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Many people have varying opinions on whether beard oil helps in growth, leading to many myths and misconceptions. Let’s look more into this issue and dispel all the myths you have heard about beard oil.
What Is Beard Oil?
Beard oil is a conditioner that nourishes and relaxes beards. Most people use it to soften and tame their beard hair. However, there hasn’t been any scientific discovery that beard oil fosters beard growth.
Nevertheless, the current anecdotal research states that some of the oils used to manufacture beard oil may promote beard growth. These oils include bay leaf and the essential oils added that are rich in antioxidants. Still, you should note that beard oil is mainly designed to moisturize the hair.
It will improve your beard’s appearance, and you can apply it when styling your beard. One pro tip you should remember is that you should use beard oil with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Keep reading to explore the uses of beard oil, its side effects, how you should apply it, and alternative products you can use together with beard oils.
Why People Use Beard Oil
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Most people use beard oil since it provides extra care to the beards, leaving them healthy and nourished. Let’s look at other uses of beard oil.
Prevents Dandruff and Itchiness
Those with beards, especially long ones, oten struggle with dandruff. The condition arises from accumulated dead skin, which causes itchiness. Beard oil moisturizes your skin, which prevents itchiness and eliminates dandruff.
Tames Your Beards
Taming your beard is essential, primarily if you decide to have a long beard. You should trim the beard properly and keep the neckline clean to ensure the beard isn’t unkempt.
Thus, people need beard oil to soften it since it has a rough texture, thus making it easy to style and comb. Furthermore, the oil will make your beard shiny, thus boosting its appearance.
Nourishes and Hydrates Your Beard
Your beard requires proper nourishment and hydration to grow optimally. Beard oil often nourishes and hydrates your hair follicles, making the beard manageable. Additionally, hydrating the beard makes it softer and fuller.
Makes Your Beard Smell Nice
You should use beard oils for your beard as most contain fragrances that leave your beard smelling good for hours. It’s a practical hack, especially for people in hot climates as sweating could result in odors.
How to Apply Beard Oil
The best time to apply the beard oil is after showering or washing your face. This is imperative because your skin pores will be open, and they can easily absorb the oil. You can apply beard oil daily, but you shouldn’t overdo the amount – this is essential if you have sensitive skin.
Here are the steps you should follow when applying beard oil:
- Wash your beards before applying. Always apply the beard oil after washing your beards to ensure they’re clean and the hairs are soft. Dry your beards with a towel before applying the oil.
- Squeeze an appropriate amount of the oil on your palm. You should pour approximately five drops on your arms and massage it on your beards.
- Apply in all the sections. You should spread the oil using the top-to-bottom method to ensure you don’t miss any part. Those with long beards can comb through the follicles to spread the oil evenly.
- Use more beard oil. You can use more beard oil if your beard is long and thick and repeat the process.
- Style the beard. The last step involves styling the beard with a comb after applying the oil evenly.
The Ingredients Used to Make Beard Oil
It may seem like beard oils undergo various manufacturing processes, but the production process is simple. The key ingredients to make beard oils are carrier oils, essential oils, and preservatives.
Let’s discuss these ingredients in detail, including how they nourish your beard.
Carrier Oils
They’re also called base oils since they form the primary base of the whole beard oil. You can use one carrier oil to make the beard oil or mix multiple base oils. The main use of carrier oils is to moisturize the beards and to offer anti-dandruff benefits.
The second use of these oils is to dissolve the essential oils. Some essential oils are volatile and may burn your face when using them without the carrier oils. Carrier oils include castor oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and grape seed oil.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are mainly extracted from fruits, trees, and flowers. The primary use of these oils is to ensure the beard oil has a good scent. These oils also offer antibacterial and antimicrobial benefits. Essential oils are categorized into three sections scent-wise.
- First, they’re grouped into top notes with a light scent that evaporates fast.
- Second, we have the warm middle notes that may last a few hours.
- Third, we have the base note comprising heavy oils, which have a long-lasting scent.
Furthermore, since essential oils are volatile, they’re diluted in a ratio of 1:10 drops of carrier oils. Examples of essential oils include sweet orange oil, peppermint oil, bergamot oil, and tea tree oil.
Preservatives
Preservatives are used because most essential oils oxidize easily. Furthermore, they’re used to preserve beard oil, increasing the shelf life. The most common preservatives used in beard oils are vitamins E and C.
The Side-Effects of Beard Oil
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You may experience mild or severe side effects when using beard oils. However, you should see a doctor if the side effects are severe and prolonged. Let’s discuss some of the potential side effects you may encounter.
Dandruff and Dry Skin
You may have asked yourself, aren’t beard oils supposed to eliminate dandruff and dry skin? Shouldn’t the product eliminate itchiness? Yes, these are some of the benefits of using beard oils.
However, if the essential and carrier oils aren’t mixed properly, you may experience dandruff and dry skin. For instance, you should avoid buying beard oil made from sesame oil or canola oil containing polyunsaturated fats.
It means the oil may be poorly formulated, affecting the hormones that aid in beard growth. Furthermore, such oils may cause dandruff and dry skin in the long run.
Allergic Reactions
Most beard oils are manufactured using natural products since they’re better for the skin than synthetic chemicals. However, some essential oils contain allergens that may affect your skin.
This is especially true if large amounts have been used in the formulation. As such, you should check the ingredients list before using the beard oil to determine if you’re allergic to some of the oils used.
Eye Irritation
It may seem unlikely, but you may accidentally touch your eyes while applying the beard. In other situations, if you apply the beard before sleeping, the pillow may push some of the oil to your eyes. This causes eye irritation and dryness. Thus, if it happens, you should wash your eyes with warm water.
Additional Products You Can Use With Beard Oils
Everyone has a beard care routine that entails washing the beards, applying beard oil, and grooming it. However, there are other products you can include in your routine to improve your beard’s appearance. A beard balm is one product you should use together with beard oils.
These products will moisturize your beard and give it some structure. Thus, the oils will moisturize the beards, while the balms will hold the beard hair when used together.
Beard balms are made from essential oils, but other ingredients, such as butter and beeswax, are added. They also contain various fragrances that will leave your beard smelling good.
Ultimately, the best time to combine these products is during the early stages of beard growth. These products may reduce the intense itching one experiences at this stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Here are the frequently asked questions about beard oils.
Which is the best beard oil to use?
The best beard oil to use is coconut oil because the beard and skin absorb it easily.
Are beard oils good?
Beard oils are good for your beard as they moisturize and hydrate the hair. They also aid in grooming the hair.
What are the main ingredients used to make beard oils?
The main ingredients used to make beard oils are carrier oils, essential oils, and preservatives. Each of these ingredients has a specific benefit to beard oils.
How often should I use my beard oil?
You can use your beard oil daily. However, you should use it twice per day in the morning and at night before sleeping to get the best results.
When should I start using beard oil?
You can start using the beard oil immediately after your beards start growing. There isn’t any age limit for people who can use beard oils.
So, Does Beard Oil Help Beard Growth?
Beard oil is a product that boosts your beard’s appearance. It’s used to moisturize your beards and make them softer and fuller. However, there haven’t been any scientific studies that show beard oils aid in beard growth. However, if you believe in natural remedies, it’s worth trying. Good luck!