It seems to have shot through the roof in the numbers of people who have decided to grow strong facial hair, arguably as a fashion symbol.
In fact, it’s been suggested that about half of the population of men have a beard to some extent, and with such huge numbers, keeping a beard looking good has become as necessary as going to the barber shop for our head hair.
But, when you’re growing a beard, you might be wondering if there’s anything you can do to assist in the situation.
Someone might have told you, or you’ve seen a commercial, that says you should be buying and using beard oil.
You’ve thought about it, and now you’re thinking – do I really need to use beard oil though?
In this guide, we’re going to look at what beard oil is, what it does, who it benefits and why – and potentially some drawbacks to beard oil.
What Is Beard Oil?
Beard oil is a particular type of oil that you can use on your beard, which is often for hydration or moisturizing purposes.
Beard oil normally comes in small bottles and is usually made up of two main ingredients:
The “carrier” oil or primary oil, which is the largest part of the product. Normally this is grapeseed or jojoba oil.
A mix-up or amalgamation of different essential oils that aim to give off the familiar, sweet or fruity smells.
Beard oil can be found in many general stores and some barber shops will sell it too. Failing this, you can purchase them online.
The best products for beard oil might be costly, but it is a case of getting what you pay for – and you don’t want to take chances with your skin or appearance.
What Exactly Does Beard Oil Do?
The primary goal of beard oil is to help moisturize and hydrate the skin behind your beard, whilst also giving your beard a more hydrated look.
When beards are growing, the hairs try to remain healthy with nutrition and hydration.
The longer this goes on, it will take away the hydration and nutrients from the skin under the beard, leaving the skin to get rough and often flaky.
Either way, they appear much more scruffy. This is one reason why people give up on growing their beard when it begins to take this look.
Beard oil acts upon the hydration and nutrients that these areas need, which gives your skin a break.
Dandruff or flaky “sand like” material will reduce as the area gets more hydrated and the area feels much better and healthier.
Not to mention, the beard will eventually look better as the hairs aren’t appearing to look dead due to dehydration.
Additionally, if you find that growing a beard feels itchy, beard oil helps with this and reduces the likelihood of you scratching your face.
The most overlooked positive of beard oil is that it can make your face smell amazing – and we all went to smell nice, right? To some extent, citric fruit smells can repel pests too!
This is simply not true. Growing a beard will come down to your genetics mainly and the production of the hormone testosterone.
Another misconception is that it will make your beard look thicker, and that’s not true either.
The way your beard appears will often come down to lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise.
There is some truth that it changes the appearance because it can rehydrate the follicles and prevent them from looking dead, but it does not thicken the hair.
Perhaps the biggest thing to remember is that beard oil can’t wash your beard. You will always need to wash thoroughly as you normally would.
Depending on the length of your beard and what products your skin can take – you might benefit from buying beard wash.
What Are The Overall Benefits Of Using Beard Oil?
At its very core, the benefits of beard oil are to the skin.
The moisturizing and hydrating properties of the essential oils can prevent certain issues you may have been facing like dandruff or an itchy face.
Of course, it’s important to look after your skin and if you want to grow a beard but have always stopped due to these issues, beard oil can be the answer.
And, as we said – don’t forget that the oil can make your beard smell great!
Are There Any Drawbacks To Using Beard Oil?
There are very few negatives or cons to using beard oil, and they’re definitely outweighed by the pros if you’re not detrimentally affected by them.
First is the cost. When you’re planning to buy any new product consistently, you’re going to have to keep up with the costs of the product.
Often, beard oil is not cheap either, particularly for the best products, so think carefully about your financial situation first!
The other drawback is that some people have had allergic reactions from using beard oil causing skin conditions like hives, rashes, burning and redness of the skin.
But, if you’re prepared for the costs, and you’re not allergic to the ingredients in beard oil – it’s a good idea to get in the market for it!
Who Would Benefit From Using Beard Oil?
In reality, anybody with a beard can benefit from using beard oil – but it’s not as cut and dry as that.
Beard oil in theory can be used by people who plan to grow a beard, by getting them used to applying the product daily.
It doesn’t matter how long your beard is or how “experienced” you are with a beard, you can use beard oil and will find the benefits in a short amount of time.
Who Wouldn’t Benefit From Using Beard Oil?
This might seem obvious, but women. Some women have been using beard oil as a facial moisturizer, but there’s no advantage to this.
People with skin conditions should speak with a doctor first before applying beard oil. If you have a skin condition, you might not benefit from beard oil.
Finally, if you are on a budget – it’s wise to speak with someone independently before adding something else to your usual shopping list.
How Often Should You Apply Beard Oil?
In theory, it doesn’t matter – you can apply beard oil as often as you want!
But, the best time to apply beard oil is right after a shower when your face and beard is hydrated and clean.
It’s wise to keep a bottle of beard oil with you when you go about your day, in case you start to feel dry or itchy (often due to climate).
If this happens, apply the beard oil as soon as you have the opportunity to do so.
How Do I Apply Beard Oil?
It will depend on the length of your beard.
If your beard is particularly long, you should apply the oil as close to the skin as possible and spread the oil throughout the beard using a comb or brush.
Aside from that, you should have around 2 pumps of the bottle of beard oil into your hand and then rub the oil into your skin and facial hair.
In a short time, you should feel the benefits from using the beard oil!
Does It Matter What Sort Of Beard Oil I Use?
This is dependent on you.
If you have a particular allergy or skin condition, you should consider speaking with a doctor or dermatologist about your options, but you can often find alternative beard oils that will suit your needs.
If you have no allergies or conditions, the choice is entirely yours. Perhaps you want to buy an ethical product that’s not animal tested or a particularly green product.
Maybe you want a specific smell? The advice is to shop around!
So, Do I NEED Beard Oil?
Well, not really. It’s highly recommended though to have healthier skin and reduce itchiness and hydrating the area overall.
Needing it is too strong a term, you won’t be harmed by not using it.
Summary
Beard oil is a benefit to the skin and to the facial hair. Now that you know what it does – why not go out there and get some? Happy shopping!
My name is Doug, and I've been growing a beard on and off for many years now.
I've not had a perfect journey on the road to growing a beard. I've spent more time than I want to admit learning about growing a beard. I'm not one of those blessed with perfect beard-growing genes. So, I've encountered many frustrating and challenging obstacles along the way.
I hope some of my mistakes and victories along the way will help you on your journey to your perfect beard. Of course, reach out if I can help and share this content with your friends that are beginning or struggling on their journey as well.
Beards are becoming increasingly popular and fashionable. This is because they help men feel more confident and look better than ever before. Contents show 1…
