When it comes to growing and maintaining a magnificent beard, letting nature take its course is risky. Unlike head hair, beard hair is very coarse and often unruly. It also tends to harbor dirt, bacteria, and other unpleasant things that can make it look dull and unattractive. Beard oil effectively addresses these and other issues — but which one should you use?

Now that beards have gone mainstream, beard oils have flooded the market. To choose the right one, it helps to understand what they are meant for. The ideal beard oil acts like a conditioner for the beard, leaving it shiny and easy to groom. It helps to keep the face moisturized too, and it often adds a subtle aroma to keep you going throughout the day.

Without further ado, here are five of today’s most popular beard oils.

1. Brooklyn Grooming Beard Oil

Sold in an attractive, vintage-style bottle, this lightly scented beard oil is described as a “hipster-approved follicular necessity.” Its byproduct-free formula includes organic hempseed and sesame oils, which effectively work to smooth beard hair without being too greasy or weighing it down. Your beard will still have plenty of volume, but it will be manageable and attractive.

Based on a vintage recipe and made by hand in Brooklyn, NYC, Brooklyn Grooming Beard Oil is relatively affordable at around $25 per bottle [1]. You are sure to appreciate its masculine yet subtle scent, which includes a mix of cedar and ho wood. A single bottle should last you a while, and you are certain to notice a major improvement in the quality of your beard after using it for only a short period of time.

2. Port Products Conditioning Beard Absolute

Named Best Beard Oil in the Men’s Health 2016 Grooming Awards, Port Products Conditioning Beard Absolute has a lot going for it [2]. At just $20 per bottle, it’s a fairly affordable way to go the extra mile for your face scruff. It boasts a subtle, woody smell derived from Australian sandalwood and bergamot, which is equally clean and masculine. Plus, it lasts well throughout the day.

The argan oil found in this beard oil pulls double duty by smoothing and moisturizing dry, flaky skin along with coarse, unruly beard hair. Meanwhile, grapeseed oil works to smooth and soften the hair further, making it nice to touch. One of the best things about this oil is that it absorbs quickly and doesn’t make the hair look too shiny, which is a major problem among many products. It’s so moisturizing that it can also be applied directly to the face, so you can do away with a separate facial moisturizer.

3. Leven Rose Beard Oil

One of the most unique things about this beard oil is its simple formula. It consists of just two ingredients: argan oil and jojoba oil, so you don’t have to worry about inadvertently exposing your skin to potentially harmful chemicals. There are no additives, fillers, fragrances, parabens, or GMOs in this oil, and it is also vegan friendly and cruelty free.

At just $13 per bottle, Leven Rose Beard Oil is remarkably affordable [3]. Its packaged in a dark amber bottle to prevent light from degrading its formula, so you can rest assured of continued effectiveness. Although this oil can be used by anyone with a beard, it’s specifically designed to address dull, slow-growing beard hair. It absorbs instantly, adding volume while helping to control dandruff, and it is backed up by a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee.

4. Beardbrand Spiced Citrus Beard Oil

If you’d like a beard oil that delivers aromatherapy throughout the day, look no further than Beardbrand Spiced Citrus Beard Oil [4]. Featuring a combination of vanilla, clove, and grapefruit aromas, it lasts all day long to control the hair and lift the spirits.

At $25 per one-ounce bottle, this beard oil is reasonably priced. It goes on light and isn’t too greasy, so you don’t have to worry about it weighing down your beard. Its gentle yet masculine aroma lingers throughout the day, and its formula of castor, grapeseed, jojoba, and almond oils helps to leave the hair shiny and conditioned. The scent of this oil is pleasing to many, but it leans more toward clove than citrus. If you have sensitive skin, the scent may be a bit too much. Other than that, this is a great beard oil to keep handy for special occasions or for everyday use.

5. Jack Black Beard Oil

Like the previous oil on the list, Jack Black Beard Oil sells for $25 per one-ounce bottle [5]. That bottle should last quite a while, but it depends on the length and thickness of your beard among other factors. Featuring a light, agreeable scent, Jack Black Beard Oil is made from certified organic ingredients. Its formula contains no parabens or colorants, and it is vegan and cruelty free to boot.

This ultra-hydrating beard oil features a unique formula that includes vitamin E, brown algae, Kalahari melon oil, carrot extract, and plum oil. When the oil is applied, it is absorbed quickly into the beard hair, providing hydration and conditioning. Beard hair is left with a subtle shine, but it doesn’t take on that weighed-down, greasy, slick look that many other oils tend to produce. Its effects last throughout the day. When used regularly, it makes it a breeze to grow and maintain strong, attractive beard hair.

Sources

1. Brooklyn Grooming. “Brooklyn Grooming Williamsburg Beard Oil 1oz: Beauty.” com, Amazon, 2018.
2. Port Products. “Port Products Conditioning Beard Absolute: Beauty.” com, Amazon, 2018.
3. Leven Rose. “Fragrance Free Beard Oil & Leave In Conditioner, 100% Pure Natural for Groomed Beards, Mustaches, and Moisturized Skin 1 oz by Ranger Grooming Co by Leven Rose (Beard Oil): Beauty.” com, Amazon, 2018.
4. The Grooming Lounge Staff. “Beardbrand Spiced Citrus Beard Oil.” Grooming Lounge | Men’s Skin Care, Shaving Products, Spa Services & Advice, The Grooming Lounge, 2015, groominglounge.com/beardbrand-spiced-citrus-beard-oil.html.
5. Nordstrom Staff. “Jack Black Beard Oil.” Nordstrom, Nordstrom, Inc., 2015, shop.nordstrom.com/s/jack-black-beard-oil/4104331?siteid=XlJR_Jk2BTQ-jFp8x39LRcYuY7mBLtg36A.