From light stubble to a full lumberjack, beards have well and truly earned their place in modern grooming. But here's the thing, growing a beard is easy, it's the maintaining a good one that's the challenge.
The product we get asked the most about when it comes to beards, is Beard Oil. If you have ever wondered if beard oil actually does anything, or why some work better than others, here's our retailers guide to understanding beard oils and choosing one that suits your beard and skin needs.
Why beard oil matters
The beard pulls moisture away from the skin underneath it. As the hair gets longer, natural skin oils struggle to travel down the hair shaft, leaving both skin and beard dry. It's that dryness which leads to:
- Itchy skin
- Beard dandruff (beardruff)
- Rough, wiry hair
- Patchy or dull looking beards
Beard oils are the bridge between the skin and the hair. They replace that lost moisture, soften the hair and keep the skin underneath healthy, which ultimately helps your beard look thicker and better groomed. Essentially a beard oil is skincare and beard hair care all in one.
What makes a good beard oil
Not all beard oils are equal, the quality comes down to ingredients, texture and scent profile.
The best beard oils typically include;
- Jojoba oil
- Argan oil
- Sweet Almond oil
- Grapeseed oil
Essential oils are added for fragrance and some additional skin benefits. Some of these include;
- Sandalwood for warm masculine scent
- Cedarwood for fresh woody scent
- Citrus oils for clean energising scent
- Tea Tree oils for antibacterial and calming effects
Pro Tip: Because the beard is so close to your nose, you want to go with subtle scents over a stronger one, otherwise you could end up with a headache.
Absorption and finish
A beard oil should absorb into your hair and skin within a few minutes. If your beard feels greasy long after application, the formula may be too heavy, or perhaps you were applying it to heavy.
Good beard oils leave hair feeling;
- Softer
- less scratchy
- easier to style
- healthy looking - not oily
- skin feels less itchy
Common beard oil mistakes
These are the common mistakes we see and hear about
- Using too much - a few drops goes a long way, 3-6 drops should be enough
- Only applying to the beard hair - beard oil needs to reach the skin, that's where the real benefit happens. Start with rubbing it into the root of the hair and work your way down. Try using a beard comb.
- Using oil on a dirty beard - always wash your beard, apply oil to washed hair for proper absorption
- Expecting instant results - consistency matters, give it a couple of weeks and you'll notice less hair loss, softer hair, less itch.
When to start using a beard oil
It's earlier than you think, the itch phase hits around weeks 2-4 of beard growth. exactly when many men give up. Starting a beard oil early helps growth, stops itch and makes your beard look shiny and healthy.
Check out our other blog on The Art of Beard Care
Check out our fav beard oils
