Beards are back in fashion! This means people want to know what the best essential oils for beards are.
Essential oils can offer multiple benefits when it comes to facial hair. In addition to aromatic fragrances that keep your beard smelling fresh, certain oils may also help protect against breakage, thinning, and frizzing. When choosing the correct essential oils for beard growth, it all depends on what goal you are trying to achieve. Let’s get you growing, conditioning, and strengthening like a champ with our list of the top ten essential oils for beards:
The 10 Best Essential Oils for Beard Growth and Thickness
If reading this, you’re likely looking to make your beard grow faster, stronger, and smell fresher. In other words, you wish to strengthen and revitalize the hair follicles beneath the surface of your beard. The following essential oils have been reputed to offer an effective and holistic approach to beard maintenance:
1. Peppermint Essential Oil
In addition to smelling minty fresh, peppermint oil can do wonders for your beard as it works to increase blood circulation. This means more nutrients to the hair follicles, which encourages them to grow and strengthen. Scientific studies completed on rodents show positive results not only in terms of growth, but also in the strength and thickness of hairs, and even in the levels of growth hormones present. This is what earns peppermint the number on spot on our list of the best essential oils for beards. For more information, check out our article on peppermint essential oil for beard growth.
2. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is another popular option for promoting hair growth. A recent study demonstrated positive results with lavender oil, showing it increased the length and thickness of hair in mice. In addition to its potential benefits in terms of hair growth, lavender oil is also well-known for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. Lavender is also a common sleep aid, with its ability to calm and soothe leading to a sounder, more restful sleep.
If growth and sleep weren’t enough of a reason to try out lavender essential oil on your beard, consider this: reviews of certain studies have shown lavender oil to have antimicrobial properties, which means it can help prevent bacteria and fungus from forming. This means it can also help prevent itching and dandruff, making it a favorite on our list of essential oils for beards.
3. Rosemary Essential Oil
Another stimulant and promoter of hair growth is rosemary essential oil. Rosemary oil can help to increase blood circulation, bringing more nutrients to the hair follicles. A study done comparing the use of rosemary oil to that of a popular hair-growth treatment found rosemary oil was actually more effective. Not only that, it did a better job in reducing itching. When hair follicles receive more nutrients, this allows hair to grow faster and stronger.
Because rosemary is also reputed to have anti-inflammatory properties, this means it may help reduce dandruff and patching. In addition to being one of the best essential oils for beards, rosemary also happens to be one of the best masculine smelling ones!
4. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Small, diluted amounts of tea tree oil can sometimes help to reduce build-up from products and chemicals. Reducing product build-up can make it easier to keep your skin moisturized. Tea tree oil also contains antibacterial properties, meaning it can potentially reduce the presence of dandruff, which can hinder hair growth. One important thing to note is that tea tree oil is toxic, and should never be ingested. This also applies to pets, who may try to lick. For this reason, we would suggest using one of the alternative essential oils for beard oil.
5. Cedarwood Essential Oil
This oil comes from the cedar tree, which is what gives it its fresh scent. Cedarwood essential oil is famous in the aromatherapy world for its stress-relieving properties and its reputable ability to help improve concentration. Cedarwood oil also contains some sedative properties. For this reason, some people find it effective at reducing anxiety and promoting restful sleep.
In addition to cedarwood oil’s fragrant aroma, a study done on individuals suffering from hair loss showed encouraging results in terms of growth. Mix cedarwood oil into scrubs, lotions, and shampoos, to make the most of your morning grooming routine.
6. Bergamot Essential Oil
Many products available for beard maintenance contain bergamot, and not just because of its fragrant, citrusy aroma. Anecdotal evidence indicates that bergamot essential oil can encourage softer, smoother hair, as well as reduce itching in the scalp. When added to shampoos, lotions, and facial scrubs, bergamot oil can also potentially minimize stress and anxiety.
To make the most of this oil’s reputed antibacterial properties, dilute with a carrier oil and apply to irritated areas of the face, such as cysts or painful pimples.
7. Cinnamon Essential Oil
Cinnamon is popular around the world for its signature flavor and scent. It is also a stimulant, which means it has the ability to increase blood circulation. As you now know, increased blood circulation means an increase in the growth and strength of the hair follicles present in the targeted area.
It is important to note that cinnamon essential oil is extremely potent. This means it can cause burning and skin irritation if applied directly. If you wish to use cinnamon oil on your beard you must first dilute it with a carrier oil before applying. Argan oil is often used to tame frizzy hair, which makes it a great choice for beards!
8. Sandalwood Essential Oil
One of the best essential oils for beards is sandalwood essential oil. Experiments show that when sandalwood is applied to scalp tissues it stimulates hair growth. The researchers believe this is due in part to the fact that hair follicles contain scent receptors, which seem to react to the sandalwood aroma. These scent receptors recognized the sandalwood scent and keratin levels began to increase. This signature aroma is a masculine mix between cedarwood and pine, perfect for adding a bit of freshness to your beard. Other potential benefits of sandalwood aromatherapy include a reduction in anxiety and an increase in mental alertness.
9. Patchouli Essential Oil
Patchouli is most famous for its woodsy, earthy aroma, making it a common additive in men’s cosmetics. Using patchouli oil in aromatherapy can also help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Further studies indicate promising results in regards to the oils’ antibacterial properties, and though more research is necessary it may offer components similar to those of liquid soap.
10. Lemon Essential Oil
World-famous for its mood-lifting aroma, lemon essential oil is high in antioxidants and Vitamin C. This means it can help brighten skin tone and reduce the number of free radicals present in the body. Lemon essential oil is also touted for its ability to promote mental alertness and improve cognitive function, making it one of the best essential oils for beards. One word of warning: lemon oil can also react with the sun, increasing your risk of burning and potentially having a lightening effect on the hair. If you use this oil before going outside, make sure to wear proper sun protection!
Precautions
You should never apply essential oils directly to your skin. The concentration levels in these oils are incredibly potent, which means you need to dilute them with a carrier oil first. Click here to see the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy recommendations for dilution.
Conclusion
The abundant number of essential oils available allows endless options when it comes to creating new blends and fragrances. While living a life low in anxiety and stress can contribute to a happy, healthy beard, it is clear using essential oils in your grooming routine can have added benefits. We hope our list of the best essential oils for beards provides you with a great place to start in getting your beard looking and smelling great!
