Many men participate in No Shave November only to decide that when December 1st rolls around they will hold on to that beard they have worked so hard to grow. But now what? After 30 days the patchiness is (hopefully) nicely filled in but now that beard is starting to get a bit long and out of control. Beard oil can help transform a beard from unruly to ruggedly handsome!
What Is Beard Oil?
Beard oil is just that, oil. Oil is often given a bad rap in beauty care, but using oil to cleanse and moisturize can actually help balance your body’s natural oils and lead to soft, healthy skin and hair.
While I have written often about beauty care for women and natural hair care, your man’s beard is no exception and the skin hiding underneath all that facial hair needs as much care and attention as it would if he were shaving it everyday, if not more.
Because beard hair is typically quite coarse, men often experience itchiness, dandruff or “beardruff,” and even in-grown hairs on the delicate facial skin underneath. A full beard also makes it difficult to access the skin so common skin problems like dryness, acne, or inflammation can be compounded.
Longer beards can also become quite tangled and unruly. Daily application of beard oil, followed by combing with a beard comb, will smooth the hair and encourage it to grow and lay in one direction.
Beard Oil Recipe
To make an effective beard oil, there are a few ingredients you’ll need to have on hand:
Carrier Oils
The carrier oil you choose will depend on what specific qualities you are looking for. We are primarily focused on the beard itself but it is important not to forget the skin underneath. There are several excellent oils that help nourish both skin and hair. You can choose one or a mix of several.
Argan oil is a non-greasy oil from the fruit of the argan tree which is native to Morocco. Because it doesn’t leave a greasy residue it makes it an excellent choice for hair and skin care. It is high in fatty acids which help restore the balance of natural oils in the skin. It is also rich in Vitamin E which stimulates hair growth and helps to repair and prevent split ends.
Jojoba oil is actually a plant wax which is closest to our body’s natural sebum. This makes it an excellent skin care product and it is tolerated very well by most skin types. This oil helps to balance oil production in the skin keeping acne at bay. Jojoba oil also does an excellent job of coating new growth, thus strengthening the hair and helping to prevent breakage.
Sweet Almond oil is a mild oil from the sweet almond that has a light texture and is hypoallergenic making it very gentle on the skin. It softens and conditions hair and skin and replaces the protective coating at the shaft of each hair which helps protect the hair from breakage. Almond oil is rich in magnesium, zinc, and calcium. These minerals are crucial to hair growth and to prevent hair loss.
Castor oil is also an excellent oil for hair growth. It is high in vitamin E and fatty acids which support hair growth and strength and is also naturally antibacterial and anti-fungal which helps prevent “beardruff.”
Essential Oils
Essential oils add many beneficial qualities to your beard oil and also allow you to customize your oil with a scent your man is sure to love.
- Lavender- has antimicrobial properties which help relieve dry scalp and prevent dandruff.
- Cedarwood- increases circulation in the scalp which helps stimulate new growth. It’s anti-fungal properties help relieve itching and prevent dandruff.
- Rosemary– also increases circulation to the scalp aiding in new growth and promotes healing which eases puffiness, itching, and swelling.
- Lemongrass- strengthens the hair follicles helping prevent breakage and hair loss.
- Ylang Ylang- stimulates the scalp for increased hair growth and does an excellent job balancing oils in skin.
DIY Beard Oil Ingredients
- 1/2 ounce (14 grams) Argan Oil
- 1/4 ounce (7 grams) Jojoba Oil
- 1/4 ounce (7 grams) Sweet Almond Oil
- 7 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 5 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
- 3 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil
Beard Oil Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a 1 ounce amber glass bottle with a dropper. Gently swirl to incorporate.
To apply: Depending on beard length, drop 3-5 drops in one hand. Longer beards will require more drops but remember, a little goes a long way, so increase amount by one drop at a time. Dip fingertips from the other hand in the oil and rub oil all over beard. When all the oil has been applied, use fingertips to massage oil down into the beard all the way to the skin. Use a small comb like this one to smooth down the beard.
For best results, apply daily to freshly washed beard that has been toweled dry.
If you’re not the DIY type, this pre-made beard oil is a good option to buy.
No beard? No problem! Try making your own homemade shaving soap and aftershave.
Does your man sport a beard? How does he care for it? Share below!
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