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Beard oil is just that, a specially-formulated oil designed to be applied to your beard, stubble or other forms of facial hair to keep it soft, hydrated and healthy. Think of it as a conditioner for your facial hair. However, beard oil serves a different purpose to shampoo or shower gel, as your facial hair is coarser than the hair on your head, meaning it requires a little more upkeep and added hydration.

A great beard starts with patience and a sense of adventure. But a great beard stays great because you have the right products—like, say, the best beard oil for your particular scruff. We’d go so far as to slot beard oil second to only a beard trimmer in terms of necessity, and a close second at that. Because whether you keep your facial hair at a precise 24-hour stubble or you go full hermit-mode (or anywhere in between), you need a beard oil in your arsenal. The best beard oils deliver a big dose of hair softening, skin protecting ingredients (usually a combination of natural oils) in a way that your regular facial moisturizer probably can’t. In theory, you can apply beard oil to any length of stubble, or even use it as a serum on your freshly shaved face (although if you were going to do that we’d recommend using a proper skin serum). Most manufacturers suggest three or four drops in the palm of your hand followed by a vigorous rubbing together before massaging the oil deep into the whiskers so it reaches the skin beneath. Naturally, the longer your beard, the more oil it’ll require but even an overdose won’t cause any harm (though you might smell a bit rich). Shakesbeard creates all its beard oils from a blend of argan, jojoba, coconut, almond, grapeseed, avocado and apricot, and each one is available in three different-sized glass bottles: 10, 30 and 90ml. A few drops of Cymbe Lime on our test beard left it exceedingly soft and manageable. If you’re looking for a brand with a wide range of fragrances, stop right here.

For those unfamiliar with the Scottish saying “It’s a braw, bricht, moonlicht nicht the nicht”, the word “braw” means “excellent”. Given Scotland’s penchant for braw beards, it seems only right to include this East Lothian company which has been producing beard oils since 2012; well before beard oils became such a trend. Step 2: Shape – Now you’re left with the hair you want to keep; you can shape it into your beard. Use a beard trimmer to trim away overgrown hair and remove flyaways to create a neat shape. Most beard oils contain a range of carrier oils that provide both nourishment and a means to deliver the fragrant essential oils that help condition the beard and facial skin. Typical carrier oils include jojoba, Moroccan argan, grapeseed, coconut and almond; most oil manufacturers include these oils in their blends. When it comes to fragrant essential oils, the sky’s the limit. However, eucalyptus, pine needle, tea tree and sandalwood are never far away. How and when to apply beard oilBeyond making your beard straight-up better—softer, smoother, sharper, and nicer smelling—beard oils can also double as pre-shave lubricants, post-shave nourishment, and standalone moisturizers to keep facial skin hydrated. That’s a lot of bang for a small bottle. Tame and nourish simultaneously with The Ritual of Samurai Beard Oil, a naturally formulated face and beard oil that delivers softening and caring action to leave bristles feeling soft and the skin beneath feeling moisturised and comfortable.