The Best Beard Oils, According to Grooming Experts

All of the beard oils our experts recommend, including this one, either contain jojoba oil, argan oil, grape-seed oil, avocado oil — or a combination of the four. According to Chad Beightol of New York City–based grooming store Consiglieri, “jojoba oil is closest to the oil in your skin, and therefore doesn’t clog your pores.” Argan oil has high levels of vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids, and antioxidants, making it an excellent anti-aging moisturizer and great for softening dry, damaged hair. Grape-seed oil, which is lighter than jojoba oil, is high in linoleic acid and thought to reduce clogged pores, so it’s great for oily skin. And avocado oil is rich in oleic acid and monounsaturated fats, which help it to penetrate into the hair shaft.

Grave Before Shave, which is formulated with jojoba oil, also contains tea-tree oil, a common ingredient in dandruff shampoos because it soothes skin while clearing clogged pores. Arthur Iskhakov, master barber at Barbers Blueprint; beard-care expert Matt Benevento (who describes himself as a “faithfully bearded man”); and Colorado-based plastic surgeon Dr. Manish Shah all recommend it for its solid but simple list of ingredients. The oil also comes in a variety of scents, including bay rum, sandalwood, and pine, a feature Iskhakov likes because “there is a scent for every man’s preference.”

This oil from Honest Amish Man, which has jojoba and argan oils in it, comes recommended by Luca Blandi of Oscar Blandi salon, who says it’s versatile enough to handle all hair types and has a pleasing “manly” scent. It’s also an oil that Strategist writer David Notis used when growing out his beard; he says it’s “really terrific,” adding “if you’re concerned about synthetics and preservatives, the stuff is just a blend of different organic oils, avocado, pumpkin seed, sweet almond, and argan.”

Baxter of California’s beard oil, which has avocado oil in it, comes recommended by Beightol and Shah. Beightol says it is part of what he calls the “next generation of beard oils” because, instead of argan or jojoba oils, its “primary moisturizing ingredient is squalene — a water-based moisturizer that penetrates and absorbs quickly into the skin.” Shah also likes that it includes squalene (which he says is one of his favorite moisturizers) in its formula of high-quality oils and antioxidants.

Benevento told us that he uses Austin-based brand the Bearded Bastard’s earthy-smelling beard oil (which gets its scent from essential oils of cedar, pine, and sandalwood) every day. “Every morning, I dampen my beard and carefully massage the beard oil into my facial hair and skin. I then use a beard comb to straighten and style my beard.” On top of making his beard look and smell great, Benevento likes that this oil is “made with ethically sourced, all-natural ingredients,” including grape-seed, argan, and jojoba oils.

Barber Roderick Hampton of Miracle’s barbershop in Brooklyn swears by this beard oil formulated with argan, hemp-seed, apricot kernel, and avocado oils. Shah is also a fan, noting it additionally includes Dead Sea salt, which he says gives the oil added “anti-infective and exfoliating” properties. For men who suffer from ingrown beard hairs or facial-hair dandruff, this is a good choice. Hampton adds that it has a fresh, citrusy smell thanks to its unique blend of essential oils.

Pedro, a master barber at Klippers Barbershop in New Jersey who goes by the nickname “Wolf of Broad Street” (and declined to give his last name), recommends this oil from extremely good beard–haver Rick Ross, saying “you can comb, brush, or pick it through your beard to distribute the product equally.” This beard oil contains grape-seed and jojoba oils, and Shah, another fan, notes it also has linoleic acid, which he says “is anti-inflammatory and especially helpful in beards of men of color who are more prone to ingrown beard hairs. A good beard oil like this one that keeps inflammation to a minimum should help reduce the incidence of ingrown hairs.” It also contains castor oil, which Shah says has “anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, and stimulates prostaglandins, which aids in hair growth.”

Blandi, who told us he’s a fan of getting the most for your money, also recommends this beard-and-hair oil from professional grooming products line Sebastian. It contains argan, jojoba, and grape-seed oils, and on top of moisturizing and adding a healthy sheen to your beard, it will also help define its shape. But it’s versatility doesn’t stop there. Blandi adds that you can also use it in your hair for styling or added shine.

Joseph Rosenfeld, a New York–based personal stylist who says he’s had a beard for going on ten years, told us Aesop Shine is his go-to beard oil. In addition to grape-seed and jojoba oils, it contains linoleic acid, an omega 6 fatty acid that Rosenfeld says helps the product penetrate the hair shaft and soften hairs while improving hydration. He adds that this consistently makes his beard look good without ever leaving any residue behind. “I apply a few drops onto a small beard brush and then brush through to evenly distribute the oil.”

Adam Rinn, the host of the annual Coney Island Beard and Mustache Competition, who told us he’s had a beard on and off for most of his adult life, suggests Brooklyn-made Royal beard oil for its short list of ingredients: Moroccon argan oil, jojoba oil, and vitamin E. But he also likes it because it “feels good,” and because it comes in an unscented version, for those who don’t want a strong smell under their nose all day. (For those who do, Royal also sells its oil with various scents including what and what citrus, pine, and mint.)