14 Best Conditioners for Men, According to GQ Editors (2024)
GroomingYour hair deserves better than one-size-fits-all. By Adam Hurly and Timothy Beck WerthDecember 20, 2024Save this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.I would argue that choosing the best conditioner for your hair type is more important than choosing the right shampoo. Now, that’s not to say the shampoo is any less challenging to identify for your hair type, but conditioner gets the credit for how stylable your hair is and how it holds up from one day to the next.As such, a conditioner's ingredients should be tailored to your hair's needs, including factors like curl texture, strand thickness, overall density, hair loss, dryness, and damage. The best conditioner can make a huge difference (especially in fighting frizz and fraying) to your hair's overall look. So, after extensive testing of shampoo and conditioner, here are the GQ picks for the best men’s hair conditioner—for each hair type.The Best Conditioner for Men, at a Glance:The Best Conditioner for Fine Hair: OUAI Fine Hair Conditioner, $32The Best Conditioner for Dry or Damaged Hair: Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, $30The Best 2-in-1 Co-Wash: Geologie Cooling Co-Wash, $28The Best Custom Conditioner: Prose Custom Conditioner, $35The Best Volumizing Conditioner: Living Proof Full Conditioner, $34The Best Conditioner for Fine Hair: OUAI Fine Hair ConditionerOuaiFine Hair Conditioner$32 AmazonKey Ingredients: Keratin, biotin, chia seed oilHair care for naturally fine, thin hair can be tricky. You want to choose something that adds volume or body to the hair, but not something that makes your hair greasy and weighed down. (This is one of the primary distinctions between ‘thin’ hair and ‘thinning’ hair; the latter is not necessarily fine in nature.) Our advice: Look for a conditioner that prioritizes strength and reinforcement, similar to products used in dry or damaged hair—to give fine strands as much muscle as they can get.We recently named Ouai the best shampoo for fine hair, so it's no surprise that its sister product is our top pick in this category once again. We definitely recommend using both of these products together, and they should provide extra height and volume in just a few weeks of regular use.The Best Conditioner for Dry or Damaged Hair: Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance ConditionerOlaplex Bond-Repairing Conditioner$30 AmazonKey Ingredients: Burdock root, sodium hyaluronate, sunflower seed oil, fermented argan oilFor any dry, damaged hair (including color-treated), you need to look for strengthening, restorative formulas—similar to those that you’d use on fine hair. Your biggest threats include breakage, splitting, and frizzing, so get to work reinforcing the strands’ bonds; conditioner should be a product you invest in above all others.I can think of a few products that excel as perfectly as this Olaplex conditioner. It's terrific for all hair types, but it's best for anyone who needs a miracle in a quick couple of minutes. Olaplex's formula fills in all those tiny little broken bonds throughout the strands, resulting in fortified fullness and silky smoothness. Perfection.The Best Volumizing Conditioner: Living Proof Full ConditionerLiving Proof Volumizing Conditioner$34 AmazonKey Ingredients: Amaranth peptides, marine algae extracts, glycerin, sunflower seed oilThe "Full" line from Living Proof promises guys volume and texture, and in my testing, it delivers on that front. It adds a lightweight, fibrous fullness to each strand, along with a silky smoothness and shine. This is also one of the rare conditioners that we can recommend for nearly all hair types. So, whether your hair is thick, straight, fine, or wavy, this conditioner provides a fuller look throughout the day to come. That also makes it a smart choice for guys who regularly style their hair.The Best Custom Conditioner: ProseProseCustom Conditioner$35 ProseKey Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, plum oil, fermented rice water, vitamin E, grape seed extractWe hear the same question about Prose over and over. How custom is it, really? Having walked the Prose factory floor in Brooklyn and tried the products firsthand, I can confirm that Prose takes customization seriously. As just one example, your formula will get extra UV protection based on both the time of year and your ZIP code. There are dozens of possible extracts, vitamins, oils, and botanicals that could be added to your formula depending on your answers to the Prose hair quiz. If you blow dry, you could find a heat protectant like arginine in your formula. For color protection, oat oil. For volume, soy proteins. For city slickers in high-pollution areas, an extra dose of antioxidants from ingredients like sunflower and ivy extract.GQ contributor Timothy Beck Werth recently tested the entire line of Prose hair and skincare products. His conclusion? They definitely live up to the hype, though he said that f
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
I would argue that choosing the best conditioner for your hair type is more important than choosing the right shampoo. Now, that’s not to say the shampoo is any less challenging to identify for your hair type, but conditioner gets the credit for how stylable your hair is and how it holds up from one day to the next.
As such, a conditioner's ingredients should be tailored to your hair's needs, including factors like curl texture, strand thickness, overall density, hair loss, dryness, and damage. The best conditioner can make a huge difference (especially in fighting frizz and fraying) to your hair's overall look. So, after extensive testing of shampoo and conditioner, here are the GQ picks for the best men’s hair conditioner—for each hair type.
The Best Conditioner for Men, at a Glance:
- The Best Conditioner for Fine Hair: OUAI Fine Hair Conditioner, $32
- The Best Conditioner for Dry or Damaged Hair: Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, $30
- The Best 2-in-1 Co-Wash: Geologie Cooling Co-Wash, $28
- The Best Custom Conditioner: Prose Custom Conditioner, $35
- The Best Volumizing Conditioner: Living Proof Full Conditioner, $34
The Best Conditioner for Fine Hair: OUAI Fine Hair Conditioner
Hair care for naturally fine, thin hair can be tricky. You want to choose something that adds volume or body to the hair, but not something that makes your hair greasy and weighed down. (This is one of the primary distinctions between ‘thin’ hair and ‘thinning’ hair; the latter is not necessarily fine in nature.) Our advice: Look for a conditioner that prioritizes strength and reinforcement, similar to products used in dry or damaged hair—to give fine strands as much muscle as they can get.
We recently named Ouai the best shampoo for fine hair, so it's no surprise that its sister product is our top pick in this category once again. We definitely recommend using both of these products together, and they should provide extra height and volume in just a few weeks of regular use.
The Best Conditioner for Dry or Damaged Hair: Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
For any dry, damaged hair (including color-treated), you need to look for strengthening, restorative formulas—similar to those that you’d use on fine hair. Your biggest threats include breakage, splitting, and frizzing, so get to work reinforcing the strands’ bonds; conditioner should be a product you invest in above all others.
I can think of a few products that excel as perfectly as this Olaplex conditioner. It's terrific for all hair types, but it's best for anyone who needs a miracle in a quick couple of minutes. Olaplex's formula fills in all those tiny little broken bonds throughout the strands, resulting in fortified fullness and silky smoothness. Perfection.
The Best Volumizing Conditioner: Living Proof Full Conditioner
The "Full" line from Living Proof promises guys volume and texture, and in my testing, it delivers on that front. It adds a lightweight, fibrous fullness to each strand, along with a silky smoothness and shine. This is also one of the rare conditioners that we can recommend for nearly all hair types. So, whether your hair is thick, straight, fine, or wavy, this conditioner provides a fuller look throughout the day to come. That also makes it a smart choice for guys who regularly style their hair.
The Best Custom Conditioner: Prose
We hear the same question about Prose over and over. How custom is it, really? Having walked the Prose factory floor in Brooklyn and tried the products firsthand, I can confirm that Prose takes customization seriously. As just one example, your formula will get extra UV protection based on both the time of year and your ZIP code. There are dozens of possible extracts, vitamins, oils, and botanicals that could be added to your formula depending on your answers to the Prose hair quiz. If you blow dry, you could find a heat protectant like arginine in your formula. For color protection, oat oil. For volume, soy proteins. For city slickers in high-pollution areas, an extra dose of antioxidants from ingredients like sunflower and ivy extract.
GQ contributor Timothy Beck Werth recently tested the entire line of Prose hair and skincare products. His conclusion? They definitely live up to the hype, though he said that for men specifically, the shampoo and conditioner will work best for guys with long hair, curly hair, or very specific hair care needs. We also love their fragrances, and that they over unscented versions, too.
The Best 2-in-1 Conditioner: Geologie Cooling Hair Co-Wash
Normally, we advise guys to steer clear of two-in-one shampoo and conditioners, but Geologie's Co-Wash isn't like any drugstore 2-in-1 you've tried before. This Co-Wash nabbed a GQ Grooming Award after its 2022 release, and some of our contributors still use it today. The Cooling version of the Co-Wash is packed with ingredients we love, with proven hydrators like squalane, tea tree to cleanse your scalp, and protein to support your cuticles. The end result is a product that supports your hair from the roots to the tips.
A good Co-Wash is also a good choice for guys with oily hair. It will effectively lift away excess oil, grime, and product buildup without over-stressing your strands. Doing so can even help temper that oil production, by limiting how frequently you parch the skin with shampoo. (Since your scalp responds to dryness with a boost in oil. Less dryness will equate to less oil, in the long haul.) This low-lather product cleanses your scalp and hydrates your hair, and it's amazing how well it works, even when used sparingly. Thanks to tea tree oil, it can even help prevent dandruff and itchiness. Just be sure to follow the instructions instead of using it like a normal shampoo or conditioner.
The Best Conditioner for Thick/Coarse Hair: Davines Love Smoothing Conditioner
We dedicated an entire article to this topic—The Best Conditioners for Thick, Unruly Hair—but at its core, what you probably want is something labeled smoothing and hydrating to ensure that those coarse hairs bend a little in your favor. These conditioners will also prioritize frizz control by shielding the cuticle from the outside elements.
By using olive extract (it's also made in Italy using Italian olives), Davines' conditioner deflates frizz and restores healthy buoyancy, hydration, and control to your hair. Combine it with the brand's matching leave-in conditioner for a double-down defense against frizzing, fraying, and poofing.
The Best Conditioner for Coily Hair: Shea Moisture Intensive Hydration Conditioner
In general, the curlier the curl, the more moisture you need—and continuously so. We recommend sticking with a leave-in conditioner for all tightly curled and coiled hair, as it provides more nonstop nourishment for texture, shine, and vitality. The best ones will also purport to help detangle hair easily and prevent further knotting.
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But what about guys who prefer wash-out conditioners? This formula taps a combination of natural ingredients such as mafura oil, manuka honey, fig extract, and baobab oil to restore damaged hair and keep it hydrated over the long term. For best results, leave this conditioner in your hair for at least three minutes while you shower.
The Best Conditioner for Frizzy Hair: Evo Mane Tamer
If frizz is ruining your look, then your hair conditioner should prioritize smoothing and moisture. Yeah, we see these words a lot in this department, but imagine your hair with a lack of those two words: It’s teased, tousled, dry. Then, picture the Before & After with hair that is shiny, smooth, and all tamed into place, and you’ll understand why this combination is so important.
Evo's formula locks in moisture, thwarts heat and humidity, and delivers a shiny, salon-caliber smoothness to even the most dry, damaged, or color-dyed strands.
The Scalp-Tingling Conditioner: Tea Tree Special Conditioner
Tea Tree
Tea Tree Special Conditioner
If you're dealing with too much oil, dandruff, or scalp itch, then you'll enjoy the cooling, tingling sensation you get from this Tea Tree conditioner. Regular washing is probably more imperative for oily-haired individuals since your overactive scalp helps to nourish the strands with its persistent sebum production. Still, you should not overlook conditioner, especially following each wash. In fact, you’re a prime candidate for a co-wash, like the brand's excellent Lavendr Mint Co-Wash. You should also consider the brand's Tea Tree Special.
Tea Tree is known for its scalp tingling shampoos and conditioners, and the brand's Special Conditioner includes its signature combination of lavender, peppermint, and tea tree oil. And because tea tree oil has natural antiseptic and antifungal properties, it can help men with dandruff and damaged scalps.
The Best for Scalp and Hair Care: Jack Black Nourishing Hair & Scalp Conditioner
Do you have as much scalp as hair showing these days? Jack Black's conditioner protects your hair, scalp, and follicles with an assist from tea tree oil and other naturally hydrating ingredients. To support hair that's seen better days, vitamin B5, silk protein, and seaweed extract work together to nourish your strands.
The Best Conditioner for Oily Hair: Huron Smooth & Nourish Conditioner
Huron's shampoo made the cut in my guide to the best men's shampoo, and if you picked up a bottle already, get the matching conditioner. This product really shines for oily hair types, cutting down on grease without leaving your hair overly dry. Huron's conditioner is packed with heavy hitters, including biotin (for thinning hair), wheat protein (for damaged hair), argan oil (for shine), and aloe and shea butter (for moisture).
The Best Conditioner for Thinning Hair: Keeps Thickening Conditioner
Now, if your hair is thinning, no matter its natural texture, you’re probably wanting to preserve as much fullness as you can—even if there’s a little smoke and mirrors happening. Look for a conditioner that adds texture and density to each strand, for an overall effect of more uniform, mass fullness.
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When you're done messing around with thinning hair, it's time to invest in proven treatments like finasteride and minoxidil. And if you want to give your hair the best possible chance of remaining on your scalp where it belongs, you can supplement it with a biotin conditioner like this one from Keeps. With ingredients for both your hair and your scalp, this conditioner works on multiple levels to help guys with thinning hair.
The Best for Sensitive Skin & Hair: Corpus Cypress Conditioner
When one of our grooming writers was battling eczema and a dry, itchy, damaged scalp, the Cypress Shampoo and Conditioner saved his scalp. It's also one of the best-smelling conditioners on the market today, with notes of vetiver, cypress, and cedar. This vegan, plant-based conditioner uses a gentle formula packed with natural ingredients that fortify your hair, no matter how sensitive. The matching Cypress Shampoo also earned a spot in our guide to the best men's shampoo, so pick up both for the best results. And if you've got hair so sensitive that you can't handle fragrance of any kind, check out Prose's custom conditioner and opt for the fragrance-free version.
The Best Conditioner for Short Hair: David Mallett Conditioner Pure
If your hair is short—and if you intend to keep it short—then you don’t have to care about its health for the long haul as much. Still, that doesn’t mean you should neglect it, either. But this is a good chance to use something that plays to your texture or oily/dryness level. You’re also in a prime place to use a conditioner that suits the most general wide-cast net; nourish those strands after each wash, bottom line, so that you have cooperative, healthy, frizz-free hair on the regular.
David Mallett's salon-caliber recipe suits all hair types, by promising a healthy shine, buoyant softness, and cooperative styling with each use. It's a terrific pick for the entire household, should you want to pare down the shower supply. It also uses organic ingredients, if that matters to you.
