Beard oils are a popular product among men who want to keep their beards healthy, soft and shiny. But what are beard oils exactly, how do you use them and, even more important, what criteria should you take into consideration when you choose them? In this article, we will answer these questions and more.
Beard oils are a blend of carrier oils and essential oils that moisturize and condition your beard and the skin underneath. Carrier oils are base oils that dilute and carry the essential oils, which are aromatic oils extracted from plants that have various benefits for your beard and skin. Some common carrier oils used in beard oils are jojoba oil, argan oil, coconut oil, almond oil and grapeseed oil. In very few products, rarer and finer oils such as Amla oil and Fenugreek oil are featured.The Carrier oils constitute the core of a good beard oil while the essential oils are used to build up the scent but they are only present in a quantity between 1% and 3%.
Some cheap products may feature chemical scent compounds instead of essential oils and in the worst cases even as carriers
Beard oils, if chosen carefully, have many benefits for your beard and skin. They can help you:
– Hydrate and nourish your beard and skin, preventing dryness, itchiness and flakiness.
– Soften and smooth your beard, making it easier to comb and style.
– Reduce split ends and breakage, promoting healthy beard growth.
– Add shine and fragrance to your beard, enhancing its appearance and smell.
– Prevent bacterial and fungal infections, reducing inflammation and irritation.
The best time to apply beard oil is after washing your face or taking a hot shower, when your hair and face are clean. Before applying the oil, tap your beard with a towel to dry so that it’s still slightly damp but not wet. You normally want to apply beard oil every day but you can adjust as needed. If your beard undergoes a lot of stress (long exposure to fine dust, pollution, air conditioning, oil fume, extreme heat etc.) you may want to apply some extra during the day, particularly if you have a very long beard.
To apply beard oil, follow these steps:
– Apply 0.4 to 0.8 ml oil in your palm (a typical pipette cap for a 30ml bottle is around 0.75ml). Let your palms touch quickly to spread the oil evenly in both hands without rubbing them together to minimise absorption through your hands rather than your beard
– Rub your palms and fingers across the hairs where you have a thicker beard, normally chin and jawline. Start against the growth of your hair to make sure that the oil penetrates to the base of your hairs.
– Next, rub your hands up to the front and side of your face so that it covers your mustache and cheeks up to the fade.
– Start rubbing in the direction of your hair’s growth in order to style your beard back in place with particular attention to the jawline and chin..
– Apply more oil if you don’t feel like you’ve used enough. People with particularly long or dry beards are most likely to need more.
– If you need to comb your beard to finish styling, wait 5-10 minutes so that you won’t remove thebeard oil that you just applied
What criteria should you take into consideration when choosing your beard oil?
When choosing a beard oil, you should definitely look for natural ingredients Here are some natural ingredients that have proven benefits for your beard and skin:
– Jojoba oil: This is one of the most common carrier oils used in beard oils because it closely resembles the natural sebum produced by your skin. It moisturizes and softens your beard and skin without clogging pores or causing acne. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe irritated skin.[1][2]
– Argan oil: This is another popular carrier oil that is rich in vitamin E, antioxidants and fatty acids. It hydrates and nourishes your beard and skin, preventing dryness and frizz. It also adds shine and smoothness to your beard.[2][3]
– Coconut oil: This is a carrier oil that has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can prevent infections and inflammation in your beard and skin. It also moisturizes and conditions your beard, making it softer and stronger.[3][4]
– Almond oil: This is a carrier oil that is high in vitamin E, magnesium and calcium. It moisturizes and strengthens your beard and skin, preventing hair loss and breakage and has anti-inflammatory properties. It also adds mild and pleasant round scent.
– Grapeseed oil: This is a carrier oil that is light and non-greasy. It absorbs quickly into your beard and skin, leaving no residue. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can protect your beard and skin from damage and aging.
-Amla Oil: This ayurvedic carrier Oil is Rich in Vitamin C and E. Alongside its moisturizing and antifungal properties, it facilitates blood circulation of the skin underneath your beard, subsequently enhancing nutrition of the hairs from the bulb, promoting a healthy growth.
-Fenugreek Oil: This precious oil has been used since the oldest times in the Egyptian and Indian culture for its incredible regenerative properties that apply to skin and hairs, stimulating growth and making your beard stronger but at the same time softening its texture.
Beard oils are a simple but effective way to improve your beard game. Try them out today and see the difference for yourself!
