Beard maintenance is serious business. A well-groomed beard looks soft, hydrated, and stylish — but dryness, uneven growth, and itchiness can all take the luster out of your facial hair. That’s where products like beard oil can come in handy. We’re big fans of beard oil, a specialty men’s grooming product that helps hydrate facial hair and keep your skin feeling moisturized and healthy. Read on to learn how to use beard oil and why you need it in your grooming arsenal.
Beard Oil: The Basics
First things first: How does beard oil work? This essential product works by replenishing the natural oil produced by your skin. To be clear, you want that oil on your skin — it’s called sebum, and it hydrates your facial hair and protects the individual hair shafts. But sebum gets stripped away in the shower, leaving your beard (and the skin beneath your beard) feeling dry, brittle, and scratchy. Beard oil comes to the rescue by adding a healing blend of oils directly to the facial hair and skin.
Do I Need to Use Beard Oil?
Short answer: Yes. Regardless of your skin type, beard length, or unique grooming style, you can expect the following benefits from beard oil:
- A healthier, stronger beard: Oiling your beard helps reduce breakage and split ends. The healthier your beard is, the better it looks — shiny, soft, and stylish.
- A softer beard: Ever had a special someone complain that your beard is scratchy or rough? Beard oil can help. Moisturizing your beard helps it feel softer, making things much more comfortable for your facial skin (and for anyone who happens to touch your beard).
- Reduced itch and dandruff: Dry, damaged facial hair can irritate your skin, causing itching, flaking, and even chronic conditions like acne and eczema. Beard oil hydrates the beard and the skin beneath, reducing unsightly and uncomfortable skin irritation.
- Great scent: Not all beard oils are scented, but if you’d like to leave behind an especially pleasant aroma, scented beard oils are the way to go. The fragrances aren’t as strong as those in traditional colognes, making scented beard oils a great option for a more natural approach.
What If I Have Sensitive Skin?
If you have acne, eczema, or other skin sensitivities, you might be worried about adding an oil-based product to your skin regimen. After all, adding more oil might not seem like your best bet. But beard oil can actually benefit everyone, especially people with sensitive skin.
As we mentioned above, beard oils are available in both scented and unscented options. That makes it easy to avoid irritants like synthetic fragrances. Oil can also help soothe skin conditions like acne, which is often worsened by stripping your skin of its natural oils. Look into non-comedogenic oils if you have sensitive skin. These oils won’t clog your pores, making them a great option for those with easily irritated or acne-prone skin. In addition, keep an eye out for beard oils that contain grapeseed oil, hemp oil, and/or argan oil, which provide excellent moisturization without clogging your pores.
Most importantly, if you’re concerned about a possible negative reaction to beard oil ingredients, try to get into the habit of performing patch tests. The process is simple: Just rub a small amount of beard oil (one to three drops) on the nape of the neck, and monitor that spot for signs of a reaction. If you notice any unpleasant effects, such as swelling, itching, or irritation, rinse the product off immediately and avoid it in the future. And if you don’t notice any negative effects, you’re good to go!
How to Use Beard Oil
We generally recommend using oil right after a shower, which allows your damp facial hair and skin to better absorb the product. Just deposit a small amount of oil into your palm, and massage it evenly into your facial hair. Start small — even if you have a long beard, a little goes a long way. You can also massage the oil into the skin surrounding your beard for maximum moisturizing benefits. And if you’d rather use a tool to spread the product through your beard, try a stiff-bristled brush.
Beard oil is one of those masculine grooming products that seems simple, but goes a long way toward keeping your facial hair looking healthy and stylish. If you’re not sure how much beard oil to use, or what kind of oil might work best for you, check with your barber for recommendations.
Need advice on masculine grooming products? We can help. If you’re looking for that classic, community-oriented barbershop feel, look no further than Hudson / Hawk Barber & Shop. Since launching in 2013, we’ve become the go-to barbershop in numerous Midwestern communities across Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. We offer community, conversation, and, of course, quality haircuts. Give us a call if you’d like to schedule an appointment.