Beard Softeners & How to Use Them (With DIY Recipe)

Itch. Dandruff. Rashes. The trio that every bearded man hates, but inevitably happens to almost everyone in the first stages of growth.

Not only does this trio makes you feel uncomfortable, it also takes away the joy of growing a beard and enjoying the process.

You might try to ignore them, but your significant other certainly won’t. If you’ve been in this situation, you know how it goes.

If your loved one refused to kiss you because your rough beard got in the way at least once, you’ve probably decided to search for a solution to make it softer.

Beard softeners are a thing, and a marvelous one, if you ask us. That’s why we picked a few best of the best ones just for you.

In case you prefer DIY solutions, there’s an amazing recipe we created as well. Keep reading!

Top 4 Beard Softeners (Summary)

These are unbiased opinions based on using products in our homes or barbershops. None of the reviews are sponsored or paid to be promoted. Beardoholic is reader-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through links on our site. Thank you.

For more detailed and complete product reviews on benefits and features, keep reading.

What Is Beard Softener

Beard softener can refer to a number of different products capable of providing aid in the fight for softer and healthier facial hair.

These softener products may include:

• Beard oil
• Beard balm
• Beard moisturizers
• Specialized beard shampoos

When it comes to these products, there is no one product that appeals to every person with a beard.

After all, we each have our individual preferences when it comes to fragrance, budgetary limits, ingredients and the form the product takes – i.e., liquid, balm, lotion, etc.

When it comes to your facial hair, natural products beat out the artificial, chemically-based ones every time. Products containing all-natural ingredients are more capable of treating your facial hair with the care it deserves.

Softener and conditioning products can provide a number of benefits for your beard.

Whether you’re experiencing issues such as rashes, itching, dandruff or just need a good conditioning product to top off your regular maintenance routine, having a quality beard softener that suits your individual preferences is essential.

Stellar softening products with high-quality ingredients can produce results that you’ll be able to notice right off the bat. You’ll experience less irritation and have an easier time trimming and combing through your beard, which makes the bearded life wholly more enjoyable.

Benefits of Beard Softeners

If you have never thought of using a beard softener, then it’s about time you started thinking about that. As pesky as it may sound, beard softener products do provide a legitimate use for your buck.

High-quality products designed to soften and condition beards can offer several health benefits, including:

• Reduced stubble stiffness
• Elimination of itching
• Treatment for beard rashes
• Reduced irritation
• General conditioning
• Removal of excess oils that build up to make your facial hair coarse

However, not every product is made the same, so it’s important to not only shoot a glance at any product reviews provided by past or current users, but also the ingredients that may be listed.

When it comes to taking care of any part of your body, facial hair included ingredients matter.

High-quality ingredients that have earned the stamp of approval for effective beard softening may include argan oil, jojoba oil, organic shea butter, almond oil, castor oil, grape seed oil and other 100% pure and natural essential oils.

Depending on what product you invest in – a conditioner, beard oil, balm, moisturizer – they may contain different ingredients.

Quality beard conditioners, for instance, often contain vitamin E.

Recommendations on what products you should be buying to soften your beard are listed below, following some general information on how to properly use them. Here are a few benefits of beard softeners that you can’t afford to overlook:

Nourishes and Moisturizes the Beard

Beard softeners contain ingredients that moisturize and nourish the beard to give you a lustrous looking beard in the end. 

When you start growing a beard, one of the things that you need to worry about is beard itchiness and dandruff. However, if you use a good beard softener, you never have to deal with such issues.

This is because the ingredients in the beard softener mimic the sebum oil that is produced by the skin, which leads to a good looking beard. 

Softens the Stubble

The main benefit of using a beard softener in the first place is to soften the beard. The biggest advantage of using premium beard softeners is that they penetrate deep into the skin and nourishes the hairs to the root. 

Gives the Beard a Healthy Shine

When you use a beard softener, it not only softens your beard, but the ingredients penetrate deep into the hair roots, giving your beard a healthy shine that you can be proud of. 

Makes Combing Easier

When you have a soft beard, then running a beard comb or brush through it becomes much easier and that is what a beard softener does. 

Affects the Hair Density

When you use a beard softener, besides penetrating deep into the skin and giving the beard a healthy shine, they also add to the density of the beard in the long run.

As such, if you always struggle with a patchy beard, then using a beard softener can give the illusion that your beard is thicker than it is. 

Eliminates Dry Skin and Irritation 

Beard softeners like beard oil, work to penetrate deep into the skin, and the hair roots to nourish the beard and eliminate dry skin. Additionally, the ingredients that are contained in beard softeners help to reduce irritation that may be caused by razor burns or skin dryness.  

Heals and Nourishes the Skin

Beard softener also helps to heal and nourish the skin in the process thanks to ingredients such as shea butter and coconut oil. 

Makes Beard Styling Easier

When you have a softer beard, styling becomes easier because the beard softener helps to tame even the stray hairs. 

Gives a Pleasant and Lasting Fragrance

Beard softeners come in different fragrances, which gives your beard a pleasant as well as long-lasting fragrance, especially if you are going on a date. 

How Does a Beard Softener Work

A beard softener is made to be used once you have washed your beard. As such, it will be more effective if you use it on a clean beard. 

When you are in the shower, use a beard wash to penetrate deep into the roots of the beard rather than just concentrating on the tips. If your beard is not long enough, don’t worry too much about the ends. 

With a beard softener, you want to concentrate on applying it to the hairs rather than the face. Ideally, the results of a beard softener will depend on how you use the product. 

If you want a normal feeling beard, then you can rinse out the beard softer once you have applied it. However, if you want to have a very soft beard, then what you need is deep conditioning.

A deep condition works just like a normal application, except when it comes to the amount of time you leave the product in.

If you are not using a leave-in beard softener, then you can leave the product for about five minutes before rinsing it out. In case of a leave-in conditioner, then rinsing is not necessary. 

Pros and Cons of Beard Softeners

Just like with every other beard product out there, beard softeners have their advantages and disadvantages.

Pros

• The main benefit of using a beard softener is to soften a tough beard. 
• A beard softener nourishes and moisturizes the beard, therefore, eliminating beard dryness as well as irritation.
• It gives the beard a healthy shine thanks to the ingredients contained in the product. 
• It makes it easier to not only comb the beard but to style it as well. 
• A good quality beard softener will also repair damaged hair and prevent skin irritation as well as breakouts. 

Cons

• Some beard conditioners, especially the leave-in ones, can clog your pores leading to acne breakout. 
• Some beard softeners can feel uncomfortable mainly because the blends tend to be quite heavy, which makes the beard feel weighty and groggy.

Types of Beard Softeners

When it comes to beard softeners, there are so many that you can use, both natural and artificial, from coconut oil to beard oils and balms. 

Coconut Oil

The hype behind coconut oil is justified and for good reasons. Coconut oil makes a difference in your beard’s health for a few reasons. 

For one, coconut oil penetrates deep into the hair follicles thanks to the lauric acid contained in it, stimulating beard growth in the process. It also works to moisturize the beard’s healthy shine and makes it feel and appear soft. 

Coconut oil also works for dry hair and beard by eliminating beard dandruff. On the other hand, coconut oil strengthens your hair, therefore, reducing breakage as well as split ends and slows down hair loss. 

Besides being a natural product, coconut oil is contained in most beard softeners as well as beard oils and beard balms to help soften the beard. 

Besides its amazing properties, coconut oil also smells great and doesn’t feel greasy when applied on the beard. 

However, you need to be very careful with the amount you use; otherwise, too much might make the beard feel and appear too greasy, which is the last thing you want.

Argan Oil

Argan oil is commonly referred to as liquid gold and it is extracted from the Argan tree. It is a common oil used in most cosmetic products because it is rich in not only vitamin E but fatty acids, which makes it the ideal product for skin and hair products. 

Just like coconut oil, argan oil can be used in its purest form without mixing it with other oils. It is very effective in moisturizing and softening dry skin under the facial hair and the beard in the process. 

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is also a natural oil that makes all the difference when applied to the beard. Jojoba oil is mainly found in Mexico, Arizona, and California and it is very rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, E, and also has a good concentration of fatty acids. 

When you are using jojoba oil, there are certain things that you need to remember. The oil contains the same molecular structure as that of the natural oil that is produced by the skin, which means that it doesn’t interfere with the natural balance of your hair. 

Just like coconut oil, jojoba oil is effective in dealing with dry skin and hair by penetrating the hair follicles softening the beard in the process. 

It also restores the hydration of the hair, giving the beard a natural shine. Additionally, jojoba oil is perfect when used as a carrier oil for DIY beard oil and balm recipes. 

Olive Oil

Olive oil is among the few oils that can be used in different applications. Besides being used in the kitchen, olive oil is included in cosmetic products. 

It has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which makes it perfect for use on dry skin and dandruff. 

You need to be careful about the amount of olive oil you use because too much will make your beard feel greasy, in which case a few drops will do the trick. 

Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet almond oil is a natural product that is rich in fatty acids and vitamins A, B, and E. When it comes to properties, almond oil is not different from the likes of argan and coconut oil or even olive oil.  

Sweet almond oil, when used, helps prevent breakage and split ends on a beard, reduces and eliminates dry hair and dandruff, and gives the beard a natural shine.

Additionally, it moisturizes as well as strengthens the hair while helping prevent hair loss by stimulating growth. 

Beard Oil

When it comes to beard softeners, beard oil is the most popular. While beard oil has been around for decades, most men have just started realizing the benefits this product has. 

Beard oil is made of a blend of natural ingredients that can be used to not only soften the beard but to nourish it as well. 

Whether you just have stubble or a long beard, beard oil is a must-have in your beard care routine. Beard oil usually contains two primary ingredients; essential oils and carrier oils. 

Carrier oils are usually the base of any beard oil, making up 95% of the product with the essential oil acting in two parts; added skin and beard benefits and scents. 

The good thing about beard oil is that you can still use it even if you have naturally oily skin. The biggest benefit of using beard oil is getting rid of beard dandruff. 

Dandruff occurs when your skin dries up and the beard sucks up natural oils from the skin, especially when you have a long and bushy beard. When it comes to taking care of unsightly beard dandruff, beard oil is usually the silver bullet. 

Once you have applied beard oil for a few days, you will start noticing the difference in that your beard will no longer be itchy and it will be much softer. 

Beard Balm

Beard balm has almost the same benefits as beard oil. Additionally, you can also find beard balms on the market that contain natural ingredients. 

Most beard balms also contain carrier oils and essential oils with extra ingredients such as shea butter and beeswax. 

Beeswax in beard balm is used to provide a slight hold when applied, while shea butter makes it easier to spread the balm in your hands.

 

Beard Wash and Conditioner

Beard balm and beard oil are the most traditional ways to soften a beard. However, there are other products that you can use, such as beard washes and conditioners. 

With a good quality beard conditioner, you can reap all the benefits of beard oil and beard balm. 

This is because a beard conditioner has the added benefits of carrier oils, such as jojoba oil, together with a styling agent that keeps your beard well-styled throughout the day. 

In addition, the beard conditioner nourishes the beard and skin underneath while softening the beard in the process.

You can use a beard conditioner in the morning after cleaning your beard to soften the beard and make it smell great throughout the day. 

How to Choose the Best Beard Softener

If you have decided to start using beard products, there are a few things that you need to consider to get a softener that works for you and doesn’t harm your beard or skin in the process. 

Sensitive Skin

If you have a thick and full beard and don’t suffer from any skin issues, then you can use any general-purpose beard softener. 

However, if you have sensitive skin, you will need to ensure that the product you buy doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals. 

Luckily, there are so many natural beard softeners on the market that you can use if you have sensitive skin that will also work to soften as well as nourish your beard. 

Anti-Dandruff Formulation

If you have dry and itchy skin that is ridden with beard dandruff, then you want to go for a product that contains oils as well as other natural moisturizing agents that will work to re-hydrate the skin and eliminate dandruff. 

Thickness of Your Beard

The coarseness, as well as the general health of the beard, plays a role in determining the kind of beard softener that you will use. 

If you have a beard that is thicker and coarser than average, then there are other products in the market that are designed to soften even the thickest of beards. 

Age

As you age, your facial hair becomes brittle and drier. As such, a repairing beard conditioner will work best for you since it provides that extra boost to keep your beard soft and healthy. 

Scent

One of the other factors that you need to consider when you are buying a beard softener is the scent. 

While there are several unscented products, a majority of beard softeners and conditioners contain some form of fragrance, which ranges from mild to manly and overpowering scents. 

Whether you go for a scented or unscented softener depends on your personal preferences. However, if you wear cologne or tend to use scented beard oils or balms, then you are better off using a non-scented beard softener to ensure that the smell does not clash with the other fragrances. 

If you like the idea of using a scented beard conditioner, there are a range of fragrances that you can choose from that include wood, citrus to spicy fragrances. 

Some fragrances also last longer than others, providing a smell that lasts the whole day, which is something that you also need to consider when it comes to scented fragrances. 

At the end of the day, you will need to try out different products to decide what works best for you and which scents don’t react with your skin. 

How to Use Beard Softener

Don’t let your uncertainty regarding how to soften your beard keep you from pursuing better – better for yourself and better for your beard.

Part of the experience of living a bearded life is taking adequate care of your beard, which can be made a great deal easier through the use of quality beard maintenance products.

Call it a necessary evil if you will, but you’ll thank yourself for it when your itchy beard becomes an issue of the past.

How to use a beard softener depends somewhat on the product you have.

It should be noted that although using a product or multiple products may feel tedious, it can really be a simple implementation as part of your regular beard maintenance routine.

If you choose to use a beard shampoo – that is, a shampoo designed specifically for facial hair – the use of such a product follows basically the same process as you already use for regular shampoo.

Quality beard shampoo will be able to remove any unnecessary oil buildups under the beard and prepare it for a moisturizer.

Using a beard conditioner can be helpful in softening your beard as well.

Investing in a conditioner designed specifically for facial hair is important, as facial hair is typically coarser than the one found on the top of your head.

To use conditioner, simply apply a generous amount of it to your beard in the shower after the shampooing. Massage it in and then rinse.

Beard balm is another popular product people tend to use not only for softening purposes but for styling as well.

Step 1 – Take a dime-size and rub it through your fingers

After thoroughly washing your face with an all-natural beard soap, take a dime-size of balm into your hands and rub it through your fingers.

Step 2 – Start applying from your neck up

Beginning at your neck, massage the balm into your beard and move up until you cover the whole beard. To get the best results, you can apply balm to your beard up to three times a day.

Using beard oil is an additional effective way to promote beard softness.

Our Beardoholic beard oil is particularly adept at providing multiple benefits, including the increased growth, thickness and softness as well as a fresh pine scent.

Made with 100% natural ingredients, you should simply place a few drops in your hands, rub them together and gently massage it into your beard.

Finally, a beard moisturizer is another simple product you can use in your grooming routine for softening purposes.

Simply take a generous dollop of moisturizer into the palm of your hand, rub it into your fingers and gently apply into your beard by starting at your neck and moving upwards.

Once you’ve reached the top of your beard, work back downwards to ensure that you’ve thoroughly applied it throughout your beard.

How to Make Your Beard Softer

Step 1 – Scrub the beard with a beard wash

As soon as you wake up in the morning, you need not worry about doing anything to your beard rather than hopping in the shower. When you are in the shower, clean the beard using beard shampoo. 

Once you are out of the shower, pat the beard dry using a towel, making sure that you are not too rough and then leave it to rest for a few minutes.

Step 2 – Apply beard oil

After that, you want to apply a few drops of beard oil. Pour a few drops and then rub the hands together to evenly distribute the oil and then work it into your beard from the base of the hair roots to the tips of the hair follicles. 

If you have a thicker beard, then use the amount that you feel is enough, but make sure that you don’t use too much that your beard looks greasy. 

Step 3 – Apply beard balm

Beard balm is great because it can be used after beard oil or as a substitute. If you are serious about wanting a soft beard, then you need to use both products together. 

The beard oil acts as a moisturizer, while the beard balm helps to trap the oil while providing an extra layer of nutrients for your facial hair. 

Step 4 – Run a comb through the beard

Once you are done applying beard oil and beard balm, you can run a comb through the beard. If your beard is long, the applying beard oil and balm will cause the hair to go in all directions. A beard comb will straighten the beard and help you style it. 

When it comes to the kind of comb that you should use, don’t just use any comb that you find lying around. Rather use a specific beard comb because the comb doesn’t damage your beard because the teeth are polished and evenly spread. If you decide to use a beard brush, one made with boar’s hair is way better.

Best Beard Softener Products

The most effective way to answer the common question of how to stop a beard itch and other irritating issues is simple: invest in a quality beard softening product.

As long as you pick a good product, it will be simple and it’ll produce the results you need without the disappointment of money wasted, dryness or an itch that just won’t quit.

Listed below are our top four recommendations for the best beard softener products easily accessible online

1. Beardoholic Premium Beard Oil

Beardoholic Beard Oil is a highly-preferred, top-rated product perfect for adding to your routine for optimal beard softness.

The beard oil contains 100% natural ingredients with no additives or GMO’s.

Both easy to use and efficient; the oil can help eliminate beard itch and dandruff, promote beard growth for optimal thickness, and soothe dry skin.

Customer reviews from both new and experienced beard oil users consistently recommend the product as one that can serve several beneficial purposes – all essential for keeping a beard soft, full and the skin beneath it comfortable.

 

2. Smooth Viking All Natural Wax Conditioner

Made with argan oil, shea butter and other natural ingredients, Smooth Viking’s Wax Conditioner is available at a relatively reasonable price on Amazon.

The conditioner is formulated specifically to encourage healthy growth and softness of facial hair. It may also help soothe the itching thanks to ingredients such as shea butter and avocado oil.

As another all-natural product, it’s a conditioner you can feel comfortable and confident using as part of your regular grooming routine.

 

3. Beardoholic Beard Balm

Beard growth, care, health and style combined in one! It leaves your beard soft with a pleasant and refreshing scent of orange in 2 oz, which will last for months.

4. Zeus Beard Shampoo

Zeus Beard Shampoo comes in an 8 oz container, made with natural ingredients and containing a Verbena lime scent.

Formulated specifically for facial hair, it is adept at adequately washing, softening and reducing any itchiness from your beard.

The scent is refreshing but not overpowering and with natural ingredients such as Dragon’s Blood and green tea extract, you can enjoy the benefits of the cruelty-free shampoo with a clean conscience – pun entirely intended.

 

Investing in a quality beard softener is one of the best ways you can ensure your beard remains healthy and that your bearded life is comfortable and full of confidence.

Does More Spending Mean More Quality

When it comes to beard softener, to some extent, more spending does mean more quality. Beard softeners made by well-known companies, tend to cost more than the less known brands. 

These products are also safe to use because such companies have years of testing behind their products.

However, at the end of it all, rather than getting stuck on the price, you need to consider such factors as the ingredients contained in the product because what matters is whether the product will work for you.

The last thing you want is to spend so much money or very little on a product that ends up not working for you or worse causes more harm than good to your beard and the skin underneath. 

Do’s and Don’ts 

• Do ensure that the beard softener you have doesn’t contain harsh chemicals, especially if you have sensitive skin.
• Do use beard softener immediately after coming out of the shower, because your pores are open and the product will be absorbed into the skin.
• Do use a comb after using a beard conditioner, to tame stray hairs and style the beard the way you want it to stay the whole day. 
• Do consider your age when you are buying a beard softener as well as the thickness of your beard and get a product that will work for your beard. 
• Do consider buying a beard softener that contains natural products because it is less likely to react with your skin. 
• Don’t use a beard softener on a dirty beard.

FAQ 

Why would I want to use a natural beard softener?

Natural beard softeners, as the name suggests, contain natural ingredients; hence they are less likely to react with your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin. Natural ingredients also tend to mimic the natural oils produced by the body creating a balance that you can’t get when you use synthetic products. 

How often should you use a beard softener?

You can use beard conditioners once or twice per day, depending on how thick or long the beard is. If it’s a leave-in conditioner, then you can use it just once in the morning after taking a shower. 

Are there any decent home remedies I could use to soften my beard?

Yes, you can use natural ingredients like coconut oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, or even olive oil to soften your beard. 

I just want to soften my beard for shaving – what should I do?

If you just want to soften your beard for shaving, then you don’t need to use a beard softener. You can just hop into the shower and wet your beard for a few minutes. This will soften the beard well enough to make it easy to shave.