Beard oil really? Is there anything like that? Is it even important?
Well yes! Beard should be pampered just like the hair on your head, knowing the right oil and using it is just one of the many ways to pamper your beard. You have to start treating your beard as a baby (if you aren’t before), care for it, and nurse it so it would grow to be strong, attractive and most importantly very healthy.
Surely by now, you already know that growing a beard is not so easy but that’s not to say it is impossible. This is why we are here to guide you on your beard journey, so don’t give up yet. If you are one of those people that don’t believe in using any products at all for the beard, then you are going to change your mind after reading this post. Be ready to get persuaded to add beard oil to your everyday habit.
A little trip down Beard Memory lane
So I remember a couple of years back, how guys with beards were frowned at. Most people saw them as irresponsible. It was crazy seeing handsome guys with great beards having to scrape them off because they just got a new job, and the company prohibits such styles. I mean, I didn’t get it; it’s just BEARDS for goodness sake!!!
Now, who would have thought this day would come?
- Where almost every man you know is striving to keep a beard
- Where ladies openly confess their love for bearded guys
- Some rate a man’s looks by his beards
- Most people just like the feel of stroking their beards lovingly to the amusement of anybody that cares enough to watch.
With the evolution of the Sweet Boys Association (SBA) formed by ‘Falz the bahd guy’, it is so certain that having a good-looking beard would grant you an express ticket into joining the group.
What is Beard Oil?
Beard oil is a fluid-like cosmetic product which is used to maintain the skin under the beard while nourishing the beard itself, so as to make it smooth, soft and glowing. It hydrates the skin and tames wild beard hair, so if you have a kinky beard, be assured that after reading this post and taking the necessary steps, it must obey you. Apart from beard oil being a wonderful moisturizer and deep conditioner, it could also pass as a cologne or deodorant; yeah, you read that right.
Why should you use Beard Oil?
Since we are fast approaching the Harmattan period, ensure you make effort to digest everything herein for your beard care. Before we dive into the major ingredients you need in beard oil, let’s quickly go through the importance of using beard oil:
If you are already in the beard gang or aspiring to join, then beard oil is a must-have in your wardrobe. Beard oil when applied serves as a moisturizer that prevents hair on the skin from breaking most especially in dry seasons, like the Harmattan period as mentioned earlier on. Not only does it moisturizes, but it also stops dandruff (in this context, let’s call it “beard-druff”), dryness and flaking.
Beard oil leaves your beard smelling fresh all day long, just imagine a lady being stunned by the scent from your beard *winks*.
It helps with itchiness, in case you have forgotten, beard hair is different from the hair on the head, it’s thicker and even coarser which is why beard oil is produced to help tame it.
Beard oil, believe it or no,t helps in the vitality and rejuvenation of the face as a whole and makes the beard hair healthy.
Consider beard oil to be a grooming tool, as it manages stubborn beard hairs effectively making them smooth and glossy. When you have a well-groomed beard, you give off an air of confidence capable of making anybody stop to listen to whatever you have to say.
You know what’s more? Beard oil is excellent for all beard hair types, whether short or long, kinky or not.
Now that we have explained the amazing reasons why you should start using beard oil, let’s get down to business. There are certain qualities you ought to watch out for when getting your beard oil. However, we are going to be highlighting the ten major ingredients you need.
It is important to note that beard oil ingredients are split into two parts; the carrier oils and essential oils
Carrier oil includes but is not limited to the following: Coconut oil, Jojoba oil, Sweet Almond oil, Olive oil, Cocoa butter.
Essential oil includes but is not limited to: Cinnamon oil, Lemongrass oil, Peppermint oil, Lavender oil, Rosemary oil.
There are tons of other ingredients, but for the purpose of this post, we are going to discuss the above five ingredients each under both carrier and essential oils.
Carrier Oil
Let’s just say the carrier oil is a vehicle that drives the essential oil to the skin. Carrier oil is the major ingredient of beard oil because the essential oil only contains a few drops. It contains Vitamin A, D and E. Asides from the carrier oil being a major ingredient in beard oil, it also has therapeutic properties and is easily absorbed by the skin. Most of the ingredients under carrier oil are vegetable oils made from nuts, seeds and kernels. It is meant to complement the essential oil.
1. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is popular carrier oil made from the fruit of a coconut tree and is edible. It has antimicrobial properties as a result of its high lauric acid content (a major fatty acid in coconut oil), this also means that it has a good shelf life. The aroma from the coconut can be used as either carrier oil or on its own. It is advisable to go for unrefined coconut oil as an ingredient because it is free of chemical extraction. It helps to nourish and soften the beard hair and skin underneath. The following antioxidants are present in coconut oil – antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. It prevents dry skin and helps in the treatment of certain skin conditions because of its super moisturizing quality.
2. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is actually a wax that closely looks like ‘sebum’ which is the skin’s natural oil, although its work is to remove sebum that is present at the scalp. It is a good moisturizer for sensitive skin and is capable of adding nutrients to beard hair. It contains protein and minerals. The oil is gotten from seeds of the jojoba tree. It also has natural anti-fungal properties, helps in controlling acne and absorbs wonderfully. Like the coconut oil, it has a long shelf life as well. It helps in protecting the skin from sunburn.
3. Sweet Almond Oil
It has a strong scent and can cover the aroma of an essential oil. The oil is extracted from the kernels of an almond tree and is edible. Sweet almond oil is very rich in Vitamin E, making it excellent in nourishing and rejuvenating the skin, moisturizing it to prevent it from dryness. There’s even more, it is capable of making the facial skin smooth and lower wrinkles. It also helps the treatment of skin inflammation because of its natural antioxidant properties. More importantly, it promotes beard growth.
4. Olive Oil
Olive oil is a popular cooking oil, with strong anti-inflammatory properties. It is a healthy and edible oil that is extracted from pressed olives. It contains fatty acids which include linoleic and oleic acids. It helps in treating the beards, thereby preventing beard-druff and encouraging beard growth. Olive oil is non-greasy and can be used on any beard hair type. Its fruity aromatic nature makes it easily blend with essential oils. Olive oil helps in conditioning and making the beard hair soft.
5. Argan Oil
Argan oil contains Vitamin A and E in high quantities. It is an edible oil extracted from kernels in a Moroccan Argan tree. It helps in promoting hair growth and fights beard-druff. It has wonderful healing and nourishing qualities, as it helps in treating dry skin, damaged hair and inflammation. You’ll be surprised to know it has been nicknamed as the “liquid gold”, because of its moisturizing ability. If you suffer from eczema, argan oil can help in treating it.
Gradually changing your mind about not using products for your beards? Well, let’s go further.
Essential Oils
This is responsible for the strong scent, aroma and spice in beard oil. It is mostly derived from roots, woods, peels, flowers, and berries. Essential oil should NOT be used directly on the skin without being diluted with the carrier oil, because it is potent and can cause skin irritation and chemical burns.
1. Cinnamon Oil
Cinnamon is an old edible spice extracted from the external part of the cinnamon bark tree. It contains antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps in boosting beard hair growth and health. It helps in correcting thinned or damaged hair. Cinnamon oil also fights beard-druff and ensures makes the beard hair healthy.
2. Lemongrass Oil
Lemongrass oil is best used for treating beard-druff. It is made from the oil glands on lemon rinds. Lemongrass oil can help in drying oily beard hair and in curing acne with other infections. So if you battle with beard-druffs/acne a lot, best look for the beard oil that has lemon grass as one of its ingredients. It strengthens the beard hair follicles. Lemongrass oil as an antibacterial also helps in the treatment of skin inflammation.
3. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is derived from the oils of peppermint leaves and contains a compound called menthol.
It aids in promoting beard hair growth, has a cooling, warming and stimulating sensation when applied to the skin. It is superb in the area of reinvigorating beard hair follicles. Just like lemongrass and cinnamon oil, peppermint oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Peppermint oil increases blood circulation around the area it is applied to, which in turn stimulates beard growth. Now imagine rubbing beard oil that contains this ingredient on the chin regularly and wait for the amazing results that would follow.
4. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is gotten from distilling flower spikes of various species of lavender. It helps in making the beard hair shiny and prevents beard-druff. Lavender oil can also act as a deep conditioner for the beard, it promotes beard hair growth and can be used for any beard hair type. It has the following properties: antimicrobial, antiseptic and helps in fighting acne and other fungal/bacterial infections.
5. Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil is gotten from the leaves and flower tops of the rosemary tree. It is of the same mint family as lavender oil, and it is known to be purifying and rejuvenating. It encourages blood circulation in the scalp and improves beard hair growth. It also helps in thickening beard hair, aids dry or itchy beard hair. Like other essential oils, rosemary oil helps in nourishes the beard hair follicles and cleans them effectively. It also prevents scalp dryness by serving as a moisturizer and fights beard-dandruff/flaking. It possesses anti-inflammatory properties.
These are the major ingredients you need in beard oil. Now that you’ve read and digested everything, pretty sure you are ready to invest your resources in getting good beard oil?
Before you rush to place that order or make the payment at the counter, whichever type of beard oil you decide to buy, ensure they have the above ingredients inscribed on the body of the bottle. You don’t want to buy the beard oil that would cause more harm than good to your beards.
Bonus thoughts on Beard Oil
After getting the right beard oil for your beard, go through the process below in applying it.
- Pour a little amount of oil in your palm and rub levelly on both palms
- Apply directly to the beard and carefully massage into the skin
- Be sure to apply the beard oil daily this way for effective results.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What ingredients are the best for sensitive skin?
- Argan oil
- Evening primrose oil
- Jojoba oil
- Tea tree oil
Does beard oil have side effects?
Asides from beard oil that contains oil such as comedogenic are almond oil, coconut oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, and coconut butter that can cause acne for sensitive skin and propylene glycol in Minoxidil that can cause dryness, or slight burning sensation, there are no other side effects of beard oil.
Can I Put Coconut Oil On My Beard?
Just like every other oil listed above, coconut oil is also an excellent oil for beard, Like others, it is not greasy and penetrates the skin more effectively. It does not end there, the conditioning properties of coconut oil help make the root of the facial hair softer and stronger.
Which Oil Is Best For Beard?
We have different types of oils which each performing different functions and we also have those similar functions. Below are the different types of oil and their function:
- Sunflower Oil
- Jojoba Oil
- Olive Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Argan Oil
Sunflower Oil:
When sourcing for ingredients for the production of beard oil, argan oil should not be left out. It is one of the best oils you can use for a full and healthy beard. The benefits of argan oil are great; it contains vitamin E which is needed for beard growth. Vitamin E is made up of antioxidants that boost cell growth and ensure good hair growth.
Jojoba Oil:
Another popular oil that can be found in skin and hair care products. Jojoba oil contains ingredients with antifungal and antibacterial properties that prevent common problems like brittle hair and dandruff.
Sunflower Oil:
Sunflower is also another oil to content with because it helps prevent hair loss and breakage. It is rich in fatty acid, Vitamin C, B, A, and E ingredients that keep the hair soft and moisturize.
Is beard oil bad for acne?
Is it possible for a beard oil to cause acne? Yes, some beard oil can cause acne as they contain ingredients that are comedogenic. They can make the skin gets clogged. Some of the common ingredients in beard oils that are comedogenic are almond oil, coconut oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, and coconut butter.
Some of the ingredients listed above can only cause acne when they are exposed to the sun. That’s if you choose to use any stay indoor for the whole day.