8 Ways You Are Using Beard Oil Wrong - Avoid These Common Mistakes To Keep Your Beard Growing Strong And Healthy

Beard oil is essential for a well-groomed beard, but did you know there are ways to use it that can seriously set back your beard health and beard growth?

Here are 8 ways you might be using beard oil wrong:

1. Your beard is too dry before applying beard oil

Make sure your beard is slightly damp before applying the oil

Beard oil absorbs best into beard hair that is slightly damp. If you apply it to a fully dry beard, you will find that your beard feels oily at first, and then later in the day it will feel brittle like dry hay. That is because the oil was only sitting on top of the hair stands, and then it rubbed off, leaving the beard dry.

It is important that the oil has a chance to absorb into the hair cuticle, which opens up when damp. That way, the oil will be held by each strand so it can deeply condition and protect the beard throughout the day.

A great time to apply beard oil is right out of the shower, or just after washing your face in the sink.

Before you apply oil to your beard, you should wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser and letting your face air-dry slightly, or pad it gently with a towel, but make sure your face and beard are still slightly damp - but not dripping wet - before you apply the oil.

2. You are using too much beard oil

Too much beard oil can clog your pores and cause breakouts

Your face creates a natural oil that protects the skin from dryness and irritation. This oil, called sebum, tends to get pulled away from skin by your beard hairs. Therefore, it is necessary to replenish it with a natural beard oil at least once a day.

It is important to use the right amount of beard oil - not too much. In the same way that over-oily skin can cause pimples and pore clogging, too much beard oil can have the same effect.

A little goes a long way, especially if you have short or medium length facial hair. A dime-sized amount of beard oil should be plenty for short whiskers; a quarter-sized amount is plenty for longer facial hair.

3. You are not using enough beard oil

If your beard and face skin are not fully covered, your beard can dry out

If you don't use enough beard oil, you will not see the benefits. Your beard will be dry and brittle as if you haven't used any at all.

Unless your beard length is just a short stubble, you will likely need more than a drop or two. Like we said above, a dime-sized amount is a great place to start, but try experimenting with different amounts until you've found what works best for you.

4. You are applying beard oil the wrong way

Compromising the contents of your beard oil will cause it to spoil and go rancid

Beard oil typically comes in a small glass bottle with a bulb dropper. It is important that you never touch the glass dropper because any contaminants or moisture on your hands will enter the bottle and compromise the contents of the beard oil. This can cause the oil to spoil or become rancid. It's important that you only use the dropper to pour the oil into your hands, then rub your hands together until they are coated evenly with the oil. Then massage it into your facial skin and throughout your facial hair.

5. Your beard oil is not reaching your face skin

It's not just for the beard hair! Make sure the skin beneath your beard is fully coated

The purpose of beard oil is to condition both the face skin and the beard hairs, so it is essential that you make sure to properly and fully coat the facial skin under your beard.

As we've said, the purpose of beard oil is twofold: to condition and hydrate your face skin, and to protect and strengthen your beard hair.

In order to make sure your skin is fully coated with oil, make sure to massage the oil under your beard. Rub the oil directly on to the entire surface of the skin beneath your beard. Once it is fully covered, then you can begin to rub it outward through the strands of your beard.

6. Your beard oil is only reaching the face skin

Don't stop at only the skin - make sure each strand is properly coated to prevent split ends and breakage

As we've said above, beard oil is meant to condition the facial skin, but it is equally important that the oil fully coats the beard hair strands as well. After massaging the oil into the facial skin and hair roots, gently massage and comb the oil throughout your beard hair from the roots to the ends. We also recommend finishing the application process by brushing or combing the beard to fully incorporate and distribute the oil through each hair. This also helps to maintain the shape and style of your beard.

7. Your hands are dirty

Wash your hands before using beard oil to prevent clogged pores and acne 

One often overlooked mistake for new beardsmen is the importance of maintaining a clean routine whenever you're touching your face. The most basic and important aspect of this principle is that your hands must be clean before touching the skin on your face. If there is any dirt, grease, or grime on your hands - even if you can't see it - it will end up on your face. This is bad because those microscopic dirt particles will clog your pores, causing pimples and acne breakouts.

Luckily, the risk of transferring dirt to your face is easy to prevent. All you need to do is get into the habit of washing your hands as the first step in your skin care routine. Whether you are just applying beard oil or going all out with a multi-step face wash & moisturizer regimen, the first thing you should always do is wash your hands.

8. You are not using beard oil often enough

Apply beard oil in the morning and in the evening every day to experience the full benefits

We recommend using beard oil every day to see the best results in your beard's health. The best regimen is to apply it twice per day: once in the morning and once in the evening. It's most convenient to add this practice with your other daily grooming habits, since you should be washing your face at the same times - in the morning before starting your day and in the evening before going to bed.