Leather does not require 'conditioning' with anything other than water.
Keep your leather clean by protecting it with a leather protector and then regular cleaning.
Adding 'conditioners' which generally contain oils and waxes will change the appearance of your leather over time as dirt will build up on the surface and cause a sheen.
Using the correct care methods and products will not alter the factory finish.
Your type of leather is 'coated' leather. This is essentially a 'painted' leather with a clear coat finish over the top. The leather may or may not be dyed through with aniline dyes prior to the finish coating.
Essentially it is this top coating that needs looking after. This is where a protector comes in. Cleaning is vitally important as the top coat will wear away if allowed to become dirty. Dirt on the surface will aslo become ground into the finish by constant abrassion.
'Conditioners', balms, feeds etc (traditionally oil and wax based) cannot penetrate this finish so are not worth applying - they can also leave behind residues on the finish which will only attract more dirt if allowed to remain.
A protector will make the finish easier to clean and also inhibit dye transfer etc on pale coloured leathers.
Leather however finished has to remain breathable and it will allow the movement of moisture back and forth (transpiration) so the use of water based cleaners and protectors will keep the leather correctly hydrated which is essentail to keeping it in good condition.
The routine for correct care should be
Protect from new
Maintain with a regular clean or maintenance product
Deep clean with a foam cleaner once or twice a year
This will prolong the life of the finish on the leather
Hope this helps
Okay, so this response begs the question of why so many manufacters of these products state plainly that their "conditioners/cleaner-conditioners" will restore/make your "coated" leather soft and supple. As an example (direct quotes):
"penetrates and nourishes leather of all ages, even surface and vat-dyed leather"
or
"...is part cleaner, part conditioner, part protectant for your automotive leather, vinyl, and rubber. Since all these surfaces are
porous, they all respond similarly to the environment, i.e. fading, stains, and cracking."
or even
"... excellent choice for neglected, vat-dyed leather. For
spray-on dyed leather, let xxxxxx soak in longer, as many of the leather's pores are sealed by dye. With either type of leather, xxxxxx will restore the softness and appearance of leather."
Feed back please
