Beard oil has gained popularity over the last few years, mainly due to its moisturizing properties and cologne capabilities.
Not only does it highly moisturize the unruly facial hair, and give a boost of much-needed hydration to particularly dry hair, it has also become the go-to for all those who want to take care of their beard.
You might wonder what the difference is between both beard oil and beard balm, and how often you should be applying such things. Fortunately for you, you have come to the right place.
Let us delve into the subject even more so you can find out what beard oil is, and why it should be a part of your beard care routine.
What Is Beard Oil?
Beard oil is a product that is essentially a leave-in conditioner for facial hair, but also the skin underneath it, which can be ignored and left to go dry.
Skin naturally produces serum which helps to keep the skin moisturized and healthy, and is paramount to keeping the beard in good condition.
However, we also must shower and clean our skin, and in doing so it can strip away the natural oils our skin produces.
Beard oil helps to counteract the stripping of the oils, and replicates the body’s oils by keeping the skin and beard hydrated.
In doing so, the beard will become healthy rather than brittle, wiry and dehydrated.
When To Use Beard Oil
Beard oil is always best to be used after you have cleansed the face or showered. This is because at this point, the oils have been stripped, but also the pores on the skin will be open due to the warm water.
If you live in a particularly dry climate, then it can be beneficial to apply beard oil either later in the day or before you go to sleep to avoid the hair and skin from drying out.
Also, there is no perfect time to start using beard oil, as it can be added to a beard care routine as soon as the facial hair is growing to aid the growth, as well as stop any itchiness.
How Long Should You Leave Beard Oil Before Reapplying?
It all depends on the climate you live in and what you have planned that day. Whilst for most people it is fine to apply it once in the morning, as stated above, you may want to apply it again later in the day.
This could be due to living in parts of the country where the climate is dry, and the beard oil just seems to disappear by the time 3pm rolls round, or you might be working out in the cold air and need some extra hydration on the facial fuzz.
If you buy high quality beard oil, you may also find that you need to apply it less, but it all really depends on your own beard hair and the individual experience you have with how dry your facial hair gets throughout the day.
How Much Beard Oil Should I Use?
There are no set rules when it comes to applying beard oil because it all depends on the size of the beard, its length and the overall thickness.
With this in mind, as you get used to using beard oil, give or take a few drops seeing as you will know the best way to oil the size and thickness of your own beard.
As a starter, the rule of thumb is to apply 3 drops of the beard oil into your palm to work through the hair. This should be plenty, but if it is too much to begin with, take it down to two or one drops.
What Happens If I Apply Too Much Beard Oil?
Because the oil is not water-based, it cannot evaporate. This means that if you apply too much, it will most certainly show and you will be able to feel it.
Having said that, it will become absorbed by the skin and hair, however, if there is too much, not all of it can become absorbed.
When this happens, the beard will look greasy rather than hydrated, and it can lead to blocked pores and provide the perfect breeding ground for acne to form.
So, with all this in mind, always start off with less and work your way up if you need to add more beard oil.
Does Beard Oil Make A Beard Grow Faster?
Whilst some companies do claim this, there are no hard facts and only limited studies to support whether this is true or not, so it is always best not to believe the claims by some companies.
Beard oil can help your facial hair reach its full potential due to it making the skin and hair a lot healthier, meaning it will look way fuller rather than wispy and wiry.
So it is never a bad thing to start using beard oil, especially if you want it to look the best it can be.
The growth of your beard is generally down to genetics, but you can make it look better and feel healthier with beard oil, and this in turn will give your facial hair a fuller appearance.
Does Beard Oil Work Right Away?
The good thing about beard oil is that the effects happen immediately. If you are prone to a dry beard, then adding beard oil to it will make it look hydrated almost instantly.
Whilst your beard and skin should soak up the oil like a sponge, to feel the effects on a deeper level, such as having a conditioned beard, it may take a few weeks of consistent use to see and feel the difference.
So, if you do want a healthier beard, then persistence is key, just like with a lot of cosmetic products.
Also, if your beard is longer, it may take a few extra weeks until you can really feel the benefits, but it will be worth it in the end.
Can Beard Oil Stop Itching?
If you suffer from itching, then beard oil can help with the problem, though always make sure that there is no underlying cause such as eczema.
If you are finding that your beard is itching through the growing period, then beard oil is a good solution to soothe it.
This is because the hairs are beginning to poke through the skin, and there may not be as much sebum produced there yet making the area dryer than it usually is.
Beard oil can help to mimic the sebum and create a nice hydrated base for the hairs to grow in.
Due to the beard oil, it should stop it feeling so itchy and provide a great base for the beard to begin its journey, ultimately leading to a very healthy looking beard.
What Beard Oil Should I Buy?
If you are unsure where to begin, take a look at some well-known brands and check out their beard oils.
Rather than buying the first one you see, take a look at the differences and similarities, and read reviews.
Look at the ingredients list for things such as jojoba and argan oil – basically anything that is hydrating and beneficial to the beard hair.
Whilst it is tempting to go for the cheapest, or even the most expensive, seek out the one that either has the best recommendations or the one that looks like the best fit for you.
You may find that you will try out a few before picking a particular one, so accept it now that you will likely spend money on more than one!
Final Words
Even though beard oil can be a daunting prospect due to its oiliness, it is a really beneficial thing to use for anyone with a beard.
It not only creates a full looking and healthy beard, but it also conditions each hair follicle, as well as the skin underneath it (which often gets overlooked).
If you are looking for a way to turn a wiry, dehydrated beard into something soft and luscious, then beard oil is the way to go.
Grooming should be encouraged and normalized for men as it is for women - why is there a stigma around a man who takes care of his appearance when women are expected to?
If a woman were to put as little effort into her appearance as men are supposed to, she would be called lazy or another harsher word. But men are expected to wash their face with body wash and call it a day.
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