I have two synthetics. One vintage and one new. The vintage is stiffer and compact and I use it when I feel I want to deeply scrub the lather into my beard. The new one is softer and more like any boar, badger or horse hair brush and I use it when I just want to softly move the lather around. I see and feel no difference between a synthetic or natural brush, just another item to satisfy BAD, if you have BAD.