Unlike gels and hair waxes, which are used to hold your style in place, tonics actually moisturize and help keep your hair healthy. They can also help with scalp issues such as dandruff, dryness and itching. Hair tonics are often made with fine oils such as grapeseeds, apricot kernels, jojoba oil and essential eucalyptus oil to nourish your hair and promote healthy looking shine. Hair tonics are a staple for barbers who use them as rewetting agents to help their clippers glide easily through the hair during your haircut.

In its heyday of the 50s and 60s, tonic was all the rage as a styling product for those slick back pompadours, slicked down neck rolls and shiny wet looks (think John Travolta in Grease). Over time as styles and products changed, hair tonic fell out of fashion but has begun to see a resurgence as more men become interested in the classic style of their grandfathers and want to achieve that smooth, slicked back look with ease.

The best hair tonics for men will have a light, antiseptic smell and be alcohol free. They may also contain menthol or other ingredients that can stimulate circulation for the scalp and leave your head feeling refreshed and invigorated. Using a hair tonic regularly can also help reduce the amount of dandruff on your scalp by helping to keep the balance of bacteria and yeast in check, and by helping to remove dead skin cells from the scalp.

Hair tonic is typically applied to the scalp after washing it, but before blow drying it. Simply pour a small amount in the palm of your hand, rub hands together and then run your fingertips through your hair to apply it. The tonic will instantly hydrate and leave your hair with a subtle, natural sheen. You can then use your fingers or a comb to shape and style your hair as desired. You can reapply the tonic as needed throughout the day.

For those with a more oily scalp, the best Hair Tonic will contain ingredients to help control this issue. For example, some hair tonics will have hard-to-pronounce chemicals like PPG butyl ester that will coat the scalp with a protective layer to prevent moisture from escaping, thus preventing itchy or flaky scalp. Other ingredients that can be found in a good hair tonic include vitamin B and E, minerals like iron and antioxidants like green tea or rosemary oil.

Regardless of the type of scalp or hair you have, you should make sure to find a hair tonic that will work well with your hair and scalp. There are many options available on the market to choose from, so make sure to do your research before purchasing.

Pinaud Clubman Hair Tonic is a great option for those with oily hair as it can be used to help control itchiness and dryness. This tonic can also be used as a pre-styler to soften the hair and help to rinse out any oil based pomades.