Bbeards undoubtedly help men look stronger, more masculine and virile, but they also pose something of a challenge.
On the one hand, a lush, well kept beard – like the kind sported by Chris Evans in Avengers: Infinity War – won’t just help you look strong, it can also help you look sexy.
According to a study in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology, women find men with facial hair more handsome and attractive than those who are clean-shaven.
On the other hand, not all beards are equally appealing.
Sure, a lush, well kept beard like Captain America’s can make women swoon.
But a coarse, scraggly, unkempt beard – like the kind Will Forte wore in The Last Man on Earth – is more likely to make them throw up in their mouths a little.
And that’s why beard oil is so important.
Beard oil keeps your facial hair feeling soft and looking healthy while helping you avoid itchiness and skin irritation.
And there’s even some evidence that the act of massaging oil and other beard care products into your beard on a daily basis can actually help your beard grow faster.
To help you sort through the (many) options on the market, I’ve put together a list of the best beard oils that will let you look your bearded best.
Get a Handsome, Healthy & Manly Mane:
Breaking Down The Absolute Best Beard Oil for Men
Overall Best Beard Oil for Men ↓
Dr. Squatch Sandalwood Bourbon
- 4.5 Stars
- 538 ratings
- Made from natural ingredients
Dr. Squatch’s Sandalwood Bourbon offering might just be the perfect beard oil.
Made entirely from organic ingredients, it will hydrate, soften and enrich your beard without making it feel gunky, which sometimes happens when oils use a greasy formula full of synthetic ingredients.
Enriched with essential oils like jojoba oil, almond oil, castor oil and argan oil, it’s safe for sensitive skin, and contains a host of other natural ingredients that contribute to a soft, healthy beard.
But the best part might just be the fresh, unique scent of the sandalwood:
It’s somehow hardy and light at the same time, resulting in a blend that’s both ruggedly masculine and rakishly handsome.
Add it all up and you easily get the overall best beard oil on the market.
Promising Review:
“This is the best beard oil I have personally used. I like the consistency of the oil. A little goes a long way and makes my beard feel fresh all day. The aroma is not overpowering, but stays all day.“ – Jason M.
Score a Deal:
Use code GENT20 to get 20% off orders of $20+ or subscription purchases on Dr. Squatch’s website.
Honest Amish Classic Beard Oil
- 4.5 Stars on Amazon
- 19,208 ratings
Easily one of the top-rated oils on Amazon, Honest Amish’s natural beard oil can help soften even the most wiry and coarse beard hair.
Packed with natural oils – including avocado oil, sweet almond oil, pumpkin seed oil and more – it’s full of fatty acids that help alleviate dry skin, significantly reducing beard dandruff in the process.
It’s also arguably the best scented beard oil on the market.
Honest Amish simply calls the scent “classic,” and one reviewer on Amazon said it’s one of the best smelling beard oils because it’s “masculine but not overpowering.”
It’s also a unique scent, which the same reviewer welcomed as “a change from many of the wood-based smells that seem to be populating the market.”
Promising Review:
“After hours of researching and watching reviews to see which beard oil would suit me best I came across this amazing product and never looked back… I purchased this with Honest Amish’s beard balm and use the oil in the morning and the balm at night to balance it out! Definitely sticking to this oil once I run out.“ – Cesar Castillo
Duke Cannon Best Damn Beard Oil
- 4.5 Stars on Amazon
- 11 ratings
Paraben-free, dye-free and rich in vitamin E, Duke Cannon makes a good beard oil with an even better smell:
The woodsy scent evokes fresh cedar trees, lending your beard a fresh scent that’s both natural and manly.
In addition to natural ingredients and a great scent, it also comes in an apothecary-style bottle that’s small enough to be TSA approved, and provides a slow drip that helps prevent spills.
Promising Review:
“Great redwood scent but not overpowering! I love the smell and the small size.” – Barry Vanderford
Jack Black Beard Oil
- 4.7 Stars on Amazon
- 1,780 ratings
Jack Black’s beard oil is jam-packed with beard-enriching primary ingredients that lead to a healthy shine, including grapeseed oil, beta-carotene, shea butter and many more.
It’s certified organic and has garnered a ton of positive feedback from past users, who appreciate its blend of natural oils, antioxidants and vitamins.
Promising Review:
“I’ve used a different brand of Beard Oil that’s 3x this price, and this Jack Black product is absolutely better. I have a beard that’s tough to tame and this little bottle is up to the task.” – Amazon Customer
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Conditioning Beard Oil
- 4.5 Stars
- 25 ratings
Tom Ford’s beard oil is one of the pricier entries on this list (it is Tom Ford, after all), but probably one of the best beard products on the market.
Containing a mix of almond, jojoba, and grape seed oil blended with vitamin E, it’s a lightweight oil that works well with all beard types.
Interestingly, it’s also one of the few beard oils that recommends using a beard comb – rather than rubbing it in by hand – for best results.
Promising Review:
“If you love Tom Ford Oud Wood you will love this! My husband smells like luxury in this. It his holy grail beard oils. Excellent beard softner with fantastic aroma, doesn’t even have to put on his Tom Ford cologne after this!” – Jenaay
Best Beard Growth Oil ↓
Live Bearded Executive Beard Oil
- 4.6 Stars on Amazon
- 1,002 ratings
Available in a variety of scents, Live Bearded’s line of handcrafted beard oils is one of the best for promoting facial hair growth thanks to a long list of all natural ingredients that includes common carrier oils like virgin argan oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E and more.
It’s also a lightweight oil that will add softness and shine without weighing you down or making your beard feel gunky.
Promising Review:
“This beard oil is amazing! Not only does it eliminate itchiness by moisturizing your skin, but it also leaves your beard soft and smelling great! I’ve used this product when I’ve had a larger beard (4-6 inches) and when I’ve had stubble, and it effectively eliminates itchiness and dandruff at all hair levels.” – Jeremy Feghali
Baxter of California Beard Grooming Oil
- 4.8 Stars on Nordstrom
- 9 ratings
This entry from Baxter of California is a high-quality beard oil that almost acts like an all-in-one beard shampoo and beard conditioner, too.
It moisturizes and conditions not just your beard, but also the facial skin underneath, leaving your entire face healthier and refreshed.
Promising Review:
“Had very flaky dry skin within my beard. Finally decided to try beard oil and this was my first choice… This has helped my skin so much I was honestly in shock at first. Coming here to buy my 3rd and 4th bottles. Definitely recommend.” – SyracuseNY
Best Beard Oil for Black Men ↓
Frederick Benjamin Natural Pre-Shave Oil
- 4.2 Stars on Amazon
- 24 ratings
Designed as a pre-shave oil that can be used on both the beard and the skin, Men’s Health declared this one of the best beard oils for black men.
Developed by Michael James specifically to help men of color find grooming products that work for their unique needs, it contains a soothing blend of avocado, grape seed and olive oil that will nourish your skin and help your hair.
Promising Review:
“Get this and he’ll love it. He loves this stuff and hasn’t had ingrown since using it. He’s happy.” – AmazonPHL
Captain Fawcett’s Ricki Hall’s Beard Oil
- 4.3 Stars on Amazon
- 467 ratings
Captain Fawcett’s line of beard oils is available in six unique scents, all of which use a base that consists of essential oils, vanilla, vitamin e and more.
The best of the bunch is probably the “Booze and Baccy” scent, which contains bay rum and zesty orange, giving it a fresh, masculine scent with top notes of spice.
Promising Review:
“This Captain Fawcett oil hit the mark. It is “oil” without the greasy feel. It keeps my beard looking natural without looking dry nor wet. It holds all day long. And most importantly, just a few drops do the job!” – Jose Rodriguez-Vasquez
Kiehl’s Nourishing Beard Grooming Oil
- 4.4 Stars on Amazon
- 20 ratings
Kiehl’s is a well known skincare brand that specializes in nature-inspired, scientifically-proven formulas, so it’s no surprise that their beard oil is among our top picks.
It’s 99% natural and features a blend of sandalwood, cedar wood and eucalyptus oils that softens hair of all lengths, and is particularly good at taming a long, unruly beard.
Promising Review:
“Let me start by saying how great this feels! Of the many beard oils I have tried, this one had risen into my top 3. And the light fragrance is great on the nose. A very powerful combination of luxury meets usefulness. I would definitely buy again!” – Matthew G.
Billy Jealousy Devil’s Delight Beard Oil
- 4.6 Stars on Amazon
- 629 ratings
Devil’s Delight is formulated to work with all beard or hair types, and requires just a small amount to get full results.
It moisturizes, seals and protects your beard hair while helping to prevent itches or flaking.
And since it doesn’t take much beard oil to get a nice, soft beard, just one or two drops per day should be plenty.
Promising Review:
“I have been using this oil for a long time. If you’re going to grow a beard start using this immediately and it really conditions the hair as you grow a full beard. Leaves your beard soft for days.” – Steven
Ranger Grooming Co Beard Oil
- 4.4 Stars on Amazon
- 595 ratings
Ranger Grooming Co’s beard oil is 100% pure natural organic and comes in two outdoorsy-smelling scents: spiced sandalwood and escape cedarwood.
For best results, Ranger recommends working the oil into your daily routine by rubbing it through your beard it in the morning after you shower to avoid unruly, coarse, and dry beard hair.
Promising Review:
“Best beard oil around. I bought this for my husband and we both love it! This beard oil makes my husband’s beard so soft and shiny and it smells so good! I would definitely recommend this for any man with a beard. Trust me, your ladies will Thank you:)” – victoria
Seven Potions Fragrance Free Beard Oil
- 4.4 Stars on Amazon
- 352 ratings
Like many of the other entries on this list, Seven Potions offers two scented versions of their beard oil (“Citrus Tonic” and “Woodland Harmony”).
But this is one of the few that has no scent at all, which many guys prefer because it frees them up to wear cologne or other scented products that won’t clash with their beard oil.
Promising Review:
“My boyfriend is very protective of his magnificent beard and will only use certain products on it. He looks carefully at all ingredients and makes sure it is up to a very high standard. He loves this beard oil-it is the only beard oil he will use. We intentionally keep an extra bottle of it around just in case he runs low and forgets to re order on time.” – Tov
Badass Beard Care Oil
- 4.6 Stars on Amazon
- 716 ratings
On the other end of the scent spectrum, Badass Beard Care offers 15 different scents of their signature beard oil, each one of them handcrafted in the USA from 100% organic food-grade ingredients.
(But for the love of god, please don’t eat this. I know that should go without saying, but let’s be honest: if I didn’t say it, at least one person would probably try it.)
Promising Review:
“This is my favorite beard oil. I’ve tried many different products for my beard and nothing works as good as Badass Beard care oil. I highly recommend this to anyone who has a tangled rough beard.” – brent
V76 by Vaughn Beard Oil
- 4.3 Stars on Amazon
- 576 ratings
Vaughn’s V76 was named to GQ’s list of the best beard oils to prevent dryness back in 2019 (and in the world of beard oil, praise doesn’t get much higher).
It’s a great beard oil to use during cold winter weather, when the air is particularly dry and your beard is most in need of hydration.
Easily absorbed into both the hair and the skin, it soothes both while providing hydration and protection.
Promising Review:
“The scent is great. Slightly woodsy and pleasant. It absorbs quickly and I like the pump dispenser. It’s able to get the right amount of oil. The formulation is quite good and I am very happy with the product.” – e-dolecki
Mountaineer Brand Beard Oil
- 4.5 Stars on Amazon
- 6,301 ratings
Available in six scents and designed to shine, condition and soften your beard, Mountaineer’s bread oil is a fan favorite, thanks in no small part to the good value each bottle delivers:
While it’s priced similarly to (or even cheaper than) some of the other options on this list, it comes in a 2-ounce bottle that’s nearly twice as big, providing plenty of bang for your buck.
Promising Review:
“Amazing oil that stands up to its reputation. It is not a heavy oil like some others (I’m looking at you BeardBuddy) and it holds up better and tames my thick beard nicely.” – M
Percy Nobleman Beard Starter Kit
- 4.1 Stars on Amazon
- 214 ratings
Percy Nobleman packages their beard oil and beard wash together in a “starter kit” that allows you to clean your beard without removing all of its natural oils.
It features Nobleman’s signature scent, a mix of tobacco, amber, musk and vanilla that’s as masculine as it is enticing.
Promising Review:
“The wash left my beard feeling clean and soft and the oil left my beard feeling soft, healthy and has a great smell! I would highly recommend this product!” – James Simmons
L’Oreal Men Long Beard & Skin Oil
- 4.5 Stars on Amazon
- 27 ratings
L’Oreal Men’s “Expert Barber Club” line actually makes two separate beard oil products:
One for long beards, featured here, and another one for short beards, which also doubles as a face moisturizer.
If you’re not sure what constitutes a short beard or a long one, then I would recommend picking up the long beard oil, which will handle beards of any length as long as you use the right amount.
Promising Review:
“I have continuously bought this since a friend of mine gave me one; since then I have been purchasing this oil. Quite good, the fragrance is nice and very smooth, leaves a nice finished touch in your beard, great after you comb your hair.” – Oskrfabio
ELEMIS Smooth Result Shave and Beard Oil
- 4.6 Stars on Amazon
- 134 ratings
This is one of the few beard oils on this list that doubles as a shaving oil for those who prefer to skip the cream and shave with something thinner.
Elemis is a luxury skincare and spa brand out of the UK, and their beard oil is specially formulated for men’s skin and designed to keep your face refreshed and protected.
Promising Review:
“Feels really good when you dab a few drops of it and rub into your facial hair. Smells great too” – CraigDR20
Lab Series The Grooming Oil
- 4.2 Stars on Amazon
- 29 ratings
Another example of a beard oil that can serve multiple purposes, Lab Series’ Grooming Oil is a 3-in-1 combo:
It moisturizes, shines and softens both your beard and your skin, and like the Elemis oil above it can be used both as a beard oil and a pre-shave oil.
Promising Review:
“I love using this, for it’s fragrance and how it moisturizes the beard hair. Fellows, use it after showering and use the excess to rub on your neck and even comb thru your hair.” – Amazon Customer
Daimon Barber Softening Beard and Stubble Serum
- 5 Stars on DaimonBarber.com
- 7 ratings
Daimon Barber’s beard serum is free of parabens and sulphates, and features a hydrolyzed silk protein that leaves you beard feeling soft and silky.
It uses kahai oil, which contains 50% more vitamin E than argan oil, to provide even more protection and help maintain the right moisture levels in your hair.
Promising Review:
“Have used this for a few months now – it keeps my beard perfectly soft, prevents any itchiness from it, and keeps it under control. Has a pleasing subtle fragrance too.” – Greg
King C. Gillette Beard Oil
- 4.5 Stars on Amazon
- 581 ratings
Formulated with 99% plant-based oils, King C. Gillette’s beard oil is well regarded for its lightweight, non-greasy formula.
It’s not oily, but it penetrates well and conditions your hair to make your beard feel soft and smooth, and helps moisturize your skin.
Promising Review:
“I thoroughly enjoy this product because it does soften a beard and provides a manicured look. It also makes my beard look richer. I should have purchased this along time ago.” – Charles W.
Best Beard Oil for Patchy Beard ↓
YOOBEAUL Beard Growth Oil
- 4.1 Stars on Amazon
- 1,749 ratings
Beard oil is a key ingredient in beard growth kits because the act of rubbing it in can help promote beard growth.
But some oils help more than others, and Yoobeaul has a long list of reviewers on Amazon testifying to its effectiveness at helping them fill in patchy spots on their face and grow a fuller, healthier beard.
Promising Review:
“This oil left my beard feeling very soft. I am a 37 year old man that has always had a spotty beard at best and due to my employment field, i’ve never had the chance to really grow it out. Due to covid i’ve been at home since March and decided to give it one more try. I bought this oil and have NOT regretted it. I am a couple of weeks in and i can definitely see the difference. My beard actually feels fuller and the hair itself is stronger while also being soft. Overall this is worth the price.” – Chris
You Know the Best Beard Oil
Now Learn How to Look Your Bearded Best
Now that you know the best beard oils for maintaining a manly mane, you’ll be able to keep it looking thick and feeling healthy.
But while a good beard can certainly help you look handsome, the truth is that attractiveness encompasses a lot more than just your facial hair.
If you really want to put your best face forward, you need to know how to make everything below your neck look as polished, put together and well maintained as your beard.
The good news is you don’t have to look very far to find out how.
I’ve put together a cheat sheet that outlines the nine most important aspects of a man’s appearance, and shows you how to optimize each one.
Just enter your email address below and I’ll send it straight to your inbox, absolutely free.
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The Summary
Summary
Dr. Squatch’s Sandalwood Bourbon offering might just be the perfect beard oil.Made entirely from organic ingredients, it will hydrate, soften and enrich your beard without making it feel gunky, which sometimes happens when oils use a greasy formula full of synthetic ingredients.
More Resources ↓
More Advice on How to Look Your Bearded Best:
- How to Grow a Beard Faster – The Definitive Guide
- The 13 Best Stubble Trimmers for Ruggedly Refined Facial Hair
- The 17 Best Beard Straightening Brushes
- The Beardstache: The Ultimate Guide to the Stache and Stubble Style
- The Best Beard Growth Kits for Full, Healthy & Handsome Beards
- Beard Balm vs Beard Butter – The Key Differences, Explained
- The Best Beard Butters for Smooth, Soft and Sexy Beards
- The 17 Best Beard Trimmers for Long Beards
- The 15 Best Vitamins for Beard Growth
- How to Soften Your Beard
- The Biggest Benefits of Using Beard Oil
- The 21 Best Beard Products for Black Men’s Beards
- The Best Vacuum Beard Trimmers to Make Cleaning Up a Breeze
More Men’s Grooming Advice From Irreverent Gent:
- Taper vs Fade vs Taper Fade – The Ultimate Guide
- In-Depth Lumin Skincare Review
- The Best Face Wash for Men
- The Best Shaving Soaps for Men
- The Absolute Best Men’s Deodorants & Antiperspirants
- In-Depth Dr. Squatch Review
- The 32 Most Handsome Men’s Haircuts & Hairstyles
- The 12 Best Trimmers for Shaving Your Balls
- In-Depth Dr. Squatch Deodorant Review
- Can you use Nair on your balls?
- How to Shave Your Back by Yourself (Safely & Smoothly)
- The 15 Best Clippers for Bald (& Balding) Head Shaving
- The 11 Best Electric Shavers & Razors for Sensitive Skin
- The 13 Best Razors for Shaving Your Head
- The 13 Best Back Shavers for Men
- The Absolute Best Clippers for Fades
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Banner image: katemangostar via Freepik (Thanks Kate!)
Geoff Hayes
Resident Irreverent Gent beard expert Geoff Hayes is a Toronto-based writer, baseball fan and craft beer aficionado (though not always in that order).