from the desk of the groomed man

WHAT DOES BEARD OIL DO?

March 05, 2026 / beards / australian made beard oil

If you’ve ever wondered what beard oil does, the answer is simple: beard oil hydrates the skin underneath your beard while softening beard hair and improving overall beard health.

Updated March 2026

You only have to look at Facebook to come across Gary, rattling off in the comments section about how applying beard oil is for hipster twats and that ‘real men’ just let their beard grow naturally and wash it with water. That’s great Gary, but not all of us want our beards to look like it went through a weed whacker.

For the very small minority, doing the bare minimum in terms of beard grooming may work but that isn’t the case for many. As you grow your beard you’re likely to experience dryness, itchiness, flakiness and breakage, which is why you should be using and applying beard oil regularly.

Let’s take a look at what beard oil does and how you might benefit from including it in grooming routine to encourage healthy beard growth.

Since launching The Groomed Man Co in Melbourne in 2014, we’ve helped thousands of men improve their beard care routines using high-quality beard oils and grooming products.

Softens the beard

The primary function of a beard oils carrier oil is to condition the beard hair in turn leaving it soft and less prickly. After one application of our Australian made beard oil, you’ll notice a vast improvement in the way your beard feels.

Strengthens the beard hair preventing breakage

Beard oil not only softens the hair, but it treats split ends and breakage by strengthening the hair shaft. Constant exposure to external elements and hot showers can leave the beard dry and brittle, so applying a beard oil high in argan oil will help strengthen and protect the hair. We highly recommend using an argan beard oil base due to this ingredient being the go to hair oil due to its rich fatty acid profile.

Moisturises and protects the skin beneath the beard

It doesn’t take much for most bearded men to notice dryness beneath the beard, and it’s no surprise considering it’s an area that gets overlooked in terms of moisturising. Applying a high quality beard oil that absorbs quickly, will provide hydration to the skin and also protect the skin barrier.

Helps to get rid of beard itch

Beard itch is extremely irritating and if not treated can lead to a range of skin issues. Regular use of a natural beard oil will help get rid of beard itch, soothing and calming the skin. Look for beard oils which contain lightweight carrier oils such as jojoba oil as these mimic the skin's natural sebum (oil) production.

Eliminates beard dandruff

If you keep listening to Gary, you’re going to look down and notice what resembles a snowglobe on your shoulders. Beard oil helps control and eliminate beard dandruff by keeping the skin and hair moisturised. After each shower, it’s important to apply beard oil to replace the natural oils you would have lost when exposing it to warm water. If you’re wanting to keep beard dandruff under control, consider using a beard wash and more often a beard conditioner to restore moisture in the skin.

Targets breakouts and inflammation in the skin

Beard oils are known to soothe inflammation in the skin and also target acne while preventing new breakouts. This is achieved by treating the dryness which causes most outbreaks, but for those with oily skin it will help rebalance the skin's natural oil production. There’s a common misconception that applying beard oil can cause breakouts or make breakouts worse. We recently wrote an article about whether beard oil clogs the pores, which explains what you should be looking for when it comes to non-comedogenic oils.

Keeps the beard clean

Applying beard oil creates a ritual of good beard care and beard grooming habits which leave your beard and skin clean. Depending on the beard oil ingredients in each blend, you may also experience therapeutic benefits from the essential oils used. This is heavily dependent on the quality and grade of essential oils used. All of our beard oils contain the highest grade unprocessed essential oils so you experience anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antiseptic benefits which is why we believe it’s the best beard oil in Australia and on the global market.

Leaves the beard smelling and looking great

Promotes healthy beard growth conditions

Last but not least, the main reason men include beard oil in their grooming routine is to promote healthier beard growth. Regular use of a high quality beard oil or beard balm will ensure you’re giving your skin, follicles and beard the best shot at healthy growth. While you cannot speed up the process, you can improve the quality of beard hair from the start.

Beard Care Advice for 2026

In 2026, beard care routines have become simpler but more focused on skin health. Using beard oil daily, combined with a gentle beard wash and occasional beard balm, remains the most effective routine for maintaining a healthy beard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Beard Oil Does

Beard oil is designed to do two jobs at once: hydrate the skin underneath your beard and soften the beard hair itself. When your skin is healthy, your beard looks better, feels softer, and is easier to manage day to day.

If you’re dealing with irritation, dryness or that “scratchy” feeling, beard oil helps by replenishing moisture and supporting the skin barrier under the beard.

Explore our beard oil collection

Benefits of Beard Oil

Reduces beard itch by hydrating dry, irritated skin under the beard
Softens coarse beard hair so it feels smoother and looks healthier
Helps prevent beard dandruff (beardruff) by reducing dryness and flaking
Improves manageability making your beard easier to tame, brush and style
Supports healthy-looking growth by keeping the skin underneath in better condition

Want the deeper breakdown on why beard oil matters? Read: Why use beard oil

How to Use Beard Oil

For best results, use beard oil daily (or at least 4–5 times per week). Apply it after showering when your beard is clean, or apply to a dry beard if that’s what suits your routine.

How much beard oil should you use?

Short beard: 2–3 drops
Medium beard: 4–6 drops
Long beard: 6–10 drops

How to apply beard oil (quick steps)

Dispense the oil into your palm.
Rub hands together to spread evenly.
Massage into the skin underneath first (that’s the foundation).
Work through the beard hair from root to tip.
Comb or brush through for even distribution and a neater finish.

Read the full step-by-step guide: How to use and apply beard oil

Best Beard Oil Ingredients

The best beard oils focus on ingredients that benefit skin and hair. Look for lightweight, nourishing carrier oils that absorb well and don’t leave your beard feeling greasy.

Ingredients to look for

Jojoba oil – closely mimics the skin’s natural oils and helps hydrate without feeling heavy
Argan oil – rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, great for softening and improving manageability
Sweet almond oil – nourishing and lightweight, helps reduce dryness and roughness

If you want the full ingredient deep-dive: Read: What are the best beard oil ingredients?

Comparing two of the most popular carrier oils? Read: Argan oil vs jojoba oil

Beard Oil vs Beard Balm

Beard oil and beard balm do different jobs, and most men get the best results by using both (oil for the foundation, balm for the finish).

Beard oil

Hydrates the skin underneath the beard
Softens beard hair
Best for daily use and beard itch/dryness

Beard balm

Adds light hold and styling control
Tames flyaways and helps shape the beard
Great for medium to longer beards

Read: Beard oil vs beard balm

Want to understand balm better? Read: What does beard balm do?

Beard Oil FAQs

Does beard oil clog pores?

Quality beard oil is designed to absorb and hydrate. For most men, lightweight carrier oils used in beard oil won’t clog pores when used correctly. If you’re acne-prone, focus on applying to clean skin and use only the amount your beard needs.

Read: Does beard oil clog pores?

Does beard oil help beard growth?

Beard oil doesn’t change your genetics, but it can support healthier-looking growth by improving the condition of the skin underneath and reducing irritation and breakage from dryness.

How often should I apply beard oil?

Most men apply beard oil once daily. If your skin is dry or you’re in colder weather, you may benefit from daily use. If you’re oily, start with 3–4 times per week and adjust.

If you're looking for a high-quality beard oil made in Australia, explore our beard oil collection.

Beard oil is the foundation — but it works best as part of a complete routine. If you're building your beard care from the ground up, our Complete Beard Care Guide covers how beard oil fits alongside balm, wash and conditioner, with a full daily routine you can follow from day one.