Just about every man who’s grown a beard has heard of beard oil. It’s one of those hair care items that is extremely useful, but sadly underutilized. It’s estimated that about 1 in 4 men between the ages of 18 and 29 use beard care products, with beard oil being the most popular product of choice — and for good reason. Beard oil has tons of benefits that go beyond improving the look and texture of your face fuzz.
But if you’ve never tried out beard oil before, you probably have a lot of questions. For instance, what does beard oil do? Is it good for the skin, or does it just benefit beard hair? Can beard oil be applied to the hair on top of your head? Does beard oil support hair growth? How is it supposed to be used? Lastly, where can you find high-quality conditioning beard oil at an affordable price?
In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more, so let’s get started!
What Does Beard Oil Do?
Part of the reason that 75% of 20-somethings don’t use beard oil is because they don’t really know what it does. This has been a major shortcoming in the beard care industry, as providers have not adequately explained exactly how beard oil can be beneficial. In the sections below, we’ll take a closer look at some of the main functions of beard oil:
Enhanced Hydration
Dry skin is extremely common under beards. Why? Because it’s not always easy or feasible to get moisturizing creams to the skin underneath your beard. You don’t want dried facial cream stuck in your beard hairs, so you might just think you have to accept dry, patchy skin around your beard. Fortunately, this is not the case. Beard oil is specifically designed to be applied to the beard and hydrate the skin underneath.
Softened Beard Texture
One of the most popular reasons men choose beard oil is the softening effect. By default, most beards are dry, scratchy, and not all that pleasant to the touch. When beard oil is applied, it softens the hair, making it smooth and even velvety. Not only does this make it more comfortable to have a beard, but it’s also more pleasant for romantic partners!
Reduced Itching & Dandruff
Have you ever struggled with extremely dry, itchy skin under your beard? If so, we can sympathize! This is a common issue that often leads to scratching, which in turn leads to excess dandruff and dead skin cells. There’s nothing worse than having little white flakes and pieces of dead skin stuck in your beard. This is often a direct result of overly dry skin. Applying beard oil moisturizes the skin, reducing the occurrence or severity of dry, itchy skin. When the skin is well-hydrated, it’s far less likely to be itchy, which also reduces scratching and the prevalence of dandruff (sometimes known as “beardruff”).
Shiny Appearance
A smooth, silky beard is always a sight to behold. Unfortunately, most men don’t realize that their beards are relatively dull-looking by default. Even if you have great genes, your beard will almost certainly need a bit of a boost to look shiny and reflective in the light (just like the hair on your head). Beard oil gives your beard a shinier look, without making it look greasy. Since most beard oils use natural ingredients that are also used in traditional hair products, you can also use many beard oil products for your “regular” hair. Just keep in mind that beard oils are specifically formulated for facial hair, and since head hair often has a different texture, you may not get the same shininess by applying beard oil to the hair on the top of your head.
Protective Barrier
As a general rule, beard hair is coarser and stronger than the hair on most other parts of your body. This makes it strong against the elements, whether it be wind, rain, snow, or even heat. However, it’s not invincible. Adding beard oil can give your beard an extra layer of protection to prevent the hairs from changing colors due to excessive sun exposure or becoming dry and brittle in the cold.
Lasting Aroma
Everybody likes to smell good, right? Most beard oils contain natural fragrances similar to perfumes or after shave products. However, beard oils have the advantage of lasting longer than traditional perfumes, because they provide a thin coating on your beard that can make you smell great for up to 24 hours. This makes beard oil a great addition to your daily beard care routine, especially if you like to smell good on the go!
Does Beard Oil Help Growth?
Yes and no. While beard oil does not directly boost hair growth, it does help create an environment that can enhance hair growth and prevent issues that could be deterring or slowing your hair growth. For instance, when the skin where your beard grows is dry and cracked, this can slow hair growth, or cause beard hairs to feel brittle and weak. The moisturizing benefits of beard oil can make the skin healthier, helping to strengthen hairs at the roots and, over the long term, allow for more consistent hair growth.
How To Use Beard Oil
Much like a quality beard tamer, beard oil is pretty easy to put on. That said, the steps you’ll need to follow will vary based on when you’re applying it. If you’re applying it before a shave, follow these steps:
- Apply a small amount of oil to the palms of your hands
- Massage the oil into your beard and the surrounding skin (keep it away from your eyes)
- Follow the oil with a quality shaving cream or shaving gel
- Shave as you normally would
And if you’re just using your beard oil for standard beard maintenance, follow these steps:
- Apply a small amount of oil to the palms of your hands
- Rub the oil together in your hands and massage it evenly throughout your beard, ensuring the oil reaches the skin underneath
- (Optional) Allow the oil to be absorbed for about two minutes before applying other products
You can use beard oil as often as you like, though most men find it beneficial to apply it once in the morning and once again in the late afternoon or early evening. It’s also a good idea to apply it every time you shave or trim your beard.
The Best Beard Oil
Do you struggle with dry, itchy skin around your facial hair? Do you want beard oil that works before you shave and when you just want to nourish your beard? Finally, are you looking for a high-quality beard oil that will help your beard look and smell great throughout the day? If so, Anthony’s Pre-Shave + Conditioning Beard Oil is the solution for you!
Our signature formula uses all-natural ingredients like calendula and olive oils to provide your skin with the nourishment and moisture it needs. At the same time, the rosemary and basil oils make your beard shiny and soft to the touch. Anthony’s conditioning beard oil also contains natural fragrances to ensure that your beard doesn’t just look and feel great, but smells great, too!
Want to learn even more about the best beard oil on the market? If so, be sure to check out the great products and solutions available at Anthony today!
