The hair on our heads needs special attention to keep it healthy, radiant, and strong. From regular combing and washing, haircuts, and carefully choosing the right shampoo and conditioner, the hair is just as important as any other part of the human body.
Beard oils are specifically designed to ensure that the bristles on the jaws of men not only smell good but are also healthy and free from irritation, but they usually come with a hefty price tag. Fortunately it is entirely possible to make your own beard oil that is just as effective as the ones on the market without sacrificing quality.
Listed below are the procedures on how to make your own beard oil, along with a number of carrier and essential oils and their benefits:
Materials Needed
- Carrier oils
- Essential oils
- Eyedropper (if the essential oil bottles don’t come with a dripper)
- Small funnel
- Small measuring cup
- 1oz bottle
Procedure
- Mix your carrier oils into the measuring cup until you get 1oz. You can also use only one carrier oil depending on your preference. You’ll have to mix and match to determine what combination (or what one oil) yields best results. Transfer it to the bottle afterwards using the funnel.
- Choose an essential oil, or a combination like the carrier oil, and use the eyedropper to apply the chosen oils to the mix. As these oils are incredibly strong only a few drops are needed, don’t go past ten drops and only apply a few for essential oils that have a potent scent.
- Close the bottle, shake it, and the beard oil is ready for use. Rub a few drops on your beard after taking a shower as your beard has just been washed and your skin is fresh.
The following are some of the well-known carrier and essential oils.
Carrier Oils
These oils dilute the essential oils so they won’t be too harsh on your skin. They are named as such because they “carry” the essential oils.
- Argan – Prevents signs of aging on the skin such as wrinkles. Also makes the skin a lot softer to the touch. It is also known as Moroccan oil (as it originated from Morocco), and the huge number of oils with the same name on the market has different ingredients and are no longer considered pure. If you will use this, keep an eye out for the ingredients.
- Castor Oil – Another favorite of the ancient Greeks, castor oil has hundreds of documented uses ranging from industrial, medicinal, and even rumored to fight off cancer. Its antibacterial and antifungal properties are immensely beneficial for hair development and health.
- Coconut Oil – Regarded as one of the most fragrant carrier oils, coconut oil is unique as it turns solid or liquid depending on the temperature. It has an exceptional ability to moisturize skin, keep hair health to an optimum level through the reduction of protein loss, and shield it from damage.
- Evening Primrose – Essential fatty acids, like gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), play an important role in keeping a healthy and radiant hair and skin. Evening Primrose is an excellent source of GLA and is known to improve skin elasticity, moisturize dry skin, regenerate skin cells, and reduces inflammation. It also helps improve circulation that leads to better hair growth and fewer losses.
- Grapeseed – Noted for its aromatherapy and culinary uses, grapeseed has antioxidants, nutrients, and vitamins that alleviate skin disorders from acne to sunburn. Regular use assures development of healthier, stronger and shinier hair.
- Hempseed – Similar to the Evening Primrose, Hempseed contains a significant amount of fatty acids. The oil improves the development of keratin, the structural protein of hair, which then leads to better hair health. Its nutrients do not clog skin pores underneath the beard, and its vitamin E content ensures optimal hair growth.
- Jojoba – Easily absorbed by the skin as it is very similar to the oils produced naturally by the human
- Olive Oil –The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates regarded olive oil as a powerful medicine capable of treating burns, infections, and other health conditions. Nowadays this potent oil helps cure and prevent many skin ailments, and also maintains beard health. The best kind to use for beards is the extra-virgin olive oil as they contain a very low oleic acid level (high levels are harmful on the beard).
- Rosehip Seed – Best blended with other carrier oils, the oil is well-known for its powerful regenerative properties that help accelerate hair growth. It also has anti-aging capabilities and is also suitable for all skin types.
- Sweet Almond Oil – Frequently used in massage therapy for its amazing skin benefits. Not only it makes hair a lot softer, its benefits for the skin also ensure that the foundation of your beard is free from dryness and itching.
Essential Oils
- Amla – Also known as Indian gooseberry. Amla is abundant with vitamin C and is renowned for increasing hair growth. The oil encourages shinier hair, reduces graying, and also repairs damage done to hair.
- Carrot Root – Documented as the most helpful oil for people suffering from hair loss, carrot root oil stimulates regeneration of follicle cell metabolism with its high antioxidant and carotene content. Of course those who do not have hair loss may still benefit from this oil’s promotion of healthy hair growth.
- Cedarwood – Mentioned in the Bible for purification purposes cedarwood is chock-full of Sesquiterpenes, organic compounds that help release pent-up toxins from the body. It also has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties that improve hair growth and regenerate hair that was lost due to bacterial infections.
- Eucalyptus – A fragrant oil that stimulates facial hair growth especially when combined with proper diet and facial hygiene. The scent isn’t only for olfactory satisfaction, it also has respiratory benefits and promotes release of sputum to remedy cough.
- Helichrysum – Used for centuries because of its powerful restorative properties, it is even used in Africa and Europe to treat physical and emotional ailments. Helichrysum enhances circulation, heals wounds on the skin, and is a strong anti-inflammatory oil.
- Lavender – A regular addition to almost every hair formula, this mild pleasant-smelling oil greatly reduces stress that hampers ideal hair growth. Extremely gentle on the skin, regenerative, and soothing. It is said that the calming sensation to the mind brought by lavender’s aroma also brings about the same sensation to the skin.
- Peppermint – Oftentimes associated only as a scenting agent for many products. Peppermint’s invigorative effects on the beard not only improve its quality with strong antiseptic and regenerative benefits, but also leave behind a refreshing mint scent and a cool sensation.
- Sandalwood – Used by the ancient Egyptians for embalming the dead, this fragrant oil’s present day benefits include providing effective relief for acne and itching, and promotes a tangle-free beard growth. Noted as an expensive essential oil that is sometimes diluted to cut costs.
- Sea Buckthorn – An oil that has a high content of vitamins A and E, Omega 3, 6, and 9, and a handful of minerals, nutrients, and unsaturated fatty acids. This highly nutritive oil greatly enhances hair and skin health, and prevents damage wrought by ultraviolet radiation (believed to reduce hair follicle energy). Using this oil may leave temporary red coloration on the hair, so avoid contact with clothes or other materials.
- Ylang Ylang – A tree native from Indonesia and the Philippines, the essential oil from its flowers is used in aromatherapy for its ability to reduce stress like lavender. The oil is also said to increase hair shaft thickness, and grow thicker and healthier hair by controlling secretion of sebum, the oil secreted by the sebaceous glands that moisturizes and waterproofs hair.
