Skip to content
Beard washes

The Best 9 Beard Washes We Tested, Used and Reviewed

Recently, I did a roundup of some of the Best Beard Oils I tested, used, and reviewed– over the previous year. All in the name of making sure you, dear bearded reader, had the opportunity to make the best-informed decision about which beard oil is best for you without picking through all the reviews individually.

Therefore, it made sense to do the same for beard washes after testing enough to keep a mile-long beard clean and fresh.

I will build on the info we put together in Choosing The Right Beard Wash – An Experience-Based Guide, so if you have time, I recommend going and checking that article out. However, if you just need a quick review roundup of the best beard washes I have used–this article should have you covered.

Amber plastic bottle

Pump dispenser

Contains Menthol, Coconut Water, Argan Oil, and Avocado Oil

Cruelty Free

Made in Canada

11 oz/350 ml

Cost – $10 USD

King C. Gillette Beard & Face Wash bottle held to show the front label

Brief Description and Features

First on our list is my everyday beard and face wash, and it is for a damn good reason.

We have a beard wash that also doubles as an overall face wash, which is something that I love because it is so much easier to soap my whole face rather than just my beard.

squeezing a small amount of King C. Gillette Beard & Face Wash from the bottle pump

The soap is a liquid soap coming in a larger bottle (11 fl oz/350 ml). That large bottle does last. I’m just over halfway through the bottle, and I started reviewing this beard wash in December. So far it has lasted me four months at least. I would say that is a great investment.

The aroma is also nice. It isn’t great, but it isn’t bad. It has a soothing menthol aroma that wakes up your nose and refreshes the face. It goes away fast after the shower, so there is no clashing with other beard care products.

Star Ingredients

Argan Oil

Avocado Oil

Coconut Water

Menthol

Performance

The sticky white fluid at first makes you think you will need more than you think, but actually, the beard wash lathers up pretty easily. Just one small squirt from the bottle should get you plenty of lather for your full place.

I would heavily recommend the use of a scrub brush or washcloth when cleaning with this beard wash

Final Thoughts

Overall, this is my favorite product on this list. It is easy to use and feels great on my skin. It also lasts for a long time.

The low price point (I paid $10 USD from Amazon) makes this almost an automatic best, but if you have issues with menthol you mint in general you might want to skip out on this one.


2. Scotch Porter Moisturizing Beard Wash – Best Choice for Tough Beards

Plant-Based Formula

Floral and Vanilla Aroma

Sulphate & Paraben Free

Easy to Use

Made in the USA

8 oz/226 ml bottle

Cost – $20 USD

new bottle of Scotch Porter Beard Wash 8oz

Brief Description and Features

Scotch Porter Beard Wash almost looks like honey when you pour it out onto your hands. It is a semi-solid gel with an amber color that could have come straight out of the honeycomb itself.

demonstrating how much Scotch Porter Moisturizing Beard Wash to place on the hand

The comparison doesn’t stop at just the look and texture, though.

The aroma of Scotch Porter is very sweet, overwhelmingly so. It has a combination of vanilla and honey scent that slowly gives way to a floral honeysuckle-like scent. It can be overwhelming and might clash with other products.

Star Ingredients

Argan Oil

Vitamins A, B, C, and D

Coconut Oil

Menthol

Performance

Scotch Porter is designed for dense and curly hair along with skin that dries out easily. The texture can be somewhat heavy and requires some work to get into a lather, however, once it is there, it comes out as soft, gentle, and smooth.

This beard wash feels great on the skin and is one of my overall favorites.

Final Thoughts

Second best only by a small margin, the only two points keeping Scotch Porter Beard Wash out of the top spot are the cloying scent and the price (I paid $20). You really can’t beat the price of King C Gillette.

However, if you have some extra cash to spend, I would highly recommend giving this one a try.


3. Medicine Man Beard Wash – The Natural Anti-Itch Option

Amber plastic bottle

Pump top design

All Natural and All Organic ingredients

Made in the USA

Formulated for all Beard Types

4.7 fl oz/139 ml Bottle

Cost – $18 USD plus shipping

holding a bottle of Medicine Man Beard Wash

Brief Description and Features

Third on our list today is a Beard Wash I thought I wasn’t going to like at all. However, after about a week’s worth of use, I grew to like it.

squirting Medicine Man Beard Wash on a beard brush reday to use

Medicine Man Beard Wash comes in a neat plastic bottle, which means it won’t shatter on you if dropped or treated roughly. Also the easy-to-use pump-top locks in place. This makes the beard wash perfect for travel as well.

In reality, what sells this beard oil is the natural and organic ingredients that are incredibly healthy for your skin. It eliminates beard itch and seriously encourages beard growth.

Though the Scent is an acquired taste. I grew to enjoy it, but I can see how it would be a turn-off for others.

Star Ingredients

Hemp Oil

Jojoba Oil

Sea Fennel Extract

Performance

The texture of Medicine Man is also a slight stumbling block for some. It’s very watery, with almost no texture. That means unless you have a brush or a washcloth, you are not going to get a good lather using just your hands. The wash is just going to leak through your fingers.

Even the lather is pretty thin, but it doesn’t have to be extremely foamy. When rinsed away though it leaves the skin feeling fresh and clean.

Final Thoughts

For me, this is one of my favorite all-natural options I’ve used. It left my beard clean and my skin feeling refreshed.

The aroma and texture will be stumbling blocks to get over for your average user. However, the actual selling points in the organic ingredients and anti-itch properties make this something for everyone to try.


4. Suavecito Beard Wash – Best Wash for Beard Styling

Amber plastic bottle

Pop top design

Contains Tea Tree and Peppermint Oil

Made in the USA

8 fl oz/237 ml Bottle

Cost – $13 USD

holding a bottle of Suavecito Beard Wash

Brief Description and Features

Next up we have a Beard Wash with some attitude.

Suavecito Beard Wash is a thick textured and heavy beard wash that smacks you in the face with a mint aroma. Let me tell you, it will wake you up in the morning the moment you open the bottle. It isn’t bad or off-putting, but very strong.

close up of Suavecito Beard Wash pop up top

It comes in a large amber plastic bottle with a pop top so you can easily squeeze the beard wash out on your brush, washcloth, or hands. It is very easy to open and use. The large size also means you will be able to make this Beard Wash last.

The major downside of this is some of the ingredients (Menthol, Glycol Stearate) can irritate people with sensitive skin. 

Star Ingredients

Tea Tree Oil

Peppermint Extract

Menthol

Performance

The texture is very much like a lotion. It is thick and heavy and tends to cling to your whiskers even after attempting to rinse it out.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing because this beard wash is designed to give you a foundation for using other products like beard wax or beard balms to then style your beard in a specific way. 

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a beard wash that is going to provide a foundation for styling a clean and healthy beard and is going to last you a long time for not a great deal of money? This beard wash is the ideal option for you.

However, if you have sensitive skin or you aren’t interested in beard styling you may want to look elsewhere.

I paid $13 USD for a bottle.


5. Grave Before Shave Beard Wash – For Adding Volume and Growth

Fortified with organic Argan Oil

Citrus-like Floral Aroma

Made in the USA

6 oz/177 ml bottle

Cost – $12 USD

close up of Grave Before Shave Beard Wash Shampoo tube front design

Brief Description and Features

I mentioned in the Best of Beard Oil article that I liked Grave Before Shave’s style as a company. The Goth vibes are something I resonate with. In this case, it is less Victorian Goth and more Biker Goth-style.

squeezing a small amount of Grave Before Shave Beard Wash Shampoo from its tube on the hand

This beard wash is less a liquid soap and more like a thick gel. That plays into its favor though, as it is designed for use with thicker and longer beards.

The aroma is one of the main sticking points for me, but it is a subjective taste matter. To me, it is something like an artificial cleaner, like someone was attempting to synthesize an orange in a lab and almost got it. Though other consumers do like it a great deal.

Star Ingredients

Argan Oil

Olive Oil

Performance

The thick and heavy texture makes this beard wash somewhat harder to lather than most other washes or shampoos. It takes some work to get a really good lather going and unfortunately runs out quickly.

Though it did make my beard feel full and clean. After about a week’s worth of using the shampoo, I noticed the health of my beard getting better.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking to build some more volume into your beard, then this could help you to grow that volume into a healthy beard. Obviously, the aroma wasn’t the best for me, but that is in the “nose of the beholder.”

You’ll pay $12 USD a tube or $20 USD if buying (I bought the pair) alongside the Grave Before Shave Conditioner.


6. Professor Fuzzyworth’s Beard Shampoo – Most Out of the Box Approach

All Natural Ingredients and Essential Oils

Free from sulfates, parabens, and chemical fillers

6 Different Scents

Cruelty-Free

Handmade

Made in Australia

4.2oz bar

Cost – $15 USD

holding a bar of Professor Fuzzworthy's Beard Shampoo and its box at the side

Brief Description and Features

This beard wash stands out from the others on our list, partially because of its name, but also because it isn’t a liquid soap but a bar. It’s a strange green bar that looks like a movie or TV prop for kryptonite.

close up of Professor Fuzzworthy's Beard Shampoo Bar box showing its writing

It is an artisanal-style shampoo designed to be lathered on a brush or washcloth.

The aroma is rather unique, with a slow movement from vinegar sour to a floral sweetness. However, the aroma doesn’t stick around and rinses easily so it won’t clash with other beard products.

Star Ingredients

Soybean Oil

Olive Oil

Beeswax

Rosemary

Cedarwood

Honey

Vinegar

$12 USD to $15 USD depending on the Aroma on Amazon, but a flat $15 USD on the Prof Fuzzyworth Website.

Performance

The only real problem I have with Prof Fuzzyworth is that it takes some work to build a lather. The cube design is not conducive to lathering on your skin on your hands.

Even when using a brush or washcloth, you need to make sure it is very damp and you put some elbow grease into the lathering process. It is much like a triple-milled soap like what is used in shaving soaps.

Once you have gotten a good lather though, it should be slight and smooth.

Final Thoughts

The Professor is my backup when I don’t feel like using the King C Gillette beard and face wash. Mostly because I enjoy the variety, but also because it feels really good on my skin. I would consider this beard wash a good backup if you don’t feel like spending the money on Scotch Porter.

It can also make a great travel beard wash if you don’t want to spring for Maestro Classic.

It costs $12 USD to $15 USD depending on the Aroma on Amazon, but a flat $15 USD on the Prof Fuzzyworth Website.


7. Best Damn Beard Wash – No Frills and Easy to Use Citrus Wash

Citrus-Wheat-Hoppy Scent

Plant-Based Ingredients

Sulphate & Paraben Free

Easy to Use

Made in the USA

6 fl ozs.

Cost – $6 – $12 USD

tube of Duke Cannon Best Damn Beard wash standing up

Brief Description and Features

Avoiding the opinion I have of the marketing of Duke Cannon’s beard products, they did make a not-to-bad product here.

close up of squeezing some Best Damn Beard wash from its tube

Duke Cannon’s Best Damn Beard Wash comes out as less of a shampoo and more of a cream. It honestly makes me think of a beard balm rather than a beard shampoo.

That being said, it is helpfully easy to spread on your washcloth or brush to build up a good soap lather.

Unfortunately for me, this scent misses the mark. It’s almost got a sour and bitter scent that comes from the hops and various citrus oils. Not enough that I don’t want to use it, but definitely not an aroma I miss.

Star Ingredients

Soybean Oil

Lemon Oil

Lemon Oil

Hops

Honey

Rice Wax

Performance

I will say that while the texture is somewhat weird when it comes to shampoo, the fact that it is easy to spread on a cloth or brush and that it is easy to lather makes this Beard Wash extremely easy to use. Washing is quick and leaves the skin feeling healthy.

While there are no frills, I find it hard to come down on Duke Cannon in the performance department.

Final Thoughts

Cheap and easy to use, Duke Cannon’s Best Damn Beard Wash would probably be best for a guy who just wants something simple and doesn’t need too many bells and whistles. I would recommend it for a guy who is just getting into beard care as well.

A tube costs $15 USD from Amazon (check prices, though, as they change) but closer to $6 to $9 USD from brick-and-mortar stores like Target or Walmart.


8. Maestro Classic Beard Wash – Best Beard Wash for Travel

Available in 6 different Scents

Plastic bottle with pop-top design

Parabens free

Vegan-friendly and Cruelty-Free

Made in the USA

Comes in 2 or 4 oz (60 to 120 ml) bottles

Cost – $7 or $13 USD

holding a bottle of Maestro Classic Mark of Man Beard Wash

Brief Description and Features

Closer to a traditional shampoo, Maestro is a light-textured and soft-smelling beard shampoo that typically comes in the smallest bottles I could ever think of.

Honestly, I am somewhat surprised this one bottle lasted long enough for me to review it. It feels like there is nothing in there.

Though the small size can be a boon. I would highly recommend this as a travel companion. It fits into almost any small kit bag and is great for making sure your beard and face are taken care of on long trips.

It also comes in five different aromas that are incredibly creative in their way.

Star Ingredients

Grapefruit Rind

Pepper Oil

Performance

I found the light texture of this beard wash to be something of a double-edged sword. While it felt great on the skin, the extra time it took to lather was somewhat annoying.

At least the aroma didn’t clash with any beard oils or beard balms I was using at the time.

Final Thoughts

If you travel often or want to try some beard washes with unique scents, then I could recommend this beard wash. However, there are better options that I feel give me more bang for my buck.

A bottle costs $13 USD for 2 fl oz/60 ml or $7 USD for 1 fl oz/30 ml.


9. Billy Jealousy Beard Wash – Highly Rated by Others

Formulated for Shorter beards (1 to 3 inches)

Lavender, Sandalwood, and Oak Moss Scent

Vegan

Cruelty Free

Made in the USA

8 oz/226 ml and 16oz/451 ml bottles

Cost – $20 – $36 USD

holding a bottle of Billy Jealousy Beard Wash

Brief Description and Features

Billy Jealousy Beard Wash was a wash I had high hopes for. I like the bottle and the art, and I find it easy to get open and use. 

squeezing some Billy Jealousy Beard Wash from the bottle onto the hand

However, I just cannot get over the aroma. I know this is extremely subjective, but the scent is musky with almost no let-up until you wash it off. There is just no change or graduation over the length of the smell. There is no complexity or anything else other than just Musky flowers.

The texture leaves a great deal to be desired. I believe the term I used in the review was “Cold Snot.” It has a jelly-like consistency and feels very weird on the skin. 

Also, my bottle tended to leak out and run all over my hands.

Star Ingredients

Aloe

Soybean Oil

Green Tea Extract

Performance

Does it do the job despite all my bad-mouthing above? Actually yes!

Billy Jealousy lathers up extremely well. It is rich and thick, and you can feel it cleaning up your beard and even strengthening your beard’s growth. My beard felt so clean and healthy after using this beard wash.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Billy Jealous works. It does the job with a rich lather and leaves my beard feeling awesome. The only reason it isn’t higher on this list is that I had a hard time with the aroma, but if you can get through that then you’ve got a pretty good beard wash here.

While I am not a big fan, I have included the best beard washes because other users are very happy with them. It’s not all about me and my tastes and expectations, and I am a harsh critic.

The cost of a bottle of Billy Jealousy is $20 USD for 8 fl oz/240 ml or $36 USD for 16 fl oz/470 ml.


That’s about it for now on the best beard wash roundup. I will be testing new beard shampoos over the coming year and adding any that deserve a spot above any of the above.

  • Robert Knowles

    Robert Knowles is a Freelance Author living in Boston (MA). He spends his days writing articles and his nights running various nerdy games for his friends. He has also been testing, using and reviewing men's grooming products for Shaving Advisor since 2022.

Join the Newsletter

Subscribe to get our latest content by email.

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

    Related Beard Wash Reviews

    Best Damn Beard Wash Review – Specialist Shampoo for the Beard Man

    Grave Before Shave Beard Wash Review – Great Lather and Value for Money

    Billy Jealousy Beard Wash Review – A Slippery Mess That Does The Job

    Suavecito Beard Wash Review – The Stylist’s Wash

    Medicine Man Beard Wash Review – An Anti-Itch Fresh Desert Air

    Maestro Classic Beard Wash Review – Light and Refreshing

    Proraso Beard Wash Review – Deep Woods Cleaning