The Best Beard Oils for the Softest, Smoothest Scruff

I only use Honest Amish on my beard, largely because I’m not a fan of using any essential oils on bare skin—I particularly find that pumpkin seed oil (a key ingredient here) can be slightly pore-clogging on acne-prone skin. That said: I count myself as acne-prone and haven’t had issues with Honest Amish, so I’m probably being over-cautious. It’s really just that good.

Best Multipurpose Beard Oil: Beardbrand Utility Beard Oil

Why We Love It

Despite the name Beardbrand, this company’s product line covers the whole body, with a focus on multi-tasking grooming products like dual washes, all-purpose balms, and this utilitarian oil. You’ll catch me using it on my hands, elbows, and hair—whether for a dash of shine (to offset a matte hair product) or a protective coat against frizz and humidity. But Beardbrand’s Utility Oil is on this list because it works beautifully in the beard.

Sure, it’s a touch heavier than some other oils—but that also makes it a terrific pre-shave lubricant. It’s important to note that no matter which “flavor” you choose, this oil has a strong dash of fragrance. They’re all good, but I’m partial to the brand’s new Bold Fortune scent, which oozes a sexy combo of leather, oud, and tobacco. (And pro-tip: The brand’s utility wash has the same come-hither scent, if you want to double down.)

Best Natural Beard Oil: Horace Lemon & Mint Beard Oil

Why We Love It

Horace’s beard oil will make a lot of you happy, though for different reasons. For those overwhelmed by scents—particularly artificial ones—you’ll appreciate that its got the subtlest of aromas. I’m partial to the Lemon & Mint one, which reads as “fresh” and never overwhelms.

For those looking to stay away from chemicals, Horace’s formula is 99% natural—and the 1% is a synthetic grapeseed oil, not something with 12 syllables, which I’m fine with. The brand gets bonus marks for its easily-understood ingredients labels, which break down these details and err on the side of much-appreciated transparency.

Finally, if you’re on the fence about beard oils, Horace will make you a believer. It absorbs fast, gives a pinch of shine, and makes just enough difference in terms of taming, moisturizing, and softening that you’ll see why a beard oil makes sense.

Most Nourishing Beard Oil: Jack Black Beard Oil with Kalahari Melon Oil & Vitamin E

Why We Love It

In the grooming world, Jack Black (the brand) has earned its own fanbase, thanks in large part to one product —the signature Jack Black beard oil. Apply just a few drops and it immediately goes to work softening coarse and brittle facial hair, and without an overpowering fragrance that will distract you all day long.

It’s one of the most popular beard oils on Amazon, but don’t hold that against it. While it softens and adds shine, this oil also delivers a dose of antioxidants and vitamins from natural ingredients such as brown algae and rosemary. It also uses a unique blend of oils with the subtlest whiff of melon fragrance. Instead of the usual suspects (jojoba, avocado, sunflower seed), this product uses Kalahari melon oil, marula oil, and plum oil, which moisturize your facial hair and skin on contact. Because these oils are all fast-absorbing (my beard hair soaks it up like a sponge), they make this product much less greasy than other beard oils, giving it a more premium feel.

Best Budget Beard Oil: Pura d’Or Beard Oil

Why We Love It

I test literally hundreds of grooming products a year, and I’m so intimately acquainted with brands new and old that I often think about them based on their best product. For Pura d’Or, it’s this organic beard oil.

It’s the best value on this list, at $3 per fluid ounce. Given how quickly you can go through beard oil—just think, if you’re applying up to twice a day, that dollar-per-ounce math becomes important. So, in addition to being my budget pick, this also gets my recommendation as the best beard oil for big beards.

Of course, it’s only important if the formula measures up—and here, it does. There are two carrier oils, argan and jojoba, along with a bit of grapefruit peel and some sandalwood essential oil for both a natural scent and a touch of antimicrobial powers. It’s a great beard oil for anyone, no matter how big your bank account, but if you’re bearding on a budget, you’ll appreciate how much goodness Pura d’Or packs into a few bucks.

Best Beard and Face Oil: Blind Barber Beard Oil

Why We Love It

Blind Barber’s tonka-tinged oil is wonderful for the guy who wants to moisturize skin and whiskers with the same product. It wears extremely light—so much so that my oily skin barely registers its presence—and I find its carrier-oil-centric and shea-butter-forward formula especially comforting on the skin. It should be noted that this formula includes artificial perfume, so fragrance-averse individuals should steer clear. But for those of us who want a special scent, a flake-free beard, and soothed skin, Blind Barber’s beard oil does it all.

Best Fragranced Beard Oil: Fulton & Roark Formula 5 Beard Oil

Why We Love It

Sometimes, a beard oil smells so good you don’t even care how well it works. It makes you want to skip cologne altogether and just slap it on instead. Sure, beard oil is supposed to serve a practical purpose, but it’s also an extension of your overall fragrance profile, which is what we love most about Formula 5 from Fulton & Roark. This is the boutique brand that proved solid cologne could be more than a novelty, and now these complex and masculine fragrances are available in beard oil form. Fortunately, this oil’s also good for your beard, otherwise it wouldn’t be here.

Formula 5 isn’t a pure oil blend, but it does contain soothing natural oils and botanicals such as sunflower seed oil, apricot kernel oil, olive oil, and lychee fruit extract. While these oils soften and smooth your facial hair, the musky, woodsy fragrances will make people want to lean in closer for a second whiff. Our only complaint? We wish it came out of the shaker bottle a little easier, but at least this will stop you from over-applying.

Best Beard and Hair Oil: Aesop Shine Hair & Beard Oil

Why We Love It

While I’d use most of the above options as both a hair oil and a beard oil, Aesop’s is one where I think of it as a hair oil first and foremost. It brings control without making things look greasy, while trapping moisture and stopping frizz. I’ll use it in short hair to tame down the sides, in medium lengths (mixed with a cream or clay) for added shine, or in long hair to prevent split ends.