As you no doubt know by now, one of the most important things you can do to keep your beard healthy and looking great is to apply high-quality beard oil to it every day. Since beard hair is more prone to drying out and becoming brittle than the hair on your head, providing adequate moisture is crucial.

Since there are thousands of beard oils available for men today, each promising to work miracles for your beard, it’s hard to know which ones use the best ingredients. The truth is that some beard oils are more suited to your beard and the skin beneath it than others.

The oils used in beard oil products fall into one of two categories: comedogenic and non-comedogenic. This article will explain the difference between the two and why you should avoid comedogenic oils at all costs.

Comedogenic vs Non-Comedogenic Oil

In the simplest terms, comedogenic oils will likely clog your pores while non-comedogenic oils hydrate the skin without clogging it. When your skin pores are clogged with oil, it can become a breeding ground for the bacteria that causes acne. Clogged pores typically result in pimples, comedones, or blackheads, and they can be especially frustrating to deal with beneath a beard.

What makes an oil comedogenic?

An oil’s consistency is what determines how likely it will clog your pores. However, everyone’s skin is different, and some people react differently to comedogenic oils than others. Luckily, the comedogenic scale was developed by dermatologists as an objective way to figure out the comedogenic value of each oil.

Using the comedogenic scale, oils are rated on a scale of zero to five. Five indicates the highest likelihood that an oil with clog your pores, while oils with a zero rating are much less likely to result in clogs.

Some popular oils used in beard care products, like coconut oil and flaxseed oil, are highly comedogenic. While these oils have plenty of great benefits, applying them to your face and beard daily can cause major breakouts.

Which oils are non-comedogenic?

When searching for the right beard oil for you, make sure to pick ones that only use non-comedogenic oils in their ingredients list. Non-comedogenic oils can help prevent clogged pores by clearing dirt and debris off of your face and beard, and their nutrients provide great natural benefits. Here are some of the most popular non-comedogenic oils used in beard oil products today:

Olive Oil

This oil has been used for skin care for thousands of years, and it’s no wonder why. Olive oil is highly moisturizing, but it’s also rich in antioxidants and vitamin E which both provide long-lasting benefits for your skin and beard.

Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil offers anti-inflammatory properties along with being a great source of hydration for your skin and beard. It’s commonly used for treating scars and can even help speed up the skin’s healing process.

Safflower Oil

Safflower oil is another great anti-inflammatory option, so on top of moisturizing your beard hair, it can also help soothe irritated or dry skin.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is not only highly nourishing for your skin and hair but can also reduce irritation. If your beard is feeling dry or flaky, jojoba oil can help replenish its natural oils and nutrients that have been stripped away during washing.

Argan Oil

As one of the most popular oils used in skincare, argan oil provides some of the best moisturization. Some dermatologists even believe that it can help combat aging and dermatitis as well, but we love it for its ability to soften beard hair and prevent breakage.

Castor Oil

Castor oil cleans the skin as it’s moisturizing. It’s high in both antioxidants and antibacterial properties as well, so it’s perfect for anyone struggling with aging skin or acne.

Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet almond oil boasts many skincare benefits. It’s highly moisturizing and rich in vitamin E and vitamin A, which means it can help heal the skin and boost circulation in areas of inflammation. It’s great for sensitive skin and can help remove flaky, dead skin from building up.

Our final thoughts on beard oil ingredients

Even though they’re bad for our skin, comedogenic oils are still used in a lot of popular beard oil products. Select for a beard oil that only uses non-comedogenic oils, since choosing the right beard oil is a must for keeping your beard, and the skin beneath it, healthy and looking amazing every day.

About Beard Hair Guide:

BeardHairGuide.com is a blog about men's beard styles, beard hair care routine, beard growth and more. We provide the latest news on beards and mustaches as well as many helpful articles to help you grow your best facial hair. Our mission is to enable any man with a beard or mustache to feel confident in his own skin. The Beard Hair Guide strives to be the ultimate resource for all things related to facial hair!

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