Cremo Palo Santo Beard Wash & Softener Review
Sean
I tested Cremo Palo Santo Beard Wash & Softener from Cremo’s Reserve Collection for three weeks. Read my review here to learn more about my experience.
Introduction
Cremo is the third beard wash I have tried and reviewed.
Cremo Palo Santo Beard Wash & Softener
Testing Steps
Reminder: Always do a patch test before trying a new product on your skin, and read the ingredients list carefully.
After testing the Cremo Heritage Red Beard Oil, I wanted to try testing another Cremo product. I was recently able to do that by testing the Cremo Palo Santo Beard Wash & Softener.
My Three-Week Cremo Palo Santo Beard Wash & Softener Test
I followed this simple method to test the beard wash. My routine was disrupted somewhat during this test, so the conditions were a bit different for this review, but not enough to make a significant impact on the review. The most significant changes are noted in italics.
I showered during the day and washed my beard every two to three days. I usually shower nightly, but due to changes in my routine, I showered during the day for this three-week test.
On days I did not wash my beard, I rinsed it with warm water in the shower.
On days I washed my beard, I used the beard wash to thoroughly scrub my beard.
I rinsed my beard completely after scrubbing to rinse all of the beard wash out of my beard.
I applied beard oil after showering as I normally do.
I used beard butter periodically to hydrate and condition my beard.
Using The Beard Wash
Like most beard washes, the beard wash & softener is very easy to use. The directions are simple “Apply a quarter-sized amount to palms, rub into lather, apply to beard and face. Rinse”. Men with very coarse beards may need to use more than the recommended amount to get the best results.
There is also a tip on the bottle to wash your beard after your hair to give the coarse beard hair time to warm up. I am bald and have opted for the clean-shaven look, but I always start my shower by scrubbing my scalp. Then I move on to my beard. So, I was already following Cremo’s advice.
Results: Beard Health & Feel
I found the Cremo Palo Santo Beard Wash & Softener to be a harsher cleanser than I like to use. Any cleanser is going to strip oils from your beard. That is just the nature of cleansers. However, this beard wash & softener did strip more oils and leave my beard feeling dryer than other beard washes that I have tested. As with any cleanser, I would highly recommend applying a beard oil or other moisturizer after use. I used beard oil and beard butter during this test to keep my beard hydrated.
As far as softening my beard, the Cremo beard wash did not perform as well for my beard as other washes I have tested. I felt like my beard was left feeling coarse and a little more brittle after the first two weeks of testing. I tried to make adjustments to get the best possible results. I added an extra day between washes. I used the wash every 3 to 4 days, instead of every 2 to 3 days. I also doubled the amount I used per wash to twice the recommended amount. Neither of those should really be necessary for a properly formulated beard wash.
Scent
The primary scent profile is based on the wood of the Palo Santo tree. The scent is subtle and subdued, with woodsy and smoky notes. Palo Santo is often used in incense, and the scent does have an incense-like quality, but still very subtle. The Cremo website also states that cardamom and dry papyrus are used as well. I did not really notice these scents specifically, as the overall blend is mostly dominated by the woodsy Palo Santo scent. The scent does linger for some time. This is fine if you like the scent, which I do, but something to be aware of if you do not like the scent or like products that have a more subtle scent profile.
Cremo Palo Santo Beard Wash & Softener Ingredients
The first ingredient in the beard wash is water. This is a common first ingredient in most beard washes and many grooming products. As I have noted in previous reviews, when water is used as an ingredient, some sort of preservative is required to prevent microbial growth (bacteria, mold and yeast.)
While I no longer go into detail on every single ingredient in my reviews, I do at least do some minimal research to make sure there are no red flags in the ingredients list. Most of the ingredients fall into one of the following categories.
- Mild/Gentle Surfactants (cleansing)
- Preservatives (product safety)
- Humectants (moisture retention)
- Conditioning agents (for softness and manageability)
- Thickening agents (for texture)
- Fragrance
One thing I did notice is that the ingredients list is noticeably longer than other beard washes I have reviewed. This is worth noting for men who prefer organic/all-natural ingredients. Personally, I prefer something that leans a little more plant-based or natural than what this Cremo beard wash uses. However, I do use products like this from time to time. Finally, the list includes “Fragrance” as well, which is vague and leaves unknowns as to what is actually being used.
Price Point
The Cremo website lists a 6 oz. bottle at $11.99 US. That’s a competitive price and similar to other beard washes on the market.
In most cases, I finish using the products I review. Sometimes I have to discard them. A beard oil that has gone bad, for example, must be discarded. For the most part though, I try not to be wasteful and finish the products I try. Not being wasteful is a big driver of this, but it also gives me the opportunity to try a product for longer than the two or three weeks I spent conducting the initial review.
Usually my opinion and rating doesn’t change from my original review, but that is not the case with the Cremo Beard Wash & Softener. This product has really grown on me since I first published my review. Here are the things that I really ended up liking about it:
The feel of the wash really grew on me. It lathers really nicely and cleans very well. Just see the note I made earlier about using a beard oil to moisturize and restore oils stripped by the wash.
The smell grew on me as well. It has a nice smoky, woody smell that mellows out into a subtle scent after use that blends well with other products like beard oil.
It lasted a very long time for users like me that only use a beard wash two to three times a week. I even used a healthy squeeze every wash. I first published this review on May 24th, after having initially tested the beard wash for three weeks, and I just finished the bottle on September 4th. The six ounce bottle lasted me almost four months. That’s a long time, and makes the Cremo Beard Wash & Softener a very economical purchase. Tip: Flip the bottle and let it sit upside down when it gets low. I got probably another 3 to 6 washes by doing that.
It pairs exceptionally well with co-wash and beard oil. I plan to write another post on this, but I started using a co-wash on non-wash days, and changed to a different beard oil towards the end of my time using Cremo. I was really happy with the results.
After finishing the bottle, my opinion of the Cremo Beard Wash & Softener has changed significantly. I understand now why so many men like this product. I was very happy with the results and would definitely buy it again. Because of this new information, I have updated the pros and cons and the final rating.
Pros
- Very effective cleanser.
- Very easy to use. The consistency is very similar to normal shampoo.
- Uses beard-friendly, mild ingredients.
- Reasonably priced at around $11.99 USD MSRP for 6oz.
- Very good value for the price. The 6 oz bottle lasted me almost four months.
- Scent mellows to a subtle smoky, woody smell after use that pairs very well other products.
Cons
- Left my beard feeling dryer than other beard washes I have tested.
- Inclusion of "Fragrance" in the ingredient list is vague and leaves unknowns.
- Not a good fit for men who demand strictly natural/organic ingredients.
- Men with coarse beards may need to use more than the recommended amount per application to get the best results.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5)
Final Thoughts
The Cremo Palo Santo Beard Wash & Softener is a reasonably priced and effective cleanser, but it left my beard feeling dryer and coarser than other beard washes I have tested. The product is not a good fit for men who demand natural or organic ingredients.
My first three weeks of testing left me disappointed. After finishing the bottle, however, my opinion of the Cremo Beard Wash & Softener has changed significantly. See my update above for the reasons why. I understand now why so many men like this product. I was very happy with the results and would definitely buy it again.