The beard care industry is booming and more guys continue to make the switch from shaving to manicuring and encouraging a healthy beard. There are oils, washes, rinses, shampoos, conditioners, and wax that keep beards looking as healthy and stylish as possible. What if some of these products aren’t as beneficial as you think they are? As it turns out, many of these products, especially the ones that promise hydration, may not do their job at all.
Beard oils can cost a fortune, which is strange considering that the ingredients are not incredibly expensive. Since it’s very easy to mix oils together in a bottle, save a little money and make your own beard oil. When you make your own oil blend, you know exactly what goes into the recipe. You don’t have to worry about potential sulfates or parabens that come in many beard products.
Why Should You Use Beard Oil?
Men are prideful of their beards, as they should be. They style them, making them appear silky and luxurious for all to see. Unfortunately, men don’t spend as much time caring for the skin underneath their beards. Beard itch is a common problem for men and it results in a lot of scratching and “beardruff,” the unofficial term for beard dandruff. Most men don’t realize that beards remove moisture from the skin, so it’s important to bring it back. That’s why using a beard oil is necessary for optimal beard health. Not only does it help to soften the beard, but it also works to bring moisture back to relieve itching. The ingredients below are great for providing your beard with moisture.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is great for the skin and hair, working to reduce breakage and enhance overall hair strength. This can encourage a healthier, stronger-looking beard. Jojoba oil also works to reduce sebum build-up on the skin, which can actually discourage beard growth. Massaging jojoba oil into the beard and skin can allow more flow to the skin for consistent growth. It also acts as a natural moisturizer, helping the skin retain moisture for a long time. By increasing moisture and reducing sebum build-up, you may experience fewer blackheads or breakouts under the beard.
Grapeseed Oil
This is a plant-based oil that is a byproduct of winemaking. It’s one of the best oils for keeping the beard as healthy as possible. Grapeseed oil contains beta-carotene, omega-6 fatty acids, palmitic acid, antioxidants, linoleic acid, and oleic acid. All of these nutrients contribute to healthier hair follicles, which may enhance beard growth. Additionally, grapeseed oil hydrates the skin under the beard, which reduces the risk of beardruff or dry, flaky skin.
Shea Butter
If you want to naturally soften your beard, shea butter is the ingredient to accomplish that goal. Shea butter is naturally rich in vitamins, A, E, and F, all of which aid collagen production and healthier skin. The greatest thing about shea butter is that it keeps the skin under the beard moisturized and hydrated. When the skin under the beard is replete with moisture, you reduce the risk of dryness and itchiness. Lastly, shea butter helps to reduce inflammation under the beard, which promotes less hair breakage and unhealthy hair follicles.
DIY Beard Oil
Ingredients:
- 1 gram shea butter
- 64 grams jojoba oil
- 32 grams grapeseed oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 4 drops peppermint essential oil
- 6 drops bergamot essential oil
- 4 drops black pepper essential oil
Instructions:
- Warm the shea butter and jojoba oil in a double boiler over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until fully melted and incorporated.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and pour in the grapeseed oil and essential oils. It’s a soothing scent blend.
- Should you want to have this beard oil be scent-less, simply exclude the essential oils.
- Pour the mixture into a small glass bottle with a little dropper top. This will make access to the oil and application much easier.
- When ready to use, pour a few drops in your hand, massage the hands together, and then massage the beard evenly.
- Store the bottle in a cool, dry place.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
