Can beard oil help grow a beard?
Men's facial hair is a trend that has been around for centuries. Throughout the years, different ways of styling the mustache or beard have changed, evolved, and in some cases, gone full cycle.
In recent years, the so-called hipster beard has been popular. This term refers to a long, bushy beard but one that is styled with precision and sometimes includes a mustache. However, during lockdown, when barbers were closed for so long, many men had to embrace their facial hair and hone their own styling skills...whether they wanted to or not!
Now that the world is opening up again, maybe you want to keep the beard. Perhaps you've become invested in taking care of it or even promoting the growth of bigger, better facial hair. With many men's grooming products available on the market today, can any of them help increase beard growth? Beard oil is a substance that has some links to enhanced growth, but how can it work for you?
What is beard oil?
Although men's cosmetics seem like a relatively new concept, beard oil is a product that has been around in one guise or another since as far back as the Ancient Mesopotamian period. It is an oily substance made from two key ingredients: a carrier oil, which is usually something like jojoba or grapeseed oil, and essential oils to add scent and decadence to the product. It really is that simple, and when used regularly, it can help to keep the beard and the skin beneath it hydrated and healthy.
How is it applied?
Experts usually recommend applying beard oil twice a day: once in the morning and once before bed, ideally after washing. However, if you notice your beard feeling dry, itchy and unruly throughout the day, you can always reapply some more oil from time to time as needed. Massage a small amount of oil into the palm of your hand and simply apply it to the beard and the skin underneath the beard. You can use a beard comb to ensure even coverage and to gently remove debris and dead skin cells.
What are the benefits?
One of the key benefits of beard oil is its hydrating properties. This makes beard hair more manageable and healthy looking. It also hydrates the skin beneath the beard, which is particularly useful for those who have sensitive skin who may experience some dryness and cracking. When skin becomes flaky like this, it isn't just painful; it can lead to dandruff in the beard, which is irritating and unsightly. Beard oil will help combat the risk of this.
Beard oil doesn't clean the beard - you'll still need a dedicated wash for that - but it's the ideal after treatment to replenish the beard. It also has the benefit of leaving a fresh, natural scent in the beard that generally lasts all day. Some aftershaves can be very intense and strong, but beard oils tend to be lighter and offer a more subtle, natural scent that lingers, but not in an overpowering way.
How can this enhance growth?
Back to the all-important question: can beard oil help your beard grow? The short answer is yes, but not in the ways you might think. No cosmetic product can magically enhance hair growth on the face, head or body. Hair growth is individual and depends on all sorts of personal factors such as genetics, diet, exercise and lifestyle.
Nevertheless, beard oil will help provide the ideal conditions for your beard to grow and thrive. For example, it prevents breakage and split ends, which leads to a fuller, thicker, more healthy-looking beard. It also nourishes the skin and hair follicles beneath the beard to make them stronger and capable of producing healthier hair. This means hair will be stronger and less inclined to break or become ingrown.
Is there anything else to look out for?
Beard oil may not be a magic formula, but for those who want longer, healthier beards, it can certainly help you achieve that over a period of time. The range, scents and consistency of the oil you choose is purely down to personal taste, so do try a few different brands. Opting for natural-based products, such as this HIM Beard Essential Oil, is another good consideration as the plant-based ingredients are thought to be more gentle and nutrient-dense for the skin. They also tend to be cruelty-free, which is a huge selling point for consumers today.