What is a beard oil composed of?

Thebeard oil is an essential care product in beard maintenance kits. It is recommended to use this type of care for several reasons: to soften and tame the hairs, limit the growth of bacteria, moisturise the skin and reduce potential itching related to shaving, as well as to provide a pleasant fragrance.

In a skincare routine, beard oil is applied after cleansing and drying the face, and more specifically, the beard. In cases of dry and brittle beards, it can be used twice daily, morning and evening. However, those with oily skin should rather apply beard oil once a day or even every other day, to improve the appearance of the beard without creating an overly greasy effect.

A beard oil is a single-phase oily substance typically composed of vegetable oils and essential oils, as detailed below.

The primary function of a beard oil is to nourish the hairs, which can become brittle and coarse due to repeated shaving, potentially giving the beard a shaggy appearance. Vegetable oils are fatty substances obtained from the cold pressing of oilseeds or oleaginous fruits. Here are some vegetable oils commonly found in beard oils:

• Thehemp oil (INCI: Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil) : This oil is one of the most concentrated in essential fatty acids. This richness endows it with nourishing, hydrating, and strengthening virtues.

• Thecastor oil (INCI: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil) : Rich in ricinoleic acid, this vegetable oil soothes discomforts associated with irritations and itching, which are common with shaving.

• Theargan oil (INCI: Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil) : Rich in omega-6 and omega-9 as well as vitamin E, this oil preserves the hydrolipidic film. The skin is then better hydrated and the beard is more supple. Furthermore, linoleic acid promotes the regeneration of skin cells and accelerates healing in case of micro-lesions due to shaving.

• Thesunflower oil (INCI: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil): This oil is valued for its softening and soothing virtues.

Also known as plant essences, essential oils are substances concentrated in aromatic molecules. They are derived from plants through mechanical extraction or steam distillation. Essential oils are typically used to scent beauty treatments. Potentially allergenic when applied topically, they must be diluted in vegetable oil to avoid irritating the skin.

In beard oils, essential oils are included not only to add a fragrance but also due to their antibacterial properties. Indeed, hair provides a fertile ground for the colonisation and growth of "bad bacteria". Among the essential oils found in some beard oils, we can mention the green mandarin peel essential oil (INCI: "Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil"), the camphor rosemary essential oil (INCI: "Rosmarinus Officinalis Flower/Leaf Oil") and the linalool thyme essential oil (INCI: "Thymus Zygis Flower Oil").

Some beard oils contain strengthening agents such asbasil extract(INCI: "Ocimum Basilicum Oil") which stimulate hair growth. Therefore, they can be relevant for filling in any potential gaps and densifying the beard, giving it a more uniform appearance.

The'castor oil is also said to have effects that stimulate hair growth. Indeed, it has been demonstrated that ricinoleic acid is capable of reversing the process related to hair loss by inhibiting the action of Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2). It's worth noting, beard hairs originate from hair follicles, just like head hair.

Our beard oil contains several plant-based oils: hemp, castor, argan, sunflower. It also includes essential oil from green mandarin peel, as well as essential oil from Scots Pine needle (INCI: "Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil"). The latter gives this oil a fresh forest and pine sap fragrance.

• FONG P. & al. In silico prediction of prostaglandin D2 synthase inhibitors from herbal constituents for the treatment of hair loss. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2015).