So, you just started to achieve a decent amount of growth in your beard but there’s a problem: it has a coarse, frayed feeling to it and you’re not sure which oil to choose to fix it.
If you’ve spent any amount of time on social media, you’re aware that there are as many companies with their own “special” beard oil as there are men with beards. There’s so many different brands it can be overwhelming to pick just one and it’s difficult to know where to start looking. There are so many questions you should/must answer before you settle on the oil that’s right for you:
- Why do I need beard oil?
- What sort of ingredients should I look for?
- What ingredients should I avoid?
- How much should I pay?
- How big of a bottle should I get?
We’ll start with the advantages of using a quality beard oil and how much better your beard will look and feel with consistent use.
Why Beard Oil?
Every man who’s ever started to grow a beard knows one simple fact: sometimes, beards are itchy. They’re especially itchy during the initial stages of growth when the facial skin is still sensitive and hasn’t grown accustomed to the feeling of hair against it. This problem is exacerbated by dry and/or hot climates and environments.
Beard oil helps solve this annoyance in more ways than one.
A common misconception about beard oil is that it makes the hair itself softer and gentler on the skin. Reality is, beard oil is meant to make the skin smoother and nourish the follicles of the beard itself. A softer beard is really a byproduct of softer, healthier skin and hair follicles— as is a fuller, better looking beard.
So what sort of ingredients help enrich your facial skin and thereby improve the quality of your beard? In short, all-natural, non-allergenic oils.
It’s What’s Inside…
The most common and most highly touted ingredient in most beard oils is Jojoba oil, a natural extract harvested from a shrub in the American Southwest. Though difficult to produce, a high-quality Jojoba oil offers a lot of benefits both in overall beard quality and relative cost efficiency.
As it contains no fatty-acids like most other oils, Jojoba oil has a long shelf life meaning you can buy a larger quantity at a cheaper price without worrying about it going to waste.
In terms of skin health, Jojoba oil naturally moisturizes your skin and encourages hair follicle health and development. The result is a fuller, healthier looking beard.
Two other oils that may be of benefit and worth considering are coconut and argan oil as both moisturize the skin and help keep your skin feeling hydrated while reducing itch. Typically, most beard oils will have at least one of these oils as they’re highly beneficial and relatively inexpensive. If a certain oil does not contain one of these two, it may be worth sending the manufacturer and email asking why they chose not to include them in their formula.
Now that you know what’s important to have included in your beard oil, let’s take a look at what shouldn’t be in them.
Keep It Natural
As beards become more and more popular and companies looking to turn a profit are looking to create a higher supply, many of the latter are turning to mass production. While that’s great in terms of price and reliability, it presents several problems when it comes to the quality of ingredients. Many mass-production companies have turned to synthetic ingredients in order to keep production costs down and profit margins up. Though tremendous for your wallet, your skin and beard will suffer because of it.
Many of the synthetic ingredients are meant to provide short-term benefits meaning your face and beard will feel great for a couple of days but continued use will result in dry skin and damaged facial hair. So avoid a subpar beard by avoiding subpar ingredients, you’re beard will thank you.
Take It Easy On Your Wallet
In terms of price and quantity, there are several factors to consider and much of it depends on personal preference.
Depending on the length and fullness of your beard, a two-ounce bottle of beard oil should last two to three months when used on a daily or semi-daily basis. Typically, two-ounce bottles will cost between $15 and $25 depending on what additives and oils the production company uses.
Many companies offer sampler kits with different scents and oil types which are a great option for those just getting in to the beard oil market, those looking to change scents, or those looking to find a new brand.
Those of us with beards understand the annoyance that comes with an ill-kept beard and know how much of a difference a quality beard oil makes. Take some time to research the different brands and what they offer before settling on one specific company.
Remember, an oil that works for a buddy of yours may not be the best choice for you and your beard. Invest in your beard properly and you are more likely to be satisfied with the results.
