From Shampoo to Styling: A Guide to the Best Men's Hair Care Products

From Shampoo to Styling: A Guide to the Best Men's Hair Care Products

Written by: Piers Le Moignan

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Time to read 12 min

The products you use on your hair make a world of difference to how it looks. And we know from experience that navigating the haircare world as a man can be tricky. Will that 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner really give you the results you want? Or should you invest in a more refined product?


The options for men's haircare products have expanded over recent years, and we're proud to be a part of that movement. But there's no doubt it's become more confusing as a result – and it really shouldn't be.


In fact, one of our main missions at Salt Grooming is to simplify hair care for men, bringing you the core essentials you need and nothing more.


If we can achieve great hair with just a few key products, then we're all for it, and we know you will be, too.

What Men’s Hair Care Products Do You Really Need?

From leave-in conditioners to fancy hair oils and volumising powders, there are countless products out there promising to help men create the perfect hairstyle. But are they all necessary?


Looking after your hair doesn’t (and shouldn’t) require bottles upon bottles of products cluttering up your bathroom. In fact, using too many products can often do more harm than good, weighing down your hair and causing buildup.


At Salt Grooming, we believe in simplicity – both in terms of our product range and our approach to hair care. We've done the research and testing to determine the core essentials that every man needs for healthy, great-looking hair.


So, what are these must-have men's hair care products we're talking about?

Men’s Hair Care Product What it Does Our Recommendation Best For…
Gentle & natural shampoo Removes dirt & oils from hair & scalp while nourishing & strengthening Thickening Shampoo Thinning hair, all hair types, all hair lengths
Nourishing & restoring conditioner Restores hair’s hydration & encourages better hair health. Thickening Conditioner Thinning hair, all hair types, all hair lengths
Texturising sea salt spray Salt content expands the hair fibres & adds wavy texture. Also absorbs excess oil, promoting a healthy scalp. Marine Mist Works best on mid-length & long hair, but can be used on all hair types
Lightweight styling compound Holds hairstyle in place while nourishing hair throughout the day. Hybrid Hair Works best on mid-length hair but can be used on all hair types

#1 A Gentle & Natural Shampoo

Let's start with the first step in your hair wash routineshampoo.


As tempted as you may be to re-pick up that cheap bottle from your local supermarket, trust our experience; investing in a high-quality, natural shampoo is worth it, and your hair will thank you for it.


Shampoos formulated using natural ingredients are a whole lot better than those that are full of synthetic chemicals. These harsh chemicals can strip your hair of the natural oils your scalp produces, leaving your locks feeling dry and looking dull.


Switching out your regular shampoo bottle for one that’s been carefully formulated with ingredients proven to nourish your hair and scalp can do wonders for the overall health of your hair.


Natural shampoos will gently cleanse your hair of excess dirt, oil, and build-up while restoring moisture and promoting healthy hair growth.

Our Recommendation…

After a lot of disappointment in the results we were seeing from these common formulas, we took matters into our own hands and created an advanced formula that works for you.


Our Thickening Shampoo is full of organic active ingredients, peptides, and aminos, all designed to give your hair the nutrition it needs to look and feel its best.


In less sciency terms, our shampoo is a powerhouse for your hair. It not only cleanses and removes buildup, but it also stimulates hair growth and increases thickness with the help of natural ingredients, including Caffeine, Wheat Protein, Red Clover Leaf, and Ginkgo Biloba.


We've made sure this product works for all hair types, too, creating a truly universal solution for every head of hair.


But don't just take our word for it – our customers love our Thickening Shampoo and have seen amazing results.

"Really great product, the whole experience feels high quality. Lathers up nice and thick and makes the scalp tingle with the refreshing minty scent. Gives that satisfying slick feeling when you rinse out and hair looks super shiny and feels thick and healthy after. What I like most though is that my hair doesn't go fluffy after it dries which i find that pretty much every other shampoo I've tried does. Great work guys."

Max on Sep 22, 2023

"As a man in my 50's I tried this shampoo as a means of making my hair look thicker, I have since purchased this shampoo on several occasions, in fact it is now the only shampoo I use. My hair feels and looks considerably thicker and lustrous it is also kind to the scalp and I am able to use it daily. Would wholeheartedly recommend this product."

Kev R on May 08, 2023

#2 A Nourishing & Restoring Conditioner

Following up your natural shampoo with a nourishing conditioner will add back in any hydration lost in-between hair wash days, which will encourage better hair health and growth.


Just like you should opt for a high-quality shampoo, you should choose a conditioner that’s just as natural and gentle on your scalp.


Many cheap conditioners claim to restore hydration when in fact the chemicals in the formulas do more harm than good.


Always make sure that you choose a conditioner that’s free from harmful chemicals and instead full of natural, hair-loving ingredients, like vitamin B5, which helps to nourish the hair follicle and promote healthy hair growth.

Our Recommendation...

Our Thickening Conditioner harmoniously blends natural ingredients to give your hair a fuller, more voluminous appearance, and it's the perfect accompaniment to our Thickening Shampoo.


In fact, just like our shampoo, our conditioner is specially formulated with those proven and effective ingredients that have made us a firm favourite with men looking for healthier hair.

Key ingredients in our Thickening Conditioner:

  • Caffeine
  • Vitamin B5
  • Gingko Biloba
  • Saw Pilmetto
  • Wheat Protein
  • Red Clover Leaf
  • Aloe Leaf

It nourishes each strand of hair while strengthening and thickening at the same time. The formula also makes styling easier, giving your hair added body and bounce.

"Like original source mint but for your scalp!! Feels amazing!!!’ You can really feel it working when you leave it in for a minute, leaves the scalp tingling as it absorbs all the goodness, great product thanks."

Nick Doyle on Oct 24, 2022

#3 Texturising Sea Salt Spray

After the two essential cleansing and conditioning products, you'll want some core styling products. And the easier they are to use, the better.


A sea salt spray should be in every man’s hair styling arsenal. These formulas contain natural salts that texturise the hair, adding waves and hold without making it stiff and crunchy.


Instead of spending time curling or blow-drying your hair into submission, simply spritz a little of this styling spray onto damp hair and let it do its thing.


Plus, the added minerals can actually be beneficial for your scalp health by absorbing excess oils and nourishing the strands.

Our Recommendation...

Our Marine Mist sea salt spray is a fantastic bottle of styling magic that'll help you achieve a lived-in, beachy look with just about 0 effort.


The high density of Unrefined Atlantic Sea Salt sets this spray apart from your typical sea salt styler, giving you a more natural and subtle hold.


And, with the added benefits of Pro Vitamin B5 and a professional blend of proteins, our Marine Mist also nourishes your hair, leaving it healthier than before.

"This has already become a daily hair styling essential for many of our customers, and we know it'll soon become yours too."

Ayan on Dec 27, 2023

"One of the few, if not only, sea salt sprays I've ever used that doesn't feel sticky or gunk up my hair (some also give that crunchy feeling which is horrible). Great product."

Ollie on Jun 06, 2023

#4 Lightweight Hair Styling Compound

A good hair styling compound can make all the difference in achieving your desired hairstyle. Hair clays and waxes are two of the most popular choices and work by locking your style in place throughout the day. They’re also great volume boosters, which is beneficial when dealing with fine or thin hair.


Clays are good for absorbing excess oil for a matte finish, whilst waxes are good for adding shine, but they both have pros and cons when it comes to styling.


Waxes are typically oil-based, which is why you get a shine finish. This can be great for adding a slick, polished look to your hair, but it can also weigh it down and make it look greasy if too much is used.


On the other hand, clays are water-based and provide a more natural, matte finish. They’re also easier to wash out compared to waxes which can leave residue behind.


The clay used in hair clay is also very beneficial for the health of your hair. It is rich in minerals and can help nourish and strengthen your hair, which is a great bonus for those with damaged or thinning hair.


You can use them alongside a sea salt spray for added hold and texture or use it by itself and let your natural hair do the work.

Our Recommendation...

Our award-winning Hybrid Hair is a serious game changer – it takes the best parts of hair wax and hair clay, combining them into one versatile product. The compound provides a strong hold without weighing your hair down or leaving residue while nourishing your hair and scalp.

Key products in our Hybrid Hair:

  • Organic British Beeswax
  • Unrefined Atlantic Sea Salt
  • Icelandic Bentonite Clay
  • Organic Arabian Aloe Vera

This product was actually our first foray into the world of men's hair care, and it's proven itself as a true contender.


The clever combination of natural ingredients and modern technology has resulted in a product that’s picked up numerous awards and is trusted by over 30,000 men in the UK alone.

"Finally found my perfect product. Nothing to say more, just pure quality, nice application and everything on point. You won’t regret buying it."

Catalin on Jan 01, 2024

"I think I’m qualified to give a review, it’s simply put the best hair product I have ever used and I will continue to use it for as long as I have hair. I hope they never discontinue it."

S Gladwell on Dec 27, 2023

Why Healthy Hair Care Products You Use Matter

The products you use on your hair can significantly impact its overall health and appearance.


Many conventional hair care products are filled with harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, and preservatives, which can strip your hair’s natural oils, disrupt its pH balance, and even cause hair damage.


By using products with natural ingredients, you're instead nourishing it with beneficial nutrients, leading to stronger, shinier, and more manageable hair that’s less prone to damage.


It's a bit like eating a healthy diet. When you feed your body with nutrient-dense foods, it functions better and looks its best.


The same goes for your hair – using natural and nourishing products will help improve its overall health and appearance.

Why You Should Choose Healthy Hair Styling Products

If there's one thing we've learned from decades of trial and error, it's that a simple, stripped-back routine can often yield the best results.


Using numerous products on your hair day in and day out won't do it any good and can actually lead to it looking worse.


Heavy styling products can leave your hair looking greasy, feeling weighed down and even cause build-up, making styling a nightmare. And using shampoos and conditioners packed with synthetic ingredients can strip your hair of its natural oils.


A healthy, minimalistic approach to haircare and styling will not only save you time (and money), but it can also improve the health of your hair. You're allowing your hair to breathe and maintain its natural balance.


The quality of the products you’re using is just as important – if not more so – than the quantity.


While a stripped-back hair care routine is great, you still need to use high-quality hair products, like all those we’ve outlined above and the ones you can find below. You can use as many or as few products as you want, but it’s the quality of these products that matters most.

Shop the Best Men's Hair Care Products Today

If you're looking to refresh your routine with natural and effective products or want to start taking better care of your hair, our core essentials collection has got you covered. We've put years of our time and endless amounts of research into our men's hair care range to ensure you're getting the best quality and results possible.


Shop our hair products above or head over to our full collection to explore the range further.

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FAQs

What Hair Products Do Men Need?

A shampoo and conditioner should be the basics that every man has. Take our Thickening Shampoo and Thickening Conditioner, for example – a truly powerful duo in cleansing, hydrating, and volumising men's hair.


If you tend to style your hair, stick with one or two products; using too many can weigh down your hair and make it more difficult to achieve the style you want. Our Hybrid Hair and Marine Mist are both great options for styling and adding texture without weighing hair down.

Do I Need to Use Different Hair Products Depending on My Hair Type?

There are certainly products out there that are formulated to target specific hair types, but universal products work just as effectively. We've developed our core essentials collection with exactly this in mind – creating versatile products that can work for all hair types.


You might find adding in additional styling products or switching up your routine helps you achieve the look you want, for example, using a curling cream for kinky or coily hair, but there's no need to overhaul your entire hair care routine.

What Should I Apply on My Hair Daily?

While there's no need to wash your hair every day with a shampoo and conditioner, giving it a spritz with sea salt spray or working through a styling compound will restore your locks from your bedhead and keep it fresh. They'll also nourish your strands throughout the day, helping to maintain your hair's natural moisture and shine.

Do Men Need to Wet Their Hair Every Day?

You don't need to wet your hair every day unless you find it helps with styling or you like the feeling of having freshly washed hair.

Do Men Need Shampoo or Conditioner?

Men should use both shampoo and conditioner. Many men tend to skip conditioner, or opt for a 2-in-1 option to speed up their shower routine, but this doesn’t do any benefits for their hair. 


Shampoo is meant to clean the scalp and remove excess oil, dirt, and product buildup. 


Conditioner helps moisturise and nourish the hair strands, leaving it soft and manageable. Using both will give you the best results.

Piers Le Moignan

Piers Le Moignan is the founder and CEO of Salt Grooming, an award-winning British luxury men’s haircare and styling brand. 


Founded in 2018, Piers has quickly grown the company into a global brand that has distributed to 43 countries and counting.


Headquartered in London, Piers leads an agile workforce of 10 employees and consultants, including the company’s formulation team which features some of the UK’s leading cosmetic scientists. Piers is responsible for overseeing logistics, supply chain, and performance marketing, and is the driving force behind Salt’s product innovation and brand/creative direction. 


Previous to foundership, Piers spent a decade at some of London’s leading creative agencies, developing global brands and communications for the likes of Adidas, Jaguar Land Rover, British Airways, and more.

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