How To Make Beard Oil at Home

If you have a beard, you want it to look great and feel even better. Regularly using beard oil helps to keep your facial hair soft and manageable and also preserve the health and hydration of the skin beneath it. While plenty of high-quality beard oils are available to purchase from a variety of well-respected brands, most are simply a blend of carrier and essential oils. That means you can easily DIY beard oil at home (for a fraction of the cost).

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about making your own beard oil.

Here’s what you’ll need for your beard oil recipe:

• Small one-ounce dropper bottles

• A small measuring cup 

• Funnel

• Carrier oil or oils 

• Essential oils

“When it comes to making beard oil at home, the key is choosing the right combination of carrier oils and essential oils to nourish the hair and the underlying skin,” says Dr. Ross Kopelman, a board certified hair transplant and plastic surgeon and co-host of the weekly podcast, The Hair Doctors. He adds that carrier oils like jojoba oil and argan oil closely mimic the natural sebum produced by the skin. This, in turn, can help keep the beard and the skin hydrated without clogging pores. 

Dr. Kopelman adds that coconut oil is another great option for those who need extra moisture and protection against breakage.

Other popular carrier oils (also called base oils) used in homemade beard products include sweet almond oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, apricot kernel oil, and hemp seed oil.

Essential oils add scent to the beard oil (and, therefore, your beard), but they can also pack additional benefits for your beard’s health. But remember, “it’s important to use [essential oils} in small concentrations since they are potent and can cause skin sensitivity if not properly diluted,” Dr. Kopelman says. (More later on the specific measurement guidelines.)

Commonly used essential oils in homemade beard oil include:

• Peppermint Oil: Peppermint oil may help relieve itchy skin, according to a small study.

• Rosemary Oil: Rosemary oil has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

• Tea Tree Oil: Some research suggests that tea tree oil may help reduce dandruff (yep, beard dandruff is a thing).

• Cedarwood Oil: Cedarwood essential oil has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, plus a woodsy scent some men like.

• Eucalyptus Oil: Research shows that eucalyptus has antibacterial properties (which may fight irritation and reduce any beard odor) and may help relieve inflammation

• Lavender Oil: Aside from smelling nice, some animal research indicates that lavender may help with hair growth, which could be beneficial if you have a patchy beard. (However, the study concluded that minoxidil for beard growth was still more effective.)

Other options include sweet orange oil, bergamot, patchouli, or lemongrass. 

You can learn more about various essential oils and their benefits in our guide to the best oils for hair growth.

A typical beard oil recipe isn’t much more complicated than combining a carrier oil and essential oils. The key is getting the ratios right.

It’s very easy to DIY your beard oil, and you can find many recipes online (though you don’t necessarily need to follow a specific beard oil recipe). You want your beard oil to be mostly carrier oil with just a few drops of essential oil. The exact amounts can vary depending on how much you’re making and how strong you’d like it to smell, but here’s a general guideline for a simple beard oil recipe.

• 1 ounce of carrier oil

• 5 to 10 drops of one or several essential oils

Here’s how to make the oil:

• First, measure your carrier oil (a shotglass with measurements is a great tool to use here). You can use all one type of oil or consider mixing two. If you use coconut oil, you’ll need to melt it first, unless you use fractionated coconut oil, which is always liquid.

• Pour the carrier oil into a bowl or jar large enough to accommodate the full mixture.

• Add your essential oils. Start with just a few drops, and be careful not to get them onto your skin. Essential oils are typically not diluted in the jar and can be abrasive to the skin in their full form. They are diluted when combined with a carrier oil.

• Mix the carrier oil and essential oils together. To blend the two well, you can use a spoon, whisk, or even an electric milk frother. Experiment with different oils to find a scent you like best.

• Smell the mixture. You’ll want to smell the essential oils without the scent being overpowering. Add a few more drops as needed.

• Use a small funnel to slowly transfer the beard oil from the bowl to your glass bottle that will store your finished beard oil.

It’s best to use beard oil after showering and shampooing your beard or washing your face with warm water. This is because warm water and steam help open pores so the oil can be absorbed more easily.

• Towel dry your beard so it’s damp but not sopping wet.

• Use a dropper to dispense three to five drops into the palms of your hands. Start with less than you think you’ll need — you can always add more. Rub your hands together, then apply the oil to your beard in a downward motion.

• Work it through your entire beard, including the roots, so the oil gets into the skin.

• Consider using a beard brush to comb the product through for beards that are very long or thick.

Making your own beard oil is generally considered safe, though there are a few considerations worth noting.

Be Mindful of Signs That the Oil Has Gone Bad

DIY skincare products do not contain preservatives or expiration dates, so paying attention to signs that the product has gone rancid is especially important. Such signs include odor or color changes (a sour smell is a good indicator that a product is no longer good), separation of ingredients, texture changes, or irritation when applying. 

Take note of the expiration date on the carrier oil you’re using, as well. If that date has passed, your DIY beard oil is not safe to use anymore, either.

To keep your beard oil in its best condition, store it in a cool, dry place. Avoid letting the dropper touch your hands or face directly, as this can introduce bacteria into the rest of the bottle.

Do a Patch Test Before Using

A patch test, where you apply a small amount of product to your skin to check for a reaction, can be a good way to ensure a product agrees with you before trying it out. Essential oils are a common cause of contact allergies or sensitivities, so it’s especially important to patch-test any new beard oil recipes.

“Those with sensitive skin should be mindful of potential allergens, especially with strong essential oils,” Dr. Kopelman says. “You may want to do a patch test before applying the oil to the entire beard area.” 

To conduct a patch test, The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying the product to the underside of your arm twice daily for seven to 10 days. At the minimum, you should leave the product on without rinsing for 24 hours.

“One of the most important aspects of a well-formulated beard oil is ensuring that it doesn’t just sit on the hair but that it actually penetrates the cuticle and hydrates the skin underneath,” Dr. Kopelman says. “Dry skin beneath the beard can lead to flaking and itchiness, which is why a good homemade beard oil should balance hydration and absorption. Some individuals may also benefit from adding vitamin E oil, which has antioxidant properties and helps to strengthen the beard over time.”

Beard oil should soften and condition beard hair, which can help reduce frizz. And, as Dr. Kopelman notes, it also moisturizes and hydrates the skin beneath the beard.

Here’s a quick recap on how to make beard oil.

• A beard oil recipe typically consists of just carrier and essential oils, making it easy and affordable to create at home with minimal ingredients.

• Carrier oils like jojoba, argan, and coconut oil nourish both the beard and skin, while essential oils add fragrance and potential benefits (like relief from itching).

• For best results, apply beard oil to a slightly damp beard after washing and store it in a cool, dry place to maintain freshness and effectiveness.

For more on beard care, check out our guides to beard growth oil and beard dandruff.