man examining beard oil in dropper

Best Face Forward Beard Oil Recipe

Since beard hair is more coarse than the hair on top of one's head, using oil will help to soften and moisturize the follicles, that's why we're sharing this Beard Oil Recipe. Maintaining a beard style should (and really...needs to be) a part of the beard-wearers routine. Regularly shampooing and conditioning a full beard, along with frequent trims, will keep it from looking unkempt and messy.

two glass vials with beard oil

bottles of aromatic oil

DIY Beard Oil 

Ok, we’ll admit they’re growing on us.

We acknowledge a particular spike in popularity with facial hair (among men; women, however, will never, ever like it). We maintain that smooth, well-kept whiskers (not only for the wearer but for anyone who may come into contact with said furry face) are the kind that gets the most points on our mustache meter.

Regularly shaving to keep the beard line clean is a must.

Overgrown hairs tend to look unruly and wild. Our Sea Salt + Black Clay Bar Soap offers a smooth shave without sulfates or drying ingredients. It's the perfect way to maintain a sharp beard or to keep your face completely smooth and dapper.

After shaving and grooming, you'll want to use something on your facial hair to make it soft and supple. Learn how to make beard oil so that you can incorporate it into your routine.

Why You'll Love This Homemade Beard Oil

  • It's non-bacterial (lots more information on this below)
  • Can double as facial oil
  • Easy to prepare and use
  • Made with 4 ingredients
making beard oil

Homemade Beard Oil is Anhydrous

No water, no bacteria! Oils do not require preservatives, but they will still eventually go rancid. With that in mind, keep an eye out for the expiration dates of the oils in your cabinet. Be sure to use this beard oil recipe within a year and you won't need to worry.

As mentioned earlier, our DIY beard oil is also suitable for use over your whole face and neck. A good, light facial oil will help lock moisture into your skin, while also delivering antioxidants and vitamins to your cells. Facial oils are used after cleansing the skin, after moisturizer while the skin is still damp. If your skin isn't that thirsty, putting oil on a damp face is OK after you cleanse.

shaving station with soap, razor, and brush
Bee Inspired shave bar and shaving accessories

Ingredients & Substitutions

Jojoba Oil - Use it in your DIY beard oil for its moisturizing, nourishing, and conditioning properties, promoting healthy beard growth.

Sweet Almond Oil - Known for its softening, hydrating, and soothing qualities, benefiting the beard and skin.

Lavender Essential Oil - Add it to this beard oil recipe for its calming scent and potential antibacterial properties, promoting a pleasant aroma and potential skin benefits.

Citrus Essential Oil - Oils like lemon or orange, should be used for their refreshing aroma and potential uplifting and invigorating effects.

More Information on Carrier Oils and Skincare

Beard oil is a mixture of carrier and essential oils. The combination treats the skin and hair. Carrier oils are rich and emollient, and each oil offers different benefits for all skin types. Apply oils to damp skin and hair to lock in hydration.

Never put oil on top of dry unwashed, unmoisturized dry skin, it will not be of service to the skin.

A common question that comes up when learning how to make beard oil is what kind of carrier oil to use. Learn more about the most popular options:

Jojoba – A wax that is similar to naturally occurring oil in human skin (sebum). The skin absorbs jojoba oil. Jojoba oil is perfect for every skin type, even those that are acne-prone.

Sunflower – Very light and rich in vitamin E, which is a good thing for improving skin health. Vitamin E also helps with the shelf life of the oil, which is about 2 years.

Coconut – One of the best natural moisturizing and hydrating products on the planet. Solid and fractionated coconut oils are both available. Most people like solid stuff better because it's less processed than the latter. Coconut oil will be too heavy for oily and acne-prone skin.

Sweet Almond – A very popular inexpensive light oil that provides a wonderful smooth feeling on the skin. The shelf life is about a year.

Avocado Oil – Contains tocopherol (ultimately vitamin E), great for skin and helps retard rancidity. Avocado oil is a wonderful moisture source that soothes itchy, dry skin.

Nourishing Beard Oil Recipe with Essential Oils

The entire plant, including bark, roots, stems, and leaves, can be part of creating essential oil. Essential oils are concentrated. They should not be applied directly to the skin. Some oils aren't suitable at all for application on the skin; make sure to do your research and patch test on yourself to check for sensitivities.

Some of our favorite essential oils include geranium bourbon, lavender, orange, and vanilla. Use other oils, like lemongrass and cedar, in small concentrations.

If in doubt, or if you are sensitive to fragrances of any kind, feel free to leave out the essential oils in your homemade beard oil.

apothecary bottles with homemade beard oil
apothecary bottles in the bath

How to Make Beard Oil

Step One: Create your carrier oil

Make sure to use a clean and dry glass dropper bottle. 

We recommend blending together ultra-light and nourishing jojoba and sweet almond oils. Adjust the oils in your base to suit your skin type and personal preferences.

Step Two: Add the essential oils

Once your base oils are blended together, add in a few drops of your favorite essential oils. Experiment with fragrance combinations and treatments with different oils.

Step Three: Make your own beard oil

Replace the cap on your bottle and shake to combine, and store away from light and heat and use within six months.

Step Four: Use your homemade beard oil

To enjoy apply to clean moist skin. Place a few drops on fingertips and rub it into the beard.

Make sure to discontinue use if irritation occurs, and store away from light out of extreme temperature.

What are the Essential Oils Commonly Used in Homemade Beard Oil?

We like using lavender best, but you could also use cedarwood, sandalwood, tea tree, peppermint, and eucalyptus, among others. These oils provide various benefits like fragrance, antibacterial properties, and skin and hair nourishment.

How Do You Know The Right Carrier Oils to Use to Make Your Own Beard Oil?

You should consider factors such as skin type, desired effects (moisturizing, conditioning), and personal preferences. Remember that popular options include jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, and sunflower oil, among others. Refer to our detailed guide on carrier oils above to learn more specifics. 

Can I Adjust The Consistency of My DIY Beard Oil?

All you need to do is increase or decrease the amount of carrier oils used. Adding more carrier oil makes it lighter, while adding more thicker oils, such as castor oil, can make it thicker and more viscous.

If you decide to make your own beard oil, be sure to take a photo or a selfie and share them with us using #beeinspired on Instagram. We love seeing your photos!

making beard oil tall pin

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