A Complete Guide to Beard Oil: Everything You Need to Know

What Is Beard Oil?

Beard oil is essentially a blend of carrier oils with the addition of essential or fragrance oils for scent. It offers a vast range of combinations, providing unique scents and sensations based on the ingredients' quality and proportion. Although it has been used for centuries, it only became commercially available in the 1930s.

How is Beard Oil Made?

Creating beard oil is straightforward - blend your chosen carrier oils with your selected scents, then store it in a colored glass bottle to protect against sunlight. Carrier oils make up 99.9% of the beard oil, with essential or fragrance oils added in small quantities. A typical recipe might include argan oil, grapeseed oil, and jojoba oil, with a few drops of sandalwood and cedarwood for fragrance.
While making your own beard oil is simple, there are good reasons to buy pre-made oils. They often feature carefully balanced ingredients sourced from top-quality producers around the world.

How Does Beard Oil Work?

Beard oil benefits both your beard and the skin underneath. As your beard grows, it requires more sebum - an oil produced by your skin - to stay healthy. Beard oil helps supplement this, adding necessary sebum to promote a shiny, well-protected beard. It nourishes beard hair, promotes elasticity, and protects against heat damage.

Can Beard Oil Style Your Beard?

While beard oil can aid in taming a few stray hairs, it shouldn't be used as a primary styling product. For styling, beard balms and butters are more appropriate. Beard oil is primarily a treatment product for your beard and underlying skin.

Why Use Beard Oil?

Beard oil's main benefits include adding shine, promoting healthy growth, and providing a pleasant fragrance. It aids in replacing sebum, preventing dryness and subsequent itchiness. However, it's worth noting that while beard oil can help tame a few stray hairs, styling should be left to beard balms and butters.

When to Use Beard Oil?

Daily use of beard oil is recommended, with frequency and quantity adjusted according to your beard's size and activity level. Ideally, apply it after your morning shower, ensuring your beard is thoroughly dry. Over-application can lead to acne, so it's essential to strike the right balance.

How to Apply Beard Oil?

There are two types of beard oil containers: spray bottles and droppers. Spray bottles are convenient for men with larger beards as they deliver oil swiftly across a large surface area. For most people, a dropper suffices.
The process is simple: add a few drops of beard oil to your palm, massage it into your hands, then work it deep into your beard, ensuring it reaches the skin beneath. Depending on your beard size, you may need to repeat this process. If you frequently require many drops, consider switching to a spray bottle.

Is Beard Oil Safe?

Most modern beard oils, made from quality materials, are safe. However, always conduct a skin test to avoid potential allergic reactions, which can occur due to essential oils, carrier oils, or fragrance oils used in the product. If you're allergic to a product, check the ingredients and consider switching to a different brand. If you're making your own beard oil, identifying the culprit causing the reaction becomes easier, as you can test each ingredient individually.

Does Beard Oil Promote Beard Growth?

Beard oil can promote the growth of a fuller, healthier beard by keeping it moisturized, but it won't grow hair. Your genetics primarily determine your beard growth. However, certain oils like Argan oil, which contains melatonin and vitamin E, are known to encourage hair growth and prevent hair loss. Capsaicin has also been shown to stimulate facial hair growth for some users.

Does Beard Oil Cause Acne?

Beard oil can cause acne if overused, but not everyone will experience this. If your beard looks wet or greasy after application, you're likely using too much. Always follow product instructions and adjust according to your individual needs. Those prone to acne, particularly young beard growers, should consult a dermatologist before using beard oil or related products.

Does Beard Oil Expire?

Although beard oil can technically go bad, most users will deplete their supply before it spoils. Exposure to too much direct sunlight can hasten the spoilage, hence most beard oil bottles are tinted to protect their contents. If you're storing your beard oil for extended periods, refrigeration may help, but ensure it returns to room temperature before use.

How do I Choose the Best Beard Oil?

The "best" beard oil varies from person to person, dependent on personal preferences for scent and carrier oils. When choosing, consider what smells appeal to you and the base ingredients used. If you frequently use a lot of beard oil, making your own could be a cost-effective and enjoyable endeavor. However, purchasing small batches from reputable beard companies can provide a fresh supply and the opportunity to try various products. Wicked Beard Company comes highly recommended.

Conclusion

Whether you're a seasoned beard bearer or a novice, consider investing in a premium beard oil. View it as a protective cologne, enhancing your beard's appearance and fragrance. Wicked Beard Company's offerings are recommended, with high-quality, ethically-sourced ingredients from six continents. They ensure no preservatives or filler oils - only the best for your beard, all year round.