Beard oil

Beard oil is a cosmetic product that is used to moisturize the skin under the beard in order to keep it "soft, shiny, and smooth".[1] Beard oil mimics the natural oils produced by skin, such as sebum, and is composed mainly of carrier oils and essential oils.

Ingredients

Oil beard products are a blend of one or more ingredients, such as jojoba oil, argan oil, coconut oil, grape seed oil, hempseed oil that are used to address specific beard problems such as itching, sensitive skin or dryness by going straight to the follicle in a similar fashion to hair conditioner.

Beard oil is usually scented (though unscented versions are available) using a variety of natural and artificial, typically masculine, scents ranging from sweet to bitter and can be used to substitute cologne or aftershave.

Benefits

Beard oil acts as a moisturizer that goes straight to the hair follicle and prevents hair from growing brittle, especially in cold, windy environments[2] as these weather conditions cause the natural moisture of the beard area to wick. Hydration around this area helps prevent flaking, dandruff and skin dryness. Some brands of beard oil may contain added vitamins or nutrients such as vitamin E.

Beard oil also works below the surface of the skin by working as a grooming tool, making the beard itself more manageable, neat and smooth.

Application

Beard oil is generally put on the beard area after showering or cleansing in order to have the opened pores easily absorb the oil.[3] Beard oil usually comes in a small flask or bottle with a dropper in order to administer the correct amount of oil which is then rubbed into the palm of the hand and vigorously applied to the beard area.

Chemical makeup and formulations

Beard oils are manufactured with the intent to emulate the natural oils produced by the skin, known as sebum. Carrier type oils generally contain vitamins A, D and E, as well as a high concentration of linoleic acids and low concentrations of oleic acids. Natural and synthetic scents may be added to the oil in order to enhance its properties and aroma. Natural scents (essential oils, absolutes, and extracts) are derived differently than synthetic scents[4] and contain different chemical compounds that enhance their functionality. This can give beard oils properties such as antibacterial, deodorant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging. Beard oils making claims to be therapeutic must be approved by the FDA.[5]

Natural beard oils are typically created with both carrier oils and essential oils, absolutes, and/or extracts. Carrier oils are oils that make up the bulk of the volume of the product and are formulated to condition the skin and beard. The most popular types of carrier oils are coconut, grape seed, jojoba, saffron and argan. They are used as a natural fragrance for the beard oils, but also may have aromatherapy benefits. Since essential oils, absolutes, and extracts are usually very strong they may cause chemical burns or skin irritation, they are commonly paired up with carrier oils in order to dilute them.

Popularity

The popularity of beard oil and beard-grooming products in general increased in the United States in 2013 due to the fact that men were "taking better care of their beards" now that industries have become "more permissive" of facial hair.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Best Beard Oils to Tame Your Beard." Mensjournal.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Sept. 2014.
  2. ↑ "Your Beard Needs Oil." Esquirecom Article. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Sept. 2014.
  3. ↑ Oliver, Dana. "What The Heck Is Beard Oil, And How Does It Work?" The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 01 Aug. 2014. Web. 01 Sept. 2014.
  4. ↑ Anthony J. O'Lenick, Jr., Siltech LLC; and Ed Matson, Carrubba Inc "Comparatively Speaking: Natural vs. Synthetic Fragrance" Dec 22, 2011
  5. ↑ FDA.gov "FDA - Aromatherapy"
  6. ↑ Boncompagni, Tatiana. "The Taming of the Beard." The New York Times. The New York Times, 30 Jan. 2013. Web. 01 Sept. 2014.
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