The best beard oils to soften your facial hair and prevent ‘beardruff’
With the right beard oil, you'll be able to tame your facial fuzz from scruffy to sleek in a matter of seconds. Here are the best we've found.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The best beard oils should be on your radar whether you've long rocked a beard of lumberjack (/Shoreditch barista) proportions, or you prefer to maintain a smattering of stubble. From softening whiskers and making them much easier to tackle to nourishing the skin and preventing irritation and “beardruff” (beard dandruff), a good beard balm acts as a styling agent while keeping it smelling fresh.
A bottle of beard oil will serve you well in the awkward stages of growing out your facial hair, making wispy chin hairs look fuller, and, once grown to your desired length it'll prove essential to keeping you looking more hipster than hobo. If you're yet to invest in the hirsute man's wash bag essential, take a tip from our guide and shop GQ's edit of the best beard oils you can buy.
What are GQ's best beard oils in 2024?
- Best overall beard oil: Espa Triple Action Grooming Oil, £30 at cultbeauty.co.uk
- Best scented beard oil: Horace Lemon & Mint Beard Oil, £13 at horace.com
- Best afforfable beard oil: L’Oreal Men Expert Barber Club Long Beard & Skin Oil, £5 at amazon.co.uk
- Best premium beard oil: Le Labo Beard Oil, £54 at selfridges.com
- Best beard oil for unruly beards: Tom Ford Oud Wood Conditioning Beard Oil, £48 at selfridges.com
Skip to: Will beard oil promote facial hair growth? | When should I apply beard oil? | How we pick the best beard oil | GQ's pick of the best grooming guides
Will beard oil promote facial hair growth?
There are five oil derivatives commonly used as the base in a beard oil: coconut, olive, sunflower, jojoba and argan. The antioxidants and vitamins in each promote healthier hair follicles and skin beneath, which could well harness conditions more conducive to facial hair growth. But don't be fooled into thinking these are magical elixirs that'll transform lacklustre chin hairs into Viking-esque locks – bottled beard transplants, these are not.
The best beard oils are those that work to really enhance the condition of your facial hair, helping to soften out any rougher areas while also strengthening. We’d also recommend looking out for an oil that doesn’t leave too much residue, and absorbs easily into your beard without making you look too oily throughout the day.
When should I apply beard oil?
Like many of the products in your skincare routine, beard oil is best applied to a freshly showered face, allowing pores to be fully open so the oil can be absorbed to its full potential. If you think of it in the same way as the hair on your head, a beard oil essentially acts as a conditioner to use after cleansing with a beard shampoo. Apply daily and you’ll soon reap the benefits, especially when paired with our pick of the best razors or best beard trimmers. Our top tip is to invest in a good quality beard brush to help coax the oil throughout the hairs and soak the follicles, which will ultimately soothe the skin underneath for truly superior beard care.
How we chose the best beard oil
Taking care of your beard – if you can grow one – should be your number one priority. If you're blessed by the follicle gods, shame on you for not taking care of what they give you, and you should absolutely be prioritising the care and maintenance of the beard itself and the skin underneath. Here at GQ, we consider ourselves purveyors of quality grooming equipment, so you should trust what we recommend, but if that wasn't enough for you, we've also hired some experts to guide us through the process. Adrian Clark is a superior grooming writer and award-winning journalist, having worked in the industry for decades in his hunt to test and try every product on the market, which he has collated into this guide on the best beard oils for you to try out.
In his testing, he assessed the value for money – most important, even if these balms and oils aren't typically that expensive anyway – judging how well they clean and moisturise the hairs and soothe the skin underneath. Elsewhere, our beard-owning guru, Owen Gough, helped with further testing on his own beard to assess ease of application, scents and ingredients included and how clean and nourished it leaves your beard post-use.
GQ's pick of the best grooming guides
If you're keen to expand your arsenal of men's grooming equipment but unsure where to even begin, you're in the right hands, as GQ's grooming editors have created a broad range of exceptional guides to help you figure out what's going to be best for you, whether you want to tidy up your beard hair, soften and moisturise your skin
Best beard trimmers | Best electric shavers | Best razors | Best body hair trimmers | Best head shavers | Best hair clippers | Best nose hair trimmers | Best ball hair trimmers
Moisturisers | Men's fragrances | SPF moisturisers | Eye serums | Anti-ageing creams | Shampoos | Face washes | Night creams | Deodorants | Exfoliators | Body washes | LED face masks | Beard washes | Hair products
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