Best Beard Oil & Conditioner for Men – (Buyer’s Guide)

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more

Today’s buying guide is about the best beard oil and beard conditioner. If you have a beard that is a ‘goal’ for many men without putting in a lot of effort, you are one of the lucky few. Usually, growing out a beautiful beard needs time, tender loving and care, and the right tools.

Unfortunately, the number of things and tools you need can be overwhelming at first, but once you read up and have a basic understanding of what your beard needs and what every tool and product does for it, things get a little easier.

In this piece, we’ll focus our sights on the best beard conditioners and beard oils. We’ll look into what makes the best versions of these products, take a closer look at some of the bestsellers we’ve come across, and go over some application steps for the best results.

We’ve quite a lot to cover, so let’s jump right into it.

Best Beard Oils at a Glance

Last update on 2024-08-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last update on 2024-08-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Things to Consider before Buying a Beard Oil

If you are new to all this, you are probably wondering why people make a big fuss about beard oils. Well, they repair dry and brittle beard hairs, moisturize the skin under the forest of hair follicles, and generally make your beard a lot more manageable.

With that said, beard oils are different. Therefore, it’s worth doing some research before choosing one to add to your beard grooming arsenal.

Below are some factors to consider when choosing a beard oil and hopefully finding the best beard oil for your personal preferences and needs.

Carrier Oils Are Key Ingredients in Beard Oils

Carrier oils are derived from seeds, nuts, and kernels of different trees and plants. They are the essential ingredient in all beard oils. Usually, they make up between 95% and 99% of beard oils. You will reap a host of benefits depending on the carrier oil in question, but they generally improve facial hair and skin health.

Because of these benefits, most manufacturers use these natural oils in natural beauty products, including lotions, shaving creams, shave soaps, and shampoos.

Some of the benefits you expect from beard oils, courtesy of carrier oils, include reduced beardruff and smoother facial hair causing your beard to appear healthier. And if you are consistent with beard oil use, your beard will be less susceptible to split ends and will grow longer.

The carrier oil used in the beard oil will be listed in the ingredients list. However, many companies follow international nomenclature in their listing, so you might not find these carrier oils with their regular names. For instance, jojoba oil is usually listed as Simmondsia Chinensis.

Essential Oils

Carrier oils alone are not enough to make the best beard oils. This is where essential oils come in. they offer potent aromas and have several homeopathic remedies. Depending on which essential oils are used, the beard oils greatly stand out from each other.

Below are some of the main reasons why manufacturers add essential oils to beard oils.

• Scent – This is a highly subjective trait. Some beard oils have inviting citrus notes, while others have classic woodsy scents. The scents linger for a couple of hours after application and do a great job of complementing other grooming items like deodorants and colognes.
• Holistic medicine – some health experts claim that some essential oils are good in treating beard care problems, including acne and beardruff. We will be honest enough to point out that studies pointing to this benefit are scarce, and we would not recommend that you make your decision based on these claims.

Note: If you have skin that is sensitive and more prone to inflammation, we advise that you stay away from essential oils altogether since they might cause skin irritations. During our research, we came across some users whose skin turned red and irritable after application. If you are one with sensitive skin, you can still find some great unscented beard oils to add to your grooming arsenal.

Know Your Hair and Skin Type

We cannot stress this enough.
Different beard oils work best for different skin and beard types. Because of this, you must know the carrier oil used in beard oil.

For instance, carrier oils that may be great for dry beards and skin will not work for greasy and oily beards. For dry skin and beard, you need an oil like Argan oil, which will add some moisture to your skin and beard. On the other hand, if your skin is acne-prone and super sensitive, you should look for a beard oil with grapeseed oil or jojoba oil (or, in some cases, both).

Remember, beard oils containing all-natural ingredients have everything you might need to maintain a healthy and thick beard. However, those with high alcohol content and other synthetic additives might do more harm than good.

Meeting the Industry Standards

It’s unfortunate that not every company in the beard oil manufacturing business pays close attention to the set quality and safety control standards. These standards might be high, but they are meant to protect consumers from fake and dangerous products. You need to stay away from the latter group of companies.

How do you know which companies adhere to set standards and those that skimp and create shortcuts throughout their production?

Easy.
Look for their ISO certifications. ISO is an acronym for the International Organization of Standardization, which ensures that companies meet the bare minimum requirements in any industry.

For beard oils made in European countries and those part of the European Union, confirm that they are registered in the EU Commission’s cosmetics database.

Also, you’ve probably come across beard oils labeled handmade. It’s true ‘handmade’ has a nice ring to it, and it feels more high-end and of a higher quality. But this isn’t necessarily true in this time and age. Some handmade beard oils aren’t safer or of a higher quality than regular beard oils.

So before you buy into the ‘handmade’ marketing gimmick, check for extra evidence to show that the company is producing authentic handmade oils that are safe and of high quality.

Ease of Application

You want to use oil that is easy to apply since it’ll make it easier to be consistent in your routine. Overall, beard oil with a rich texture but with medium viscosity is easier to apply over the beard.

We should also mention that the container and the cap that comes with the beard oil affect its ease of application.

Below are the different applicators/caps you’ll come across.

• Dropper cap – dropper caps work exactly as pipettes do. They allow you to measure the amount you use to maintain consistency and avoid wastage.
• Restrictor valve – though it adds some sleekness to the packaging design, the one-way valve makes the application messy and a little tricky.
• Pump dispenser – just like using a dropper, the pump dispenser will allow you to dispense consistent amounts for every pump. In the end, you avoid making a big mess and reduce the wastage of your beard oil.

As for the beard oil bottle, there are some considerations you ought to make as well. Overall, beard oil bottles come in a range of colors and materials (plastic and glass). All these variations help beard oil companies stand out from their competition. However, in some instances, they compromise on some minor details.

For instance, beard oil is best stored in a glass bottle with an amber hue. The glass, coupled with the amber color, will filter UV rays and keep the natural ingredients used in the beard oil from oxidation.

Companies that use plastic bottles tend to ship the bottles in cardboard boxes, which also protects the bottle contents from UV rays.

Price

When shopping you’ll always look for bargains. This is expected and recommended. However, as you do so, have a lower limit and don’t base your purchase solely on the price.

Usually, a higher price tag doesn’t always guarantee that the product is of a higher quality. But on the flip side, getting a quality beard oil from a company known to adhere to industry standards will improve your chances of getting the best beard oil regardless of the price point.

Size

Another thing to pay attention to is the bottle size the beard oil comes in. Many beard oils are packaged in 2 and 1-ounce bottles. The following things dictate the size you should choose:

• If you’ve never used beard oil before, you should go for a smaller size first. This allows you to experiment with the new oil without burning a hole through your pockets. During this experimental stage, you’ll learn how much oil your beard needs and the ingredients it needs to thrive. You’ll also learn the scents you love.
• If you fall in love with a particular oil brand, you can go for a larger bottle. But as you do so, remember that every bottle has a shelf life, usually a year. And even if you’ll be using the beard oil daily, you find it difficult to go through a 3-ounce bottle within that time frame.

Beard Conditioners

Under the beard oil category, you’ll come across beard conditioners. These are different from normal beard oils in several ways. The beard conditioners have less smell and are focused on nourishing and moisturizing facial hair follicles.

This means that if you want to treat an itchy beard full of beardruff, you should get a beard conditioner since it will deliver a higher level of hydration to your skin.

With that said, below are some factors to consider when choosing the best beard conditioner to add to your beard grooming routine.

• Beard thickness – beard thickness plays a big role in determining the strength of the beard conditioner you choose. A coarse beard needs a strong conditioner to soften it over time.
• Scent – many beard conditioners have fragrances. The scent that you choose will boil down to personal preference. Some of the common scents you’ll come across include citrus and woodsy fragrances. However, there are also many unscented fragrances you can try.
• The skin type – if your skin isn’t easily irritable, then a general-purpose beard conditioner will work perfectly. But if your skin is sensitive, you should always go for beard conditioners that don’t have harsh chemicals. If your skin is itchy and dry, choose a conditioner that has more moisturizing effects.
• Age – for many bearded men, age affects the natural state of their beard. As you age, your beard naturally gets drier and a little more brittle. So if you are advanced in years, pick a conditioner designed to moisturize and repair beard hair.
• Ingredients – like with beard oil, always look at the list of ingredients. Natural ingredients like Argan and jojoba oil will soften your beard and give it a healthy-looking shine.

Extra Features and Ingredients

Some companies love getting creative and inventive with beard oils and throw in a couple of other ingredients to create winning formulas.

Below are some other ingredients you can look out for when choosing a beard oil.

• Vitamins (B12, E) – these vitamins are primarily obtained from dietary supplements. Some of these are included in beard oils and conditioners for their hair and skin benefits. For instance, vitamin E does a great job of fighting against free radicals in your skin and slows down skin cells’ aging.
• Minoxidil – is an FDA-approved treatment for men experiencing hair loss. If you have a patchy beard, it can also help fill it up through what is called spot treatment.
• Other ingredients – include safflower oil, plum oil, black pepper, wheat germ, melon oil, and brown algae. These ingredients give beard oils a boost in their goal.
• Vegan oils – if you are one of those men who loves supporting companies that are animal friendly, you’ll most definitely fall in low with the oils containing vegan oils. These products don’t have ingredients extracted from animals.

7 Best Beard Oils in 2023

1. Jack Black – Beard Oil – Best Beard Oil

Some of the reasons why this beard oil is in top place in this list include:

• Dermatologists approve it
• It hydrates and softens brittle facial hair
• It’s made from natural ingredients

With all that it has going on for it, we feel it will work wonders for men who want to get some shine and control over their beards.

Now, the natural formula that Jack Black claims to use combines essential and botanical oils that collectively improve your beard’s overall health. The natural ingredients used include plum oil, Kalahari melon oil, and marula oil. For some reason (we found this weird for a beard oil of its caliber), Jack Black doesn’t include jojoba and Argan oil like most beard products do.

The marula oil used is lightweight and infuses vitamin c into the hair follicles and skin. Vitamin C helps alleviate dryness, which causes brittleness and beardruff. On the other hand, plum oil is great for moisturizing the skin. However, unlike other oils, it doesn’t leave a greasy residue on your beard.

Finally, the Kalahari melon oil works to regenerate and hydrate weak and brittle facial hair. It is a must-have beard oil ingredient if you have dry skin.

The fact that dermatologists approve of the Jack Black Beard Oil shows that it’s safe for your skin. Moreover, it has a subtle and pleasant scent that is fresh and clean.

Ingredients: Vitamin E, carrot extract, Kalahari melon oil, brown algae, and Marula oil

2. Proraso Beard Oil – Great Smell

Gone are the days when smelling nice was a thing for the ladies. Today, it’s sexy for men to smell nice. However, this should never be at the expense of cost and quality. Using scented beard oil is one way a man can smell nice, and the Proraso Beard Oil offers beautiful manly scents. Its range of scents is one of the reasons this beard oil made it to our list. From azure lime to wood, these masculine scents will upgrade your social status and complement your look.

But aside from smelling great, the Proraso Beard Oil does a great job of nourishing and maintaining a healthy beard. It contains natural ingredients, including sunflower seed oil, walnut, macadamia nut, and avocado.

The sunflower and walnut oil used are rich in omega six and omega 3, nutrients that help in conditioning and moisturizing the beard and skin. On the other hand, the macadamia nut and avocado oils offer added beard protection while softening them and providing a beautiful and lasting sheen.

For an original and well-balanced sensory mix, the beard oil contains an Azure Lime fragrance. The fragrance comes with citrus freshness with undertones of juniper and mint, patchouli and woods to give some richness to the scents.

With the high quality and great scents available, you’d think you’ll pay an arm and a leg for this beard oil. However, it’s affordable, and a little goes a long way.

Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Walnut Shell Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Fragrance, Menthol, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Coumarin.

3. Seven Potions Beard Oil Citrus Tonic – Masculine and Natural

This beard oil made it to the list because;

• It has a fragrance unlike any other beard oil
• It softens beard hair and makes it easier to comb through
• It’s packed with healthy vitamins

Going with the above unique features, we feel it’s ideal for a man looking for a beard oil with a good scent, but that will make beard maintenance a breeze.

When shopping for the Seven Potions’ Woodland Harmony Oil, the one thing that you’ll hear people rave about is its fragrance. The fragrance is unique and masculine since it’s a blend of sandalwood and cedarwood.

But the scent is not the only thing that this beard oil has going on. Below are other benefits that you’ll reap from the beard oil;

• It softens facial hair and makes it easier to comb through. It also gives the beard a nice subtle shine without leaving a greasy texture behind.
• Vitamin A helps to improve skin health, while vitamin E counteracts the effects of free radicals triggered by UV rays. Also, Vitamin E does a great job of moisturizing hair follicles. This results in stronger and longer facial hair.
• The beard oil also includes almond oil, which helps in getting rid of dirt and grime that get lodged within the hair follicles. This cleaning effect is important since beards are super magnets for dirt, dust, and sometimes food.
• Last but not least, beard oil includes aloe vera. Aloe vera is a natural antibacterial and antifungal agent that also helps in moisturizing the skin and beard.

Our tests noted that this beard oil gets absorbed and doesn’t leave your beard feeling greasy. It also works super-fast to improve beard thickness and growth.

Ingredients: Apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, Crambe Abyssinia seed oil, vitamin E, cedarwood oil, almond oil, sandalwood oil, and other essential oils.

4. Beardoholic Beard Oil – Natural, Prevents Beard Itch

We love this beard for the following reasons;

• It is made from natural ingredients
• Does wonders for stubbles
• It is excellent in treating beard itches

Because of the above properties, we feel it’s ideal for a man with stubble.

Now, if you have grown your stubble without experiencing a beard itch, you are lucky. Beard itching is the reason many men quit on their dream of joining the ‘beard gang.’ It often affects men in their early stages of growing out their beards.

But it seriously can’t be that bad. Well, without exaggerating it, a beard itch can be worse than having a mosquito buzz around you all night long. Luckily, Beardoholic’s Premium Quality Beard Oil is designed to win this battle.

This beard oil attends to the root cause of itchiness and irritated skin. And even better, it works best for men in their early stages of beard growth (men with stubble).

As it gets rid of the itchiness, it also gets rid of beardruff, making your beard look ugly and dirty (even if you just spent the whole morning cleaning it).

Like the beard oils we’ve looked at above, the Beardoholic Premium Quality Beard Oil features natural ingredients and is free from parabens or additives.

The oil is safe for all skin types – even sensitive skin. Also, while we feel it does a great job on stubbles, it’s perfect for other beard lengths as well.

Overall, it moisturizes and conditions beard hair, and in the process, it strengthens then and promotes hair follicle health. After a couple of uses, you will start to love the texture of your beard.

We also loved the packaging Beardoholic invested in. the glass bottle has a dark amber hue, which protects the oil from UV rays and oxidation while in storage. This helps to extend its shelf life.

Ingredients: Jojoba oil, argan oil, castor oil, almond oil, wheat germ oil, and pine fragrance oil. Grapeseed oil and other essential oils.

5. Honest Amish Classic Beard Oil – Quick Absorption

This beard oil comes with the following properties that endear it to bearded men;

• A non-greasy formula
• Seven most important oils
• It conditions beard hair

Though any bearded man can use this beard oil, we feel it’s best suited for a man keen on buying an organic and natural blend of beard oil.

The Honest Amish beard oil has been described the oil as ‘better than oil.’ But we didn’t want to take their word for it until we tested it.

The oil works as a beard conditioner and has lots of benefits aside from moisturizing your beard and making it a lot more manageable. In addition to this, it contains seven oils that help in improving skin health and hair growth.

This beard oil is also packed with minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Collectively, these ingredients nourish beard hair, relieve skin irritations, and get rid of beardruff.

To make sure that the beard oil is indeed ‘Better than Oil’ Honest Amish added jojoba oil as a base and threw in some avocado oil, which aids in delivering the essential nutrients to the skin and facial hair.

But that’s not all; Honest Amish also has Kukui nut oil, which is good for beard health but is found in very few beard oils. This oil also helps protect skin and hair from harsh environmental factors, including pollution, which can damage or even dry out your hair follicles despite your hard work.

We also noted that this oil has a non-greasy and non-sticky formula, which gives it a light consistency, making it easier to apply than other heavy beard oils.

Lastly, the Honest Amish Classic Beard Oil comes with a mild woodsy fragrance; most men love it because it is pleasant but isn’t overpowering. The scent fades away after a couple of hours.

Ingredients: Avocado oil, pumpkin seed oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, argan oil, kukui nut oil.

6. Grave Before Shave Bay Rum Beard Oil – Big Bottle – Great for Everyday Use

Some of the features that stood out for us with this beard oil include:

• A distinct manly scent
• It moisturizes and repairs damaged beard hair
• Softens beard hair

Because of its distinct scent, it’s yet another beard oil for men looking for scented beard oil.

Like with other scented beard oils we’ve checked out above, men cannot stop raving about this beard oil – but this is expected. The rum’s soothing coconut after note scent makes it hard to resist.

Aside from the pleasant coconut scent, the run beard oil has other benefits that endear it to bearded men. At the top of the list is that it will help you grow and maintain a healthy beard. It does this by conditioning the skin and beard underneath, moisturizing dry beard hair, reducing beardruff and beard itch, and repairing damaged hair follicles.

Even better, this beard oil is packed in a 4-ounce bottle. However, before you get excited about this quantity, bear in mind that beard oils have limited shelf lives. And the last thing you want is to have a lot of beard oil left over right before the expiry date. But if you intend to use it every day, then go for it; you might go through the whole bottle before the expiration date.

Ingredients: Pure apricot oil, tea tree oil, sweet almond oil, aloe vera, vitamin E, and a blend of essential oils.

7. Beard Oil by Mountaineer Brand – Bargain for What you Get

This beard oil helps promote beard growth and restore the overall look and health of beards through its natural ingredients.

It is yet another perfect pick for a man hell-bent on using natural beard oil.

Many bearded men try hard to keep their beards well-groomed. And while some men manage them with ease, do not be fooled; it’s a tedious task. Mainly because of environmental factors like pollution, grime, and dirt that beard hair is exposed to daily.

It’s because of these factors that quality beard oils like the Mountaineer Beard Oil are important. The beard oil will help restore your beard as it gets rid of its scruffy and dull look.

This beard oil (like other quality beard oils) is made from all-natural ingredients that do not harm the skin or hair follicles. Moreover, we should point out that these beard oils are handmade.

As part of promoting good beard health, the oil hydrates the beard and skin and reduces flaking and itching while the softening properties transform the coarse beard into an easy to manage beard.

The oil is perfect for stubbles and new beards though we also found that it works great for short beards.

We also loved that the beard oil has a fir needle, cedarwood, and fresh eucalyptus scent. By using three drops of the Mountaineer beard oil, you’ll reap the benefits we’ve explained above in no time. Remember, consistency is key in using beard oils.

Ingredients: Almond oil, castor oil, grapeseed oil, fire needle oil, eucalyptus leaf oil, and cedarwood oil.

4 Best Beard Conditioners

1. Honest Amish Beard Balm Leave-in Conditioner – Skin-friendly Organic Formula

The top features of this beard conditioner include:

• It eases beard itch
• Made from organic ingredients
• It conditions and softens hair follicles

The Honest Amish beard balm is the perfect conditioner for men sporting short beards.

Honest Amish provides a quality beard oil and now comes with a great beard conditioner you can use. It is handmade with natural ingredients, which makes it highly effective. With its all-organic ingredients, it doesn’t have chemicals or additives. In many ways, its organic formula works like magic to soften, condition, repair, and nourish hair follicles.

If this is your first time growing out a beard or re-growing it, you’ll love that it relieves itchiness caused by rogue hairs and the new hair growth.

If you already have a long beard, but it’s dry and splitting at its ends, then this conditioner is ideal for you. Some of its ingredients include butter and nuts. Being natural ingredients, they will not irritate your skin or hair follicles. Also, Honest Amish uses other formulas, including cocoa, kokum, aloe, and Shea.

And finally, it gives off a fresh and clean scent that every man who sniffs it loves.

2. Beardsley and Company Ultra Conditioner/ Softener – Natural – All Hair Types

We love this conditioner and softener for its botanical formula, pleasant smell and taste, and versatility.

We feel it is best bought by a man whole loves to multitask, and that does not want to waste time or money purchasing multiple products.

Beardsley and company have a great reputation and experience given that they’ve been serving bearded men since 1993. With the quality of beard care products they produce, they are rightly revered as one of the best beard care companies. This Ultra Conditioner and Softener only work to improve their reputation in this regard.

The botanical formula is enriching and well balanced to strengthen your hair and afford it a sleek sheen for 12 hours. The conditioner will penetrate the follicles and infuse moisture at a cellular level.

The ultra-conditioner is ideal for men whose mane is raggy, and whose skin feels tired and puffy. It helps to alleviate skin irritation and avoid itchiness with soothing natural ingredients.

The conditioner also smells and tastes sweet instead of bitter and soapy like other beard conditioners. But this doesn’t mean you should be licking it every chance you get. Lastly, the oil is versatile, and you can use it on your beard hair, and mustache as well.

Ingredients: Water, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Parfum, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Soap Bark Extract, Wild Cherry Fruit Extract, Henna Extract, Golden Seal Extract, Hops Extract, Matricaria Extract, Polysorbate 60, Jojoba Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Pro-Vitamin B5, Sodium Saccharin, Marigold Flower Extract, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, DMDM Hydantoin, Citric Acid

3. The Gentlemen’s Premium Beard Oil – Conditioner Softener – All Natural – No Fragrance

This beard oil leave-in conditioner;

• Is safe to use on sensitive skin
• It will help to fight beardruff and itchiness
• Works for all beard lengths

If you do not like your beard oil scented, this is the perfect one for you.

Many of the products we’ve looked at below have a distinctive smell. And while many men seem to love scented beard oils for their masculine and fresh fragrances, there are still men who’d rather not mix fragrances from other perfumes and colognes with that from the beard oil. On the other hand, some just don’t like fragrances.

Though it is scentless, it comes packed with loads of natural ingredients intended to moisturize hair follicles and make them more manageable and a little less frizzy. It also does a great job of fighting beardruff and beard itch, courtesy of some of its oil ingredients.

Since the list of ingredients is all-natural and contains no parabens, it is great for sensitive skin. Even better, you only need a few drops daily to restore your beard to great health.

Ingredients: Primrose seed oil, vitamin E, Argan oil, sunflower seed.

4. Clubman Pinaud 2-in-1 Beard Conditioner and Face Moisturizer – Great for your Skin

This beard conditioner and face moisturizer are famous for a couple of things:

• It helps to relieve beard itch
• It increases collagen in the skin, making it tighter for longer
• Does a great job in taming unruly beards

This is the best product for men looking for a 2-in-1 beard conditioner and moisturizer.

You can keep the skin and beard conditioned, manageable, and moisturized with this 2-in-1 beard conditioner. It works its magic through a complicated process, but we can summarize it as taming unruly beards and maintaining great skin health.

Adding collagen to the skin improves repair and revitalization. But aside from this, you can count on it to leave your beard feeling smooth, itch-free, and soft. Last but not least, it has a refreshing grapefruit scent.

Ingredients: Nettle, coconut oil, rosemary, and sunflower seed oil

Simple Steps of Applying Beard Oil Right

The products we’ve mentioned above have the potential to yield great results for you. However, to see these results, you’ll need to use them in the right way. This includes following the application steps below.

When to Apply

The best time to apply your beard oil is right after jumping out of the shower or after you have done a proper face wash. At this time, your beard is clean, and the skin pores under the beard are open and ready to absorb the oil for maximum benefit. But before you apply your beard oil, dry it. You can do this by patting it dry.

Rubbing your beard might cause the brittle hairs to break and might leave the beard a little too dry than is necessary.

Now, if you choose to apply it before taking a shower, make sure you dampen the beard with some warm water. Use a damp towel for this.

How Much Should I Use?

So how much is enough? Is there a guide one can follow to achieve the best results in record time? Well, first, we should point out that the results you’ll get depend on a couple of factors, one of which includes your diet plan. But all factors held constant, the amount of beard oil you use will determine your results.

Unfortunately, eyeballing the amount to use will not cut it. Instead, let your beard thickness and length guide you to how much oil you should use. Below is a simple guide you can use to get the best results.

• For new beards (maximum one month) – 3-4 drops are enough
• For beards between 1 and 3 months – 4-6 drops will work
• For beards between 3 and 12 months – 6-10 drops will work
• For a beard older than a year – 10+ drops will suffice

Remember, this is just a guide. Ultimately, the amount of beard oil you use will come down to some trial and error. As you work to find the sweet spot, remember that less is often more when it comes to beard wax and beard oils since oils don’t evaporate as water does. So using too much will leave your beard greasy and in a mess.

As you experiment, start with a small amount and increase it until you find an amount that leaves the beard fully coated. Also, as your beard grows, the amount to use will increase every other month.

How to Pour the Oil

This is not rocket science. However, you’ll need to be careful when doing it so that you avoid wasting beard oil and using too much on your beard.

Different beard oil companies use different cap applicators. You might come across droppers and dispensers. But regardless of the type you end up with, you should be keen and apply every squeeze before pouring more into your hand.

How to Apply

Now, this is the fun you’ve been looking forward to. Or best results, follow the following steps.

Spread the oil on your palm and fingers

Work the oil into the skin and then spread it on the board. Ensure that the oil reaches the hair roots and the skin underneath for both skin and beard hair health.

To evenly distribute the oils, you should use your fingers. Apply the oil with and across the grain for best results. Alternatively, you can work from the bottom of your beard.

Brush the palm of your hands over your cheeks, and then repeat the process while working to the front.

The last step of application is all about combing the beard. But like with beard oils, you cannot afford to use the first comb you come across. Instead, you should do your research and settle for nothing but the best beard comb and one of the recommended beard brushes.

Combing and brushing your beard has the below benefits;

• Prevents ingrown hairs
• Makes it easy to distribute beard oil evenly after application
• It helps in lining up the hair to give the illusion of a thicker and fuller beard
• It helps in training beard hair growth. In the process, it keeps stray hair from getting into your mouth

As you prepare to comb your hair and get the best comb and brush on the market, below are some tips for effective combing.

• Go slowly – you should be patient. Do not rush through the process, especially if your beard is laden with knots and snags. If you encounter a snag, you should remove your comb gently and give it another try. If you try and force it through, you’ll end up pulling your hair and being in a lot of pain.
• Start low and work to the top – start by combing from the bottom of your beard with the teeth on the neck and then comb toward the chin and your cheeks to achieve a full beard look.
• Style – after separating your hair and you’ve achieved a fluffier look, comb it into your desired style.

You’ll learn that beard combs work better on long beards, while brushes work best on stubbles from this guide.

How Often Should You Apply Beard Oil?

By now, you know that beard oils are all different. And because of this disparity, how often you apply will depend on the beard oil you use. But generally, if you live in a humid region and have short beards, you can get away with applying after every few days. But if you live in a dry region, you’ll need to apply it twice a day.

In many cases, you can apply it daily. After all, most formulas are gentle and will not dry out your beard. Moreover, they’ll moisturize as well as soothe the skin under your beard.

Useful Beard Accessories

Beard oil is essential for all men who are keen on maintaining a healthy beard and always want to look their best. But even with the best beard oil, you need to arm yourself with other accessories to get even better results. Below are some tools you can invest in.

1. Seven Potions Beard Brush – Great Overall & Compact Beard Brush

Beard brushes have loads of benefits, including the fact that they untangle beard hair and do a great job of distributing natural oils and beard oils evenly on your beard hair and skin. The Seven Potions Beard Brush features boar bristles that are stiff enough to handle stubble.

2. Kent Beard Combs – Handmade Beard Combs – Great Value

 

Beard combs are a great tool for styling facial hair and help to make you look great. Kent’s handmade combs are some of the best in the industry. They have saw-cut teeth complete with rounded edges that will not dig into your skin.

3. Honest Amish Original Beard Wax – Natural & Organic Beard Wax

This beard wax features a beeswax base. It helps in keeping your mustache soft and easy to train. If you struggle with your mustache getting into your mouth from time to time, you should consider using this beard wax to train it.

4. Professor Fuzzworthy Beard Shampoo – Natural Ingredients

A good-looking beard should be clean. For this, you can use Professor Fuzzworthy’s Beard Shampoo. This shampoo will clean your beard and give it a bright and healthy shine.

5. Tweezerman G.E.A.R Mustache Scissors With Comb – Good Value

With this pair of scissors and a nifty comb, you can trim hairs with ease and refine your beard’s look.

Last update on 2024-08-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

So Why Should You Even Use Beard Oil?

So far, we’ve reviewed the best beard oils in the industry. Now, let’s look at why it’s beneficial to buy beard oil in the first place.

Softens the Beard

Beard oil will moisturize the skin under the forest of beard hair and the hair follicles. Using beard oil is especially important if you live in a dry climate that leaves your hair dry and brittle. But with enough hydration, your beard hair becomes manageable and soft.

Reduces Itchiness

Any bearded man understands how irritating it is to have an itchy beard. Because of this, you need to have the best beard oil in your beard grooming arsenal. As it moisturizes the skin and hair, it’ll also reduce beard itchiness.

Gets Rid of Beardruff

Aside from being brittle and itchy, a dry beard and skin cause beardruff. These are the ‘snowflakes’ that end up on your beard hair tips, and your desk and clothes.

Makes Your Beard More Manageable

Unless the goal is to have a non-groomed, natural-looking beard, a quality beard oil will help you comb and shape your beard easily. While beard oils do not offer a stronghold as beard waxes and balms do, they will at least help you reduce waking up with a ‘bed beard.’

You Can Choose a Scent

Alternatively, you can go for unscented beard oil. But if you would like scents, you can choose from several masculine scents.

7 Common Ingredients in Beard Oil and Their Benefits

The ingredients that go into creating your beard oil are essential to the results you get from the beard oil. In our reviews section, we looked into some ingredients and some benefits they yielded. But now, let’s take a deeper dive into the ingredients.

Most brands use carrier oils in their beard oil recipes. The carrier oils are used to dilute the potent essential oil and help them penetrate the skin.

Without dilution by a carrier oil, some essential oils may cause skin burning and irritation, which may worsen your beard health.

With that said, let’s look into some common carrier oils used in beard oil recipes.

Argan Oil

Argan oil has been in use for a couple of centuries by both males and females. Males use it to thicken and soften their beards and to protect them from harsh weather conditions.

Moreover, Argan oil helps repair damaged beard hairs, which makes it easier to detangle and manage a long beard through combing and brushing.

Unfortunately, Argan oil benefits don’t have scientific backing. But on the flip side, many beard grooming brands wouldn’t be using it in their recipes if it didn’t work at a base level.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil has a molecular structure similar to that of sebum. Sebum is natural oil produced by the body to help in moisturizing the skin.

Depending on the ingredients, beard shampoos, washes and conditioners can dry out the skin and beard. Jojoba oil helps to replenish the washed-out oils and strengthen hair follicles. Moreover, it helps to thicken your beard.

Grapeseed Oil

This is a key ingredient in lots of beard grooming kits and products. It’s preferred to Argan and jojoba oil because it’s cheaper and provides similar skin and beard results.

Essentially, it helps in moisturizing the skin, reducing inflammation, softening beard hair, and reducing beardruff.

Unfortunately, grapeseed oil doesn’t last long, so you need to use the oil fast before it goes bad.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is packed with iron and has traces of vitamin K and vitamin E. These minerals and vitamins stimulate hair growth, fight off beardruff, and moisturize the beard hair and the skin.

However, it tends to be greasier than most carrier oils, and as such, it’s more difficult to wash out.

Olive Oil

Olive oil has fatty acids that coat beard hair and protect it from synthetic beard conditioners and washes made from harmful chemicals. It’s also a greasy carrier oil, and you should use it sparingly.

Castor Oil

Castor oil has many uses and benefits, including repairing split ends and stimulating hair growth.

Castor oil has ricinoleic acid-containing antifungal and antibacterial properties, which help improve blood circulation to the hairs. Also, it has oleic acid, which moisturizes the skin.

The stearic acid in the oil coats beard hair and makes it look full.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are super strong and need carrier oils to dilute them and allow absorption into the skin and hair follicles. They are volatile and are the reason different plants have their characteristic aromas.

Now, essential oils are split into three categories based on their fragrances and volatility; top note, middle note, and base note.

So aside from improving beard hair and skin health, they are responsible for the unique scents. Below are some popular essential oils used in beard oils.

Cedarwood

Cedarwood can be used as an insect repellant. But we are interested in what it can do for your beard. These benefits include relieving itchiness and acting like an astringent. It also has a nice woodsy fragrance.

Sandalwood

Just like cedarwood, it relieves beard itchiness and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Peppermint

According to scientific studies, peppermint improves hair growth. It does this by increasing blood flow to hair follicles and improving nutrient delivery. It also makes hair grow thicker and faster because it increases activity in the hair follicle cells.

Tea Tree

Tea tree has benefits for the scalp and beard hair. Moreover, it helps to fight dandruff, itchiness, skin irritations, and acne. Even better, it thickens hair and gives it a full appearance.

These are just the common essential oils used in beard oils. But from time to time, you’ll come across formulas including rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus, and lemon oil.

The Difference between Beard Balm, Beard Oil & Beard Wax

Your beard needs tender love and care if it’s to grow healthy. Beard oils and beard conditioners make it easier to maintain your beard hair, but they are not enough. It would be best to complement them with beard balm and beard wax, which provide similar results.

Below are how these three vary from each other.

Beard Oil

A huge part of this article has been about beard oils and the benefits they reap. We’ll not reiterate these benefits. However, we’ll review the basics to help you see how they differ from the rest.

• First beard oils are basic products for keeping a healthy beard. They work for all beard types and should be included in all beard grooming routines.
• They are made of a blend of essential oils and carrier oils, which benefit the beard in many ways than one. The number one benefit is moisturizing your beard.
• Beard oil also acts as a leave-in conditioner, softening the hair as it moisturizes the skin underneath. The oil also reduces beard itchiness.
• As it moisturizes the skin, it helps to reduce beardruff.
• Leaves the beard with a healthy, shiny, and greasy look.
• Though men can use beard oils on all beard lengths, medium-length beards and stubbles benefit more than long beards.

Beard Conditioner

There’s a subtle difference between beard oils and beard conditioners.

• Beard oils moisturize the skin and beard, while beard conditioners focus on softening and repairing damaged beard hair.
• Beard conditioners are categorized into two – wash-out and leave-in. Leave-in conditioners are left in the beard like beard oil, while wash-out conditioner is left for a couple of minutes, and then it’s rinsed out.
• Generally, beard conditioners offer long-lasting solutions and should be used a couple of times every week for the best results.

Beard and Mustache Wax

If you want your beard hair to remain in place ever after a windstorm, you should use beard and mustache wax. This product has a solid hold on beard hair courtesy of beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter.

Though beard wax and mustache wax serve the same purpose, mustache waxes have a stronger hold. On the other hand, beard waxes also act as beard conditioners and have a softer texture compared to mustache wax.

Beard Balm

A good beard balm combines the properties of beard wax and beard oil. As such, it has moisturizing properties and has a solid hold on the hair.

Related reading: What is Beard Balm & Who Should Use It?

It contains shea butter, beeswax, argan oil, and jojoba oil. Beeswax and shea butter seal in the oils and moisture, while the oils give the beard a nice fragrance.

FAQ

What does beard oil do?

Beard oil is used to accomplish many things. First, it makes it easier to manage your beard, repairs damaged beard hairs and improves skin and beard hair health over time. Moreover, it moisturizes the skin and beard hair.

How is beard oil made?

Beard oils are made from different recipes. However, they all feature two crucial ingredients; essential and carrier oils. The carrier oil and essential oils vary, but some are common in many beard oils. Also, some beard oils contain fragrances, and others are fragrance-free.

What is beard oil?

As we've pointed out, it is a blend of carrier oil and essential oils with moisturizing properties and makes the beard more manageable. It also benefits the skin under the beard hair.

Why should you use beard oil?

Beard oil moisturize and repair damaged beard hair. This is important because beard hair doesn't handle dry and harsh environments well.

How often should you use beard oil?

All men have different beards and, therefore, different requirements. As such, the frequency of application varies as well. If you have a short beard, application after every few days will do. But if you live in a dry climate, you should apply it at least twice a day.

What is beard oil used for?

The beard oil helps in moisturizing the beard and the skin underneath. Over time, it makes the beard more manageable and keeps it hydrated. It also acts as a leave-in conditioner for the beard.

How much beard oil can I use?

The amount you use will vary depending on your beard's thickness and length. A new beard generally requires about three drops of beard oil, while long beards will need more than ten drops on every session.

When should you apply beard oil?

The perfect time to apply beard oil is after hopping taking a bath. Your beard is clean at this time, and the skin pores are wide open, ready to absorb the natural goodness in the essential and carrier oils. Before application, tap your beard dry with a towel and leave it a little damp.

Where can I buy beard oil locally?

Many supermarkets and pharmacies stock beard oil. However, be ready to be served with a limited number of brands. If you want more variety, you can always complete your purchase online.

When should I start to use beard oil?

It is never too early to start using it. You can start immediately if you notice new growth after your last shave.

What is the best beard growth oil?

The Honest Amish Classic Beard Oil is our top pick from our reviews. What we love most about it is that it contains ingredients that help in stimulating beard growth. If nothing else, it will moisturize the skin and soften your beard.

How long do beard oils last?

Generally, a bottle of beard oil will last for six months. This depends on your beard's condition and thickness, the size of the bottle, and how often you use the oil. Some customers report getting up to a year of use from a single bottle.

Our Criteria for Choosing the Best Beard Oils and Conditioners

Beard oils and conditioners look the same and, most often, feature similar ingredients. As such, they provide similar results. So how did we arrive at the list above?

Well, we gave any product with natural ingredients a high ranking. Mainly because they are not harsh on the skin and beard. Other factors we considered include brand popularity, price, and ease of application.

Brand reputation is a big one since some brands seem to make beard care products that receive many positive reviews. And while you can buy from a not-so-well-known company, you’ll need to do a lot of research.

Conclusion

Keeping your beard in great shape will require an investment in beard oils and beard conditioners. While you may think that your beard is okay without these products, you’ll be surprised at how much better it looks when you add these to your grooming arsenal. I hope that this buyer’s guide has helped you find the best beard oil and conditioner. Enjoy!