Should Men Use Conditioner? (Spoiler: Yes, and Here’s Why)

Conditioner isn’t just for people starring in shampoo commercials. It’s for every guy who wants hair that looks good, feels healthy, and doesn’t resemble straw after a cold, dry winter or weekend beach trip.

Should men use conditioner? The answer is a resounding yes. Everybody’s hair care routine should include a conditioner, no matter your gender or the length of your hair.

Not sure where to start? No sweat. We’ll cover everything you need to know, including how often you should condition your hair as a male, the benefits of conditioner, and how to use it properly.

Are guys supposed to use conditioner? Absolutely. Unless you like dry, brittle, and breakage-prone hair, you need conditioner in your grooming routine.

Here’s why: Shampoo’s main job is to clean your scalp and hair, removing dirt, oils, and leftover styling products. But that squeaky-clean feeling? It often comes at a price — stripping away the natural oils your hair needs to stay strong and flexible.

This is where conditioner comes in.

Benefits of Using Conditioner

Conditioner benefits your hair by:

• Replenishing moisture and nutrients

• Strengthening hair against damage

• Sealing and smoothing the hair cuticle

• Helping detangle knots

• Making hair easier to style and manage

• Keeping hair soft and shiny

In other words, using conditioner isn’t a luxury — it’s basic maintenance, like rotating your tires or getting enough sleep.

So, how often should you condition your hair as a male? According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, you should condition your hair every time you shampoo. Yes, even if you have oily hair.

Here’s a cheat sheet for how often to condition hair:

• Normal hair (not particularly dry or greasy). Condition every time you shampoo.

• Dry or damaged hair. Condition after every time you wash, plus consider a deep-conditioning treatment or hair mask once or twice a week.

• Oily hair. You can still condition your hair every time you lather up. But stick to lightweight conditioners and apply mainly to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair — not your scalp.

If you have dry hair, you might want to try a leave-in conditioner. Otherwise, rinse-out conditioners work perfectly fine.

If you’re washing your hair daily (which most guys don’t actually need to do unless they’re super active and sweat a lot), you can still use a small amount of conditioner each time to maintain moisture balance.

Over-conditioning is rare, but using too much product — or applying it directly to the scalp if you’re prone to oiliness — can cause product buildup, which can leave your hair looking flat or greasy. A light touch goes a long way.

If you’ve Googled “how to condition hair male,” you’re not alone. Alright, let’s learn how to condition your hair without making it overly complicated.

Step 1: Shampoo your hair and rinse it thoroughly.

Step 2: After shampooing, squeeze out excess water from your hair. You want your hair damp, not soaking wet.

Step 3: Dispense a small amount of conditioner (about a nickel-sized amount for short hair, more if you have longer hair).

Step 4: Rub the conditioner between your palms, then apply it starting from the mid-shaft and down to the ends of your hair. These are the parts that need the most moisture.

Step 5: Avoid massaging conditioner directly into your scalp, especially if you have thinning or oily hair. (Your scalp’s natural oils have that covered.)

Step 6: Let the conditioner sit for two to three minutes to do its thing. Think of it as marinating your hair in goodness.

Step 7: Rinse thoroughly. No need to leave any residue behind — conditioner won’t work better if you leave it on longer than needed. Follow up with a quick comb-through if you want extra smoothness and fewer tangles.

If you have dry hair, you might want to try a deep-conditioning hair mask once or twice a week. Use it the same way you use regular conditioner, but keep it in your hair for 10 or so minutes before washing it out thoroughly.

Skipping conditioner is kind of like skipping body lotion. It’s not the end of the world, but your hair (and appearance) might pay the price over time.

The American Academy of Dermatology notes that skipping conditioner is one of the top hair care habits that can lead to damaged hair.

Without conditioner, you risk:

• Dry, brittle strands

• Frizz and flyaways

• Damage and split ends

• Hair that’s harder to style and manage

• Increased chances of breakage (especially if you use heat tools or spend time in the sun)

And no, shampoos can’t do the same job as conditioners — even ones with nourishing natural ingredients, like aloe vera or argan oil.

Though conditioner is essential for healthy hair, it doesn’t improve hair growth. Its job is to keep your hair strands healthy — not to stimulate your hair to grow in the first place.

With that said, some hair care products — like our thickening conditioner — contain ingredients that promote hair growth while keeping hair moisturized and strong.

If hair loss is a concern for you, you can try clinically backed hair loss treatments like:

• Finasteride (generic Propecia^®). Approved by the  U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), oral finasteride is a prescription treatment for male pattern hair loss.

• Minoxidil (generic Rogaine^®). Another FDA-approved medication, minoxidil stimulates hair follicles and improves blood flow in the scalp. You can buy minoxidil topical solution and minoxidil foam online without a prescription.

• A combo treatment. You can use finasteride and minoxidil at the same time to improve hair growth. We offer topical finasteride & minoxidil spray and chewable minoxidil-finasteride hybrids.

You might also want to check out our blog posts on natural hair growth tips and ways to get thicker hair.

Not all conditioners are created equal. The best hair conditioner is one that suits your hair type and texture.

Opt for:

• Lightweight conditioner if you have oily or fine hair

• Moisturizing conditioner if you have dry, damaged, or curly hair

• Detangling conditioner with silicones or natural oils for longer, textured, or curly hair

• Leave-in conditioner if your hair needs extra hydration

• Strengthening conditioner if you’re trying to prevent thinning or breakage

You might also be curious about whether a two-in-one shampoo is good enough. For guys with very short, low-maintenance hair, a quality two-in-one product might work. Generally, though, most people need separate shampoos and conditioners. 

Luckily, you don’t have to search too far. We have a range of men’s hair products to suit all types of hair.

Let’s settle it once and for all: Yes, guys should absolutely use conditioner, even those who don’t have long hair. It’s an essential component for hair health.

Keep this in mind:

• Conditioner keeps dryness at bay. It also smooths frizzy hair, protects against damage, and makes your hair look shiny and healthy.

• Condition every time you shampoo. Focus on applying conditioner to the lengths and tips of your hair — the parts of the hair shaft that generally need more hydration.

• Use the right conditioner for your hair type. Oily or fine hair might benefit from lightweight conditioner, while dry hair could use a more nourishing formula.

A good-quality conditioner is the easiest upgrade you can make to your hair routine — no complicated steps and no salon appointment required.

But if you’re dealing with thinning hair or other signs of hair loss, consider speaking with a healthcare professional about hair loss treatment options. Medications like finasteride and minoxidil can go a long way in helping you grow thicker, healthier hair.

Take the free hair quiz to start exploring your options.