So many grooms are rocking facial hair in all forms on their wedding day, but might not have thought about getting their beard in the best condition possible for the occasion. The best beard oils double as face care and should be part of your everyday routine if you want softer hair, conditioned skin and reduced irritation. They are the secret to nixing ‘beard dandruff’ and, for your other half, it makes for a more enjoyable smooch.
The Best Beard Oils
Facial hair needs as much love as the hair on your head, treat it well and it will shine and look so much sleeker. Ignore it and you will be scratching your chin (literally) because those wiry and brittle hairs are screaming out for TLC. Starting with this list of the best beard products, pick the one that is suited to you and treat your 24-hour stubble or full-on beard to daily care.
1. Best Bear Wash: Dr K Beard Soap
We’re starting our list of best beard oils with soap because washing your beard is every bit as important as treating it. Your regular shampoo is not a substitute for a proper cleanser, as it will strip your skin and beard of much-needed hydration and oil leading to flaky, irritated skin.
Dr K is a Cork-based brand that specialises in beard, bath and body care for men. This Beard Soap is a mild plant-based oil formulated with glycerine and panthenol to leave your skin feeling clean and your beard soft and shiny. Available in three scents and fragrance-free (above), €12.95.
2. Best For Dry Skin: ESPA Triple Action Grooming Oil
ESPA is a world-class spa brand that offers great skin and self-care using natural plant oils and extracts. This 3-in-1 face, beard and shave oil is packed with omega oils plus vitamins A and E to soften bristles and condition your beard, while kahai oil, candeia tree and prickly pear extracts hydrate and calm the skin beneath. Massage into the skin to use as a shaving oil or work a few drops into your facial hear and onto the skin for best results, €33.90.
3. Best Budget Buy: L’Oréal Paris Men Expert Barber Club Beard Oil
There’s an assumption that the best beard oils are heavy, but most are lightweight and nourishing. This lightweight, non-greasy oil from L’Oréal Paris Men is powered by cedarwood essential oil and 88% natural ingredients for a smoother and softer beard in a few days. Just two to three drops are needed (depending on beard length), simply massage in and brush or comb through to tame that face mane, €12.95.
4. Best For Normal Skin: L’Occitane Cade Softening Beard Oil
This star buy from French brand, L’Occitane, Cade Softening Beard Oil, has a host of skin and bristle-loving plant oils – cade, sesame seed, sweet almond, castor, sunflower, jojoba and rosemary to soften and nourish. Guaranteed to stop beard itch, keep your mane tangle-free and smells great, €28.
5. Best Luxury Beard Oil: Tom Ford Conditioning Oud Wood Beard Oil
Tom Ford sports a perfectly groomed stubble version of a full beard, so it’s no surprise he created a top-notch beard oil. Scented with Oud Wood (his cult classic scent for guys), it is the Rolls-Royce of beard oils. The formulation is a blend of almond, jojoba, and grapeseed oils plus vitamin E and works to hydrate, nourish and soften skin and hair. Massage in and pair with the scent of the same name for an irresistible combination, €57.
6. Best Exfoliating Beard Oil: Kiehl’s Nourishing Beard Grooming Oil
If beardruff (beard dandruff!) is an issue, then you need a specific beard oil like this Grooming Oil from Kiehl’s. It has pracaxi to nourish the skin and soften the beard hairs, plus an invigorating scent derived from cedarwood, sandalwood and eucalyptus essential oils. To tackle flaking, it has salicylic acid which dislodges dead skin cells to keep your skin clear and reduce the risk of breakouts under your beard, €35.
7. Best For Oily Skin: Murdock London Beard Moisturiser
If your oily skin makes you pause at the thought of using a beard oil then use a moisturiser instead. This daily lightweight beard and moustache moisturiser from Murdock London has a great scent – patchouli, juniper, cedarwood – and a hydrating complex of aloe vera and glycerin. Used the same way as beard oil, it nourishes and hydrates hair and skin without the risk of breakouts. It can also be used to style your beard, simply comb through for fewer tangles and better manageability, €30.45.
8. Best For Big Beards: Percy Nobleman Scented Beard Oil
This Percy Nobleman product is one of the best beard oils for big beards. A 100ml bottle (most are 30ml), it offers better value as it has so much hair to treat. This beard oil has a plethora of great ingredients including, sweet almond, argan, marula, jojoba and avocado oils that nourish, hydrate and soften the hair. Great for all beards long or short, but especially effective for coarser hair, €26.99.
Check out our post for when to trim your beard to have it perfect for your wedding day.
