Beards are Dead. Long Live the Beard!

Beards are here to stay, and why you should use Beard Oil.

Hipsters, Lumbersexuals, Veterans, Celebrities, Athletes, Tattoo models, you name it, they all seem to be sporting beards now more than ever. You’ll see the occasional article pop up here and there predicting the demise of the beard. Those articles are mostly written by men who can’t grow beards.

Be that as it may, there’s a fine line between a ‘here to stay’ well-groomed beard and a rat’s nest, steel wool scouring pad looking, guy who hasn’t shaved in three weeks’ beard.

And this is where a quality beard oil can make a world of difference. A good beard oil will moisturize and condition the beard hair and the skin underneath. Conditioning ingredients like jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, or argan oil, will soothe itchy beards and can time wild beard hair.

The highest quality beard oils will have both carrier and essential oils. The carrier oils deliver the moisturizing and nourishing effects with the essential oils pulling double duty — some essential oils, like tea tree or Sandlewood, can act as a natural antiseptic, clearing out the pores and reducing acne; with others acting as a natural cologne. Like cedarwood.

Beware of cheap imitations. With the rise in popularity of beard oil, the number of new brands popping up on the market attempting to take advantage of these trends is staggering. Many of them use a mixture of chemicals to try and achieve hydrating effects. They usually feel slimy, or quite sticky — almost glue-like, and offer no benefits to your skin or beard.

The best time to apply beard oil is right after a shower, or after washing your face. Your pores and hair follicles are open, readily absorbing the oil. Most high quality beard oils come with a convenient dropper for just the right amount. Put a few drops in the palm of your hand, rub together, and massage it throughout your beard. Afterwards, you’ll want to comb or brush it out for a well-groomed look.

Beard comb or brush? One of the most hotly-debated topics in Beard culture. Some folks believe cheap, plastic drug store combs, stamped out of a plastic mold, will have microscopic jagged edges along the teeth of the comb that tear apart your beard follicles, making them susceptible to breakage and split ends. They claim a high quality Kent comb, or all natural oxhorn comb is the way to go. Personally, I use a $2 boar’s hair brush I picked up from a local beauty supply shop. Boar’s hair is a natural fiber which absorbs the beard oil and helps evenly distribute it.