Beard Oil // Back to basics

Beard oil // What it does for your beard

Beard oil is a magical thing, everything requires maintenance and your beard is most definitely included in this. Luckily there are many products on the market to make taking care of it as quick and painless as possible for both time and budget. Not all are created equal however so be sure to do a bit of research and check out the ingredients before purchasing.

Let’s get into the nitty gritty and why you won’t go back once you’ve started using  The Brighton Beard Co's beard oil.

What is a beard oil

Let’s start with the basics, a beard oil is (or should be) just a blend of carrier oils with essential oils. Sounds simple but there is definitely a skill to getting the perfect consistency and peak performance from the blend. A lot of research and trial and error mixing oils goes into it, or at least that’s what we did to reach our perfect oil.

Oils have different properties and benefits for example, some oils can block pores which can lead to undesirable effects such as spots and irritation. It’s important to have a well balanced oil for maximum beard blessing benefits. We favour Jojoba oil, Argan oil and Sweet almond oil however there are various other alternatives. 

The essential oils work in a few ways, just like the oils they have individual properties but in general they are used to create a beautiful fragrance as well as acting as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. 

 

Ingredients to watch out for (and avoid) when buying a beard oil include; 

 

Silicones
These are cheap for companies to add in and mimic the properties of an oil and appear to give a shiny, healthy beard, but in actuality they coat the hairs and block essential nutrients from getting in. This makes your beard become reliant on them and don’t benefit from them at all. 

 

Sulphates
Luckily awareness around sulphates is increasing so more and more people know to avoid them if possible but they still remain a common ingredient in cheaper cosmetics. Sodium lauryl sulphate is a common one to look out for.  These harsh cleaners strip the natural oils you have leaving hair dry and brittle and more susceptible to irritation.

 

Parabens

Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in many cosmetic products and although there needs to be more studies to support the claims more substantially, they are said to have some negative health benefits. We believe natural is better and so it’s not a dilemma we have, but some companies opt to use this cheaper option.  

 

What should a beard oil do?

A beard oil should act as a conditioning agent for your beard and the skin beneath. The skin underneath the beard is often overlooked when considering beard care, and really it’s equally important to care for the skin. If you think about it, it makes sense that if your skin is looking dry and flaky the hairs coming through are going to be subject to the same, and the same with greasy skin. 

After cleansing with a non stripping cleanser such as The millers shampoo bar, your skin should be feeling clean but not raw. This leaves a perfect base for the oil to be applied to, it will absorb into the skin as well as coating every individual beard hair. In turn this will leave you with a moisturised, healthy beard without any dry irritated patches but without being a greasy mess either. Oh and an added bonus you will smell great (only guaranteed if you use our products ;) ).

When to use a beard oil?

We recommend daily use, if you feel you have naturally dry skin and hair or if you live in colder climate you can apply twice daily. There isn’t a hard and fast rule with this it’s really personal preference and paying attention to your beard and its needs. 

You can use an oil at all stages of growing a beard, even if you’re newly starting out. Priming the skin with an oil even when you’ve got barely any hair growth with help the new hairs trying to poke through have an easier time of it. 

We recommend applying an oil after washing with warm water (daily, with or without beard shampoo). The pores are more open then and are able to absorb more of the nutrients within the oils. This will leave soft hairs and the slight shine of a well groomed man. 

 

Feeling that itch?

One of the biggest trials with growing and keeping a beard is the dreaded beard itch, irascible and unyielding once it starts. It can occur as anytime but particularly in the first few weeks of growing a beard when the hairs start to poke through. Keeping your beard well moisturised is key as even a fully fledge beard can suffer if not tended to correctly. Beard oil is here to help alleviate that itch by soothing and calming the skin - the light oil will absorb quickly and leave your beard having a healthy shine, the antimicrobial properties will protect against any bacteria that may cause irritation and subsequent dry and flaky skin. Et. voila.

Can oil be used on both long and short beards?

Of course! There is of course the alternative option of a balm but it’s preference as to which you use. 

A balm provides a light hold, containing both wax and shea so good for those with a bit of length to their beard that need to tame those flyaways. The balm will last a little longer too as the shea and wax are absorbed more slowly by the skin. So if you feel like you need a little extra protection from the elements a little balm might work best, or if you prefer oil, applying in the morning and at night should have the same effect.

How much should I use?

A little goes a long way, but it really is dependant on the length of beard and personal preference! As a general rule of thumb you can use this as a guide to start with and tweak as necessary. 

Less than 1 inch of beard growth - 2-3 drops daily 

Between 1-3 inches of growth - 3-6 drops daily

Between 3-6 inches of growth - 6-8 drops daily or twice daily.

Between 6-9 inches of growth - 8-10 drops daily or twice daily.

Between 9-12 inches of growth - 10-12 drops daily or twice daily.

Between 12+ inches of growth 12+ drops daily or twice daily.

If you have any other questions we can help with just send us an email and we’ll be happy to help.