Best Beard Oils: 10 Picks for Every Beard and Skin Type

Short answer: the best beard oil is a light, non-greasy blend of carrier oils like jojoba, squalane and crambe, with no silicones, in a scent you can live with all day. For daily wear our pick is Day Liquid Tonic; for a dry, wiry beard add Night Liquid Elixir Oil before bed. Both are ours, so below are eight more worth buying and what each one does best.

Quick picks

Beard oil	Best for	Size
The Beard Struggle Day Liquid Tonic	Everyday itch and softness, light finish	30 mL
The Beard Struggle Night Liquid Elixir Oil	Overnight conditioning for dry, wiry beards	30 mL
Kiehl's Nourishing Beard Oil	Dry, itchy skin	30 mL
Jack Black Beard Oil	Dry, brittle hair	30 mL
Percy Nobleman Signature Beard Oil	A subtle signature scent	30 mL
Lab Series 3-in-1 Shave & Beard Oil	Shaving and beard in one bottle	50 mL
Rebels Refinery Beard & Preshave Oil	Stubble and pre-shave	30 mL
Billy Jealousy Devil's Delight	Long, dry beards	60 mL
Seven Potions Beard Oil	A simple vegan formula	30 mL
L'Oreal Men Expert Barber Club	Long beards on a budget	30 mL

What does beard oil do?

Beard oil replaces the natural oil your skin cannot spread down a full beard. It softens coarse hair, calms the itch and flakes on the skin underneath, and adds a scent. It is not a styling product: for hold, you want a balm. See beard oil vs beard balm for which one you need.

The 10 best beard oils

1. Day Liquid Tonic (The Beard Struggle)

Our daytime oil, and our most reviewed product. Crambe, jojoba, babassu, squalane and vitamin E in a light blend that sinks in within minutes with no shine. Three to four drops a day is plenty.

• 30 mL / 1 US fl oz glass bottle
• 8 scents plus Loki Unscented
• Leaping Bunny certified, paraben-free
• Contains nut oils: skip it if you have a nut allergy

2. Night Liquid Elixir Oil (The Beard Struggle)

The overnight partner to the Day Tonic, richer and built to work while you sleep. Four to six drops after an evening shower and the beard is softer and untangled by morning. It absorbs without ending up on the pillow.

• 30 mL / 1 US fl oz
• Crambe, jojoba, babassu and squalane
• Leaping Bunny certified, paraben-free

3. Kiehl's Nourishing Beard Oil

A soothing oil for dry, itchy skin, made with pracaxi oil to soften and even out the hair. Woody scent from sandalwood, eucalyptus and cedarwood.

• 30 mL / 1 oz
• Lightweight texture

4. Jack Black Beard Oil

Kalahari melon, marula and vitamin E for dry, brittle hair. A good choice if your beard snaps and splits.

• 30 mL / 1 oz
• Paraben-free

5. Percy Nobleman Signature Beard Oil

Sweet almond, argan and jojoba with a musky-sweet signature scent that stays subtle.

• 30 mL / 1 oz
• Vegan-friendly

6. Lab Series The Grooming Oil 3-in-1

Works as a shave oil and a beard oil, with buckthorn, jojoba and sweet almond. Handy if you shave your neck and cheeks daily.

• 50 mL / 1.7 oz
• Doubles as a shave oil

7. Rebels Refinery Moisturizing Beard & Preshave Oil

Almond, jojoba and tea tree for dry skin, from stubble to a full beard. Also works under shaving cream.

• 30 mL / 1 oz
• Paraben-free, silicone-free

8. Billy Jealousy Devil's Delight

Sunflower, sweet almond and avocado oils for long, dry beards, with a black pepper and sandalwood scent.

• 60 mL / 2 oz
• Vegan-friendly

9. Seven Potions Beard Oil

A short, vegan ingredient list built on jojoba and sweet almond. Use it after washing and conditioning.

• 30 mL / 1 oz
• Vegan-friendly

10. L'Oreal Men Expert Barber Club Long Beard & Skin Oil

A drugstore option for long beards that also treats the skin underneath without leaving it greasy.

• 30 mL / 1 oz
• Fruity, woody scent

How to choose a beard oil

1. Carrier oils. Jojoba, squalane, crambe, argan and sunflower seed oil are light and close to your skin's own oil. Heavy coconut-based blends can feel greasy and clog some skin.

2. No silicones. They make hair look shiny but sit on top of it. See beard oil ingredients to avoid.

3. Scent strength. A strong scent should come with a small dose. If your skin is sensitive, pick an unscented version.

4. Allergies. Many beard oils use nut oils. Read the label if you have a nut allergy.

5. Beard length. Short beards need two or three drops. Long beards need more, and often a richer night oil.

How much beard oil to use

Two to three drops for stubble, three to five for a medium beard, five or more for a long one. Rub it between your palms, work it into the skin first, then through the hair, and finish with a beard brush or comb. Full steps in how to use beard oil.

FAQ

What is the best beard oil for men?

One with light carrier oils, no silicones and a scent you like. For daily wear we make Day Liquid Tonic; Kiehl's and Jack Black are strong picks for dry skin and dry hair.

Is beard oil or beard balm better?

Oil softens and calms the skin. Balm does the same and adds hold. Many men use oil in the morning and a little balm on top. More in beard oil vs beard balm.

How often should I use beard oil?

Once a day, best after a shower when the hair is clean and slightly damp. Add a night oil if your beard is dry or wiry.

Is there an unscented beard oil?

Yes. Day Liquid Tonic comes in Loki Unscented, and Kiehl's and several others have low-scent options.