A beard is more than just hair on a man’s face. It's a symbol of identity, power, masculinity, and self-expression that many men are proud to wear with honor. But there are some things you should know about your beard before you start washing it every day - because the wrong shampoo can ruin your beard for good. When searching for the best beard shampoo, you’ll want to make sure it isn't just a hair shampoo in a beard shampoo bottle. Here are some ingredients you should be looking for in a top-quality beard shampoo.

Ingredients

• Vitamin E
• Peppermint Oil
• Eucalyptus Oil
• Lemongrass Oil
• Argan Oil
• Jojoba Oil
• Tea Tree Oil
• and more

You need a specific beard wash because typical shampoos and soaps can destroy your beard hair and the skin underneath it. The hunt for a great beard shampoo can be tedious with all the choices out there. So we compiled a list of the top 12!

The best beard shampoos and washes to use in 2021:

What's the difference between beard shampoo and beard wash?

The simple answer is that beard wash and beard shampoos are one and the same. Depending on the brand you may see a beard wash, beard shampoo, or even a beard shampoo-wash. These are all designed for the same thing although they are not all created equally.

Is beard wash better than hair shampoo?

Yes! If you are washing your beard with head hair shampoo, you could be destroying your facial hair and the skin underneath it. The skin on your scalp is much different than the skin underneath your beard. That is part of the reason why your beard hair is different from the hair on your head.

Beard Wash

• Cleans beard
• Hydrates Beard
• Won't remove natural oils
• Relieves itching
• Doesn't cause flakes or dandruff
• Safe for sensitive skin
• Replenishes skin & hairs natural oils

Hair Shampoo

• Strips beard of natural oils
• Removes natural oil from the skin
• Can cause beard itch
• Known to cause beardruff or flakey skin

How does Beard Shampoo work?

Beard shampoo is the perfect solution to combating dry skin and split ends. Normal shampoos strip away your natural oils, which can cause dandruff under your facial hair due to lack of moisture.

Beard washes have been specially formulated with moisturizing ingredients like oils. The oils are in the beard shampoo for replenishment. As you wash they not only reduce beard friction, but help keep it growing longer by preventing breakage caused by dry hair and skin from harsh chemicals.

Do I need a Beard Conditioner?

Although it is not a necessity, using a great beard oil or conditioner after a wash will help replenish your facial hair's natural oils and drastically improve your beard's overall health.

A great beard conditioner like Wild Willies Beard Elixir promotes fast growth, restores moisture, and softens hair which are all great things. Find out more about beard conditioning by reading our post "Why Men Need to Know About Beard Oil."

Why Beard Wash Is A Must

Your beard is not as clean as you think! Beards trap dirt and grease, it’s impossible for them not to. So they need extra attention to remain clean. But just using any old regular shampoo or face wash isn't the answer.

Shampoos and Face Wash are designed to strip out the oil from your hair so you don't look like a grease ball. But that is the opposite of what you want for your face unless you want your beard to look like a brillo pad!

You see, at the root of each hair are tiny glands called sebaceous glands... 

And those glands can only produce a small amount of oil, so you don't want to strip away the little natural oil you have.

What's the best shampoo for a beard?

When it comes to the best beard shampoo, you need a product that works and is gentle. Beard washes are different from your typical hair shampoo and body wash.

A top-quality beard wash is not as harsh as typical soap and contains natural oils that your beard and skin need to be healthy. A great example is Wild Willies Beard Wash that contains essential oils of peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass, and vitamin E.

All of these are also great options.

12 of The Best Beard Shampoos Explained

1 Wild Willies Beard Wash

Keep your beard soft, invigorated, clean smelling, and hydrated with this amazing product. The essential oils of peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass nourish the skin that grows hair underneath your cheeks. Providing Vitamin E to nourish hair growth is another reason it is on the top of the list of the best beard washes.

2 Wild Willies PROGRO Beard Shampoo

This liquid beard shampoo helps stimulate beard growth using biotin and caffeine. It provides a deep clean and relieves itchy, dry skin to keep your beard looking fresh. This is one of the best beard shampoos for someone looking to boost beard growth.

Beard Shampoo - with PROGRO

$ 13.00

The perfect, all-natural way to keep your beard clean. Packed with organic essential oils to clean and condition all beard types. Stop washing your beard with hair shampoo.… Read More

Learn More

3 Mountaineer Brand All-Natural Beard Wash

For bearded men, grooming is an important part of life. And while many cleansers may be too harsh for your beard, there's Mountaineer Brand Beard Wash. This soap is a chemical-free wash that helps hydrate and strengthens your beard without any frizziness or flaking. Its gentle formula contains saponified oil from organic ingredients to cleanse the skin on the face and neck without drying it out. Your beard on this trail just got more rugged! Stronger but not rough - that's the word with Mountaineer brand Beard Wash! Find it here.

4 Professor Fuzzworthy’s Beard Shampoo Bar

You'll notice the difference with the refreshing, yet invigorating scent that will leave you feeling energized and fresh faced for hours on end. Amongst the ingredient list is essential oils, which help give it that extra boost of pizazz every morning when you wake up to wash your beard. Best part? They even throw in a bar hanger to keep your shower spotless all day long! Find it here.

5 Maison Lambert Beard Shampoo

Do you live in the land of beards? We don't have to tell you that they are great for keeping warm this winter, but now it is time to find a product that will keep it looking healthy. Well, we know where you can go! Maison Lambert Beard Shampoo Bar will leave your beard feeling soft and well-cleaned because of its simple ingredients. Plus, the packaging lets you help the environment by not using plastic. Find it here.

6 ZEUS Beard Shampoo

The beard is a living thing. It can be rugged, wild, and untamed but right now it needs Zeus. Look great, feel great with the transformative power of the tropical Dragon’s Blood or Daemonorops Draco-based ingredient used to reduce inflammation and protect skin cells. In addition to the use of Dorean's Blood, this fresh citrus scent will awaken your senses as you restore shine and heals coarse hair - strengthening it from breakage without drying out your skin or making your face look like an orange that got into a fight with a lawnmower! Find it here.

7 Mr. Rugged Beard Wash and Conditioner

Mr. Rugged Beard Wash and Conditioner is a modern, hipster-friendly beard cleanser with plenty of benefits for you old grizzly beardsman! This shampoo not only will clean the dirt and oil from your beard, but it also conditions the hairs to make them softer and stronger. The organic ingredients work hard to fight off any pesky acne or dandruff that might lie within this facial hair forest. Find it here.

8 ArtNaturals Natural Beard Shampoo Wash

This beard shampoo is infused with Argan and Jojoba Oil which are some of the best oils to use on your facial hair. It combats beard dandruff, has antiseptic properties that fight redness and reduces inflammation, protects it against dryness, infuses essential amino acids for repair, moisturizes by increasing water content in your skin cells using natural vegetable glycerin. Your face will be conditioned while fighting acne breakouts with licorice root extract - all without drying out or irritating sensitive skin. Best yet this product is 100% vegan making it a healthier choice for you! Find it here.

9 Polished Gentleman Beard Shampoo

This beard shampoo is made from an organic formula so you don't have to worry about using harsh chemicals. It includes Aloe Vera, Manuka honey, Cehami, coconut oil, Shea butter, and Cocoa Butter. It also contains something special that will help soften your coarse facial hair: cocoa powder. This product leaves a smooth matte finish so you can get ready for a formal event or bind yourself up for the winter ahead. Find it here.

10 Billy Jealousy Beard Wash

Billy Jealousy Beard Wash is formulated to hydrate beard hair, skin, and the face while it softens your beard and helps hair follicles. It's packed with Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Green Tea Extract to keep your skin healthy after the possible drying effects of regular shampoos. The product also shines while strengthening facial hair by boosting collagen levels in the skin. It features a signature citrus fragrance which is sure to leave you smelling great throughout the day! Find it here.

11 Viking Revolution Beard Wash

Viking Revolution Beard Wash washes away dirt and grime from your beard while treating it with moisture, softness, shine, and a delightful scent.

Add to this the helpful ingredients including macadamia oil for healthy beard growth, citric acid which cleanses without stripping natural oils from skin or hair—and you have a product that’s perfect for maintaining a gorgeous mane. Find it here.

12 Grave Before Shave Beard Wash

Grave Before Shave Beard Wash is a great option if you have beard itch, with the soothing fragrance of Fresh Old Time Barbershop scent. It is rich in vitamins A and E, filled with fatty acids to help moisturize your beard, provides anti-inflammatory properties, and doesn’t have an overpowering smell. Find it here.

Using Beard Wash Will Make You And Your Beard More Confident

We know your beard is more important to you than your family, job, or old lady. That's why you need to care for it properly. We know that with a great beard you can find a new family, job and especially a new lady.

Since keeping your beard at its best is a top priority, you will need to use a top-quality beard wash. Keeping your beard perfect can seem like an impossible task. The truth of the matter is that when you use top-quality products it's not -but just using any old regular shampoo or face wash isn't going to cut it.

Now that you know your options it's time to act. We may be a little biased but Wild Willies products should be your top option. It doesn’t matter what stage your beard is in (growing, maintaining, grooming) either; this brand can help take care of everything. So go ahead and order right now! There isn’t anything else to say except Wild Willies!