Having a beard that's abrasive, itchy, brittle, patchy, or the one that’s taking months to grow is normal. Keep these beard-related problems at bay with ‘carrier oils.’ The best carrier oils for beard treatments are the difference between unkempt and wiry facial hair and a beard that looks thicker, silkier, and healthier.
Help your beard grow longer with carrier oils like apricot and castor oils and softer with Argan oil. Softer, silky facial hair makes the romance more delightful, and a fuller beard will hide your blushes from all the attention you're getting! Replace over-the-counter, chemical-filled beard products with items from our cherry-picked list of best carrier oils for beard treatments.
Learn what carrier oils are, their key benefits, and tricks and techniques to keep in mind when choosing them. Together, we’ll explore the features of each of the best carrier oils for beard issues. Plus, right at the end of the post, we’ll show you how you can make your own easy DIY beard oil at home. Double the benefits for half the price. Gotta be a winner!
The Benefits of Choosing the Best Carrier Oils for Beard Products
Use choices off our list of best carrier oils for beard treatments if:
- You find high-end beard oils aren’t working for you or you haven’t yet tried any so-called beard-growing and maintaining chemical products.
- You want to prevent hair dryness and damage from sun exposure.
- You wish to have a long beard! Many carrier oils increase beard hair growth and improve its density.
- To minimize ingrown hairs
- You want to sparkle up and soften your beard.
- You want to dilute essential oils to protect your hair and scalp from the harmful effects of undiluted essential oils. Also, carrier oils are the only perfect substance that can make essential oils absorb into the skin easily and quickly, making them fulfill their purpose to be there.
Most Importantly,
You Don’t Have Nut Allergy
This seems like an excellent time for us to point out that, while not all carriers are derived from nuts, a good number are. Since nut allergies are such dangerous things, we’ll be careful to identify which ones you can use and which might be problematic.
People having nut allergy can experience any or some of the following issues:
- Skin reactions - Rashes, swelling of the extremities, hives, and redness and tenderness
- Reactions on eye, nose, and throat - stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, and itching or watery eyes, and difficulty breathing
- Digestive distress - nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Anaphylaxis - It is the most severe and dangerous form of an allergic reaction. In this condition, the throat and airways swell and become blocked, making it difficult, sometimes even impossible, to breathe.
What are Carrier Oils?
Carrier oils are plant-based, unevaporated, odorless, or sometimes faint-smelling oils. They’re extracted from seeds, kernels, and nuts of different plants. Generally, these oils are obtained using a cold-pressing method in which the plants’ parts are pressed or crushed without subjecting them to heat.
The primary function of carrier oils is diluting 'essential oils (EOs) to 'carry' them to your skin/hair. Undiluted essential oils can cause skin irritation, flushing, or burning.
Many skin and hair care balms, lotions, shampoos, oils, and waxes include carrier oils as ingredients. When mixed with essential oils, carriers enhance the mixture's effectiveness and usability.
What Are The Key Benefits Of Carrier Oils for Beard Treatments?
After a few minutes, you will realize that tons of carrier oil is available on the market. Each one offers unique qualities and characteristics, enabling you to have a charming, compliments-inducing beard. But for now, a quick review is just enough.
The best carrier oils for beard treatments act as a base into which all the other ingredients are diluted.
The carrier oil is the main ingredient used to nourish and moisturize the beard, while essential oils are added to help condition the beard and reduce things like itching and soreness.
Carrier oils are great for penetrating the skin beneath your beard to moisturize the hair as it grows and keep it from becoming brittle. Other carrier oils act against bacteria and fungi, thus protecting the hair shaft from infection. Some simply remain on the surface of your beard and act as a sealant to lock in moisture, soften, and add shine.
In short, carrier oils help you naturally acquire a denser, healthier, and softer beard.
Carrier Oils for Skin
Many of the best carrier oils for beard treatments make a list because they have skin regeneration properties and can help support healthy wound healing and prevent scarring.
Key Points to Consider When Choosing the Best carrier oils for Beard Products
It’s worth taking time to go through some important points before you get your own best carrier oils for beard treatment since all oils are not created equal. Each has its properties and skills.
- Viscosity. What makes a carrier oil thicker or thinner is its level of viscosity. The higher the viscosity of carrier oil, the thicker and less runny it will be, and vice-versa. Light and thick carrier oils provide distinct benefits, depending on the right time and place. A blend of light and thick carrier oil sometimes provides the best possible results.
- Scent. In any essential oil-carrier oil mixture, the essential oils have a prominent scent. But in some cases, carrier oils also make the mixture fragrant. Coconut oil, for example, everybody knows the smell.
- Extracting/processing method. Ensure that the carrier oil you're purchasing is extracted via the cold-pressing method and doesn't contain any added fragrances or other synthetic chemicals. The methods other than cold-pressing more often involve carrier oil's exposure to high heat that damages the real properties of the oil.
- Comedogenicity. When oil is 'comedogenic,' it has been shown to clog pores. The more clogged the pores, the higher the risk of blackheads, acne, and poor skin quality. Prefer the oils that label as 'non-comedogenic.'
- Stability. The oils high in polyunsaturated fatty acids are prone to smelling bad and harm your beard health when they react with heat, light, and oxygen. The comparatively better choice is the oils rich in monounsaturated and saturated fats and pays attention to their OSI (oxidative stability index).
Comparing Different Carrier Oils For Beard Treatments
|
Carrier Oil |
Viscosity/thickness |
Moisturization |
Scent |
Texture/color |
|
Apricot Kernel |
Light |
Excellent |
Apricot |
Faint yellow |
|
Argan |
Medium |
Good |
Nutty |
Golden brown |
|
Avocado |
Light |
Good |
Unscented |
Green |
|
Caster |
Thick |
Good |
Nutty |
Pale yellow |
|
Coconut |
Thick |
Excellent |
Coconut |
Light yellow |
|
Grapeseed |
Light |
Good |
Nutty, with a hint of sweetness |
Light yellowish-green |
|
Hazelnut |
Light |
Excellent |
Nutty |
Light golden brown |
|
Jojoba |
Light |
Excellent |
Unscented |
Colorless |
|
Olive |
Medium |
Excellent |
Scented |
Yellow to Golden to Dark green |
|
Sweet Almond |
Medium |
Good |
Nutty |
Pale yellow |
|
Vitamin E |
Thick |
Excellent |
Somewhat fishy smell |
Yellow to yellowish-brown |
11 Best Carrier Oils for Beard Growth and Thickness
We've compiled a comprehensive list of the best carrier oils for beard treatments. Use them singly to address specific issues or blend them to create multi-purpose serums for your beard.
A Quick Synopsis
Apricot Kernel, Jojoba, and Castor oil retain moisture, keeping your beard soft and well-hydrated.
Grapeseed oil prevents the beard scalp from becoming dry and flaky.
Use Jojoba oil to get silkier hair. Sweet Almond oil adds shine to hair.
Avocado, Castor, and Coconut oils fasten beard growth. Use Jojoba oil to get a dense, thicker beard.
Hazelnut oil prevents clogged pores and removes acne from the beard scalp.
1. Grapeseed Oil
Do you know what urges us to put Grapeseed oil on the top of the best carrier oils for beard?
- Its versatility and low price point.
- Its distinctive benefits for your facial hair.
- It’s the safest choice for people with nut allergies.
Grapeseed oil is lightweight, absorbs easily in the skin, and has a neutral scent. These three qualities make this oil a good carrier oil to blend with essential oils and other carrier oils on the list and create an easy-to-use, effective beard-grooming serum.
Grapeseed oil is a natural beard conditioner and hydrator, leaving you far from beard dandruff and dry, flaky skin underneath. The oil also smoothes out your beard and helps eliminate frizz, providing them with texture and curl definition.
The oil contains antioxidants, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, omega-6 fatty acids, and beta-carotene. And all these amazing ingredients contribute to healthy hair follicles and strands.
The oil has the unique ability to eliminate the hormone DHT production, a leading cause of hair loss. Get a shinier beard without the undesirable greasy feel or immensely oily look.
2. Apricot Kernel Oil
The apricot fruit doesn't give the oil; it's the 'almond-shaped' kernel that gives birth to this versatile oil.
Suitable for all hair types, the oil stimulates beard growth while retaining moisture and keeping your beard soft and well-hydrated. Moreover, the oil is light and thin and is thus the most penetrating oil on the list. The oil's easy penetration allows your hair, skin, and body to benefit from Vitamins A and E present in the oil. Vitamin A helps skin glands produce an oily substance called sebum. Sebum moisturizes the beard and scalp and helps keep hair healthy. And Vitamin E has natural antioxidant effects that can assist with maintaining hair growth.
Skin cells are like building blocks. They are held together by lipids which act as mortar. Lipids mean fats. When these lipids dry out, the skin becomes brittle and flaky. Carrier oils moisturize and bring suppleness and strength to the skin. The fatty acids in the Apricot Kernel oil do just that, keeping your skin tighter, hydrated, smoother, and toned.
Many people who've used the oil on their beard hair and scalp notice strengthened beard strands and healthy hair follicles. Using apricot kernel oil as a mask is the easiest way to reap its benefits on dry, inflamed, or brittle beard hair.
Safety: Since kernel means nut, this would not be a safe choice for anyone suffering from a nut allergy.
3. Argan Oil
The reasons why Argan oil finds its way into the best carrier oils for beard are inevitably more than we've just written down. Known for its nickname 'Liquid gold,' Argan oil features plenty of vitamins and nutrition, equally serving your skin and beard hair.
vitamin A and E, omega-6 fatty acids, antioxidants, linoleic acid, and other important nutrients make it specifically crucial for hair and skin, setting it as a notable hair and skin beauty choice for both men and women. Vitamin A and E help the skin make sebum and aid in beard hair growth, respectively. And omega-6 fatty acids control water loss in hair.
Often seen as the delicacy of beard oils, the oil is introduced as an extra component to most hair grooming products for extra hydration and safety. Plus, the organic components found in the oil make it work as a protectant against ultraviolet rays. With all that said, you need not buy luxurious products; instead, just a bottle of Argan oil is a flexible addition to your daily hair care routine.
4. Avocado Oil
This oil contains a combination of plant sterols, Vitamins A, B, C, and Vitamin E, as well as potassium and lecithin. Interestingly, these nutrients equip you with the perfect formula for a healthier hair shaft and an impressive beard. Moreover, along with other vitamins, the oil contains high amounts of vitamin B, which plays a vital role in red blood cell production. It's so simple – the higher the red blood cell amount in the body, the faster the transport of oxygen and iron throughout the body. And this will ultimately lead to a faster-growing, dense beard.
The light consistency of the oil makes it a viable and reliable option for skin and hair. Additionally, even if you use the oil frequently, it's not likely to clog pores like other oils or trigger breakouts.
5. Castor Oil
From enhancing the activity of hair follicles to naturally thickening hair strands, castor oil is believed to be one of the best carrier oils for beard growth and thickness. For the last two decades, the popularity of the oil for skin and beard has spread its use as to beard conditioning treatment and a growth booster. Many components play their unique roles in what functions it performs on your beard, hair, and skin.
First, Omega 9 Fatty Acids hydrate the hair deeply, control the moisture loss of hair and thus make them softer and manageable/flexible. Then, there comes Ricinoleic acid. It's a kind of fatty acid known to fight inflammation and Enhance and stimulate the growth of hair follicles.
Remember that Castor oil has a strong smell. If this bothers you - and it does in many cases - try:
- Blending a teaspoon full of the oil into Grapeseed oil.
- Adding in two to three drops of a fresh-smelling essential oil, such as peppermint or rosemary.
6. Coconut Oil
We all agree that the only multi-purpose oil that our grandparents appreciate the most is Coconut oil. Even today, oil has become one of the widely used ingredients in the hair and cosmetic industry.
The oil's low weight and molecular structure enable it to sink directly into the skin and hair follicles instead of resting on the top as other carrier oils do. The oil has a high affinity to stimulate new hair growth thanks to its Lauric acid properties. Additionally, the oil helps prevent protein loss in men, a common problem that leads to hair loss and thin hair.
Safety:
7. Hazelnut Oil
When it comes to the best carrier oils for beard softness, not adding Hazelnut oil to the list becomes so hard for us. Comes from the delicious hazelnut, this oil moisturizes and softens the beard, potentially better than any other carrier oil. Also, it is a wonderful exfoliator, so it will remove flaky skin cells, allowing you to tame and style your beard up in winter or even on humid days. Interestingly, this oil isn't limited to the beard only; it can also serve the chest hair.
When applied topically, the delicious nutty aroma wins your heart, and then it starts to work - protecting the beard from the harmful effects of the sun while adding shine.
Rich in Catechins and Tannins (healthy flavonoids), the oil prevents clogged pores and removes acne from the beard scalp.
Safety: Hazelnut oil would not be a safe choice for anyone with a nut allergy.
8. Jojoba Oil
Are you struggling to acquire a silky, luxurious beard that you can easily tame and style up? Go for Jojoba oil, then. From softening to treating the beard, many people have reported making their beard grow better.
The main task of the oil is to promote hair growth. And the oil does that in many ways. The oil helps balance sebum (a naturally occurring skin oil) production. Excessive build-ups of sebum cause your hair and skin to get greasy. And that can lead to problems like flakiness and acne.
In simpler terms, there’s a kind of ‘useful’ trick Jojoba oil plays with your skin. Jojoba is not an oil. It is wax. It is solid at room temperature but will soften under the warmth of your hands. It has an advantage over any other oils in that it has virtually the same consistency as sebum. Thus, 1) it won't clog the pores, 2) the skin thinks it is sebum and brings products into balance, which means it's not too greasy or too dry.
Further, the oil moisturizes your beard and locks in that moist, reducing breakage and promoting a longer, denser beard. Additionally, massaging the oil onto the beard scalp promotes blood flow, leading to a healthier, more consistent beard growth. Plus, the oil provides all the conditioning your beard needs daily – use the oil daily without any problem.
9. Olive Oil
Well, here we mean ‘extra virgin olive oil.’ Amongst the best carrier oils for the beard, Olive oil is known to be one of the best sources for strengthening, hydrating, and nourishing the beard. Tame those flyaway hairs and eliminate flakes with just a few drops of this oil on your beard daily.
The oil contains a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and antioxidants that help nourish your beard hair and the skin beneath. Olive oil contains vitamin E, which aids beard growth. Regular application of this oil also prevents dandruff from spoiling your beard.
Fresh extra virgin Olive oil is rich in ‘squalene,’ which plays a vital role in the overall health of your beard.
Squalene is a lipid your skin cells produce naturally. But the amount of this naturally produced squalene declines with age. Squalene boosts hydration of your beard scalp and thus keeps your beard from becoming brittle. Also, this constituent moisturizes your beard hair, increasing shine and preventing breakage.
Olive oil is a natural emollient, meaning it has the quality to soften and soothe the skin. Hence, it nourishes your beard scalp. Doing so will make your beard less itchy. Plus, adding lemon juice to Olive oil will kill bacteria and reduce itchiness.
10. Sweet Almond Oil
Who doesn't know what a delicious, sweet, nutty taste and plenty of health benefits almonds offer? But when it's in its oily form, it can wonderfully meet all your beard grooming needs.
From adding shine, growth, and texture to your beard to improving scalp health, strength, and moisture levels, Sweet almond oil has found many reasons to be part of our best carrier oils for the beard.
The oil contains high amounts of 'keratin,' a protein that constitutes 90% part of our hair strands. Further, the fatty acids in the oil provide the moisture your beard needs to stay hydrated for long periods.
Some other components of the oil help keep bacteria and inflammation away from the scalp, minimizing the risk of acne breakouts and many other scalp problems.
Safety: Almond oil would not be a safe choice for anyone with a nut allergy.
11. Vitamin E Oil
Maintaining your beard's strength and lustrous nature are the two main functions of Vitamin E oil. But these are not the only reasons why we added it to our best carrier oils for beard. What comes next will tell the entire story.
If beardruff, aka beard dandruff, is your issue, Vitamin E oil will solve it in minutes. The oil moisturizes your beard scalp from the inside out and reduces dryness and itchiness, the two leading causes of beardruff. Moreover, massaging your beard and face with this oil will help promote blood circulation, improving your beard hair growth. More interestingly, the oil's anti-aging properties help increase the time it takes for grey patches to grow in your beard.
Comparison between Jojoba Oil vs Castor Oil vs Grapeseed Oil
|
Jojoba Oil |
Castor Oil |
Grapeseed Oil |
|
|
|
Carrier Oils for Beards: How to Use Them
Gather the Equipment
First; you need a small dropper. Usually, carrier oil bottles have a dropper-like lid to take the oils off conveniently. But if you don't get that type of bottle, you'll need a dropper. Next, keep a few cotton balls handy. Plus, a small hairbrush (the one used to pour color into hair). Then, a hairbrush for post-applying the carrier oil.
Clean and Pat Dry Your Strands
Carrier oils are best applied after a warm shower or when you've just washed your face and beard hair with warm water. When applied to an uncleaned beard and face, carrier oils are more likely to clog your pores and create a dirty mess. Plus, the steam and heat from the warm shower make your hair and skin much more embracive to the oil. After that, pat dry your face and hair using a bath towel.
Pump the Oil Out
Pour the oil into your hand. The amount you should use will depend on your beard hair length. Generally, anywhere between 6-10 drops, based on the thickness of the oil, are good enough for men with zero to two-month beard growth.
Rub It In
Rubbing the oil into your hands and distributing it evenly. Then, gently massage the hair evenly and ensure you go deeper unless you touch the point of the skin beneath. Additionally, rub your hands onto your face since we don't want you to waste anything precious. Carrier oils also have some benefits on the skin. But if acne is a concern, keep comedogenic oils (like coconut oil) away from the skin.
If you still have some oil on your hands. No chest hair? Your head needs a gentler massage too.
Now, if you're the guy who wants to keep their hands free, the equipment enters here. Pour some oil into the dropper. Take the dropper in one hand and cotton balls or the small brush in the other. Pour 3 drops on the left side of your beard, rub and push it using the equipment. Repeat the procedure on the right side and the bottom of your beard.
Brush It Out!
Get your beard in line with a boar's hairbrush or a comb. Finally, happy beard day!
DIY- Save Money by Making Your Own Beard Oil!
Beard oils are undoubtedly an essential part of your hair grooming kit. And if you already own an expensive beard oil or are about to set a costly deal, you'd like to stop for a sec. What if you prepare your budget-friendly yet effective beard oil at home in less than 10 minutes? Awesome!
Let's have a quick and easy recipe for making your beard oil faster and saving your hard-earned money!
Beard Oil for Hair Growth & Moisturization
Essential and carrier oils are the main ingredients that make for the perfect beard oil. Though there are many essential oils, some are more potent to be added to your overall beard grooming routine. Like Peppermint essential oil can help for a thicker beard, and Tea Tree oil may help get rid of many beard-related problems including beardruff, beard acne, etc.
Here, in this beard oil, we’re choosing Himalayan Cedarwood essential oil which experts list as one of the top best essential oils for beard treatment.
Himalayan Cedarwood Essential Oil and Jojoba Oil
Cedarwood essential oil exudes a heavenly, enticing smell and can do wonders for your beard. It balances the sebaceous glands, protects against bacteria, and alleviates dandruff. Jojoba oil moisturizes your beard, locks in moisture, and reduces hair breakage. Hence, it gives you a longer, denser beard.
Preparation Time: 8 Minutes
Ingredients
- 50ml Jojoba oil (Simmondsia chinensis)
- 6 drops Himalayan Cedarwood (Cedrus deodora)
Method of Use:
Apply the mixture to your beard and gently massage it in and out.
Let this oil stay for about 30 minutes to get it fully absorbed into the skin. If you have to remove the oil within the first 20 minutes, use some soap-based product to take it off - shampoo, however, will get the job done better. Water alone isn’t going to work at all.
Apply morning and evening as required.
Safety: No concerns.
Conclusion
We hope you found our information on the best carrier oils for beard treatment helpful. We’ll happily leave you to begin your journey to becoming a real Breadsmith!
