Beard Care: Essential Oils – Safe Or Not?

Essential oils and fragrance oils are both used in beard oils and beard products. Essential oils are derived directly from plants and are 100% natural, whereas fragrance oils are synthetic and manufactured in a lab. While essential oils are more expensive and offer therapeutic benefits, fragrance oils offer more variety in terms of scent options and are less likely to cause allergic reactions. The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preferences, as both have their pros and cons.

Essential oils are all-natural and have therapeutic benefits

Essential oils are derived directly from plants and are 100% natural. They are the "essence" of the plant they came from. Essential oils are "neat", meaning they are not diluted and are therefore potent. They should be used in moderation as too much of a scent can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, or skin irritation.

Essential oils are beneficial for your health and have therapeutic benefits. They can be applied anywhere when used with a carrier oil, and most have topical properties that help promote healthy skin and hair. They can also be used for aromatherapy, where their properties are said to give calming and beneficial side effects when worn and inhaled regularly.

Essential oils are also beneficial for your beard. They can moisturize and create a pleasant scent. Many of these oils have properties that benefit hair and skin. They can help with itchiness, "beardruff", ingrown hairs, dryness, and acne.

Some popular essential oils include:

• Lavender: Has a light, calm aroma and is great for revitalizing hair, cleansing and soothing skin, and reducing the appearance of blemishes.
• Lemon: Has an energizing and uplifting scent and reduces the appearance of aging. It is a photosensitive oil, so it is best used at night.
• Peppermint: Has a sweet and herbal scent and provides a cooling sensation.
• Cedarwood: Has a woodsy and sweet scent and is great for conditioning skin and hair.
• Clove: Offers a warm and comforting aroma with sweet spice.
• Eucalyptus Globulus: Provides a fresh, exhilarating aroma and a cooling sensation.
• Cinnamon Bark: Has a sweet, spicy, and cozy scent. It is a hot oil, so start with just a few drops.
• Tea Tree: Has a refreshing scent and is excellent for skin and hair. It helps maintain healthy-looking hair and skin and reduces blemishes.
• Rosemary: Supports healthy-looking hair and has a fresh, invigorating aroma.

Fragrance oils are synthetic and can mimic any scent

While essential oils are natural, being derived directly from plants, fragrance oils are synthetic and manufactured in a lab. The biggest advantage of fragrance oils is that they can mimic any scent in the world. For example, there is no such thing as an essential oil from leather, but you can create that scent using a fragrance oil.

Fragrance oils are also more consistent from batch to batch, and they are also stronger in scent potency and longer-lasting. They are also much cheaper to produce on a mass scale. However, they do not add any benefits to hair or skin health, and they do not carry the same therapeutic benefits as essential oils.

Fragrance oils are also more likely to irritate the skin, especially if not used with the proper potency in the beard oil. They are also created with harsh or harmful chemicals, which shouldn't be breathed in or placed on the skin.

When choosing between essential oils and fragrance oils, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of each and decide which one is best for your personal needs and preferences.

Pros and cons of essential oils for beards

Pros

Essential oils are derived directly from plants and are 100% natural. They are also "neat", meaning they are not diluted and are therefore potent. They can be applied anywhere when used with a carrier oil, and most have topical properties that help promote healthy skin and hair. They can also be used for aromatherapy, where their properties are said to give calming and beneficial side effects when worn and inhaled regularly.

Cons

Essential oils are generally more expensive than fragrance oils. They are also limited in terms of scent options and can vary from batch to batch. Being natural, there is a chance of an allergic reaction, and they can also cause skin irritation if you use too much.

Pros

Fragrance oils can mimic any scent in the world, including non-natural scents like leather. They are also less likely to cause an allergic reaction and are more consistent from batch to batch. They have a stronger scent and are longer-lasting.

Cons

Fragrance oils are created in a lab and are therefore synthetic. They do not add any benefits other than smelling good and do not carry the therapeutic benefits that essential oils do. While there are fewer allergies to fragrance oils, they can be irritating to the skin if not used with the proper potency.

Pros and cons of fragrance oils for beards

Pros

• Fragrance oils can mimic any scent in the world. You can smell like leather, apple pie, or an ocean breeze.
• Fragrance oils are less likely to cause allergic reactions than essential oils.
• Fragrance oils are more consistent from batch to batch, stronger in scent, and longer-lasting than essential oils.
• Fragrance oils are much cheaper than essential oils.

Cons

• Fragrance oils are synthetic and are created in a lab, which may be off-putting for those who prefer natural products.
• Fragrance oils do not have the therapeutic benefits of essential oils, such as nourishing the skin and hair or providing calming effects through aromatherapy.
• Fragrance oils can be irritating to the skin if not used with the proper potency in the beard oil.

How to make your own beard oil

Using essential oils on your beard can have many benefits, from improving the health of your hair and skin to providing a pleasant scent. Making your own beard oil is a cost-effective way to access these benefits. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make your own beard oil:

Ingredients and Supplies:

• Carrier oils such as jojoba, argan, sweet almond, coconut, avocado, hazelnut, hemp seed, or grapeseed oil.
• Essential oils of your choice, such as cedarwood, eucalyptus, lemongrass, peppermint, amla, sandalwood, clove, sage, rosewood, tea tree, lime, bay rum, vanilla, rosemary, or lavender.
• Glass bottles with droppers or glass mason jars for storage.
• A mini-funnel (optional)

Method:

• Start by choosing your carrier oils, which will make up the bulk of your beard oil recipe. Mix and match your chosen oils to create a base of about 1 oz. You can use a single carrier oil or a combination of different oils, depending on your preferences for scent, health benefits, and how the oil feels on your skin.
• Add your chosen essential oils to the carrier oil base. Essential oils are highly potent, so it is recommended to add no more than 10 drops per 1 oz of carrier oil. For stronger scents, 3-5 drops are usually sufficient.
• Mix the oils together. You can simply shake the bottle or use a stirrer.
• Store your homemade beard oil in a cool, dry place with the lid screwed on tightly.

To use your beard oil, place a small dab on your fingers (a few drops is usually enough) and rub it into your beard. For best results, use it after a shower when your beard is clean and your skin is fresh.

Tips:

• Coconut oil is often used in beard oils, but it has a high melting point and is usually solid at room temperature. To use it as a base carrier, melt the desired amount of coconut oil before mixing it with your essential oils. It will then re-solidify, creating a beard balm that melts with your body heat when applied to your facial hair.
• Always perform a patch test before using any new product on your skin to ensure you don't have an allergic reaction.
• Avoid using fragrance oils, as these are synthetic and can be irritating to the skin.

Experiment with different combinations of carrier and essential oils to find your favourite recipe!

Frequently asked questions