Beards are certainly a marker of style and sophistication nowadays, showing a man’s attention to grooming and good looks. The rise of the popularity of beards has spurred a number of boutique items to pop up, including beard oil.

Even if you’re a bearded lad who’s already armed with a tortoiseshell comb and stainless steel moustache trimming scissors, beard oil will round out your routine with vital moisture and shine.

Read on as we demystify the elusive beard oil.

What is beard oil?

Beard oil is a blend of extracts and essential oils that moisturizes your beard and the skin underneath. Typically you’ll find all-natural ingredients like jojoba oil and argan oil, both of which have been used for centuries for their excellent emollient properties. Top that emollience with fragrant essential oils like cedar and lavender and you’ve got a conditioner that doubles as a cologne or an aftershave.

Skin Benefits:

When you sport a beard, the skin underneath often gets red, dry, and flaky. That’s because beards wick moisture away from the skin. Beard oil hydrates skin to prevent beardruff (beard dandruff), which most gents would like to avoid.

Beard Benefits:

Beard oil penetrates the hair follicle with moisture, keeping hair healthy as it grows. It also acts as a styling product, taming flyaways and keeping your beard soft, tangle-free, and smooth.

How do I use beard oil?

Put a few drops into your palm and massage into skin and beard. It’s best to apply beard oil right after you wash your face since your pores are open and can more readily absorb the oil.

Using beard oil is especially important in the winter, when it’s cold and dry.

Not just for beards?

That’s right – you can use beard oil even if you don’t have a beard. Gents who prefer sporting a few days’ stubble benefit just as much from a beard oil’s moisture and shine.

A few of our beard oil picks:

Prospect Co. Burroughs Beard Oil Flask, TheStache.com

Zeus Verbena Lime Beard Oil, TheStache.com

Brooklyn Grooming Company Commando Classic Beard Oil, TheStache.com