by De'Tavius Ross

Is beard oil necessary?

Looking into beard oil? There's a lot to consider to pick the produ...
Is beard oil necessary? - South Beach Beard

You've finally decided to do it. You're going to get your beard to the longest length it's ever been in your life.

And now that you've made your decision, you want to find out how being all about beard oil can help you get there.

Maybe this is your first time growing out your facial hair. Maybe you've tried and failed a few times over the years. Whatever the case may be, you've decided that this time it's going to work.

But somehow, during your quest to grow the Best Beard Ever, a funny thing starts to happen:

The stubble keeps growing in, and that have-to-remember-not-to-scratch-my-face-during-this-meeting sensation hits you hard.

Is your beard regimen missing something? Are you wondering how some guys can grow the fullest beards ever while others are forever shaving and starting over?

If any of these beard-growing struggles sound familiar to you, or even if you're just looking for a strategy that can help you keep that flowing beard looking manageable, you've definitely come to the right place. 

We're about to tell you everything you want to know about beard oil. All you have to do is keep reading.

What Is Beard Oil?

If you've been in the men's hair and hygiene section of the grocery store lately, then you've probably seen several beard-related products grouped on the display shelf. And somewhere in between the shampoos and the beard combs, you may have even seen a bottle of beard oil.

So what is it, and what does it do exactly?

Essentially, beard oil is a product that helps to keep both your facial hair and your skin feel smoother than a Mazda driving down a freshly paved road.

In other words, if the thought of having a beard that's soft, shiny, and easier to manage is appealing to you, then the whole idea of using beard oil should be piquing your interest right about now.

Whether you're planning to keep your beard trimmed and clipped or you're dreaming of a long beard that has the words "This guy looks like a Viking!" written all over it, beard oil is an absolute must. 

Here's the Reason Why Beard Oil Could Be the Best-Kept Beard Growth, and Maintenance Secret There Is.

Beard and beard-related products are a dime a dozen. And the people with opinions on how best to manage your beard are somehow even more common. But the perks of beard oil ultimately come down to the fact that it makes having a beard easier.

You don't have to take our word for it, though. Some common beard-related dilemmas that beard oil may be able to address include:

1. Constant Itching

Have you ever noticed how just as your facial hair is making the transition from stubble to full-fledged beard, that's the exact moment when it starts to feel like every part of your jawline is in a constant state of itch?

Or maybe that's not you. Maybe you've had your beard for a while now, but you're still fighting the urge to scratch at it every day.

As it turns out, there are multiple reasons why your beard might itch, but one common cause of an itchy beard is dry skin.

If this is you, your skin's moisture barrier may not be as strong as it needs to be. And so everything your skin comes into contact with may be irritating it.

The result? You're spending entire days fighting the desire to grow out your nails specifically because you want to scratch at your beard. 

2. You're Constantly Fighting With Dandruff

Having the urge to itch and scratch at your beard can be one of the most annoying feelings in the world. But when you throw the presence of visible dandruff flakes into the mix, things can quickly go from uncomfortable to embarrassing really quickly.

According to the Mayo Clinic, men are more likely to get dandruff than women are. Although it's suspected that there may be hormonal reasons for this, there's also at least one practical reason why men may be more prone to dandruff:

It turns out that over time, repeatedly shaving your facial hair can cause the skin underneath your beard to dry up faster than a raisin. 

How?

A 2004 study published by Dermatologic Therapy observed that cleansers with harsh ingredients could damage the skin barrier. And once that happens, you'll be stuck trying to literally save your skin from drying out every time you go outside.

Plus, if you're using soap instead of Beardruff shampoo to wash off your shaving cream, you may be drying out your skin to the point where beard dandruff is a common occurrence. 

3. Your Skin Is Dry Enough to Give the Sahara Desert a Run for Its Money

What do itching skin and beard dandruff have in common? As we touched on earlier, they can both be caused by dry skin.

If you're noticing that your skin tends to:

  • Feel tight whenever you leave the shower
  • Crack and peel a lot
  • Flake more often than it should 

. . . You could have a problem with dry skin, and beard oil may be able to help with that.

However, that being said, there's a bit of a myth going around about the relationship between oil and skin hydration. Many people think that when their skin is a little bit dry, the solution is to smack some oil and then boom. Your skin is moisturized.

But the reality is not that simple.

While beard oil can help make sure that your skin is moisturized and make sure that your face feels soft and smooth, that doesn't mean that the oil works alone.

If you have water or a proper hydrator applied to the skin, oil works by sealing the moisture and helping replenish the skin barrier. So whether your skin has been drier than a dessert for a while or if the dry-to-the-point-of-dandruff issue has been a fairly recent development, beard oil can only help if you make it a part of your routine.

4. Your Hair Won't Grow, or if It Does Grow . . . It's Too Thin

When most men say the words "I want to grow a beard.", they don't picture an uneven and tangled mess that's thin enough to fit into a mechanical pencil. Most envision something full and thick.

If your signature haircut until this point has been a buzz cut or a shortcut every few months, split ends may not have been on your radar before this point. But basically, split ends happen when the ends of your hair start to dry and splinter. ​

Now, you may be wondering what the big deal is with split ends. After all, if you've got length and your beard is still growing from the root, you may still have enough length to make it work.

However, there's just one problem with this line of thinking:

Once the splintering begins, the split ends tend to travel up the hair shaft. And once the split ends of your beard start to become completely see-through, it'll be a lot harder for your beard to either reach your length goals or maintain its current length.

When you're excited about growing out a beard, the last thing you want is to be in a situation where you're predictably being forced to cut off all your hair and start over from the beginning.

5. Your Hair Is Drying and Impossible to Manage

Maybe you've seen this happen with your own hair or the hair of someone you know. Where it seems like no matter how you style your hair or what you do to it, the minute you leave the bathroom, you know that your hair will be a mess within four hours or less.

In many cases, the issue can be summed up with one word:

Humidity.

If your hair is dry, those strands will be seeking moisture from the atmosphere around you. That's why it doesn't take much for folks with dry hair to find themselves on a one-way trip to Frizz City quickly. 

Because of oil's sealing properties, it can prevent moisture from soaking into your hair like a magnet while also sealing in the moisture you already have.

This, in turn, makes it possible for you to soften up your hair and fight off frizz.

What Kinds of Ingredients Can You Expect to See in a Beard Oil?

We've just explained what beard oil is and how it can help you take your beard to the next level. 

And with any luck, you're into the idea. You're excited, and you're ready to give it a try. But there's still one question lingering in the back of your mind:

What exactly would you be putting on your face and beard if you invested in an oil? 

The good news is that the oils that make up the "oil" part of "beard oil" can be broken down into two categories:

1. Essential Oils: These are highly concentrated and distilled oils extracted from specific plant parts. They're referred to as essential, not in the "extremely necessary" or "always needed" sense of the word, but in how they capture the essence of their source plant. That's why these oils will often smell just like the plant they take their name from. 

For all the good that they're capable of, however, essential oils can irritate the skin in a big way if too much of them are applied to the skin directly. So how does a beard oil company still manage to deliver the benefits of essential oils without burning or drying out your skin?

They do it with this second category of oils. 

2. Carrier Oils: These oils are commonly known as a carrier, or "carrying oils" because they're used to tone down the intensity of the essential oils when you're applying your beard oil. They're noted for the fact that they generally don't have the strong smells associated with their essential counterparts. For these reasons and more, the function they commonly serve is delivering or carrying the essential oils to the skin.

What's nice about this is that these oils can often be mixed and matched depending on the exact details of your skin condition.

Common Essential Oils

Lavender: Known for its pleasant, floral scent, lavender oil is said to be antimicrobial, great for dealing with inflammation issues, and a fantastic means of growing hair. On that final point, a study published in 2016 talked about how lavender oil was able to grow hair in mice. So if you've got plans to grow your beard, this essential oil could help with that. 

Eucalyptus: This oil distilled from a tree with leaves has traditionally been a food source for koala bears. It's said to be fantastic for stimulating the scalp and making hair healthier. So by extension, it's not surprising that these attributes can be applied to beard oil as well.

Tea Tree: Depending on who you ask, tea tree oil is the perfect catch-all essential oil for beard-wearers who want to tackle many issues in one go. This essential oil has been known to be a very effective way of combatting dandruff, but it also has antiviral and antibacterial properties. Overall, tea tree oil is great for retaining hair and easing dry skin while also being a solid choice for folks with ambitious beard-growing dreams.

Peppermint: Derived from the peppermint plant from which it gets its name, this essential oil has a documented history that goes back to Ancient Egypt. It's known as an anti-inflammatory and fantastic for stimulating roots and increasing blood flow to the follicles. So if you've got plans to see your beard grow in the long run, this essential oil may be able to help you get there.  

Cedarwood: This one comes from the cedar trees it's named after. Known primarily for its antifungal properties, it's been known to help with itching and flaking. In 1998, a study found that dermatology patients who massaged an oil blend that included cedarwood and carriers experienced significantly better outcomes than ones who didn't. So whether you're looking to grow your beard out or you're trying to keep your beard healthy, there's evidence that cedarwood may be a solid choice. 

Common Carrier Oils

These oils are often nut or plant-derived. And although they're often milder in smell and not as flashy as essential oils, they still have unique benefits they bring to the table. 

Here's a list of a few examples:

Coconut oil: If you've ever watched a movie that featured beach scenes and summer houses, then you've likely seen coconuts at some point in their natural form. This oil has been known for ages as a resilient, heavy-duty leave-in. However, it also does an incredible job of sealing in moisture and helping men with longer beards avoid getting caught in a cycle of spotting split ends and cutting off massive amounts of hair.

Avocado oil: This ingredient you want to see in beard oil if you're interested in length retention and strengthening. It has the advantage of being a very light oil that's easy on the skin if you're prone to acne, which is good. But a major part of what makes avocado oil special is that it can function as more than just a sealer. It can add some moisture to the hair as well.

Rosehip oil: Rosehip oil has antioxidant properties that make it a must-have.  It will help hydrate your skin while also providing such subtle natural exfoliation that you likely won't notice it. In addition, this oil may be able to help you avoid clogged pores while also reducing inflammation and irritation. As a result, it's a great way to recover from potential skin issues while also being an effective means of handling itching or dryness. 

Jojoba Oil: This oil's claim to fame is that it's so similar to sebum, the oils your hair naturally produces, that it's able to prevent clogged pore acne. Notably soothing against dry skin and able to seal moisture to the skin, if you see this ingredient in your beard oil, you could very well be able to say goodbye to dandruff for good.

Sweet Almond Oil: Also known as just "almond oil," this type of oil is an extraordinarily effective hair treatment. It's antibacterial so that it can be a solid answer to yeast-derived dandruff. And it's also full of biotin, which in turn can help you strengthen your hair as your beard continues to grow over time. In addition, it's a light oil. This makes it an excellent option in beard oil. 

Are There Any Other Beneficial Ingredients to Look For in a Beard Oil?

Essentially, the short answer is "Yes." And the longer answer is that several key ingredients can help you reach your beard-length goals. Again, we have some examples here:

1. Vitamin E Oil

What do almond oil and rosehip oil have in common? First, both are vitamin E-rich oils.

Why does it matter?

Because if you want an oil that can pack a serious punch, vitamin E oil just makes sense. Not only does it have anti-inflammatory properties that make it perfect for folks with irritated skin, but it helps calls regenerate and has a reputation for being able to reverse some of the damage done to the skin by free radicals.

Between its ability to even out skin and its ability to increase blood circulation to the body, vitamin E is essentially a can't-miss addition to your beard oil.

2. Keratin

When it comes to growing and maintaining a beard, it's important to remember that it's not just about moisturizing the hair. It's also about taking steps to make your hair stronger.

As you go about your day, your beard will likely be exposed to wind, sun, or freezing temperatures depending on the season. In the circumstances like those, it's far too easy for your strands to weaken or break significantly.

Plus, if you spend a lot of time wetting your beard and drying it out, you could be setting yourself up for hygral fatigue

So what's the solution?

Using more protein. 

Keratin is a natural protein that's found in hair, skin, and nails. 

Many people hear the word "keratin" and immediately start thinking about the kind of keratin treatment often used to make hair both straighter and more manageable.

However, even if you're not going through the trouble of altering your hair, consistent exposure to keratin can do a lot to strengthen your hair. 

If you can find a beard oil that has keratin oil in it, you've hit the jackpot. 

3. Aloe Vera

To hear some folks tell it, aloe vera is the definition of a wonder plant. From soothing burns to lightening blemishes, fighting signs of aging, and possessing generally moisturizing properties, no one would blame you for wanting to incorporate aloe vera into your beard regimen.

Not only does it work wonders for the skin, but it's absolutely amazing for hair. For starters, depending on whether you're using gel, juice, or oil, aloe vera can be a surprisingly solid means of melting away tangles while also leaving hair soft and moisturized. 

And any time you've got a product that's capable of doing all of that while also fighting dandruff and itch, you know that it's worth adding to your routine. So whether you've got dry and sensitive skin underneath the beard or you've got beard length that you'd like to soften, aloe vera is a must-have for manageable hair. 

How Do You Know That You've Found the Right Beard Oil? 

Anyone can buy some bottles, slap a label on them, and call it beard oil. But finding a product that has the right balance between good for hair and products that are good for skin can make or break your beard growth and maintenance efforts.

To that end, here are the key traits that you should generally be looking for in beard oil products:

1. It Strengthens Your Hair and Keeps It Moisturized

Have you ever noticed how beard experts and hair stylists will always talk about the importance of making sure that your hair isn't dry? They do that because they know that having dry hair, whether on your head or your face, can lead to breakage and fragile hair strands.

A good beard oil will prevent your strands from losing moisture while also making it possible for you to protect your hair from the elements.

2. It's Able to Soothe the Skin Underneath the Beard

In all the discussion around doing what it takes to grow and/or maintain a healthy beard, it's easy to forget about the second component underneath the hair:

Your skin.

We just spent a whole section talking about the different essential oils that can be used in beard oil, along with what each of those brings to the table. But whether you're a fan of lavender or you're leaning towards a clean, peppermint essential oil, you should know that these oils can be potent and that a poorly blended essential oil mix could irritate your skin or even burn it.

When you're purchasing beard oil, it's important to make sure that your skin can tolerate the formula.

3. It Should Have a Smell That You Can Live With

Do you know how certain brands of medicine look and smell awful but are still effective? There are a lot of hair products and oils out there that are like that.

But the problem with taking this approach is that, unlike the medicine that can be swallowed in an instant, the area around your mouth sits awfully close to your nose. So while you may not necessarily be the type of person who's normally really big on conditioner and fragrance, the smell of any beard oils you use will more than likely linger for a long time.

4. It's Easy to Use

Look. On a day-to-day basis, you're a busy guy. We get it. You have to get up, grab breakfast, and head to work. You don't have time for a beard oil that takes the better part of an hour to put on.

This one applies to packaging as much as it applies to everything else. But when you look at the bottle, do you have thoughts of "Oh my goodness, this looks complicated." or "Yeah. I can totally do that when I take my shower?"

Since so much of solid beard maintenance comes down to consistency, it's important to make sure you find products that are a nice fit with your daily routine.

Can Beard Oil Help You Grow Your Beard?

Although it's not unusual for people to talk about how using oil has helped their hair grow, it's not quite the same as throwing compost into your garden and watching your beard add a few inches every week.

Beard oil can help your beard grow by protecting your strands and helping your hair retain moisture when included as a part of an overall hair regimen. This, in turn, often leads to the kind of softer, stronger, and healthier facial hair that's capable of reaching incredible lengths if you let it.

How Does Beard Oil Compare Against Beard Butter or Beard Balm?

Picture this.

You've been surfing the web while looking for beard products, and you've been at it for a while. But the one day that you finally manage to stumble upon and order beard oil, you're hit with the realization that oil isn't your only option.

You can buy beard butter or beard balm as well.

Here's what you need to know about these similar but different products.

What are They?

First, let's talk about beard butter.

Beard butter is designed to both hydrate and moisturize the hair. This might sound like a case of making distinctions that don't mean anything, but there is an important difference:

Hydration means that water is getting taken out of the atmosphere and the surrounding area and placed against your skin. On the other hand, Moisturizing means that the product is sealing the moisture that's already there against your skin.

Interestingly enough, our beard butter is actually capable of doing both.

Our beard butter will have a much thicker consistency compared to the oil. But it's gentle enough to be used daily while also being a product that you can combine with our beard oil.

Here's How to Use the Beard Butter:
To use the beard butter, we recommend washing your face and your beard as normal. Then take a small amount of butter with your fingers before rubbing your hands together to warm and thin the butter.

Apply directly to hair, working from roots to tips. If you want, you can also coat your newly hydrated and moisturized facial hair with a small amount of beard oil.

Heavy-Duty Beard Balm

Imagine you've been using the beard oil every other day for several months. While your facial hair has been growing in nicely, as the holiday season rolls around, you're finding that your beard hairs are getting increasingly too dry to salvage.

Or maybe if you're starting to style your beard and your mustache more, you may be looking for something with a stronger hold than what you're getting from the oil.

The good news is that there's another option to choose from:

Beard balm.

Of the three products we've mentioned here, the balm is hands down the thickest one available. It's great for handling dehydrated skin or hair that could use some more moisture and some more hold. During those extra-cold months where your skin and your hair might need more of a barrier, this is a solid option as well.

Here's How to Use the Beard Balm
Much like with both the butter and the oil, it's important to start with a clean face.

After you've washed your beard and patted it dry, take a portion of the beard balm and work it through the hair from ends to roots. You can use a comb to detangle and style.

And because our balm is based on our keratin-infused oil, you don't have to worry about missing out.

In other words, this is very much a standalone product.

What Are Some Key Differences Between Beard Oil, Beard Butter, and Beard Palm?

The differences between these three products relate primarily to texture and function. The beard oil is significantly more liquid than the other two and has the lightest amount of hold for styling purposes.

If your goal is to moisturize your extra-dry skin and beard a little more, the beard butter is a fantastic option both independently and with the beard oil. However, if your hair is a little thicker or if you're working hard to create a controlled style that lasts for hours, the beard balm is a great all-in-one product.

In short, if these products were car tires, the oil would be all-season tires, while the balm would be perfect for the winter.

However, if you have skin that's a little dryer than average or if you feel like your facial hair just needs more protection and hold, the butter and the balm are additional products that you may want to consider using on your beard.

Should You Make Your New Routine All About Beard Oil?

So we've just spent a whole lot of time talking about the positives of beard oil and what it can do for your facial hair. But at the same time, it goes without saying that not every product that hits the shelves deserves a permanent spot in your hair rotation.

However, there are a few select situations where beard oil will likely be able to help you reach your hair goals in a big way:

1. Your Beard Is Prone to Dandruff and Flaking

We're just going to say it. Beard dandruff is a pretty embarrassing state of affairs. But the good news is that it's often caused by dry skin. So one way that you can come out on top with dandruff is to try applying beard oil.

The oil's ability to seal in moisture can go a long way towards addressing both the outward condition and the cause. This goes doubly so in cases where the skin underneath your beard is dry.

2. You Want Your Facial Hair to Be More Manageable

Are you planning to grow your beard out? Is your hair texture on the curly or the thick side?

If your beard has reached a point where you're struggling to run a comb through it and the hair is visibly hard and resistant to the touch, a beard oil can go a long way towards coating those strands and giving you more slip and more weight as you get ready in the morning.

Plus, there's the bonus that the more you follow up with beard oil that includes key essential oils and light blends, the tamer your beard will be over the long haul.

3. You Have Facial Hair That's Prone to Breakage

Imagine that you've set a length goal for your beard. You're working hard to meet it, and you're doing everything right as far as regular washing, but no matter how hard you try, your beard just won't grow past a certain point.

And worse yet, any time it does reach a new length, the split ends keep catching up with you to the point where you have to cut the hair off and start over.

Not fun, huh?

Beard oil can be of use in this scenario because split ends are often the result of exposure to the elements. 

The oil will give your beard a line of protection against wind and cold while also exposing your hair to ingredients, like keratin, jojoba oil, and aloe vera, that have been designed to help you strengthen and protect your hair.

Plain and simple, beard oil is a proven means of helping your facial hair maintain its thickness without having to also deal with split ends.

4. You're Concerned That Your Beard and the Skin Underneath It Are Way Too Prone to Being Dry

More often than not, facial hair doesn't begin with rampant split ends and noticeable thinning. Instead, it's far more likely that you'll simply notice one day that your hair and/or your skin are significantly drier than they should be.

While it can be hard to tell if your beard oil material instead of someone who would likely be better off using butter or a balm, the oil can quickly help you bring moisture back to your hair and skin.

Sometimes you'll be able to touch your hair and observe outright that it's as dry as a desert. But other times, the only clue you might have is that your facial hair frizzes up as soon as you leave the bathroom.

Either way, if your skin and hair tend to dry up, a little bit of beard oil can go a long way.

This is Why Beard Oil Should Be on Your "Things I Need to Buy" List

On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is "Meh. I could live without this." and 10 is "I can't believe I've lived so long without this!" beard oil is definitely in the upper range.

Why?

Because when it's infused with the right ingredients, oil has the ability to transform your beard goals completely. Suddenly previously impossible lengths become realistic, your facial hair looks better and feels better, and your skin is also being cared for in the meantime.

Want to experience the facial hair and skin transformation that comes with being all about beard oil? Check out our keratin-infused beard oil.

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