Are Boar Bristle Brushes Good for Your Hair?

Natural bristles are gentle and distribute scalp oils well — here's where they shine and where they don't.

By Better Human Goods
1 min read


Boar bristles are usually softer and gentler than standard nylon, which many people find pleasant, but "good for your hair" depends on what you're after. Natural bristles are well-suited to distributing your scalp's natural oils down the hair shaft, which can leave hair looking smoother and less greasy at the roots over time. They're also a lower-plastic choice than synthetic brushes.

They're not ideal for every hair type or task — very thick or curly hair may need a different tool for detangling, for example. And because they're an animal product, they aren't suitable for everyone. As a gentle everyday brush for smoothing and oil distribution, though, a natural-bristle brush is a solid, plastic-free option. More on natural materials in our brushing basics.

Try Better Human Goods natural-bristle brushes.