You may be that guy who secretly uses a 7-in-1 as your skin and hair care routine and gets away with it. But the one thing you must pay attention to is your beard. Gone are the days when a facial cleanser worked double time as a beard shampoo, and a face cream did pretty alright as a beard softener.
For the uninitiated, here’s introducing beard oils. These are going to change your routine or lack thereof, completely.
But how does beard oil work?
Think of beard oil as a moisturiser or serum for your…well, beard. You strip your skin of some of its natural oils whenever you wash your face. The same thing happens to your beard when you wash it. Just as a moisturiser replenishes these oils and nourishes your skin, beard oil hydrates the follicles to put moisture back in them. It makes your beard softer and more manageable.
Despite the name, beard oil doesn’t make your skin feel or look greasy. It’s lightweight and absorbs almost immediately, leaving you with a healthy, natural shine.
Does beard oil help beard growth?
Beard growth oils may seem unnecessary for a guy sporting a neatly trimmed beard. This is a common misconception. While the jury is still out on which oil is best for beard growth, beard oils have a multitude of benefits. It’s actually pretty clear-cut – if you have a beard, you stand to gain from using beard oil. Especially if you’re in that transition phase between a stubble and a full-grown beard, as it nourishes and softens the hair from the get-go. Additionally, most beard oil formulations contain antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that help soothe itchiness and tackle breakouts. You’re also less likely to experience breakage and split ends.
When to apply beard oil?
Initially, beard oil for men should be applied once or twice a week. The frequency of use can be increased based on the individual’s reaction to the product. For those with oily skin, limit the quantity and frequency until your skin gets used to it. By adding an oil to your beard care regime, you are training your skin’s sebaceous glands to produce the right amount required to balance it out.
How to use beard oil?
Divide your beard into sections for even application. Pat the beard oil into each section while making sure you’re reaching into your skin. Massage it gently, with slow, upward movements that allow the warmth from your fingertips to heat up your skin, ensuring better product absorption.
For longer beards, try scrunching in the oil and then pulling down the strands by slowly tugging the sections of hair. This will help smoothen any split ends and rehydrate rough and lifeless tips.
As for the quantity, it depends entirely on the beard’s volume and density. Follow the instructions on the label, and if you have more real estate to cover, go in for an extra pump. See how greasy it gets, and then add another pump if required. Finish off by using a beard comb to help spread the oil across the field.
Once you’ve mastered how to apply beard oil, you can groom your beard in any way you like!
