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Just like the hair on your head, your beard hair also requires maintenance and care. This is where beard oils come in handy. These nifty grooming products help reduce itching and dandruff, leaving the hair smooth, silky and neatly kept. By moisturising and conditioning the hairs, it also makes it even easier to style.

Applying beard oil is a rather simple process. That said, there are some things to keep in mind especially if you’re a beginner to beard oil or grooming in general. In this Academy article, we’ll teach you how to correctly apply beard oil in 4 easy steps.

Quick Tips

How to apply beard oil for beginners

1. Start with a clean beard

Your beard should be clean, towel-dried but still slightly damp from water or after a shower (but not too wet or the beard oil won’t stick). Begin by applying a few drops into the palm of your hand. We recommend around 3-6 drops, depending on the length of your beard.

2. Apply to the skin first

Rub your hands together to spread the product evenly, then run them through the beard. First, you want to press the beard oil into the skin to ensure it moisturises the roots of your beard and the skin surrounding it.

3. Apply to the beard

Once you’ve applied to the roots and skin, start applying directly to the beard. Start with sides of the beard and work your way down by moving your hands in a downward swipe motion. Brush your hands down the front in the same downward swipe motion. Then brush your hands upwards from the neck to get the bottom of the beard too.

4. Finish with a comb

If you have a moustache, use your pointer fingers and swipe them down the front a few times. To finish, use a comb to continue evenly distributing the product across the beard until soft and conditioned.

Beard Oil FAQs

What are the benefits of beard oil?

Beard oils have a slew of benefits including (but not limited to):

• Reducing itchiness by moisturising the hairs
• Preventing dandruff by moisturising the skin beneath the beard hair
• Keeps the beard looking healthy and neatly kept
• Most, if not all, beard oils have a pleasant scent to make your grooming routine extra enjoyable

When should I apply beard oil?

The best time to apply beard oil is straight after a shower. This is because your beard is completely clean and your pores have opened up from the steam, making for easier absorption of the product.

What is the difference between a beard oil and beard balm?

We actually wrote an article about their differences which you can read. Simply put, the difference is mainly in texture–beard oils are lighter whereas beard balms are heavier. Beard balms are useful for styling the beard, while beard oils are best suited for men with short to medium-length beards.

Can I apply beard oil after shaving?

You certainly can. Beard oils have many moisturising ingredients that can soften your skin and prevent dryness even if you have little, or no, beard hair.

Should I use beard oil every day?

It’s honestly up to you, but we generally advise applying it every time after every shower and whenever it feels itchy and uncomfortable.

So what is the best beard oil for me?

While there is no "best" beard oil, many beard oil users will have their favourites. The various scents available are one reason, but so too are the types and quality of the included ingredients. Keep an eye out for beard oils containing argan, jojoba or almond oils.