So many men out there are struggling with their beards.
It’s dry, prickly, flaking, and don’t even start to mention the itchiness.
You might think that that’s just how your beard grows. You might have even considered shaving it off.
If that sounds like you, odds are you aren’t using a beard oil – or at least not using the right one!
Beard oils are designed to soften, moisturize, cleanse, and, yes, prevent that dreaded beard itch.
But unfortunately, not all products are made equal, and there’s a lack of beard oils for black men specifically.
To remedy that, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the top 12 beard oils for black men. You’ll find everything from budget-friendly options to high-end luxury brands. So no matter what you’re looking for, there’s something for you.
Want the complete list of beard oils you need to try this year? Check out our full guide on the best beard oils now.
Honorable mention: our current favorite
Old Money Beard Oil by BeardBrand
We cannot get enough of this beard oil. These guys do not mess around. This is a bottle of liquid gold for your beard, hair and skin hydrated, nourished, and smelling incredible.
Here's why BeardBrand's Utility Oil stands out in the sea of beard oils:
- Nourishment: This oil softens hairs, moisturizes skin, and adds a healthy shine to your beard, perfectly catering to the specific needs of thick, coarse facial hair.
- Luxurious Fragrance: The Old Money scent exudes class and warmth, combining notes of oak, bourbon, black pepper, amber, leather, and dark chocolate. It's a complex, masculine fragrance that leaves a lasting impression.
- Long-Term Benefits: Regular use promotes beard health, prevents breakage, and fosters growth.
- Non-Greasy Formula: Your beard stays moisturized without looking oily or feeling heavy.
BeardBrand's Old Money Utility Oil takes care of your beard while letting you make a bold, aromatic statement. It's more than a grooming product - it's a luxurious addition to your routine.
Best Beard Oils for Black Men
We’ve hand-selected the 12 best beard oils for black men in 2023.
No matter if you’re looking for a product to make your beard softer, thicker, or just healthier overall, we’ve got an option on here for you.
Black Oud Beard Oil by ZOUSZ
Luxurious, rich, exotic scent. Nourishing ingredients that soften beard hairs, hydrate skin and eliminate itching and flaking.
This stuff is liquid gold.
We've been using ZOUSZ products since we grew our first beards, and we still can't get over their fragrance. Once you try it, you'll see what we're talking about.
We reached out to the guys at ZOUSZ, and they've been kind enough to give our readers an exclusive discount.
Use code MISSIONBEARD at checkout, and they'll give you 10% off your order. With fast, affordable worldwide shipping, you won't find a better price.
Beard Patrol’s Men’s Beard Oil
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Is there a better scent than cedarwood and tonka bean? We don’t think so.
The product comes in a large 2 oz bottle and at a very cost-effective price — meaning you won’t have to order it as often.
It’s made from 100% natural oils and is free from any sulfates, parabens, or dyes. Some of these oils included in this product are castor, argan, olive, coconut, and hemp seed oils.
That means that Beard Patrol’s beard oil is safe for sensitive and ingrown-hair-prone skin. Additionally, thanks to its rich concentration of moisturizers, this is the perfect beard oil for black men.
For its incredibly low price, Beard Patrol’s beard oil has an impressive lineup of natural ingredients. We highly recommend testing it out!
Jack Black Beard Oil
US-based skincare company, Jack Black, has a wide range of men’s skincare products. It’s probably no surprise that one of our favorites is their beard oil.
This product includes a few unique ingredients, like plum oil, Kalahari melon oil, tea tree oil, and marula oil. Together, these ingredients work to soften facial hair, reduce tangles, and fight free radicals — acne-causing molecules in the skin.
It’s impressive how quickly this beard oil can absorb into your hair, providing each strand with the vitamins and nourishment it needs. It’s another great product that is a tailored beard oil for black men.
Learn more about Jack Black’s beard oil, and how it can turn your catus-like beard into a soft bed of grass here.
Shea Moisture Beard Conditioning Oil
You’ve probably seen Shea Moisture’s products on the top shelf at your local pharmacy or grocery store. It’s one of the few drugstore products that’s packed with natural ingredients and free from harsh chemicals.
Believe it or not, (although do believe us, it’s true), Shea Moisture is named after one of the best hydrating ingredients on the market, shea butter.
Shea butter is ideal to moisturize coarse, thick, and dry hair — making it the perfect ingredient in beard oil for black men.
This product is budget-friendly, easily accessible, and uses fair-trade ingredients. What’s not to love?
Honest Amish Premium Beard Oil
If you can trust anyone, you can trust the Amish to care for your beard.
We’re serious! Honest Amish uses homemade recipes with the highest-quality ingredients sustainably sourced. We think if you love grandma’s cooking, you’re bound to love her beard oils as well!
While their products aren’t the cheapest on the market, or on this list, you’re paying for ethical consumption.
That’s not to say that their products aren’t effective, because they sure are. Honest Amish’s premium beard oil includes moringa oil, baobab oil, seabuckthorn oil, rosehip oil, and tea tree oil to achieve soft results.
You can find out more about the small-town Pennslyvania-based company right here.
Grave Before Shave Beard Oil
If you can’t tell from the name, Grave Before Shave specializes in products for big beards.
This product comes with options — four to be exact. That’s right, Grave Before Shave bundles their beard oils together, so you can try all their scents.
Included, you’ll find a bay rum, Viking scent, gentleman scent, and cigar scent — each perfect for a different occasion.
Reviewers noted that Grave Before Shave’s beard oils lasted longer in their beards than other products. That means your beard will stay moisturized, and smell better, for longer!
We recommend starting with the four-pack of Grave Before Shave’s beard oils to find out which scent is the best.
Scotch Porter Smoothening Beard Serum
Bearded vegans flock to Scotch Porter’s smoothening beard serum.
And it’s easy to see why. The product is simple — there’s no silicone, parabens, sulfates, or any toxic ingredients. Instead, it’s full of the good stuff, all-natural, plant-based oils.
In fact, Scotch Porter includes two of our recommended ingredients in this product: avocado and jojoba oil.
Thanks to its strong makeup of fatty acids, avocado oil is able to penetrate deep into your hair fibers. That leaves your beard feeling smooth without that greasy appearance you want to avoid.
Viking Revolution Beard Oil Conditioner
What’s the first thing you think of when you hear to word Viking?
We hope it’s a long braided beard because that’s where our next brand gets its name.
Viking Revolution’s beard oil is the perfect product for taming even the wildest of beards. It uses a thick formula to hold your mane in place — without leaving it feeling crunchy or sight.
Anyone with easily irritable skin will be happy to know that this beard oil doesn’t have a fragrance.
But it still has all the benefits you’d expect.
So if you’re interested in a product that Ragnar Lothbrok would probably have used, look no further.
King C. Gillette Beard Oil
If you feel like your short beard never seems to get any longer, then odds are you’re not using the right product…
For many people, King C. Gillette is exactly what they were looking for.
It boasts a long list of plant-based oils, all the way from jojoba oil to macadamia seed oil.
But that’s not all it has.
This product is incredibly aromatic, with notes of bergamot, cedarwood, and geranium. Reviewers mention using this beard oil without cologne — that’s how good it smells.
But don’t just take our word for it, read some of the thousands of five-star reviews on King C. Gillette’s Beard Oil.
Isner Mile Pure & Natural Beard Oil
Isner Mile’s four-pack of beard oils provides you with options.
It comes in four different scents, such as sage, sweet orange, sandalwood, and cedarwood. That way, no matter what the occasion is, you always have a beard oil that fits.
You save when you buy in bulk. And Isner Mile’s beard oils are no different.
You’ll get four half an oz bottles of beard oil that will each last about a month. Of course, that depends on how big your beard is though.
Enjoy testing the different scents of Isner Mile’s Beard Oils — all while strengthening and softening your beard!
Every Man Jack’s Beard Oil
If you’ve been to Target in the past two years, you’ve probably seen Every Man Jack’s products lining the men’s skin section.
Their natural products have taken over the in-store men’s skincare world, however, you can purchase them online as well.
Every Man Jack is inspired by the nature. You’ll notice that especially in the fragrance, with sweet notes of vanilla, vetiver, and overtones of sandalwood.
While Every Man Jack works with all skin and hair types, this product is a great beard oil for black men. You can thank the shea butter and vitamin E for that.
In fact, vitamin E is a popular vitamin to boost hair growth. It does this by reducing your level of oxidative stress — which is a common link to hair loss.
Not only does Every Man Jack’s beard oil smell great, but it supports new hair growth. You can also pair it with their beard wash!
Bossman Beard Oil Jelly
We all want a product that works.
Well, you won’t have to think twice when it comes to Bossman’s Beard Oil Jelly. It’s one of the most reviewed beard oils on the market — with, that's right, over 9,000 five-star reviews.
Bossman’s Beard Oil Jelly isn’t like all the other beard oils on that market.
That’s because, as the name suggests, it’s more of a jelly than an oil. However, that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a beard balm.
Its thick and jelly-like formula helps makes this beard oil a deep moisturizer and strengthener. That, in turn, helps make it ideal for thick and curly hair — making this a perfect beard oil for black men.
So if you want to be the boss of your beard, we recommend trying Bossman’s Beard Oil Jelly. You won’t regret it.
Benefits of Using Beard Oil
If you’ve never used beard oil, you’re probably wondering what’s the point.
Well, there’s not just one point. There are four.
Here are some of the most common reasons people use beard oil:
Reduces Itching and Irritation
Beard itch is infamous among beard growers.
When first growing your beard, it’s bound to get itchy. You can thank all the new hair follicles for that.
But after the first month, there’s really no excuse. If your beard is itchy, that most likely means it’s lacking hydration.
Thankfully, one of the biggest benefits of beard oil is its moisturizing properties. They’re full of high-powered humectants, such as coconut or jojoba oil, that draw moisture from the air, into your skin. Cool, right
Prevents Dryness and Flakiness
Hand-in-hand with itchiness are dryness and flakiness.
In fact, these three problems are some of the most common reasons novice beard-growers stop growing their beard.
But, as we just mentioned, beard oil is full of moisturizing ingredients to solve these problems.
So, instead of struggling with a flaking beard, you can decide how to shape your beard. Because, let’s face it, nobody likes a beard that snows.
Promotes Healthy Beard Growth
Beard oil promotes healthy growth.
Many of the natural oils included in beard oils, like tea tree and peppermint oil, increase the volume of your hair. This, in turn, makes it appear thicker, healthier, and full of life.
However, it’s worth bearing in mind that beard oil isn’t a magic elixir.
While it will support hair growth, it won’t turn a patchy beard into Gandalf’s footlong beard overnight. Anyone that tells you it’ll sprout hair where there isn’t any isn’t selling beard oil - they’re selling snake oil.
Provides a Shiny and Smooth Appearance
In as quick as one use, you’ll be able to notice a difference in the texture of your beard.
The real benefits, however, start popping up after a week of regular use.
Gone are the days of the prickling, pokey beard that’s not suitable for cuddling. Instead, you’ll be able to run your hands through your beard without a problem.
If you want to learn more about the benefits (and a few of the disadvantages) of beard oils, you can find them here.
How to Choose the Right Beard Oil for Black Men
Finding the right product for any beard is tough.
But, when you’re looking for beard oil for black hair, it can be even more difficult.
There simply aren’t that many choices — and it can be hard to know if the ones out there truly work.
But we want to empower you to find the right products designed for you. Below are the things we recommend considering when selecting your next beard oil.
Hair and Skin Type Considerations
First and foremost, when picking the best beard oil for black men, you need to look for something that supports your hair type.
Black men, in particular, have curved hair follicles — which are more prone to ingrown hairs. Additionally, these follicles tend to be coarse, dry, and densely packed.
So, when picking a product you need to find something that supports that.
That means look for a beard oil with heavy humectants or highly-effective moisturizing properties to keep each follicle soft to the touch.
Personal Scent Preferences
The scent isn’t the most important aspect of beard oil, but it’s one of the first things someone else will notice.
You can find all different types of fragrances in beard oils — all the way from florals to woodsy notes.
Ultimately, it’s up to you what scent you pick (although it’s hard to go wrong with a spiced bourbon).
The only thing you should know is that artificial fragrances can sometimes irritate those with sensitive skin.
So, if you have sensitive skin, look for an all-natural beard oil or an unscented one.
Ingredients To Look for and Avoid
Like any skin or hair care product, you should look for and avoid specific ingredients to achieve the best results possible.
Specifically, stay away from anything that includes ingredients such as:
- Sulfates
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Artificial fragrances.
Instead, look for natural alternatives, like:
- Coconut oil
- Argan oil
- Jojoba oil
- Avocado oil
- Tea tree oil.
These ingredients will benefit you in the long run, keeping your beard soft, supple, and itch-free.
Application Techniques
You’ve learned what they are, why they work, and which ones to pick… but you don’t know how to use them!
Now it’s time to remedy that. You’ll find out how to apply beard oil, the right way, below.
It’s as simple as four steps.
And, most likely, you already do most of these.
How To Apply Beard Oil for Black Men
While it’s recommended to use beard oil in the morning, it’s not a requirement. Use it whenever you feel like it — we’re not your mom!
Step 1: Wash your face and beard with soap or a beard wash.
Step 2: Gently dry your face and beard with a towel. The key word here is gentle — you don’t want to pull any hairs out! If you’ve got a bigger beard, feel free to use a blow-dryer on a low-heat setting.
Step 3: Apply three to four drops of beard oil onto your hands. If you have a shorter beard, use less, and if you have a longer beard, use more.
Step 4: Run your hands through your beard. Try your best to gently massage the entire beard, so it’s completely covered in beard oil. That’s how you get the best results.
Of course, you don’t need to use your hands if you don’t want to, instead, try a beard brush.
How Often Should Black Men Use Beard Oil?
One of the best things about beard oil is that you can use it daily.
For most products, daily use is the quickest way to notice results. Moisturizing daily is a surefire way to keep your beard soft — especially when using a tailored beard oil for black men.
We recommend building it into your routine, so that right after you wash your face, you use the beard oil — every single day, no questions asked.
Conclusion
If you’re growing a beard without beard oil, you’re missing out.
The fact is that, without extra moisture, your beard is bound to be dry — especially with black hair!
So, keep things hydrated, healthy, and itch-free by using beard oil for black men.
And don’t forget, if none of the recommendations above jumped out at you, you can always try one of our all-natural beard oils — each with 13 hand-selected essential oils.