Table Of Contents
How Does It Work
Beard oil is, essentially, a cosmetic product that men use to nourish and moisturize their facial hair and the skin underneath. It is intended to mimic (and sometimes exceed) how natural skin oils work to keep your facial hair smooth and shiny.
Those who have not used beard oil claim that baby oil for a beard is already enough. However, that is not the case. Even a DIY beard oil or unscented beard oil is better than baby oil, which is mostly just a carrier oil and does not contain any essential oils.
Best Time to Apply
Although you can use beard oil whenever you feel like it, the best times are correct after you take a shower or after shampooing and conditioning your beard. Ideally, it is best to use beard oil after a hot shower.
This is when the cuticle in your beard hair is a bit more open, making it more capable of absorbing the beard oil.
How Often to Use It
Depending on the length of your beard, you can apply beard oil once or as many times as needed.
Stubble to 1cm
If your beard is still in the early stages of growth, you should apply beard oil on it once or maybe twice a day. This will help keep the skin underneath the beard moisturized and less itchy.
Full Beards From 1cm to 8cm
Once your beard has filled in, you can increase the frequency of beard oil application to three times a day, depending on the kind of beard oil you use.
For instance, if you have a hipster beard style or any other shorter beard style, you should use beard oil at least twice a day. Apply more if you live in an area where the air is cold and dry.
Longer Beards Beyond 8cm
The longer your scraggly beard gets, the more beard oil you will need to use. Your long beard also requires more beard oil to keep the hair from drying. Once your beard reaches its terminal length, it will tend to dry faster as the hairs are in the last stage of their growth.
Patchy Beards
If you can’t grow a beard or have a patchy beard, some beard oils claim they can help you grow more facial hair. Most of these products advise you to use them once or twice daily. Typically, they instruct the user to apply a liberal amount before sleeping.
How to Apply
Step 1 – Wash
For your beard to absorb the beard oil more effectively, the hairs need to be completely clean. Wash your beard with a high-quality beard shampoo and then towel dry it.
Step 2 – Apply the oil
Depending on the length and fullness of your facial hair, apply several drops of beard oil on your palms and rub them together to spread evenly. Massage the oil into your beard and on the skin underneath. Make sure to cover the entire length of the hair.
Step 3 – Style as you desire
Use a beard brush to distribute the beard oil evenly all over your beard. This should also help you style and shape your beard. If you have a longer beard, you can use a beard comb to tame your whiskers and keep them in place.
If you want and have the necessary equipment, you can trim a beard to your desired length.
FAQ
Should I use beard oil every day?
Yes, if you want to keep your beard all soft and manageable, you must apply beard oil daily. Ideally, use it before you head out in the morning and once again before you go to bed.
Can you use beard oil too often?
You can never use too much beard oil. In any case, your beard will only absorb the right amount of beard oil; the excess will remain on the surface. This means you will be stuck with a very oily beard for the rest of the day.
How long should you leave beard oil on?
You never need to rinse beard oil off your beard. Even the heavier kinds of beard oils, if used correctly, will be entirely absorbed by the beard after a couple of hours. Unlike some beard conditioners, you must leave beard oil on and never rinse it.
Conclusion
If you are growing a beard or already have one, you need beard oil. Their skins produce natural oil enough for some men to keep their beards looking decent.
However, if you want to make your beard look as regal as it can be, you must apply beard oil. Not only does beard oil soften a beard, but it also helps moisturize the skin underneath the facial hair.
Anthony Giannotti is a senior writer and editor for Beardoholic and a licensed barber for more than 13 years. He owns 3 barbershops and has his own hair care product line that is sold in barbershops worldwide. Known for his impeccable technique and skills, Anthony is an expert in hair and beard care and he knows the best products and tools to get rid of all beard problems and have an amazing beard.