Why Every Guy With a Beard Needs Beard Oil—Stat

We tested more than 20 different varieties from 11 brands to find out why you should be greasing up your man-mane, and these are the results.

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Philadelphia, for better or worse, is a city of beards. So much so that we, in fact, have our own “Philly beard,” based on the Sunnah beard, a traditional Muslim men’s facial hair style. From regular dude to sports star, and even right up to the guy in charge, Philly guys aren’t scared to let their chin whiskers out—and, at least here, facial hair ain’t just for hipsters anymore. Beards are in.

But, unfortunately, hobbled by decades of bro-ification and a general bent toward slovenly grooming, us guys don’t really know how to take care of our budding manes en masse. They appear sometimes scraggly, uneven, and generally out of control—the result being not unlike a little kid trying to wear his dad’s shoes around the house for the first time: Nice try, little tyke.

Lately, though, men have been turning to the cosmetic aisle (of the Internet, anyway) for a little help with their newfound ducktails, old Dutches, and chin curtains. Having a beard, after all, is like have another head of hair on your chin—and, as such, requires its own arsenal of care products. Unless, of course, beard-druff sounds like a good time.

If not, beard oil is the way to go. Now, don’t get grossed out yet—I’m not talking about slick, dripping beards and greased-up ‘staches. I’m talking softer, more manageable whiskers that hold their shape better and smell nice, besides. Doesn’t sound so bad put that way, does it?

Think of it as cologne, but one that doubles as a hair and skin moisturizer on top of adding shine and body to your beard. All it takes is 6 to 8 drops massaged into the face and hair once a day, and the result is fuller facial hair more worthy of comparison to the Romanov Dynasty than Duck Dynasty. Depending on scent, of course.

After about a month’s worth of treatments on my own beard, I’ve noticed my whiskers blossom into a full-blown mega-beard, miles ahead of what my normal routine produced before the addition of beard oil. No man (or girlfriend) should be denied the same experience.

So, here, for your bearded pleasure, are some of the best beard oils (and balms!) going, whether you’re growing a full natural or simple goatee.