opt for lightweight conditioners that won’t weigh down thin or fine hair. Some conditioners formulated for thinning hair may also contain ingredients like biotin, keratin and others that help to strengthen and plump hair to make it appear thicker.
Damaged: If you dye your hair or use hot tools frequently, you’ll want to use a conditioner that help build hair back up to a healthy state. Look for bottles that say things like “strengthening: and “bond building.”
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Why Trust Us?
For the past five years, Men’s Health has dedicated itself to discovering and recommending the best grooming products for men via hands-on testing and in-depth research. Men’s Health grooming has been featured on national news outlets like The TODAY Show and Good Morning America, showcasing the latest new grooming products for men and presenting why we love the brands we select.
Aside from constantly updating and adding to our ever-growing grooming section, Men’s Health also dedicates an annual Grooming Awards package where we break down the best new products for men—ranging everywhere from skincare to shaving. Our Grooming Editor, Garrett Munce, has been testing hair conditioners for the past decade, so he absolutely knows what he’s talking about.
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