No, and in fact most conditioners will strip or discolor the Rub ‘n Restore color you worked so hard to apply.
Most leather conditioners are silicone or oil-based and are only effective on absorbent leathers. If your leather repels water, it has a protective finish (essentially a paint or coating). A conditioner will not be able to penetrate this barrier to the leather below. It will just sit on the surface, gradually transferring to other things or becoming sticky and attracting grime.
Some silicone-based conditioners like ArmorAll® and Son of a Gun® may in fact accelerate desiccation (drying) of the leather, which creates the illusion that more is needed.
Conditioners like Lexol®, Mother’s®, and Weiman® contain neatsfoot (cow) or sulfated sperm (whale) oil; the latter was purportedly banned in 1987 but is still in use according to safety data sheets. These oils, along with body oil and sweat (and depending upon genetics, environmental factors, and medications) can be quite acidic and break down the internal fiber structure of leather and ultimately compromise its integrity. This is why you may cracks on the head or hand area of furniture.
So what’s the best way to condition leather?
Our colleagues at ADV Leather sell a conditioner with specific silicones that act like tiny ball bearings within the leather. It enhances flexibility without affecting adhesion. They’re permanent, remaining in the leather for its lifespan. This should be applied to absorbent leather only a few weeks before restoration.
Rub ‘n Restore® is a lightweight acrylic finish that protects leather and vinyl from UV and stains, also slowing desiccation. It will not sun fade or attract dirt. As such, it is superior to leather conditioners and is easily touched-up.
I’m only using product on the faded parts. I’ve always been told that leather needed to be “oiled” to prevent cracking, so just a moist cloth with. Water is all I need to do?
Leather does desiccate (dry out) over time. Some oils can actually alter the pH and eventually degrade the fiber. Our finishes protect and minimize desiccation, so it’s best to recondition with these rather than other conditioners.