I didn’t really know what romance was until my husband started greeting me with a warm cup of coffee every morning. When our kids were little and up before dawn, he’d say that if he couldn’t help me get more sleep he could at least make me coffee, and I’m pretty sure I swooned the first time he brought it to me in bed.
Parenting alongside him is the most challenging, most rewarding thing I’ve ever done, which is why on special days – or any day really – I try to look for ways to tell him how much I love him. Like making him beard oil.
Because sadly, there’s no Hallmark card for “I want to kiss you everyday of my life but your scruffy beard is giving me road rash.” (You really need to get on that, Hallmark.)
This DIY beard oil recipe is not just for husbands, though. It’s great for brothers, dads, uncles, and even that guy everyone calls “Uncle” even though he’s not actually related to anyone.
What are the benefits of using beard oil?
- It softens and tames coarse beard scruff.
- It also helps to moisturize the skin underneath, which reduces skin flaking (aka dandruff or “beardruff” and itchiness.
- Depending on his preference (or yours), it can smell woodsy, fresh and clean, smooth and spicy . . . whatever you like!
What’s in beard oil?
It’s usually made of a carrier oil (sometimes called a base oil) blended with essential oils. Some carrier oils are light and quickly absorbed, while others are more moisturizing. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular options:
Ingredient #1 – Carrier Oil
Although the carrier oil in this recipe will mostly be applied to facial hair, some will absorb into nearby skin so it’s a good idea to factor in skin-type when choosing an oil. The options below are generally good for all skin types, but as noted, some are lighter and more easily absorbed, while others are more deeply conditioning.
Argan Oil (Argania spinosa) – Made from Moroccan argan tree kernels, argan oil is rich in Vitamin E, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and antioxidants that help to deeply moisturize and protect hair. Sometimes referred to as “liquid gold,” it absorbs easily and makes hair soft and shiny. I use it as a heat-protectant and leave-in conditioner.
Avocado Oil (Persea americana) – Rich in essential fatty acids (EFAs), vitamin E, and antioxidants like oleic acid, avocado oil is nourishing without being heavy. It absorbs well and is compatible with normal, dry, and acne-prone skin.
Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis) – Has a structure that is similar to our natural sebum, which makes it uniquely compatible with our skin. It’s rich in vitamin E, absorbs quickly, and is considered helpful for supporting skin repair without clogging pores. Also, it’s actually technically a wax, but most refer to it as an oil because it’s liquid in its natural form.
Grapeseed Oil (Vitis vinifera) – Has a light, silky texture and is considered non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores). Absorbs well.
Fractionated Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera) – Excellent moisturizer for very coarse hair and/or use during dry conditions, but it may cause breakouts for people with acne-prone skin when used on the face. Takes longer to fully absorb.
Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus amygdalus dulcis) – Light and gentle, sweet almond oil softens, soothes and moisturizes. This oil is a good option for guys with normal, dry, sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Ingredient #2 – Essential Oils
Although they’re primarily used for scent in beard oil, the essential oils in the recipe below may have some therapeutic aspects as well.
According to Robert Tisserand, inhaling essential oils (as someone would by breathing in the scent on their beard) is a very efficient way to absorb them into our bloodstream.
Inhaled substances pass down the trachea into the bronchi, and from there into finer and finer bronchioles, ending at the microscopic sac-like alveoli of the lungs, where gaseous exchange with the lungs mainly takes place.
The alveoli are extremely efficient at transporting small molecules, such as essential oil constituents, into the blood.” (1)
The essential oils in my recipe are diluted for safety reasons, but even in smaller amounts they may support mental clarity, relaxation, and more. Below are some of my favorite options – you’ll find suggestions for blending them together in the recipe below.
- Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) – With it’s dry spiciness and woodsy undertones, black pepper adds character and depth to essential oil blends.
- Cedarwood Atlas (Cedrus atlantica) – Calming, woodsy, smokey and slightly spicy, cedarwood is skin soothing and also smells amazing in this Wild Vanilla No. 2 Solid Perfume Recipe.
- Frankincense Carteri (Boswellia carteri) – Woodsy and slightly spicy with a hint of lemon. Often used in skincare serums and creams because it supports cellular renewal.
- Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia) – Calming, herbaceous, and uplifting, lavender is a top note scent that blends well with deep base notes like vetiver and sandalwood.
- Lemon (Citrus x limon) – Fresh, clean, uplifting citrus scent. Cold-pressed lemon essential oil can cause photosensitivity (meaning it increases sun sensitivity), but steam distilled lemon essential oil does not. If you’re using cold-pressed, a maximum dilution of 2% (about 6 drops per tablespoon of carrier oil) is recommended to avoid sensitivity to sunlight. (1)
- Orange, Sweet (Citrus sinensis) – Bright, fresh, and happy, sweet orange essential oil is a top note that blends well with spicy, woodsy base notes.
- Marjoram, Sweet (Origanum majorana) – The fresh, slightly sweet, herbaceous scent of marjoram makes it one of my favorite essential oils. It rounds out blends that would otherwise feel like they’re kind of flat or missing something.
- Patchouli (Pogostemon Cablin) – Thought to promote youthful skin, the rich and earthy scent of patchouli is a great addition to men’s personal care products including beard care, skincare, homemade deodorant and body wash.
- Vanilla in Jojoba Oil (Vanilla Planifolia) – Creamy and sweet, the scent of vanilla is one of my favorite top notes to blend with base note oils such as frankincense.
- Vetiver (Vetivereria zizanoides) – With its woody, smoky scent, vetiver is often used for emotional grounding and relaxation.
Manly Essential Oil Blend Suggestions
Here are a few of my favorite blends:
Freshly Cut Cedar & Spice
This one is my husband’s top choice. It smells like freshly cut cedar with just a hint of black pepper and creamy vanilla.
- 12 drops cedarwood
- 8 drops black pepper
- 4 drops vanilla in jojoba oil (Because it’s pre-diluted, we’re able to use it at higher concentrations in this recipe)
Clarifying & Refreshing
My husband says this one reminds him of fresh mountain air. It’s got a grounded, woodsy component that layers well with the refreshing scent of fresh herbs and the faint smell of juicy, peeled oranges. In 2 ounces of carrier oil, mix:
- 6 drops patchouli
- 6 drops vetiver
- 6 drops sweet marjoram
- 6 drops sweet orange
Spicy & Smooth
This blend is slightly peppery with notes of vanilla and the distinct woodsy scent of frankincense. If you’ve ever walked by a pipe tobacco store and enjoyed the deep, peppery, and sweet vanilla scent wafting through the doors, this might be a good one to try.
In 2 ounces of carrier oil, mix:
- 10 drops frankincense
- 28 drops vanilla in jojoba oil (Because it’s pre-diluted, we’re able to use it at higher concentrations in this recipe)
- 6 drops vetiver
Crisp & Clean
Unlike some of the more woodsy scents, this one is light and crisp. In 2 ounces of carrier oil, mix:
What To Buy If You Don’t Want To DIY
If you don’t have the above ingredients on-hand and would rather buy a pre-made blend, here are some good options:
- Striking Viking makes a set of four scented beard oils (Vanilla, Citrus, Cedar & Sandalwood) that are crafted with organic ingredients. The bottles are smaller than other beard oils, but you get more of them, so overall the price per ounce is about the same and you get to experience different scent options.
- Viva Naturals makes a good unscented beard oil that’s made without essential oils.
- If your recipient needs a little more conditioning power, Honest Amish Beard Balm is made with organic oils and natural butters like hokum and cocoa butter, plus organic essential oils.
DIY Beard Oil Recipe
Equipment
- 2 ounce glass dropper bottle
- stainless steel fork or toothpick
- measuring cup
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp carrier oil (Argan Oil, Avocado Oil)
- 18-24 drops essential oil (See suggestions in “Manly Essential Oil Blend” section above)
Instructions
To Make
- In a measuring cup, use a stainless steel fork or toothpick to mix the carrier oil and essential oils together.
- Pour the homemade beard oil into a glass bottle and store in a cool, dark place.
To Use
- The amount needed varies depending on the size and texture of the beard, but most beard aficionados recommend working in a a few drops into freshly-washed (slightly damp) facial hair first thing in the morning, then increasing if needed. It can also be applied to dry facial hair if preferred.
- To use, your recipient will just rub the beard oil between their palms and massage into beard hair, then comb if desired. It takes about half an hour for the oils to absorb, so don’t freak out if it feels a little greasy at first. After that, they’ll love their softer, more kissable beard! And if it’s your significant other, you’ll enjoy kissing the one wearing it. 🙂
Notes
Need another gift idea for men?
Clean and woodsy with spicy notes and a hint of citrus, this bay rum aftershave recipe is as manly as it gets, and you can use the leftover rum to make hot buttered rum!
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Sources
1. Tisserand, Robert and Young, Rodney (2013) Essential Oil Safety: Second Edition
I am so making this for my husband. We call him beardface unstoppable.
I tried to convince my man to keep his beard, to give it a try for a month but it has gone. I tried to entice him with the oil as a possibility but it didn’t work. After 20 years Coast Guard and having to shave 2 weeks was all he could handle. However, I will give it a try for my dad. In a way it is a gift for my mom as well! Thank you for the idea.
I am going to try this, but I think your dilution rate is WAY off. For a 30 ml bottle, you should only use 27 drops of EOs for a 3% dilution. You have twice that amount for only 2 TBSP of carrier oil. At that rate, you are liable to cause sensitivity to the EOs. Just saying….
I LOVE YOU! I adjusted the base down at the last minute so that the amount made would be small enough to stay fresh until use, but somehow the ratios got jumbled. Thanks for catching that – just updated.
I’m confused by the blends that you have. It says 7 drops or this or 5 drops of that but in the recipe itself it says 14-28 drops. I’m just needing a clarification.
What was it adjusted down to I’m still seeing 14 to 28 drops??
She adjusted the carrier oil (doubled it)
What do you use for the vanilla? Thanks!
it’s referring to vanilla essential oil
Yes, Im also curious what do you use for vanilla? Can you use vanilla extract?
you can’t use extract as it is not an oil and would not mix with the carrier oil, there would be a separation between the alcohol and oil
There’s no such thing as vanilla essential oil. Anything that’s labels as such is an extract.
sure there is, it’s expensive though.
I have try to figure this out as well, but have found it is a fragrance oil.
Although it is possible to make beard oil with just one carrier oil, you will get much better results if you use more than one oil because the different oils have different viscosities and properties. Also, it should be noted, that argan oil is not suited for those who have nut allergies.
Just wanted to say thank you for this Heather. Made batch of these as Christmas gifts for my sons, son in law and nephews (all with beards – two are vegan) I really enjoyed the project and they were super impressed as they didn’t believe I had made them!
Can this be put into a small spray bottle or would it be to thick?
Thank you
Hi,
a very interesting web site. can we use the above blends (for beard oil) for colp process soaps?
Sweet Orange, Black Spruce , Cinnamin Bark Oil produce an unbeatable non evergreen Christmas spray . If you dont have a $4000. Kangen Water machine that will produce the various PHs of water, then for a cup of water from tap , add a teaspoon of salt . This will up the PH from 7ish to 11 which will emulsify the oils very quickly with a small shake of the sprayer.
Heather, I think maybe you didn’t adjust the Oil Blend suggestions: you have 24 drops in 2 oz Carrier oils in the recipes and the ‘vanilla in jojoba oil’…but no amounts are listed for either the vanilla or the carrier oils.
I’m giving this as a gift to my daughters’ boyfriend, and certainly don’t want him to break out due to too much essential oils. (he probably never had anything organic on his person…)
I can’t make this until I know for sure that the ratios are ok for essential oils to carrier oils.
Hi Carol, 24 drops in 2 ounces is a 2% dilution which is typically recommended for body care. For face care products the dilution is usually 1%, but this oil goes on the beard, not directly onto the face. If you’d rather use a 1% dilution just divide the number of essential oil drops in half.