At its core, beard oil is exactly what it sounds like— a nourishing oil crafted specifically for your beard. But why should you add this to your grooming routine? How do you use it, and what benefits does it bring? We're here to guide you through it all.
Beyond the occasional trim, incorporating beard oil into your daily ritual can truly elevate the look and feel of your beard. Once you start, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.
what does beard oil do?
Beard oil is a carefully formulated blend designed to keep your beard, stubble, or any facial hair soft, hydrated, and healthy. Think of it as a conditioner for your beard. Facial hair tends to be coarser than the hair on your head, requiring extra care and moisture. Plus, beard oils often carry a subtle, pleasant scent, keeping your beard fresh throughout the day—whether you’re rocking a goatee, mutton chops, or a classic moustache.
When choosing the right beard oil, there are many factors to consider. That's where Fushi comes in, helping you nurture your beard with the natural care it deserves.
should I include beard oil in my morning routine?
Your skin naturally produces an oil called sebum, a vital component in maintaining your beard's health, condition, and overall appearance. However, during your daily routine, particularly in the shower, harsh detergents in soaps can strip away this essential oil. This is where beard oil becomes your beard's best friend. By replicating the natural sebum, beard oil prevents your facial hair from becoming dry, brittle, and wiry, while also imparting a gentle fragrance and a subtle, healthy shine.
But the benefits don't stop there. Beard oil not only softens coarse beard hair, making it more manageable and easier to style, but it also deeply conditions the skin beneath. This helps to reduce the common issues of itchiness and flakiness, ensuring that your beard feels as good as it looks. It’s a win-win for both your beard and the skin underneath, keeping everything soft, smooth, and well-nourished.
how long does my beard hair need to be?
In theory, you can apply beard oil to any length of stubble, even using it as a serum on a freshly shaved face (though we’d recommend a dedicated skin serum for that). However, to truly experience the benefits, we suggest waiting until your beard has grown thick enough to cover the skin underneath—typically around the one-centimeter mark. At this stage, your beard begins to develop a fullness that, without proper care, might start to look a bit untamed.
Applying beard oil at this length not only keeps your facial hair soft and well-groomed but also enhances your overall appearance, helping you achieve a polished, put-together look. And here’s an interesting bonus: a study from the University of Queensland found that facial hair could be linked to perceptions of fertility. So, not only will your beard look great, but it might also make a lasting impression!
understanding ingredients in beard oil
Beard oils are a harmonious blend of carrier oils and essential oils, each playing a vital role in nurturing your beard. Carrier oils are the powerhouse ingredients responsible for conditioning, moisturizing, and softening both your skin and beard, while essential oils add a delightful fragrance, making the experience of using beard oil even more enjoyable. Plus, essential oils often bring added benefits like anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Among the most effective and popular carrier oils are jojoba and castor oil. These two are staples in many beard oils due to their incredible benefits. But there’s a wide range of other carrier oils that you might find in quality beard oils, each bringing its own unique advantages:
Common Carrier Oils:
Jojoba Oil : A versatile carrier oil that pairs well with all essential oils, supports skin care and hair growth, and has an impressive shelf life of five years. Ideal for all skin types.
Castor Oil : With a history of use spanning thousands of years, castor oil is renowned for promoting hair growth. It’s just as effective for your beard as it is for your skin.
Coconut Oil : Choose unrefined coconut oil for its nourishing fatty acids and polyphenols. It’s great for dry skin and has a shelf life of two to four years, though it’s best avoided if you have oily or acne-prone skin.
Argan Oil : A wonderful choice for both skin and hair, argan oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and works well with most skin types. It also boasts a long shelf life of three years.
Sweet Almond Oil : Highly regarded for its skin care benefits, particularly in treating acne scars, with a shelf life of six months to one year.
Grape Seed Oil : Rich in vitamin E, this carrier oil aids in healing skin and reducing wrinkles, though it has a shorter shelf life of around three months.
Rosehip Oil : Known for its natural retinoid properties and vitamins A and C, rosehip oil helps combat aging and reverse sun damage, with a shelf life of six months to one year.
when should you use beard oil?
Incorporating beard oil into your daily routine is essential, especially in the morning after washing your face. This helps keep your beard soft, reduces itchiness, and promotes healthy growth. Just as you would use a conditioner for your hair, beard oil acts as a conditioning treatment, best applied to a freshly showered face when your pores are open and ready to absorb all the nourishing goodness. Apply daily, and you’ll soon notice the difference, especially when paired with a quality razor or beard trimmer.
how to find the best beard oil for you:
- Experiment with a few options : The true test of a beard oil is how it feels and smells once it’s on your beard.
- Check the ingredients : Look for high-quality carrier oils like jojoba, castor, Abyssinian, babassu, argan, or sweet almond at the top of the ingredients list.
- Consider the packaging : Whether you prefer a pourable oil or one with a dropper, ensure it’s housed in a dark container to prevent oxidation and preserve the oil’s freshness.
With these tips, you’re well on your way to discovering the perfect beard oil to keep your facial hair healthy, soft, and wonderfully scented.
which beard oil is the best?
The best beard oils are those that truly enhance the condition of your facial hair, softening any rough patches while also strengthening the hair. It’s important to choose an oil that absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave too much residue, ensuring your beard looks well-groomed without appearing too oily throughout the day.
beardruff
Beardruff, or dandruff that develops in your beard, is a common issue but one that’s easily addressed with the right care. Typically, beardruff indicates that the skin beneath your beard needs exfoliation. The key to combating this is a simple, consistent routine that takes care of both your beard hair and the skin underneath.
Once you’ve cleared up beardruff, maintaining your routine is essential—especially when it comes to regular washing and moisturizing. Pay close attention to how your skin feels. If it’s tight or itchy, consider adding a few extra drops of beard oil. During colder, dry weather, you might need to switch to a richer moisturizer to keep both your beard and the skin beneath it healthy and hydrated.
how to make your own beard oil:
We do understand that trying new products can be intimidating when you're trying to grow a healthy beard and care for your skin. How do you know your skin won’t react? In some cases, it's best to make your own from DIY beard oil recipes so you know exactly what's in it, which can lead to amazing results like thicker beard growth.
Carrier oils, essential oils, and even special ingredients like shea butter and aloe vera are used in beard oil recipes. Other ingredients may be added to your homemade beard oil recipe depending on what you want to improve in your beard. Making your own allows you to select the ingredients that will benefit your skin and hair the most. For example, incorporating saw palmetto oil into your homemade beard oil may result in thicker hair growth.
A custom beard oil recipe creates the best benefits for your skin and hair but it does require a few tools, especially if you want to preserve the life of your carrier oil and beard oils. Here’s what we suggest:
- 30ml applicator bottle or dropper bottle (dark amber glass bottles are best)
- Measuring cup, shot glass, or tablespoon
- Small funnel
- Carrier oils
- Essential oils
Always test carrier oils on a small patch of skin. Avoid oils derived from tree nuts if you have nut allergies, such as sweet almond oil, argan oil, and apricot kernel oil.
We’ve already mentioned some carrier oils that you can use but here are some of our favourite essential oils for scents, healing, and soothing below. Choose one- three essential oils at first to see what works for your skin, then add in more to get the right scent or enhance your beard oil even further.
- Lavendar
- Peppermint
- Rosemary
- Caedarwood
- Tea Tree (acne healer, hair growth)
- Eucalyptus (skin health, hair growth)
steps to making your own beard oil:
- Blend Carrier Oils: Clean out and dry the amber glass dropper bottle. It’s best to choose a carrier oil blend that matches your skin type and one that can help resolve issues with your skin or hair. For example if you use jojoba oil and argan oil this will focus on dry skin and help promote hair growth.
- Add Essential Oils: After mixing together your base carrier oils, now add in drops of your essential oils. Your base oils take care of the healing and vitamins, but essential oils add aromatic properties as well as vitamins and nutrients. Eucalyptus, citrus, and sandalwood are a good selection to use.
- Blend Oils Mixture: Replace the cap on your bottle and shake vigorously to combine everything together. Keep it away from any light and heat by keeping it in your drawer or cabinet. Make sure to apply it as often as necessary. Most beard oils can be stored for up to 6 months without losing any nutrients.