Buying guide for Best beard oil
The hair on your face is quite different from the hair on top of your head. Facial hair is usually much coarser, which means it needs a little extra hydration to keep it looking neat and healthy. With a good beard oil, you can always have a beard that looks thick and full.
Beard oil is precisely what it sounds like: oil that you massage into your beard or other facial hair. It helps moisturize the hair so it looks and feels healthy. The oil also hydrates the skin beneath your beard to prevent itching and beard dandruff.
However, there are so many beard oils available that finding the right one for your facial hair can be difficult. You have to figure out what ingredients will work best, how easy you want the application to be, what scent you prefer, and what other features would best fit your needs. Our buying guide has all the tips necessary to help you choose the best beard oil for your bathroom counter.
Key considerations
Carrier oils
The base of nearly any beard oil is made of carrier oils, which are oils that are naturally derived from nuts and seeds. Their main job to help hydrate, soften, and nourish your facial hair. As with a moisturizer or other skin care product, you may need to experiment to find the right ingredients for your skin and beard type.
Some carrier oils that work well in a beard oil include:
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Jojoba oil is an effective moisturizer that helps control frizz and tempers acne-prone skin
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Argan oil helps make your facial hair softer and shinier
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Coconut oil helps to hydrate, condition, and soften the hair while preventing dandruff in your beard
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Sweet almond oil moisturizes and conditions facial hair, encourages hair growth, and prevents ingrown hairs
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Castor oil offers antibacterial and antifungal properties while conditioning the hair, encouraging growth, and soothing irritated skin
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Safflower oil strengthens hair follicles and promotes hair growth
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Hemp oil helps to strengthen the hair and encourage more even hair growth
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Olive oil is effective for hydrating the hair, moisturizing the skin, and preventing dandruff
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Grapeseed oil keeps the hair soft and shiny and helps prevent acne and ingrown hairs
Essential oils
Essential oils are usually the most potent ingredients in beard oils, but not all beard oils contain them. They can have plenty of benefits, but if you have sensitive skin, you may prefer a formula without essential oils.
Some essential oils you may want to look for in a beard oil include:
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Tea tree oil has antibacterial properties that can help prevent acne and soothe inflammation
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Eucalyptus oil is ideal for soothing dry, itchy skin
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Lavender oil not only promotes a feeling of relaxation, it can also balance moisture levels in the skin
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Sandalwood oil hydrates the skin and can reduce inflammation
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Fir needle oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
Beard oil vs. beard balm
Beard oil and beard balm serve different functions, so it’s worthwhile to use both on your facial hair.
While beard oil is designed to add moisture to your hair and skin, a beard balm is mostly a styling tool and can help to give your beard even more shine.
Features
Ease of application
You usually use beard oil every day, so you want it to be as easy to use as possible. The best beard oils have a thick enough texture that they won’t drip down your face as you massage them into your facial hair. You don’t want a formula that’s too thick, though, or it may be too heavy for your beard.
That means beard oil should have a liquid consistency, not a gel-like texture. Depending on how long your facial hair is, you should only need three to ten drops to moisturize your entire beard.
Scent
Beard oils come in a variety of scents, but it’s important to choose a scent carefully since you’ll be smelling it all day in your facial hair. It’s best to avoid oils with artificial fragrances, which can not only irritate your skin but may also be too strong and compete with your cologne. Stick to oils that feature natural scents from the essential oils they include or opt for an unscented formula to avoid any issues.
Packaging
Beard oil can be easier to use and may last longer if it has the right packaging. Some oils come in dark glass bottles, which effectively block the light to prevent the oils from degrading. If you opt for an oil in plastic packaging, choose an opaque bottle to avoid any light from shortening its shelf life.
Pay attention to the cap or lid, too. Many people find a bottle with a medicine dropper in the lid easiest to use because you can dispense just the right amount for each application. A pump dispenser can also be effective, but avoid squeeze-style packaging, which can often dispense too much product and lead to wasting the oil.
Accessories
Beard comb
A beard comb can help you style your beard after you’ve applied a beard oil.
Beard trimmer
You need a good beard trimmer to keep your facial neat and well-groomed.
Beard oil prices
Beard oil varies in price based on the ingredients, packaging, and the size of the container. Most oils costs between $3 and $85.
Inexpensive
The most affordable beard oils usually feature a single carrier oil and don’t offer any essential oils. They typically come in plastic packaging, don't include a medicine dropper, and cost between $3 and $12.
Mid-range
These beard oils typically contain a blend of two or more carrier oils. They may feature essential oils and other conditioning ingredients like vitamin E and come in opaque plastic or dark glass packaging with a medicine dropper or pump dispenser. You’ll usually pay between $12 and $50 for these beard oils.
Expensive
The priciest beard oils contain a blend of two or more carrier oils, as well as essential oils and other conditioning ingredients like vitamin E. They usually come in dark glass bottles with a medicine dropper dispenser and cost between $50 and $85.
Tips
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The best time to apply beard oil is right after you’ve gotten out of a warm shower. Your facial hair will be clean and soft, so it’ll readily absorb the oil. If you don’t have time to shower, wet your face with warm water at the sink.
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Dry your beard completely with a towel before applying the oil. Wet hair doesn’t absorb oil as easily as dry hair.
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Start with just two to three drops of beard oil to avoid applying too much. Only add more oil if you need it.
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Massage the beard oil into your facial hair with your fingers, but follow up with a beard comb to ensure that the oil is evenly distributed. The comb can also help you style your beard and keep the hairs in place.
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If you have excess beard oil on your hands after covering your beard, don’t waste it. It can help condition and moisturize the hair on your head too.
FAQ
Q. How often should I use beard oil?
A. For most people, beard oil is best used daily. If your beard is very dry and coarse, though, you may even want to use an oil twice a day, both in the morning and before bed.
Q. Does beard oil promote hair growth?
A. It depends on the ingredients. Some beard oils contain essential oils that can help stimulate hair growth and give your beard a fuller, thicker look.
Q. What’s the best way to store beard oil?
A. Light, heat, and humidity can degrade the oils in a beard oil and shorten its shelf life. Keep your oil in a cool, dry place that doesn’t receive much natural light or heavy incandescent light. Avoid keeping the oil in your bathroom because the humidity that builds up every time you take a shower may damage the oil.
