Beard oil does not make your beard grow. No topical oil does. What beard oil does is condition the hair and the skin beneath it, reduce itching during early growth, and make the beard you already have look fuller, softer and better kept.
That's a less exciting answer than the one most beard oil pages give, so it's worth explaining where the confusion comes from.
Does Beard Oil Help Beard Growth?
Beard growth is governed by genetics and hormones — principally testosterone and dihydrotestosterone — acting on hair follicles you already have. An oil applied to the surface of the skin doesn't change either.
What beard oil can do is remove the reasons people give up. Early beard growth is itchy, the skin underneath gets dry and flaky, and a patchy beard looks worse when the hair is coarse and dull. Conditioning the hair and skin addresses all three. Men who use beard oil often end up with better beards, because they stop shaving at week three.
If your beard is genuinely patchy, oil won't fill it in. Nothing sold over a counter will.
Do I Need Beard Oil?
If you're growing a beard, you need beard oil or beard balm, and some men use both. Beard hair needs conditioning just like the hair on your head, and the skin beneath it needs more attention than most men give it.
There's more to a good beard than not shaving. The difference between a good beard and a bad one is usually a decent trim and the right products applied properly.
How Do I Use Beard Oil?
Place a few drops into the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together, making sure you get some on your fingertips. Work the oil into the skin beneath the hair with your fingertips, then the rest through the beard with your hands. The oils are as good for your skin as they are for your beard.
Then comb it through with a beard comb or brush. This spreads the oil evenly and sets the finished shape.
Do You Use Beard Oil and Beard Balm Together?
All of the oils and butters are compatible, so it's down to personal preference. At Gents Barber Shop we don't mix the products, but there's no harm in doing so — just use the same scent, and use less of each than you would on its own.
What's Actually in a Good Beard Oil
A beard oil is mostly carrier oil, with a small amount of essential oil or fragrance for scent. The carrier oils do the work.
Jojoba
Jojoba is not really an oil at all — it's a liquid wax ester, pressed from the seed of a desert shrub. Its structure closely resembles sebum, the waxy substance human skin produces naturally, which is why it absorbs so readily and doesn't sit greasily on the surface.
Grape Seed
Grape seed oil is a byproduct of winemaking. It is light, absorbs quickly, doesn't clog pores, and is high in linoleic acid and vitamin E. Despite what you'll read elsewhere, it does not contain vitamins C or D.
Natural or Fragranced?
Some beard oils are scented with natural essential oils, others with fragrance (parfum). Don't let a fragranced oil put you off — the quantity used is very small. If you want a beard oil scented entirely with natural essential oils, our Black Cedar is made with natural carrier oils and natural essential oils.
Beard Growth FAQs
Does beard oil make your beard grow faster?
No. Beard growth is determined by genetics and hormones. Beard oil conditions the hair and skin; it does not stimulate follicles or accelerate growth.
Does beard oil help a patchy beard?
Not by filling the patches in. It can make the hair you do have look softer, darker and better groomed, which reduces how obvious patchiness is. It cannot create new follicles.
Why does my beard itch when it's growing?
The skin beneath a new beard dries out, and freshly cut hair ends are coarse. Applying beard oil to the skin, not just the hair, is what addresses it.
How often should I use beard oil?
Daily, and sparingly. A few drops is enough for most beards.
Can beard oil replace shaving cream or moisturiser?
No. Beard oil is a leave-in conditioner for beard hair and the skin under it. It isn't a shaving product and isn't formulated as a facial moisturiser.
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