How to Make and Use Beard Oil, Plus 12 DIY Recipes

People often make or purchase beard oil because they’ve heard it’s good for their hair and skin.

“Beard oils rehydrate and nourish the beard itself as well as the delicate skin underneath,” says Ife Rodney, MD, a dermatologist, dermatopathologist, and the founding director of Eternal Dermatology.

She notes this is especially true for those with curly hair, who may be more prone to irritation and ingrown hairs.

“It can also soothe the itch sensation that sometimes occurs when your beard is growing,” Rodney adds.

For hair growth

Currently, there’s no peer-reviewed evidence that the active ingredients in beard oils can make hair grow faster.

“Beard hair growth has a lot to do with genetics,” Rodney says. “Ingredients [in beard oil] won’t actually grow hair for someone who can’t grow a beard.”

Still, Rodney says beard oil can help set the stage for healthier hair growth. She suggests going for blends with the following ingredients:

• vitamin C
• vitamin A
• biotin
• vitamin B12

These ingredients can “help with follicle health,” Rodney says. “Some oils contain these vitamins and, when used consistently, can keep skin and hair healthy to improve the conditions for growth.”

Rodney says oils, like grapeseed and hemp, contain vitamins A, C and E.

A 2019 review of vitamins and minerals to reduce hair loss suggested that:

• Vitamin C was crucial for patients with hair loss linked to an iron deficiency.
• Data about Vitamin A’s role inpreventing or managing hair loss was too minimal to make a recommendation, but taking Vitamin A in excess could contribute to hair loss.
• Vitamin E might assist with hair loss related to alopecia areata (AA), which occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicle. But the data was conflicting.
• Biotin levels can be low in patients who are concerned about hair shedding, but there’s not enough quality data to indicate biotin supplements will help.
• Adjusting levels of B12 may help alter the progression of AA, but the authors didn’t find enough evidence to warrant a recommendation of supplementation.

A 2009 study indicated that vitamin C could protect hair from oxidative stress that contributes to aging, including hair loss.

A study from 2010 suggested that 8 months of vitamin E supplementation could increase hair growth in patients with hair loss by nearly 35 percent.

It’s important to note that this research looks at supplementation and diet, not topical application.

For skin

There’s no consensus on the benefits of beard oil for the skin, but Rodney says some ingredients may help with skin care.

“Oils soften the hair, which prevents it from puncturing the skin when it curls inward,” Rodney says.

Some great oils are:

• jojoba
• grapeseed
• coconut
• hemp
• argan
• avocado
• almond

Some common essential oils you’ll likely find in beard oils are:

• tea tree
• cedarwood
• cypress
• clove
• lavender

Rodney praises jojoba oil as one of the best options, as it most closely mimics the skin’s natural sebum, or sebaceous oil production.

Research from 2018 on the anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of using oils topically suggested that, because jojoba oil has a high amount of wax esters, it may help repair skin conditions like acne. It may also have anti-inflammatory effects.

The same study noted that coconut oilcould aid in wound healing, collagen synthesis, and inflammation reduction following UVB exposure.

Argan oil might improve skin elasticity and hydration, the study noted.

A 2017 review indicated that doctors often prescribe cypress oil to help treat acne, blocked pores, and oily skin.

Research from 2017 suggested clove oil may have anti-inflammatory benefits.

While research suggests there are health benefits, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before you begin using essential oils.

Be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products. Always use a carrier oil, and do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.

For Black skin and hair

Rodney says that beard oils may have added benefits for Black skin and hair health by preventing ingrown hairs from forming.

“Because of the curly nature of [Black] hair follicles, ingrown hairs are a common, annoying issue,” Rodney says. “In addition to adding shine to the hair, beard oils make the individual hair shafts softer and less abrasive. This makes them less likely to penetrate the delicate skin.”

Though it’s a cinch to find beard oils in stores, they can be on the pricey side. Luckily, you can easily make your own mixtures with your favorite ingredients.

It’s best to use glass bottles to store your beard oil, especially amber, as it can help prevent damage from light.

Sterilize your bottles in boiling water before use, and use tongs to safely remove them.

Cypress and argan beard oil

Aromatherapist Alison Angold shares the below recipe for a refreshing, citrus-scented morning wake-up routine.

Ingredients

• 50 milliliters (mL) argan oil
• 6 drops cypress essential oil
• 6 drops lemon essential oil
• 6 drops peppermint oil

Directions

1. Mix the oils.
2. Store in an amber glass bottle with a pipette.
3. Apply as needed.

Cedarwood beard and shave oil

Owen Shea, co-founder of Brothers Artisan Oil, loves how this beard oil makes the skin feel and smell.

“Application will help lock in moisture and protect your skin,” Shea says. “The cedarwood’s sweet, soft, woodsy aroma is complemented by the sophisticated spice from the clove.”

Ingredients

• 3/4 oz. grapeseed oil
• 1/4 oz. avocado oil
• 15 drops of Texas cedarwood essential oil
• 2 drops of clove essential oil

Directions

1. Mix the ingredients in a cup or bowl.
2. Pour the ingredients into a 1 oz. dropper bottle.
3. Shake five times.
4. Apply.

Spicy citrus beard oil

This recipe from Live Bearded has a spicy citrus scent that smells a bit like the holidays.

Ingredients

• 1/2 oz. argan oil
• 1/2 oz. jojoba oil
• 4 to 5 drops clove essential oil
• 4 to 5 drops orange essential oil

Directions

1. Create your carrier oil blend using the argan and jojoba oils. Using a funnel, fill a glass graduated cylinder with the proper amounts of carrier oils. This mix is your base oil.
2. Using a funnel, pour your carrier oil blend into a sterilized amber bottle.
3. Add the clove and orange essential oils.
4. Shake the bottle to mix the oils.
5. Apply.

Invigorating beard oil

Scott Hasting, the co-founder of BetWorthy LLC, loves the peppermint oil in this recipe.

“The peppermint oil prevents dryness and itching,” he says. “It also provides a cooling feeling after the application.”

Ingredients

• 3 drops peppermint essential oil
• 3 drops rosemary essential oil
• 3 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 3 drops lavender essential oil
• 1 oz. sweet almond oil

Directions

1. Add the peppermint, rosemary, cedarwood, and lavender oils to the bottle.
2. Add the sweet almond carrier oil until the entire mixture reaches the 15-mL mark.
3. Apply.

Earthy oak moss beard oil

This recipe from Live Bearded has a classic earth-lover scent, blending patchouli and oak moss.

Ingredients

• 1/2 oz. jojoba oil
• 1/2 oz. argan oil
• 3 drops vitamin E oil
• 3 to 4 drops patchouli essential oil
• 3 to 4 drops oak moss essential oil

Directions

1. Create your base oil with jojoba and argan oils. Take a funnel, and fill a glass graduated cylinder with the exact amounts of each.
2. Pour your carrier oil blend into an amber bottle. A funnel can help.
3. Add the remaining ingredients.
4. Mix by shaking the bottle.
5. Apply.

Rust and wood-scented beard oil

This blend from The Homesteading Hippy is earthy, woodsy, and musky.

Ingredients

• 1 oz. sweet almond oil
• 1/4 oz. argan oil
• 3 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 3 drops fir needle oil or pine essential oil
• 3 drops frankincense essential oil

Directions

1. Add the sweet almond oil to a mixing bowl.
2. Continue adding ingredients.
3. Apply.

Wood blend beard oil

Kristen Wood’s beard blend takes a cue from its namesake. Wood is a writer, photographer, cookbook author, and the creator of Schisandra & Bergamot and MOON and spoon and yum.

Ingredients

• 3 Tbsp. jojoba oil
• 2 Tbsp. sweet almond oil
• 20 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 5 drops cedarwood essential oil

Directions

1. Combine the ingredients into a medium mixing bowl. Whisk until well combined.
2. Funnel the mixture into glass dropper bottles.
3. Apply.

Holiday spirit beard oil

This festive blend from Live Bearded smells as delicious as it feels. Just don’t eat it!

Ingredients

• 1/2 oz. jojoba oil
• 1/4 oz. argan oil
• 1/4 oz. grapeseed oil
• 5 drops nutmeg essential oil
• 2 drops vanilla essential oil
• 3 drops bay essential oil

Directions

1. Create a carrier oil blend with jojoba, argan and grapeseed oils.
2. Use a funnel to put the precise amounts of each oil into a graduated cylinder.
3. Use a funnel to pour the carrier oil blend into an amber bottle.
4. Add the remaining ingredients.
5. Shake, and apply.

Flakes-be-gone beard oil

Homestead Hippy says this blend of oils may help prevent dandruff. Though there’s no evidence to support the claim, it doesn’t hurt to give it a try.

Ingredients

• 1 oz. apricot kernel oil
• 5 drops castor oil
• 5 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 1 oz. jojoba oil
• 2 drops rosemary essential oil

Directions

1. Add 1 oz. of apricot kernel oil to a mixing bowl.
2. Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl.
3. Transfer to a bottle.
4. Apply.

Conditioning beard oil

Another blend from Homestead Hippy, this one is simple and moisturizing.

Ingredients

• 1 oz. coconut oil
• 1 oz. jojoba oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil

Directions

1. Add 1 oz. of coconut oil to a mixing bowl.
2. Add the jojoba and lavender essential oil to the bowl.
3. Put the mixture into a bottle.
4. Apply.

Hemp seed beard oil

Erin Zadoorian, the CEO and executive editor at Ministry of Hemp, personally loves the smell of this recipe, courtesy of the bergamot and tobacco essential oils. And it may help skin, too.

“The combination of hemp seed oil, argan oil, coconut oil and aloe vera oil ensures that your beard is moisturized,” Zadoorian says.

Ingredients

• 15 mL jojoba oil
• 2.5 mL hemp seed oil
• 1.5 mL bergamot essential oil
• 1 mL tobacco essential oil
• 1.5 mL argan oil
• 1.5 mL coconut oil
• 1.5 mL aloe vera oil

Directions

1. Put the jojoba, hemp, coconut, and argan oil into a dark-colored bottle.
2. Measure the essential oils with a pipette and mix them in one by one.
3. Shake the bottle every time you add an essential oil to the mixture.
4. Apply.

Lavender-orange beard oil

This blend from Brittany Raposo offers flowers, fruit, and the smell of incense all in one.

Raposo, the master barber for Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa, says the grapeseed oil in this recipe is light and fast-absorbing.

“You won’t feel greasy,” she says, adding that clients love the woodsy aroma of the oil.

Ingredients

• 1 oz. grapeseed oil
• 1 oz. jojoba oil
• 15 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 5 drops orange essential oil

Directions

1. Mix all oils together in a dark bottle.
2. Apply.

Rodney says it’s important to follow certain steps before, during, and after beard oil application.

Prep

Before applying, ensure your skin and beard are clean.

“The best time [to use beard oil] is right after a shower or washing your beard with warm water,” she says.

Steps

1. Wash your hands.
2. Wash your beard in a circular motion with warm water to dislodge ingrown hairs.
3. Pat dry.
4. Place 10 or more drops of oil into your hands.
5. Rub the oil on your hands to spread evenly.
6. Use your fingers to massage the hair from the sides in a downward motion.
7. Do the same to the area under your neck and the front of your beard.
8. Repeat these steps every day or every other day.

“If you’re in a dry climate, use your oil daily to reduce itching and dryness,” Rodney suggests.

Aftercare

Rodney says there’s not much you’ll need to do after applying beard oil. However, she says a good beard brush can be beneficial, particularly for those with longer beards.

It can help “distribute the oils while softening the hair,” Rodney notes.

It’s essential to store your beard oil properly, so it doesn’t lose its beneficial effects.

Rodney suggests you store your oil in a cool, dark, and dry place to protect the contents from light, heat, and moisture. Storing the oil in amber bottles can also help with this.

Light “may degrade the oils,” she says. “Avoid shelves, sinks, and window sills that can have sunlight passing through in the day.”

Though you want the product to remain cool, you don’t want it to freeze. Rodney says extreme cold may also affect the integrity of the oils.

Ghanima Abdullah, a hair expert and cosmetologist with TheRightHairstyles.com, says you should always steer clear of ingredients that cause an allergic reaction.

She also advises against using any expired oil or products that have gone bad from being stored in heat or cold.

When trying a new beard oil for the first time, always do a patch test before applying it to your face.

People use beard oils to promote hair growth and skin health. There’s little evidence that beard oil can make hair grow faster.

Still, experts and researchers say oils with some vitamins may promote a healthier mane and reduce hair loss. There’s also some research that oils — such as jojoba, coconut, and argan oil — can help with skin conditions and inflammation.

You can often find these ingredients in beard oils at stores or make them yourself using at-home recipes.

It’s best to apply beard oil to damp hair and skin. Store beard oil out of heat, sunlight or freezing conditions. A cool, dark and dry place is best.

Beth Ann Mayer is a New York-based writer. In her spare time, you can find her training for marathons and wrangling her son, Peter, and three furbabies.