A quality beard oil will not only help to soften your beard and relieve any beard itch, but it will also play a key role in making your facial hair look a whole lot better.

But here’s the deal:

Finding the right beard oil for your beard can be tough. With so many options to choose from – it can be rather difficult to sort through all the options.

We are here to help you in this process.

In this guide, we not only review the best beard oils of 2020, but we go a bit further. We will be sharing with you some key things to think about when making your selection, answering common questions you might have about beard oil, and of course, providing you with detailed reviews of the leading brands on the market.

Let’s get started:

Review Summary

10 Key Features To Think About Before You Buy A Beard Oil

In order to find the right beard oil to meet the needs of your own unique facial hair – we wanted to share with you a few key factors to be on the lookout when finding the right beard oil:

1. Carrier Oils Are The Most Important Ingredient Within Beard Oil

Derived from the fatty portion of the nut, seed, kernel of various plants and trees, carrier oils are the primary ingredient found within beard oil. We estimate that the quantity of carrier oil contained within a beard oil is at about 95% to 99%. Carrier oils are important as they are responsible for giving beard oil all of their great skin and hair benefits.

It is due this terrific skin and hair benefits that you commonly see these natural oils found in a wide variety of natural beauty products for both men and women including shampoos, lotions, shaving creams, and many more.

Carrier oils do a great job in warding off beardruff (beard dandruff) and also helping to make even the roughest of beards much smoother while also making them appear a whole lot healthier. With regular application, this results in a smooth and well-nourished beard that is less susceptible to split ends and broken follicles.

Now there are a few things to keep in mind when taking a look at beard oils and the ingredients listed on the label. Some beard oil vendors may follow international nomenclature (commonly used within the European Union) when listing ingredients making their product sound much more complicated than what it is.

So if you see Simmondsia Chinensis on the label this is really just jojoba oil (pronounced “ho-ho-ba”) – a really common oil that closely mimics the natural oils that the skin beneath your facial hair is already producing.

SUMMARY Carrier oils do most of the work of getting your beard softer and healthier. Make sure your new beard oil contains carrier oils.

2. Essential Oils Provide Great Scents Among Other Benefits

Providing beard oils with a potent aroma and a few homeopathic remedies, essential oils set beard oils apart from one another. These oils are made from many different sources including plants, seeds, roots, woods, and more.

These oils sought after for two primary reasons:

Scent: While highly subjective, you will find that the smell within beard oils can vary from classic woodsy to an invigorating citrus note. These all-natural scents will linger for a few hours after the initial application. We recommend that you go with a beard oil that compliments your other grooming products (i.e. cologne, deodorant, etc.).

While highly subjective, you will find that the smell within beard oils can vary from classic woodsy to an invigorating citrus note. These all-natural scents will linger for a few hours after the initial application. We recommend that you go with a beard oil that compliments your other grooming products (i.e. cologne, deodorant, etc.). Holistic Medicine: Many claim that certain oils can be powerful solutions for curing common beard care aliments – most notable being beardruff and acne. While the studies are limited – we recommend that you don’t buy beard oils based on these bold claims. The old adage rings true here – if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

Note for those with skin sensitivities:

We recommend that you skip essential oils as they may cause irritation for the skin underneath your beard. During our investigation we came across a few stories of some having red irritable skin shortly after application. There are plenty of unscented beard oils available (we review one below). Should you still want to test out a beard oil with essential oils, then make sure that you do a patch test prior to application.

SUMMARY Essential oils make beard oils smell wonderful. Steer clear of any medical claims as they likely haven’t been proven to be scientifically effective.

3. Different Skin & Facial Hair Types

Every man’s skin and facial hair type is different, therefore you will want to get a beard oil that matches the unique needs of you. As we outlined in our reviews, some beard oils and conditioners may work better one hair type (i.e. wiry, coarse, fine, thick, etc.). If you are susceptible to acne, a lightweight beard oil relying on a few non-comedogenic oils will ensure that acne doesn’t flare up.

4. Research Beard Oils & International Safety Standards

As the beard trend has taken off as of late, naturally you will have a lot of bad actors. Luckily, there are some safety standards in place to try and stop these bad oils from making it to the market. However, a little bit of an investigation before buying is the best way to find an oil that doesn’t disappoint.

Here are a few red flags to be mindful of when buying a beard oil:

Check the ingredient label : If the company doesn’t list the ingredients on the label, then avoid the product. Simple as that.

: If the company doesn’t list the ingredients on the label, then avoid the product. Simple as that. Avoid really cheap beard oils : While there are definitely good beard oils for the money – many cheap brands will be filled with chemical-based ingredients such as silicone and other slick synthetics. While slick like a carrier oil, silicone doesn’t provide any great skin or hair care benefits like a natural oil does and is effectively useless.

: While there are definitely good beard oils for the money – many cheap brands will be filled with chemical-based ingredients such as silicone and other slick synthetics. While slick like a carrier oil, silicone doesn’t provide any great skin or hair care benefits like a natural oil does and is effectively useless. Avoid colorants : Natural beard oil should look light brown to golden in color. Those with synthetic colors may dye your beard with prolonged use.

: Natural beard oil should look light brown to golden in color. Those with synthetic colors may dye your beard with prolonged use. Country of origin : During our analysis, we found that nearly all of the top beard oils were made in either the USA or Europe. Not only are the raw ingredients often sourced from these countries (i.e. jojoba oil is a major export of Arizona and California – source), but they also have better quality controls in place.

: During our analysis, we found that nearly all of the top beard oils were made in either the USA or Europe. Not only are the raw ingredients often sourced from these countries (i.e. jojoba oil is a major export of Arizona and California – source), but they also have better quality controls in place. Company legitimacy : In the age of Shopify, it is easy to start a store in a matter of a few clicks. Before making your purchase, we recommend taking a few minutes to look up the brand – especially if they are not featured within this article. Simply look for key signs of poor companies (i.e. no contact info or phone number, generic social media feeds, no pictures of founders, etc.). If something seems off then its best to avoid.

: In the age of Shopify, it is easy to start a store in a matter of a few clicks. Before making your purchase, we recommend taking a few minutes to look up the brand – especially if they are not featured within this article. Simply look for key signs of poor companies (i.e. no contact info or phone number, generic social media feeds, no pictures of founders, etc.). If something seems off then its best to avoid. ISO Certificates : ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization. The ISO aids in setting minimum standards by ensuring that the beard oil you buy is safe, reliable, and good quality (source).

: ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization. The ISO aids in setting minimum standards by ensuring that the beard oil you buy is safe, reliable, and good quality (source). European Made Oils: If you are researching about a European made beard oil, you will want to check the cosmetics database to ensure that the oil is registered with the European Commission.

5. Beard Oil Brands

While the beard trend is in full swing, there will inevitably be a lot of people out there trying to make a quick buck. When putting together this review, we wanted to make sure that we didn’t fall into the same trap that so many other consumers have fallen for before.

Based on our research, we found the following beard oil brands to be among the most popular and trusted:

6. Bottle Design Is Important

While it might not seem like a big deal when selecting a beard oil, the right bottle design can really make a difference when you are applying it daily as well as its long term preservation.

Different Beard Oil Applicators



When examining the beard oil market, there are largely going to be three types of applicators:

Dropper Cap – Like a pipette, a dropper allows you to use measured amounts daily. This prevents waste and makes application easier.

– Like a pipette, a dropper allows you to use measured amounts daily. This prevents waste and makes application easier. Restrictor Valve – This one-way valve on the top of the bottle makes application both tricky and messy. While more sleek in design, we recommend skipping on this applicator type.

– This one-way valve on the top of the bottle makes application both tricky and messy. While more sleek in design, we recommend skipping on this applicator type. Pump Dispenser – Like the dropper, this provides consistent amounts per pump and is helpful in reducing waste. Some do find that this can get a bit messy as oil may run down the side of the bottle.

Color & Material of Bottle



Another factor to consider, and a topic we covered heavily when making our own beard oil, is the composition or color of the bottle itself:

Within the beard oil market we came across a great variety of bottle designs – from glass to plastic, clear to amber colored, beard care companies truly like to get pretty creative with their package design.

You will want to buy an oil that is stored in an amber-colored glass bottle. This helps to ensure that the UV emitting lights found in warehouses and drugstores won’t break down the delicate natural ingredients found within the glass bottle nor cause oxidation of the fragile ingredients.

Now there is a caveat to this.

As you will see in our reviews, some companies may ship their plastic beard oil bottles in cardboard boxes – this will, of course, prevent UV light from penetrating the bottle.

7. Price

When looking at all the beard oils and conditioners available to purchase – you will find that they come in many different price points. With premium offerings costing upwards of $30 for a single ounce to those that are a bit cheaper and costing under $10 an ounce. We found that those priced towards the higher end often contained many different essential oils, had a premium bottle design, and were often associated with a brand name.

Furthermore, we did dedicate an entire guide to cheap beard oils that is worth checking out.

Most importantly, pick a beard oil that works for your budget, taste, and style.

8. Beard Conditioners

Within the beard oil category, you will have beard conditioners. Beard conditioners vary slightly from traditional beard oils as they are less about the smell and more focused on the natural moisturizing and nourishment properties.

For example, if you have severe beardruff or beard itch, a beard conditioner will be a better pick as it delivers a higher level of hydration to the skin beneath your facial hair.

9. Extra Ingredients & Features

Some companies like to get inventive with their beard oils and mix a variety of other proven ingredients into their formula. As you will find in our reviews below, some companies may include the following within their beard oil:

Vitamins (E, B12, etc.): While primarily found as a dietary supplement, various vitamins been sought after for both its skin and hair benefits. If you have a brittle beard or splotchy skin underneath your facial hair, the right vitamin may prove helpful for you. Vitamin E is also effective at fighting free radicals on your skin.

While primarily found as a dietary supplement, various vitamins been sought after for both its skin and hair benefits. If you have a brittle beard or splotchy skin underneath your facial hair, the right vitamin may prove helpful for you. Vitamin E is also effective at fighting free radicals on your skin. Minoxidil : Found in Rogaine, minoxidil is a FDA approved treatment for hair loss. Those with a patchy beard may find this ingredient helpful in spot treatment.

: Found in Rogaine, minoxidil is a FDA approved treatment for hair loss. Those with a patchy beard may find this ingredient helpful in spot treatment. Other Ingredients : During your research you may come across one-of-a kind ingredients such as plum oil, safflower oil, wheat germ, black pepper, melon oil, and even brown algae! While we can’t dive into each of these here – we recommend that you check for research on trusted sites such as the NIH, FDA, or even Wikipedia when in doubt.

: During your research you may come across one-of-a kind ingredients such as plum oil, safflower oil, wheat germ, black pepper, melon oil, and even brown algae! While we can’t dive into each of these here – we recommend that you check for research on trusted sites such as the NIH, FDA, or even Wikipedia when in doubt. Vegan Oils: Men who like to support companies that are friendly to animals will want to seek out oils marketed towards vegans. These contain no animal ingredients or animal-derived ingredients.

10. Bottle Size

Important if traveling, beard oils come in many different bottle sizes typically ranging from 1oz to 4oz. Often the larger or bulk bottle sizes lead to greater savings. However, if you are just trying out a beard oil for the first time, we recommend going with a smaller bottle size to make sure you like it.

Comparing & Rating The Best Beard Oils

We found the following beard oils to be the best in class for their respective categories:

Scent: While subjective, good smelling beard oil will be pleasurable the nose

While subjective, good smelling beard oil will be pleasurable the nose Price : The best oils we found ranged from $10 to $25 (indicated by $ sign)

: The best oils we found ranged from $10 to $25 (indicated by $ sign) Intent : Selecting the right beard oil for the occasion is important, we award each best on different intents

: Selecting the right beard oil for the occasion is important, we award each best on different intents Rating: Based on both quantitative and qualitative reviews, we rate each oil on a scale of 1 to 5

Our beard oil reviews and ratings:

The 13 Best Beard Oils Reviewed of 2020

Top Award: Best Beard Oil Overall Best Beard Oil For: Men who want a beard oil that works hard and gets results.

Summary:

There is a whole lot to love about Honest Amish Premium, and the reason why it’s the best beard oil. A staple in the beard community, Honest Amish has served consistent yet quality products for beardsmen both old and new.

The first thing that you will notice on this particular bottle of beard oil is their reliance on all natural ingredients. This not only speaks to quality, but it will be much better at conditioning your beard and stopping beard itch.

In addition to being a great moisturizer for your facial hair, Honest Amish Premium also smells incredible. Standing out in a market of woodsy dominated products. While scent is highly a subjective category, for all those that we consulted when writing this article agree that this one by Honest Amish smelled great. The best way we could describe the smell would be a warm yet manly smell that has slightly spicy undertones.

Quality and scent aside, another great aspect of the Honest Amish Premium beard oil was its price per ounce. Unlike so many other oils that we reviewed that cost upwards to $20 for a single ounce, this beard oil rings up at half that ($10/oz).

Key Ingredients

Black Cumin Oil, Virgin Avocado Oil, Golden Jojoba Oil, Virgin Argan Oil, Virgin Boabab Oil, Rose Hip Oil, Moringa Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Virgin Seabuck Thorn Oil, Virgin Pumpkin Seed Oil

Important Facts

Capacity : 2 oz.

: 2 oz. Location : Transfer, PA

: Transfer, PA Scent: Warm & Spicy

Pros Uncompromising ingredients provide a unique blend

Rich history in the beard care market

Makes any beard feel smooth, shiny, and look great

Contains no preservatives Cons A bit expensive

What You Need To Know

It really doesn’t get much better than this when it comes to beard oil. Honest Amish is a company with a rich history in delivering beard care products. If you haven’t already tried this one, get it, you won’t be disappointed in the results.

Top Award: Best Smelling Beard Oil Best Features: The scent is warm, pleasurable, and versatile

Natural ingredients absorb quickly

Works on both beard and skin Best Beard Oil For: Men who pick beard oils based on fragrances and smell. Summary: With a desire to create a line of products that were not only sexy and fun but guaranteed to make a name in the grooming industry, Billy Jealousy introduces the Devil’s Delight Beard Oil. But how does it stack up to other oils? The first thing that you will notice when you turn around the bottle is that it’s loaded with a ton of natural ingredients. This will help to remove beard dandruff in a few days and leave your underlying skin looking (and feeling) well moisturized and healthy. While nourishment and hydration is by far the most important part of selecting a beard oil, another, yet more fun part about Devil’s Delight will be the scent. There’s a reason why we rated this beard oil as one of the best smelling beard oils on the market. It smells downright amazing and is guaranteed to turn a few heads. The scent is warm and almost sweet smelling. It’s at moments like this that you wish the internet had some sort of ‘smell’ feature (well maybe not, but you get the idea). As far as potency of the scent, it’s not off-putting and won’t overpower your cologne. If there is any gripe about this product, it will be the pump. Not as great as a dropper, the pump makes it a bit tougher to get measured amounts for daily application. With the inclusion of ingredients such as soybean and aloe vera leaf oil – many men with coarse beard hair found that Billy Jealousy Devil’s Delight beard oil was effective at softening their facial hair. Key Ingredients Soybean, Jojoba Oil, Sunflower Oil, Aloe Vera Leaf Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Avocado Oil, Vitamin E Oil Other Important Features: Dark bottle will prevent UV light rays from penetrating and destroying the oils

Beyond the great smelling oil, helps to nourish skin pores

Supplements your natural sebum oil being made

Billy Jealousy has a strong reputation as a trusted grooming brand for men

Works on just about any skin type Pros Great smelling beard oil that received high marks across the board

Loaded with natural ingredients

Softens a coarse beard Cons Pump design can be a bit messy What You Need To Know While the pump leaves a bit to be desired, the Billy Jealousy Devil’s Delight is a great smelling beard oil that most men will love. The scent isn’t too potent and can be worked into a lot of settings without drawing attention or making a noticeable presence.

Top Award: Best Beard Oil For Growth & Thickness

Best Beard Oil For:

Men who have a patchy or thin beard looking for growth and thickness.

Summary:

If you are looking for facial hair growth, then it is best to go with an oil that has been formulated to achieve these results. When looking at all the options on the market, there perhaps is no better than the Biotopic Beard Growth Serum. Packed full of beard growing ingredients including AnaGain (their proprietary ingredient), biotin, argan oil, caffeine, vitamin c, and hyaluronic acid, this oil will give your beard growth a massive kickstart. Unlike minoxidil and other beard growth oils, this oil from Biotopic won’t cause skin irritation or nasty side effects.

While this may be the best beard oil for growth, it is equally a standout conditioner that makes for a healthy beard. Thanks to the inclusion of nourishing ingredients like argan oil, your hair should also become much stronger.

This oil comes in an easy-to-use pump top spout that you can get a small amount of measured oil into the palm of your hand.

If you are a bit apprehensive about trying this particular oil, know that it does come with a 120-day Money-Back Guarantee if you aren’t satisfied with the results.

For the men with sensitive skin beneath their facial hair, you will be happy to learn that Biotopic is fragrance-free.

Key Ingredients

Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, LinseedSeed, Caffeine, Jojoba Seed Oil, Hops Extract, Lavender Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Matricaria Flower Extract, Lemon Peel Extract, Cucumber Seed Extract, etc (more available on their site).

Important Facts

Capacity : 1oz.

: 1oz. Location : Aspen, CO

: Aspen, CO Scent: Fragrance-Free

Pros Great to use for beard hair growth

Makes you also have healthy beard follicles

Backed by a money-back guarantee Cons Expensive for a single ounce

What You Need To Know If you want a targeted solution for beard hair growth that doesn’t rely on a long list of chemicals, then this is the best beard growth oil for you. Fragrance free to prevent nasty skin-irritations, it will go on nicely. Biotopic also stands by their product with a 120 day money-back guarantee. Buy Now

Top Award: Best Unscented Beard Oil Best Beard Oil For: Men with sensitive skin who want a healthy looking beard.

Summary:

By far one of the most popular beard oils on Amazon with nearly 5,000 reviews is this 100% organic and unscented beard oil by Ranger Grooming Co (formerly sold under the Leven Rose brand). With a simple mixture of just organic jojoba and organic argan (sourced from Morocco) oils, this beard oil is first and foremost a conditioning agent. Perfect for men who want the no-frills beard oil and a completely unscented option – it doesn’t get any cleaner nor effective than this.

With daily application, your beard will not only feel incredibly soft, but will fully rid it of any beard dandruff or tangles while giving a nice light shine in appearance. In addition to being a powerful conditioning product, the bottle design is perfect. The dark amber will block UV rays while the glass dropper will give you consistent applications every day.

Men who wear colognes or body sprays may also prefer this beard oil as it will not clash with any of the fragrances you may be wearing – making it a versatile pick. Lastly the oil also was made in the USA – which has higher quality control standards for product manufacturing.

Key Ingredients

Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Moroccan Argan Oil

Important Facts

Capacity : 1 oz

: 1 oz Location : Colorado Springs, CO

: Colorado Springs, CO Scent: Unscented

Pros Two simple ingredients (jojoba + argan)

Perfect for men with sensitive skin

Prevents split ends

Works well to make your facial hair soft Cons A bit too plain for some

What You Need To Know

If you are looking for a great unscented beard oil that is no frills, affordable, and delivers results, then this will be your best pick.

Best Beard Oil For: Men with curly beards want a beard oil from a designer brand that is affordable.

Summary:

For those who value both luxury and performance, V76 by Vaughn smartly has both.

Carrying both designer aesthetics and components, but not the price tag – this beard oil is perfect for men looking to strike a fine balance of quality and value in their beard oil.

Performance speaking, this beard oil has it all – 9 unique carrier oils that deliver exceptional slickness and moderate shine that will both hydrate and moisturize your face. So if you are dealing with dry skin beneath your facial hair (also known as beardruff), it will be fixed in a few days. Secondly, the mix of natural oils within V76 will help to loosen densely packed curly beards to help them look and feel significantly softer and healthier. Double that with their unique essential oils – you have a beard oil that draws upon its Miami, FL heritage by delivering a light smell that will remind you of a warm and sunny day.

Another aspect of this beard oil typically reserved for the high end brands like Beardbrand or Honest Amish, is that it comes packaged in a box. This extra layer of packaging prevents the fragile contents within in the bottle from breaking down when exposed to harmful store/warehouse UV lights. So, the product you receive on your doorstep will be nearly as fresh as when it came off the assembly line.

Lastly, value.

While the initial price tag of $19 may sound steep – it’s not. Given that this is a 2oz bottle, you will be paying far less than some of the other high end beard oils on our list ($9.50/oz). This is a terrific deal given the performance you get – making it one of the best cheap beard oils .

Key Ingredients

Castor Seed Oil, Safflower Seed Oil, Canola Oil, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Olive Fruit Oil, Jojoba Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Sesame Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Essential Oils

Important Facts

Capacity : 2 oz

: 2 oz Location : Miami, FL

: Miami, FL Scent: Woodsy / Leather

Pros Designer quality beard oil at an affordable price

Contains 9 unique carrier oils

Woodsy + leather smell is classic

Great for curly beards Cons Some chemical-based ingredients

What You Need To Know

V76 by Vaughn is a refreshing beard oil that expertly dances between both a luxury and value product. It’s smells amazing, and will become a part of your morning routine that you look forward to.

Best Beard Oil For: Men who want an all-natural and organic beard oil that doesn’t contain harmful ingredients.

Summary:

From our research we found that Wild Willies was the best all-natural beard oil.

Containing 10 natural and organic ingredients (listed below), it’s an amazing mixture that will rehydrate and nourish your beard. One particular standout ingredient found within this oil is the inclusion of Vitamin E. With the ability to improve blood flow to your skin beneath your facial hair, this oil will strengthen your follicles and add a light shine to your whiskers. This is perfect for men who want to fix a dull or frizzy looking beard.

The scent on this beard oil is muted – making a fairly versatile product for all men. Now, there were a couple of issues with this beard oil that prevented from being best overall:

This namely has to do with bottle design. It’s plastic. While not a deal breaker for some men reading, especially given that this beard oil is fairly affordable, it’s worth noting. Now should you still want to give this beard oil a try, we do want to let you know that they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. So even if you aren’t a fan, you can get a full refund, no questions asked.

We found this to be the best beard oil for short beards as it will also act as a great skin conditioner and toner.

Key Ingredients

Grape Seed Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Argan Oil, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Juniper Oil, Tea Tree Leaf Oil, Linalool, Vitamin E Oil

Important Facts

Capacity : 2 oz

: 2 oz Location : Atlanta, GA

: Atlanta, GA Scent: Muted

Pros Contains a blend of 10 organic + natural ingredients that will also improve the skin underneath your beard

100% satisfaction guarantee

Great for men with short beards Cons Plastic bottle won’t keep as fresh

What You Need To Know

If you are looking for a reliable workhorse of a natural beard oil that doesn’t have a strong scent, Wild Willies hits all the right marks.

Best Beard Oil For: Those who want to go and buy a quality beard oil at their local drugstore

Summary:

Making waves in the men’s grooming world with their trademark latherless shave cream, Cremo is now upending the beard care industry with their recently launched beard oil through three different offerings:

Forest Blend

Tea Tree Mint

Unscented

This lineup has something for every man…

Should you like a more traditional woodsy beard oil, then the Forest Blend will be your preferred pick. However, if you want a scent that is a bit more invigorating then go with the Tea Tree Mint. Lastly, the unscented beard oil is perfect for those who want just the beard care benefits without any fragrance. But the most surprising part about Cremo’s beard oil isn’t their scent offering, its their reliance on quality ingredients.

Each of the oils not only will be compatible with just about any skin or beard type, but the addition of Vitamin E is also a nice touch that will ensure that your beard has a non-greasy shine and will feel great to touch. While readily available at most major online retailers, you can also this beard oil at your local drugstore (we found ours at a Duane Reade / Walgreens).

Like all the Cremo products we have reviewed, everything is made in the USA. With a modest $15 price tag, you really can’t go wrong with this one – it’s a compelling offer you should consider.

Key Ingredients

Sunflower Oil, Avocado Oil, Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Peppermint Oil, Rosemary Extract, Vitamin E

Important Facts

Capacity : 1 oz

: 1 oz Location : Laguna Beach, CA

: Laguna Beach, CA Scent: Tea Tree / Peppermint

Pros Easy to pick up both online and locally

Variety of scents to satisfy your own preference

Rich oils that help to soften and nourish your beard

Priced affordably Cons No frills option may be a bit too simple for some

What You Need To Know

It’s a predictable beard oil that has all the essentials in order to improve how your beard looks and feels. If you are feeling adventurous, the Tea Tree Mint variant has a nice scent to it.

Best Beard Oil For: Men who are looking for a truly unique beard oil from Europe.

Summary:

Like Cremo, Proraso is primarily known for their stellar shaving creams. Of all the men’s grooming companies we reviewed in the making of this article, Proraso is by far the most established. Founded in 1908 by Ludovico Martelli, Proraso has been serving men around the world for over a century.

However, Proraso’s entrance into the beard care segment is new, and currently offers three distinct scents:

Azur Lime

Cypress & Vetyver

Wood & Spice

For the traditionalists out there looking for a beard oil, the Wood & Spice will be the classic offering that will likely catch your attention. It’s going to be one of those oils that exudes all the traditional outdoorsy traits that a lot of folks downright love. But for our review we wanted to focus on the Cypress & Vetyver beard oil. This unique scent not only evokes light and airy notes that is akin to lemon grass, but will set you apart from the rest (in a good way).

Beyond scent, this beard oil includes a wide array of carrier oils that will make any facial hair look and feel incredible, which include the following:

Sunflower seed oil

Eucalyptus leaf oil

Macadamia oil

When it comes to packaging, Proraso gets everything right. Not only is the beard oil contained in a dropper bottle for easy application, but it’s also stored in a cardboard box for longer ingredient preservation.

If there were any gripes about this beard oil it’s that the ingredient profile isn’t completely natural.

Key Ingredients

Sunflower Seed Oil, Parfum, Avocado Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil, Eucalyptus Leaf Oil, Walnut Shell Extract, Menthol, Vitamin E Oil, Limonene, Linalool

Important Facts

Capacity : 1 oz

: 1 oz Location : Fiesole, Italy

: Fiesole, Italy Scent: Variety

Pros Distinct scent not normally found in beard oils

Dropper applicator makes using easy

Modestly priced Cons Contains some synthetic ingredients

What You Need To Know

It’s really unique scent sets it apart from nearly every other beard oil on the market. While affordable, it does also contain a few non-natural ingredients.

Best Beard Oil For: Those with longer beards looking for a classic beard oil that has been around for years

Summary:

One of the biggest value oils on our list is this WV Timber by Mountaineer Brand. At $6.25 an ounce ($12.50 retail), this one of the very few products on the market that rivals a DIY beard oil. From ingredients to packaging, there are very little corners cut when it comes to the quality of the product (further supporting how overpriced some oils are).

The biggest complaint men will have with this beard oil will be the restrictor valve design. Unable to have measured amounts like a dropper while also being a bit messy (as oil can drip down the sides), it’s not perfect. When looking past this packaging flaw, everything else is great. You will find a good bottle design (dark blue to resist UV rays), along with a really good ingredient list.

The oil itself is completely all natural (see ingredient list below), and will be perfect for not only making your facial hair look and feel great, but the extra essential oils will give you additional benefits as well. If there was any beard oil that would be considered “classic” this would be it. The pine and cedarwood scents give off that familiar lumberjack scent while also striking a hint of eucalyptus that so many men desire.

Overall its a great beard oil worthy of being listed among the best.

Key Ingredients

Grapseed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Fir Needle Oil, Eucalyptus, Leaf Oil

Important Facts

Capacity : 2 oz

: 2 oz Location : Martinsburg, WV

: Martinsburg, WV Scent: Cedar

Pros Trusted beard oil that has withstood the test of time

The quintessential classic beard oil for the lumberjack beardsmen

Priced incredibly well

All-natural ingredients Cons Applying it may be a bit messy

What You Need To Know

This classic beard oil is extremely affordable. While not containing a highly complex mixture of everything under the sun, it still delivers where it counts.

Best Beard Oil For: Men with a short stubble and want the confidence of attracting women while also improving skin health.

Summary:

Otherwise known as the “Ladies Man Scent” this 1 oz. bottle of beardy goodness is sure to keep you coming back for more time and time again. Not only will it expertly tame and condition your stubble immediately after application through its use of all natural and organic ingredients, but it will smell downright amazing while doing so.

So what makes this the best scent for men trying to impress women?

A careful formulation of a variety of plant based ingredients including lemon, orange, and other aphrodisiacs (stimulates sexual desire). Whether it works to achieve this goal, that’s going to require some field testing on your behalf. But even if you aren’t able to net that lucky lady, as a beard oil, it still hits all the right marks and worth including them on our list. The bottle design is perfect and one that isn’t trying to get too fancy with restrictor valves, pumps, etc.

Overall, its an unique pick that is perfect for men who are simply looking for something new in the world of beard care products.

Key Ingredients

Apricot Kernel, Jojoba Oil, Aragon Oil, Coconut Oil, Vitamin E Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Rosemary Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, White Fir Oil, Orange Oil, Clove Oil

Important Facts

Capacity : 1 oz

: 1 oz Location : El Dorado Hills, CA

: El Dorado Hills, CA Scent: Citrus

Pros Citrus scent can go well with your cologne

Works on both beard and mustache

Unique recipe will help to prevent split ends

Natural oils great for stubble beards Cons Primary purpose of attracting ladies may not work for all

What You Need To Know

Whether this ignites a hidden passion in women around you is yet to be determined. The unique and all-natural formula will be a softener for spiky stubble while also healing and conditioning skin. We think this is the best beard oil for stubble on the market today.

Best Beard Oil For: Those looking for a slightly more affordable version of their Premium beard oil

Summary:

The one company that sets a high bar when it comes to beard related products is Honest Amish. There Classic beard oil is a fine product that stands up to both the new and established beard care companies in the marketplace today. With such a diverse profile of carrier oils, this beard oil will do a terrific job at ensuring your facial hair stays moisturized and well nourished.

One particular carrier oil we wanted to cover was the Kukui oil:

This rare oil is sourced from Hawaii and naturally contains fatty and amino acids which will penetrate the shaft of your beard follicle leaving it to appear both well nourished as lustrous. While containing 7 different carrier oils, this beard oil is relatively mild making it suitable for many.

But beyond the carrier oils, Honest Amish also includes an additional 7 essential oils. To put a scent into words is tough, but the best way that we and other men have described this beard oil is “fresh, clean, and manly…has some black licorice and root beer tones to it” and that it generally “has a nice, soft scent”. It’s definitely a warmer scent that has a nice finish and one that you might want to wear in the winter months. Ingredients and beard care benefits aside, where this beard oil really shines is value:

Now typically for a beard oil containing 14 different ingredients, you would expect to pay a premium. However, at $7/oz, its really hard to find another beard oil at the same quality.

Lastly preservation:

Not only is the bottle dark amber in color, but it comes packaged in a small box that will prevent it from being exposed to harmful UV rays that would otherwise deteriorate the structure of the delicate ingredients. This bottle also comes with a dropper that will help reduce excess waste when compared to other oils.

Key Ingredients

Avocado Oil, Virgin Pumpkin Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Golden Jojoba Oil, Virgin Argan Oil, Kukui Oil, Cedarwood, Clove, Anise, Grapefruit, Lavender, Cinnamon, Peppermint

Important Facts

Capacity : 2 oz

: 2 oz Location : Transfer, PA

: Transfer, PA Scent: Clove

Pros Quality beard oil that has been priced aggressively low

Dropper applicator makes for easy application

Trusted by beardsmen for years Cons Scent isn’t for everyone

What You Need To Know

While this oil is incredible in its own right, based on our research, the Honest Amish Premium beard oil was just a little bit better. If your grooming budget can afford the few extra dollars, then upgrade, otherwise, this Classic version by Honest Amish is still a quality oil.

Best Beard Oil For: Those men in search of a classic woodsy beard oil

Summary:

The mountains trapped in a bottle.

Packed full of a woodsy smell, this beard oil will bring out your inner lumberjack. However, what’s great about this beard oil is that it tends to dissipate an hour or so after use – making it great for beardsmen who prefer to keep scents subtle and not announce when you enter a room.

This is due in part to the reliance on natural ingredients as opposed to chemically derived ones typically found in cheaper or mass produced beard oils. Beyond the incredible scent, Wisdom does have some distinct ingredients we want to call out. First off this beard oil contains jojoba as a base carrier oil – this key ingredient will provide a terrific amount of nourishment and moisture to both your skin and beard when applied. You can expect this ingredient to completely rid your beard of beardruff while making it feel completely smooth.

But the benefits don’t end there, jojoba will also help to soften your beard in order to prevent irreversible damage that is only curable through proper trimming with shears. Another ingredient included in Wisdom is Meadowfoam seed oil – which will help to soften your skin (source).

When it comes to the bottle and packaging for this beard oil, its perfect. When buying this oil you get a rounded cardboard container, UV blocking glass, and a dropper. This makes it a perfect beard oil for not only preservation, but gift giving as well.

Now the biggest gripe of this beard oil is the cost. It’s $19/oz – making it among the priciest picks out there.

Key Ingredients

Olive Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Vitamin E Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Essential Oils

Important Facts

Capacity : 1 oz

: 1 oz Location : Mt. Clemens, MI

: Mt. Clemens, MI Scent: Earthy Tones

Pros Woodsy scent is a classic staple by beardsmen everywhere

Vitamin E oil nourishes both facial hair and skin

Cardboard packaging protects delicate ingredients Cons Expensive

What You Need To Know

If you have the budget and want one of the best woodsy scented beard oils on the market then be prepared to pay a premium. The uncompromising packaging makes it perfect for gift giving for the man that is embracing their lumberjack beard.

Best Beard Oil For: Men who want to play it safe and go with one of the most popular beard oil brands.

Summary:

Among some of the best marketed (and perhaps most popular) beard care products that you can pick up today will be those from Beardbrand. This company has unequivocally paved the way to make beard oil the mainstream product it is today through their appearances on shows (both TV and online). So how does their Tree Ranger beard oil stack up to both the new and existing manufacturers in the field?

Quite well.

Containing one of the mildest oils that you can use regularly, jojoba oil, it will help to ensure that your skin and beard stays well-nourished and moisturized for the entire day. In addition, jojoba oil also provides an excellent base for all other ingredients to do their job…

Lets look at the glycerin for instance. Used as an all-natural humectant (i.e. locks in moisture) glycerin will help to reinforce that natural moisture barrier found in your skin by ultimately increasing comfort for your face. While the individual essential oils aren’t listed, Beardbrand states that this product has notes of peppermint, tea tree, and vanilla and elicits a smell that is ‘cool, clean, and crisp’. This will give you that pleasant yet invigorating smell in the early morning hours.

Now onto the drawbacks:

One of the main sticking points to this beard oil is the restrictor valve. While some men may love the compact design, a restrictor valve does make it harder to get a consistent amount of beard oil from the bottle with every use. Our biggest gripe about this beard oil is going to be with the cost. This particular beard oil is an extremely tough pill to swallow by commanding a $25 per ounce charge. If you are looking for a better value from Beardbrand, you will want to check out their white label line (sold at Target).

Key Ingredients

Jojoba Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Castor Oil, Fragrance (essential oils), Grapefruit Seed Extract, Glycerin (vegetable derived)

Important Facts

Capacity : 1 oz

: 1 oz Location : Spokane, WA / Austin, TX

: Spokane, WA / Austin, TX Scent: Earthy Tones

Pros Works well for both beard and skin

Trusted brand for many beard products

Pocket size for midday touch ups Cons Pricey

What You Need To Know

This beard oil is effective at getting the job done. But it is expensive and may rest outside some men’s monthly grooming budget.

Other Beard Oils Reviewed

Baxter of California Beard Oil This unique formula by the luxury brand, Baxter of California, relies on a mix of squalene, avocado, and several other natural oils. Able to soften the most coarse of beards, only a few drops and your beard should be looking and feeling healthy. Just know that Baxter of California beard Oil is quite expensive.

Jack Black Beard Oil Known for their excellent line of men’s grooming products, Jack Black Beard Oil provides a strong formulation to treat both your hair and skin. Loaded with vitamins, expect your whiskers to soften quickly and be rid of any beard flakes. Just know that this specially formulated beard oil is quite expensive.

Comparing & Rating The Best Beard Conditioners

4 Best Beard Conditioners 2020

Top Award: Best Beard Oil for Dandruff

Best Features:

Specifically designed to stop beard dandruff

Available in two distinct and refreshing scents

Contains jojoba and argan oils for beard itch relief

Best Beard Conditioner For:

Men with a severely dry skin looking for quick relief of beard dandruff.

Summary:

The best beard conditioner currently available is the Hydrating Citrus Grove blend by Oars + Alps. There is so much to love about this particular beard conditioner – but let’s first start with the ingredients.

Relying on a blend of grapeseed, jojoba, argan, along with several others, this oil will reduce any skin inflammation, stop beard itch, and soften your beard. Therefore, if you are dealing with a dry skin or brittle beard, this will help to turn it around.

Furthermore, this oil also contains a terrific set of essential oils such as grapefruit, vetiver, and rosehip – which several have found to contain both antioxidants that can be effective in the battle against beard dandruff, acne, while pushing dead skin away.

Lastly, and the reason what makes this oil unique, is the inclusion of Alpine Caribou Moss. Included in all Oars + Alps products, this unique ingredient helps to not only combat the signs of aging through adequate skin protection but also to reduce the effects of pollution and other stressors as well. So, should you live in a dense urban area, this oil can help up your skincare game quite a bit.

With a dropper applicator, it won’t be messy like a restrictor valve, ensuring that you don’t waste any of this oil due to the ease of pouring it out.

While priced a bit higher, we think the value of ingredients makes this conditioner worth it.

Other Important Features:

Dropper applicator makes for easy, measured dose of oil

makes for easy, measured dose of oil Oils penetrate deep to get rid of beard dandruff and dead skin cells

Cardboard box ensures the delicate oils remain potent upon arrival

ensures the delicate oils remain potent upon arrival Widely distributed – sold online and at Target (USA)

– sold online and at Target (USA) May be helpful on seborrheic dermatitis

Supplements sebum production that is coming up short

Pros Perfect for anyone in need of an effective conditioner for dry skin

Quality oils deliver strong results

Contains no additives

Effective oil for beard dandruff Cons Expensive

What You Need To Know Once you start using this beard conditioning oil, you will love the soft and healthy looking results. Expect dead skin and beard dandruff to be a thing of the past. It works well on all beard styles and beard types – making it a great conditioner to use throughout your beard grooming routine.

Best Beard Conditioner For: Men who love both scent and thick conditioners that penetrate deep

Summary:

Unlike anything else on our list, the Bossman Beard Jelly will work hard to nourish even the most coarse beard hair. Designed to penetrate deep to the roots, the blend of ingredients like soybean oil, beeswax, castor seed oil, etc. absorbs quickly while also reducing any pronounced itchiness and beard flakes.

While the scent of the Bossman Beard Jelly is labeled as Magic, you can expect it to provide a nice pleasant aroma through the unique combination of both sandalwood and vanilla.

Like many other quality beard oils and conditioners, this blend is all-natural. Lastly, this beard conditioner is made here in America.

Pros Contains no synthetic chemicals

Doesn’t leave a greasy residue

Easy to get full beard coverage Cons Not travel friendly

What You Need To Know

The thicker viscosity on this one of a kind conditioner makes it easy to apply beard oil while also relieving an itchy and dry beard. Beyond the stellar conditioning features, reviewers really loved the unique aroma.

Best Beard Conditioner For: A barber shop brand that carries over their classic floral scent as a great conditioner

Summary:

Known for their icon aftershave and hair care products found in classic barbershops across the country, the Clubman Pinaud 2-in-1 Beard Conditioner & Face Moisturizer brings the same level of quality to this effective grooming product. Relying on several ingredients designed to help nourish your facial hair such as soy protein and panthenol.

In a soft lotion-like texture, one application of this conditioner will help to tame any frizz while working to stop flaking.

But what really sets this conditioner apart from other products like it, is that it also acts as a face moisturizer. Therefore, if you want to keep your skin looking in tip-top shape, it will be highly effective in doing so.

Other reviewers were happy to discover that Clubman Pinaud carried over their classic scent that has hints of floral notes that will be present in this beard conditioner.

Pros Doesn’t contain parabens

Won’t cause greasiness on your beard

Perfect for guys looking for a trusted brand

Works well to keep your skin moisturized Cons Perhaps not the best for men with sensitive skin conditions

What You Need To Know

The Clubman Pinaud 2-in-1 Beard Conditioner & Face Moisturizer sets new standards for this product category. Classic scent combined with proven results make it one of the best beard conditioners available.

Best Beard Conditioner For: Naturalist men who are in search of an effective 100% natural conditioner

Summary:

This 100% organic leave-in conditioner by Pura D’Or is perfect for those beardmen that are looking for nourishment and moisture over a scent-focused beard oil.

Relying on a blend of jojoba, argan, sandalwood, citrus, and bergamot oils you can expect your beard to feel immensely smoother and softer after a single application.

Not only will it make your beard look and feel much better, but the conditioning-focused design will also prevent spit end as well. Designed specifically for facial hair (Pura D’Or does also sell similar products designed for hair and body), this conditioner will pull out the best of your facial hair.

This inexpensive oil should have no troubles working into any man’s budget.

Pros Condition-focused oil that gets results

All organic ingredients

Inexpensive Cons Scent is subjective

What You Need To Know

There is something to be said about this unique formula. With the reliance on classic blend of oils, this stuff will do a great job at softening and conditioning your beard.

Beard Oil Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

As you have likely researched several beard oils, you may have had a question or two. This section is to answer some of the common questions men have about beard oils and their uses:

Is beard oil just used for winter weather?

When its winter time, the elements are a lot harsher, especially the further north you go. With the dryness of winter, your beard will suffer big time.

Beard oil should be applied year round, however, during the winter months it is especially important.

During the winter months, your beard will be especially dry and will be lacking of nutrients. In fact the lack of moisture that your beard has, it will in fact start to frizzle and be extremely unkempt.

Are beard oils and conditioners different products?

In short, no. Beard oils and conditioners often rely on both of the same core ingredients – carrier and essential oils. These nourishing oils are effective at moisturizing both your skin and facial hair with repeated use. If there was any notable difference between these two products, it would be that conditioners may include a slightly higher concentration of carrier oils. However, we think that you can’t really go wrong with any of the brands listed within this guide.

How long is beard oil good for?

Beard oil is often good for about 3 to 6 months before it the scent begins to taper off. If you decide to not purchase a scented beard oil, then the shelf life should be much longer.

We do recommend that if you haven’t used the beard oil in some time, that you simply give it a quick sniff test to ensure that it doesn’t smell rancid.

If still uncertain, you can always do a small application to your beard and see if it is effective at making your beard look and feel better.

Is coconut oil good for my beard?

This oil, like grapeseed, jojoba, argan, and other oils is non-comedogenic (means that it wont clog pores) and is safe to use on your beard. This oil, when applied regularly (and properly) to facial hair will work to not only tame unruly and wiry beard hairs but will provide a calming effect that will instantly relieve that dry itchy sensation often experienced with longer beards.

There are many coconut oil options available at large online marketplaces and local natural-focused brick and mortar stores. Just ensure that the coconut is intended for skin and hair use before application.

Will beard oil thicken my beard?

Some beard oils have been formulated to add volumizers to the oil to help your beard to look both thicker and fuller.

One notable ingredient that many beard oil brands add in will be biotin. When added to the formula, this vitamin is known to provide several benefits for both hair and skin.

Will beard oil make my beard look greasy?

When used responsibly – beard oil won’t give your beard a greasy or oily look. However, if you don’t wash your beard regularly or you over apply beard oil – then a greasy appearance can occur. However, if you follow the recommended application instructions by only using a few drops (about a dime sized amount) – beard oil will be nourishing to both your beard hair and skin.

Will a beard oil help my beard grow quicker?

Men who are looking to grow a beard at a quicker rate may want to consider a beard oil that promotes growth. Growth oils contain a mixture of ingredients that have been claimed in many studies to promote hair growth or even fill in patches. While the scientific claims may be somewhat shaky here, it is important to know that these types of oils do exist in the market.

However, while it would be nice to have your beard grow at a much quicker rate by just applying an oil, most experts claim that an active and healthy lifestyle is oftentimes more than enough to offset any additional growth supplements.

When should you start using beard oil?

If you plan on growing a beard, it is recommend that you use beard oil right away, even if you have a five o’clock shadow. As your facial hair begins to grow, beard oil acts as a moisturizer for both skin and hair which can lead to a healthy and smooth beard while keeping the skin beneath in great shape.

How does beard oil work?

Beard oil works in two phases: a skin moisturizer and a hair conditioner. By providing moisture to your skin, beard oil prevents dandruff. When applied to your hair, beard oil helps to prevent split ends and helps to soften the follicles. Beard oil is an important part of complete beard health in order for it to grow longer and stronger.

What are other uses of beard oil?

In an effort to do more with less, beard oil can act as an effective pre shave oil as well. Containing identical set of ingredients, the skin moisturizing properties found in beard oil will be great at increasing comfort when you go to shave all your whiskers off. Unscented beard oils also make for great massage oils as they will feel slick and absorb easily into the skin.

Is it safe to use beard oil if you have sensitive skin?

If you have sensitive skin and are apprehensive about using beard oil, we recommend you only go with an unscented oil. These oils tend to be safer for the skin and less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Of course, if your skin severely sensitive, always consult with your dermatologist prior to using beard oil.

4 Easy Steps To Follow When Applying Beard Oil

It’s easy to apply and use beard oil. However, in order to get effective results – we recommend that you adhere to the following steps:

1. Apply beard oil after you shower

When you shower, your hair follicles become much softer and easier to manage. Furthermore, the pores on your skin begin to open, allowing the rich vitamins and nutrients within the beard oil to penetrate deeper. Therefore once you exit the shower, be sure to pat dry your beard and face until most of the water has been absorbed (it is ok if your beard feels slightly damp to touch).

2. How much beard oil should you use?

Most experts recommend that you should use anywhere between a dime to nickel-sized amount when placed into the palms of your hands.

Of course, the amount you use will vary depending on the severity of the dryness of your skin along with the length of your beard. As a general rule of thumb you will want to use the following amounts:

Short stubble : About 3 to 4 drops

: About 3 to 4 drops Beard less than 1” in length : About 4 to 5 drops

: About 4 to 5 drops Beard greater than 1” in length : 5+ drops

: 5+ drops Beards greater than 12” in length: 10+ drops

Of course these aren’t hard numbers and can change amount to personal preference.

3. Pour oil into the center of your palm

With so many different beard oil bottle designs, you will want to ensure that the amount you pour is consistent day after day. This not only prevents the issue of excess waste but also that you don’t over apply beard oil making it look greasy. So take a moment to remember how and how much beard oil you poured onto your hand prior to application.

4. How to apply beard oil thoroughly

For beard oil to work, it not only needs the proper amount, but also thorough application. Here’s how to apply the oil:

Rub palms together until oil is evenly distributed Stand in front of a mirror so you can inspect as you go along Gently massage into the skin with the tips of your fingers first before spreading it throughout your beard. This helps to prevent beard dandruff or dry skin from occurring. Begin to work the oil throughout the rest of your beard. Be sure to work areas of your beard hair in sections: chin, beck, cheeks, jaw line. For remaining oil, work the tip of your beard hair as it will help to prevent split ends from occurring.

Note 1: You may want to brush your teeth before using beard oil, especially if it longer in length. When brushing your teeth first, you won’t need to wipe your mouth again with a towel or rinse out toothpaste should it drip down your chin.

Note 2: If you have long facial hair, we recommend applying beard oil with no clothes on. This is to prevent oil drops from ruining your clothes as you will be working with a greater quantity of product.

Once you have worked the oil throughout your beard, you should now use either a comb or beard brush (preferred). These beard grooming tools will help to not only style your beard but to also help in distributing the beard oil throughout. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when using a beard comb or brush:

Neck to cheeks : When brushing your beard start at your neck and work your way upwards. This not only ensures an even distribution of oils, but will make styling much easier.

: When brushing your beard start at your neck and work your way upwards. This not only ensures an even distribution of oils, but will make styling much easier. Take your time : While many may feel rushed in the morning, taking just an extra minute of time will help in ensuring that your beard will be in tip-top shape throughout the day.

: While many may feel rushed in the morning, taking just an extra minute of time will help in ensuring that your beard will be in tip-top shape throughout the day. Finishing touches: After the beard oil has been worked through, you can use this time to either style your beard or add any complementary products into your facial hair.

While all the above steps may seem quite extensive, once you have some experience it will feel like second nature to do this every day.

7 Common Ingredients Found In Beard Oil

As you research various beard oils, you will find that many of them rely on select ingredients. Here’s an overview of what the more popular oils will do when applied to your beard:

1. Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis)

One of the most common ingredients used in beard oil will be jojoba oil. This carrier oil closely mimics the skin oil that your sebaceous glands naturally produce. Able to work on all skin types, this oil will help to not only soften your beard hair but also absorbs quickly into the dry skin underneath your beard as well.

Jojoba is also found in several other natural grooming products including shampoos, hair growth oil, conditioners, and more. Furthermore, jojoba is often used in massage parlors for pain relief.

2. Argan Oil (Argania Spinosa)

Produced from kernels of the argan tree (source) native to Morocco, this oil, like jojoba is effective at hydrating a dry beard. With a muted to slightly nutty scent, it is also an oil that is perfect for those with skin sensitivity.

While argan oil is derived from a nut, according to the Food Allergy Research & Education website – argan oil has rarely been reported to cause allergic reactions.

3. Grapeseed Oil (Vitis Vinifera)

Cheaper than argan and jojoba oils, grapeseed is found in many budget-friendly beard oils yet delivers strong performance when it comes to nourishing and hydrating a dry beard. Beyond moisturizing qualities, grapeseed oil also has many other benefits for your skin which includes the following:

Helps to lighten dark circles and skin spots

Improves elasticity by tightening skin

Promotes beard growth

Reduces the appearance of scars

4. Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera)

Rich in fatty acids and loaded with vitamins, this oil delivers terrific skin and facial hair benefits. This natural alternative to supplements is also non-comedogenic (non-clogging). Like other carrier oils, coconut oil can help to reduce beard dandruff and skin flakes as well.

5. Olive Oil (Olea Europaea Fruit Oil)

While olive oil is found in many kitchens, refined olive oil is equally found in many grooming products for men. Like coconut oil, olive oil has a high concentration of fatty acids which help to improve your skins natural oil barrier by keeping it both hydrated and more plump (source). This means that olive oil can be helpful in making your skin appear to have fewer wrinkles – a great ingredient for those over 30 years old.

6. Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis)

Containing high concentrations of ricinoleic acid, castor oil has been claimed by many to promote the health and growth of hair follicles. Therefore, should you have a slow-growing beard or one that is a bit patchy, you may want to seek out a beard oil with this ingredient. Castor oil is an effective leave-in conditioner as it contains oleic acid, which helps to soften the skin beneath your beard.

7. Essential Oils

These oils not only deliver a wide range of fragrances to any beard oil, but they are also believed to bring with them many therapeutic remedies.

Here are a few of the more popular oils found within beard oils along with their key benefits:

Peppermint Oil

Often claimed to make any beard grow faster through increased blood flow, a compelling research article has been published backing this notion. So if you have just a little bit of face fuzz and are looking for a boost – you may want to seek out a beard oil that relies on this essential oil.

Cedarwood Oil

For those that love a whiff of that classic woody aroma to their beard oil, there is no better essential oil to go with than cedarwood (sometimes labeled as cedar wood). Not only does cedarwood oil smell great, but it also carries with it natural anti-fungal properties that will relieve the worst beard dandruff.

Tea Tree Oil

Found in products throughout the beard grooming world thanks to its scent profile akin to others in the woodsy family, tea tree helps to fight acne through its anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. Should you have oily skin, the addition of this ingredient can be helpful in promoting a healthy and balanced skin complexion.

The list of essential oils doesn’t end here. Popular oils that you may come across during your research include sandalwood, green tea, jasmine, lemon oil, pinewood, patchouli, frankincense, mahogany, coffee, lemon grass, tobacco, and several more.

8. Bay Rum

While often found in several aftershaves and lotions, bay rum is also finding its way into beard oils as well. A classic barbershop aroma that is invigorating, bay rum carries with it many anti-fungal properties which is essential in keeping your skin and beard clean.

6 Must-Have Beard Care Accessories

If you have been skimping on grooming products for most of your adult life, then now is the time to change it up.

When it comes to having a beard, its important that you maintain it properly.

To help you on your beard growing journey, we wanted to share with you a few tips that are recommended by grooming experts for complete beard maintenance:

1. Beard Brush

Perhaps one of the most important tools in the beardsman arsenal will be the beard brush. Not only is it used for styling, but the bristles in a beard brush (particularly a brush made of boars hair), will help in the distribution of key oils throughout the beard. From skin to the tip of the facial hair follicle, a beard brush ensures that all parts of your face get equal treatment when it comes to oil distribution.

This full-coverage allows the active properties within beard oil to really shine. Not only will it help with the itching, but regularly brushing also softens the feel of the beard. Ultimately your beard will look and feel healthy.

2. Beard Comb

For those that want a bit more control over their beard and aren’t in dire need of volume, then a beard comb will be your tool of choice.

Available in many different compositions (metal, buffalo or ox horn, synthetic, wood, etc.) and sizes – the proper comb is an indispensable styling tool to making your facial hair look a whole lot better.

If you have an unkempt beard or one that grows in many different directions, then a comb can help to ‘retrain’ your beard to grow in a uniform manner.

Another added benefit to this grooming tool is its compact size.

Able to be packed away in either your wallet or jeans, a comb is great for on-the-go touchups.

3. Mustache Wax

For those who want full control of the stray hairs on their upper lip, or simply want a bit more structure than what standard beard oil can deliver, then you might want to consider adding a mustache wax to your grooming arsenal as it keeps them anything but bristly.

While it contains the two core components found in beard oil (carrier and essential oils), a quality mustache wax contains a much higher concentration of wax.

Typically derived from beeswax, a mustache wax can help to keep your facial hair under control throughout the day (and under a variety of conditions).

As you will learn in just a moment, mustache wax is formulated for the flyaways of your upper lip. The high concentration of wax found within mustache wax helps in preventing those wispy hairs from entering your mouth when either eating or drinking (a common problem for many who have grown a beard for months).

4. Beard Shampoo / Wash

Professor Fuzzworthy’s Beard Shampoo (Made in Tasmania) pictured above has been formulated to work much better with the sensitive skin on your face.

Rather than stripping away any and all oils from both the hair shaft and skin, as is common with head hair shampoo, a beard wash or shampoo will help to gently rid only some of the oils away while also removing all the dirt.

Beard shampoos, like regular shampoos, do provide a bit of suds when used – giving you that tactile and visual feedback to let you know that the soap is removing dirt and grim.

After using beard shampoo you will find that your beard will feel much softer to touch and also have a very light (and non-greasy) sheen.

5. Beard Scissors / Shears

While a beard trimmer definitely has its place in a man’s grooming regimen, for those that are growing their beard a bit longer – you will want to skip on the beard trimmer and go for quality beard shears or scissors instead.

Shears provide much better control at trimming a beard between barbershop visits.

Beyond control, shears make for a much cleaner cut on the facial hair which will reduce the chance of a split end from occurring.

6. Beard Growth Products

Beard pills, like that from Beard Fuel XL, may provide some of the desired results for men.

While the science is suspect on some ingredient labels out there – some guys on popular sites like Reddit (/r/beards) or Jefffs Beard Board have reported positive results when using beard growth products.

However, before ingesting any pills or applying a cocktail of ingredients to your face, we strongly recommend that you do your homework or consult your physician should you have any question – just in case as to avoid losing money or having side effects.

Beard Oil vs. The 3 Alternatives

As you compare and review all the different beard related products together, you may inevitably have a few questions about them and how they differ from one another.

Here are the key differences of beard oil when compared to some of its common substitutes:

Beard Oil

As you may have learned from many of the product reviews, beard oil formulas often boil down to two major components:

Carrier oils

Essential oils

Ingredients can vary from one brand to another and come in many different scent profiles as well.

Beyond the ingredient and aroma, beard oils are of course, oily, and may become messy if you aren’t careful during the application process.

One of the biggest advantages that beard oil has over the alternatives is the effectiveness of its solution.

Given its oily composition, beard oil appears to penetrate both the hair and skin much faster when compared to its substitutes – providing you with instant and gratifying results.

2. Beard Balm & Beard Wax

The closest alternative to beard oil will be beard balm (sometimes marketed as beard wax).

Like beard oil, beard balms share the two core ingredients – carrier and essential oils. But unlike beard oil, beard balms also contains the following:

Butter (shea or cocoa)

(shea or cocoa) Wax (typically beeswax)

Both butter and wax provide much richer and deeper conditioning properties not found in beard oil.

Typically suited for colder or harsher climates, the butter and wax contained within a beard balm offer a greater level of protection – which is critical in locking in the moisture and nutrients to your skin underneath your facial hair.

If you find that dry skin or ashy cheeks are a common problem for you during the winter months and you have tried beard oil, but weren’t nearly as happy with the results, then a beard balm may be a better alternative for you.

Another distinction between beard oil and beard balm is the consistency of the product itself.

While beard oil is applied with an applicator (typically a dropper), beard balm must be scooped out from a metal tin, headed up with the palms of your hands, and then gently massaged into your facial hair.

For many, this slight change in application likely won’t be a deal-breaker. However, one advantage that beard balm has is that its solid or putty-like form ensures that no leaks will ever happen when being transported.

Lastly, the holding strength of beard balm can vary greatly from one brand to another.

Therefore, you will always want to read descriptions should you be looking to use a beard balm with a particular holding strength.

Editor’s Note: The main difference between a beard balm and beard wax is ingredient ratios. Beard waxes may contain a higher concentration of beeswax which can provide greater holding strengths.

3. Beard Butter

Beard butter is very similar to beard balm – therefore we won’t expand on the distinctions too much when compared to beard oil.

The most notable difference here is that beard butter contains a higher concentration of shea butter or cocoa butter (hence the name of this product category).

The three other ingredients are also contained within this product – carrier oils, essential oils, and wax.

This results in a beard product that is much more targeted and will be best to use on severely dry skin underneath facial hair.

One last point to touch on with this product category will be holding strength. Given the very low composition of wax, beard butter won’t provide a hold – making it not the best styling product.

4. Beard Serum

Beard serum is nearly identical to beard oil in that it will nearly always often rely on the two primary ingredients – essential and carrier oils.

Serums are often designed to sound fancy and more specialized in order to charge higher prices.

Furthermore, some companies may use this difference to justify an uptick in cost by adding in therapeutic or herbal remedies to make facial hair look or feel even better.

Our Selection Process to Finding The Perfect Beard Oil

Finding the best beard oil 2020 was tough. With so many options that can work for a variety of purposes (i.e. stubble, growth, volume, etc.) there is a lot to take into account.

However, after conducting our own analysis along with reading the personal feedback from other gentlemen, we are confident that we have one of the best lists out there.

We hope that this guide was helpful in your pursuit of a new beard oil for your furry and growing mane. Furthermore, if you know another guy that might be showing the sign of an overly dry beard, be sure to share or email this article to them.