Although I haven't grown a beard myself, many men in my life have! Whether it's your husband, father, or brother, here are some great options for the best beard oil. These help nourish the skin and soothe irritation and inflammation, all while providing a pleasant scent.
They make great stocking stuffers or gifts. And if you like to make your own, here's mine DIY Beard Oil Recipe.
What is beard oil and how to use it
A healthy beard starts with a good grooming routine. And if you (or your significant other) went No-Shave-November this year, you're probably looking for a way to keep that beard. More and more men are using beard oil for stronger hair, healthier skin and a beautiful beard.
Regular soap it can cause dry skin as it is not really made for facial hair. And it's important to moisturize the skin, but lotion can be difficult to apply to the chin area. So how do you take care of your beard hair and the skin underneath?
After washing your face with a beard wash or soap, follow it up by moisturizing with a little beard oil. These contain specific carrier oils (and often essential oils) to maintain the beard and skin underneath. Usually, all you need is a few points massaged into the skin and chin. Longer beards need a little more product.
The best ingredients for beard oil
Beard oil has exploded in popularity recently, so you will find many beard oils on the market. However, some of them have synthetic ingredients that can irritate the skin, cause an itchy beard, or have unknown long-term health effects. Other brands use artificial fragrances which are known to cause problems like hormonal imbalance, cancer, headaches, skin irritation and more.
The best beard oil has a blend of natural carrier oils (and sometimes essential oils). Ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil are great for the skin, but they're too strong for liquid beard oil. You can get unscented versions, but essential oils also offer some benefits for hair and skin. Here are some good options to look out for and what they do.
- Jojoba oil – Mimics our skin's natural oils for fast absorption. Jojoba is anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and rich in vitamins and minerals for healthy skin. It also has antioxidants to fight against aging and skin damage.
- Vitamin E oil – A natural antioxidant that fights free radical damage. It also helps extend the life of oil-based products.
- Argan oil – Rich in linoleic acid and vitamins A and E. Linoleic acid reduces inflammation and acne by protecting the skin's moisture barrier.
- Castor oil – Accelerates hair growth (a lot!), reduces inflammation and soothes damaged skin. It has fatty acids that can help prevent hair loss. It helps hydrate the skin and discourage unhealthy bacteria that can cause breakouts. Increases hair shine and can help prevent split ends.
- Meadowsweet oil – This luxurious sounding oil has a unique fatty acid profile with a very long shelf life. It is an emollient to help soften and smooth the skin, prevent moisture loss, balance oil production and minimize blemishes.
- Essential oils – Popular beard oil options include sandalwood, peppermint, tea tree, cedarwood, rosemary, and lavender. These have a number of benefits such as anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial. They also promote hair growth and keep the skin healthy. If the skin is very sensitive or damaged, then essential oils can further irritate it.
Why use a natural beard oil?
Here are some ways a good beard oil can help improve the health of your beard and skin.
- It can help patchy beards by improving hair growth. They work on beard hair and bare skin to encourage healthy growth.
- Helps longer beards stay tangle-free. After application, follow up with a beard comb for best results.
- Makes thick beard hair feel softer.
- Nourishes the skin under the chin to help prevent dryness, itching, dandruffand explosions.
- Strengthens hair follicles for less hair loss and breakage.
The best beard oil
The best beard oil for men depends on what you're looking for. Of course, you'll want something that gives you a healthy beard, but natural ingredients are also important. Some beard oils work well, but they have harsh ingredients that can irritate the skin or expose it to toxins and endocrine disruptors.
The following beard care options have nourishing ingredients and work well. So guys can have better beards, healthier skin and be kissable.
Toups & Co | Beard oil
I have used Toups & Co for years and have always been impressed with their products. Most importantly, I love that they are non-toxic and have ingredients that are good for your skin.
Their beard oil helps hydrate and nourish the beard area. It contains ingredients like castor oil and argan oil to promote hair growth and fill in blemished areas. Plus it smells like a Douglas fir forest.
INGREDIENTS: Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, Castor Oil, Argan Oil, Orange Fruit Extract Essential Oils, Copaiba Resin, Pink Grapefruit Peel Oil, Amyris Bark Oil, Douglas Fir Branch/Leaf Oil, Ho Wood Oil, lime peel.
Crunchy Betty | Argan beard oil for shaving days
I'm a huge fan of Crunchy Betty's Kokomo deodorant and everything she does. This beard oil is formulated to soften and nourish the beard while hydrating the skin underneath. It also helps stimulate hair growth without leaving the skin feeling greasy. Argan Beard Oil smells like cedar wood with hints of flowers and citrus.
Get the Crunchy Betty Shaving Days Argan Beard Oil here
INGREDIENTS: Argan oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, hexane-free castor oil, cedarwood essential oil, bergamot essential oil (bergapten-free), rosemary essential oil, lavender essential oil, ylang ylang essential oil
Monster & Son | Beard oil
This beard oil comes in two different scents, lemongrass and cedarwood or frankincense and sandalwood. It's made with essential oils and both versions offer hair and skin benefits. Monster & Son uses cold-pressed organic oils for maximum potency. It also contains meadowfoam seed oil, which is great for skin but harder to find in beard oils.
Get the Monster & Son Beard Oil here
INGREDIENTS: Argan Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Olive Seed Oil, Fenugreek Seed Oil, Vitamin E Oil, Sandalwood Oil, Frankincense (Cedarwood Oil, Lemon Oil).
Honest Amish | Classic beard oil
Handmade in the USA, Honest Amish uses a blend of 14 natural and organic oils. It is designed to strengthen the beard and keep hair follicles healthy for better growth. Honest Amish also nourishes the skin underneath to avoid “beard” while adding a nice glow. Their classic version has a sweet, woody smell.
Get the Honest Classic Amish Beard Oil here
INGREDIENTS: Organic Extra Virgin Pumpkin Seed Oil, Organic Refined Avocado Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Organic Apricot Kernel Oil, Kukui Nut Oil, Organic Argan Oil, Organic Golden Jojoba Oil, Essential Oil Cedarwood, Clove essential oil, Clove essential oil, Grapefruit Essential oil (pink), Lavender essential oil (Bulgarian), Organic Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil, Organic Peppermint Essential Oil (Arvensis) *Certified Organic Essential Oils
Pura D'or | Beard Oil for Real Men
This beard oil keeps it simple while still being effective. Key ingredients are hair-friendly argan oil and jojoba oil with added essential oils for added skin benefits. Naturally occurring vitamin E helps reduce itching. Pura D'or's oil combination helps keep pores clear and removes dead skin cells to minimize acne and ingrown hairs.
Get Pura D'or Beard Oil for Real Men here
INGREDIENTS: Argan Kernel Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Sandalwood Oil, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Bergamot Fruit Oil. *all certified organic
Badger | Bergamot and vanilla beard oil
Badger is my favorite for many skincare products thanks to their pure ingredients. Their blend not only has a nice earthy, citrus flavor, but is packed with nutritious ingredients. They are formulated to soften, hydrate, protect and condition the beard. Plus, natural oils and extracts are light and non-greasy.
Most beard oils come in a dropper bottle, but I also like Badger's unique wide pump top bottle.
Get Badger Bergamot and Vanilla Beard Oil here
INGREDIENTS: Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Babassu Oil, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Bergamot Oil, Organic Pomegranate Extract, Sunflower Vitamin E, Organic Vetivert Extract, Organic Sandalwood Oil, Organic Cardamom Oil, Organic Black Pepper Extract Organic i vanilla.
Other beard products to try
Don't just stop at beard oil! Beard wash formulated specifically for the beard area can help prevent dryness and irritation from regular soap. You can make your own natural moisturizing shampoo bar or get one from here The Moroccan method.
Beard balm or beard butter is fed in the same way, but these products are thicker. They may also contain moisturizing ingredients like cocoa butter, mango butter, and shea butter that are too thick to use in beard oil. Badger Balm it sells a good beard balm here.
What kind of products do you like to use on your beard? Moms, what are your favorite ways to keep your significant other's beard soft and healthy? Leave a comment and let us know!
