It doesn’t seem like beards are going anywhere.
Since their rise to popularity (along with the flannel shirt and straight-leg jeans), beards have just become more and more popular.
That means, if you’re growing a beard, it’s the perfect time to take it seriously.
And what do we mean by that?
We mean you should be using beard healthy oils, like black seed oil, to improve your beard growth and promote stronger hair.
Lucky for you, that’s exactly what this article is going to cover. Today you’ll learn what black seed oil is, what benefits it provides, how to use it, and much more. Let’s jump in.
What is Black Seed Oil?
Before we start, you’re probably wondering what black seed oil (also called black cumin seed oil) even is.
And that’s a good question.
Black seed oil comes from the seeds of the black cumin plant (technically speaking, the Nigella sativa plant). It’s high in antioxidants and essential fatty acids – making it perfect for skin and hair care.
But black seed oil is a lot more than just that.
Studies have shown that it can reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, male infertility, fungal infections, and even help fight off cancer.
What is Thymoquinone?
We left you on a bit of a cliffhanger – saying that black seed oil has anticancer effects.
And – it’s true, it does.
Black seed oil is full of thymoquinone, which has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, multiple studies have shown that thymoquinone can also promote wound healing and new tissue growth.
While that sounds great, you’re probably wondering what this has to do with beard growth. Well – thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties – black seed oil helps create a fertile environment for healthy, itch-free beard growth.
Guess what? Black seed oil isn’t the only natural oil that’s packed with benefits. Check out castor oil if you want to hear about another impressive option.
What are the Benefits of Black Seed Oil for Beards?
Now we’re getting to what you’ve been waiting for.
The benefits behind using black seed oil on your beard.
We’ve picked five of the most notable benefits of black seed oil. You can find more info below:
1. Promotes Beard Growth (when used with Coconut Oil)
Is black seed oil the one? Or is it coconut oil that's best for your beard? Turns out it could be both. Here's why.
Some beginner beardsmen struggle with growth, itching, dryness, coarseness, or beardruff. If any of these sound like you, you just might be missing some black seed oil.
One study, in particular, found that black seed oil significantly reduces hair loss, breakage, and shedding.
But that’s not all.
Another study showed that when mixed with coconut oil, black seed oil stimulates the growth of new hair follicles.
We’re not saying it has magic powers, but it certainly will encourage thicker and stronger growth if you use both of these oils consistently.
Speaking of thicker growth, if you’re really interested in increasing healthy hair growth, using a beard roller might be worth considering - as long as you use it safely.
2. Moisturizes and Softens Hair Shafts
Black seed oil is a humectant – making it one of the best moisturizers around.
What’s a humectant, you ask?
Humectants are commonly found in skin and hair products. Rather than just moisturizing the top layer of your hair, humectants take it a step further. They absorb water particles from the air and seal them into the hair and skin underneath your beard.
That gives your beard the long-lasting moisture and softness that everyone wants. So say goodbye to your skin dryness and start using black seed oil.
3. Strengthens Hair Follicles
Next up on our list of benefits is strength.
It’s pretty simple – the stronger each fiber of your beard hair is, the more resistant it will be to breakage, thinning, and environmental stressors.
Lucky for you, black seed oil can do exactly that.
You can thank the long list of antioxidants and vitamins (like the hair-healthy vitamin E) that allow it to do so.
Sometimes a stronger beard means a thicker beard. Speaking of, if you want to learn how to increase the thickness of your beard – we’ve dedicated an entire article to it.
4. Antibacterial, Antifungal, & Anti-Inflammatory
We already mentioned the anti-inflammatory benefits, but it doesn’t end there.
Black seed oil also has antibacterial and antifungal properties.
That means it can effectively stop dandruff, flaking, and the infamous beard itch.
Seriously, could you ask for anything more?
5. Prevents Premature Graying of Hair
To answer the question above, yes, you can ask for more.
The last benefit of black seed oil is its unique ability to prevent premature graying.
Let’s face it, the last thing anyone wants, regardless of their age, is a gray beard. So, if you’re getting up there in age – and want to slow the aging process down – you should be using black seed oil.
How to Use Black Seed Oil for Beards
You read the benefits… It just sounds that good.
But before you go out and buy the best quality choice you can find, let’s talk about what to look for in an oil and how to apply it.
What Type of Oil Should You Choose?
Finding the right oil is pretty simple.
You want to choose pure 100% black seed oil – none of that half-assed stuff. Sometimes it’s also called “cold-pressed black seed oil.”
If you’re looking for recommendations, we suggest this USDA-approved black seed oil. It’s well-priced and high-quality – meaning you can expect all the top-tier benefits when using it.
Applying the Oil
So you’ve got the black seed oil picked out.
Now it’s time to apply it.
Here’s an easy-to-follow five-step process to get you started:
Step 1: Always apply oil to a clean beard. Start by washing your beard with beard wash (the recommended choice) or warm water.
Step 2: Now, it’s time to dry your beard. For shorter beards, you can use a towel to pat them dry. For longer beards, use a blow dryer on its lowest heat setting.
Step 3: Next, rub four to five drops of black seed oil between your palms.
Step 4: Massage the oil into your beard – starting at the top and working your way to the bottom.
Step 5: Finally comb through your beard using a beard brush. If you don’t have one, there’s no need to worry – we’ve got a few high-quality options.
If you already use natural oils in your beard (like our high-quality beard oil), you can still use black seed oil. However, we recommend using it less often so your hair doesn’t become greasy.
What Are The Side Effects of Black Seed Oil?
Unfortunately, it’s not all good news for black seed oil.
To be fair, it’s mostly good news, but there is one thing you should be aware of.
Allergic Rashes in Some People
Some people might be allergic to black seed oil.
To test for that, we recommend applying the oil to a small part of visible skin before you use it on your facial hair.
If you’re allergic, you’ll notice redness, itchiness, or a stinging sensation when you apply the oil.
Can Black Seed Oil Help With Patchy Beards?
If you struggle with a patchy beard, then black seed oil has your back.
Since it helps increase growth, as well as sprout new hair follicles, black seed oil can improve a patchy beard. Thymoquinone, which we mentioned above, is a common antihistamine used for people with alopecia. We’re not saying you’ll wake up with a completely full beard overnight – but black seed oil will certainly improve growth, fullness, and thickness.
If you’re wondering what else you can do to help fix your patchy beard, we’ve got just the article for you.
How Should I Store Black Seed Oil?
If you want your black seed oil to stay as potent as possible, you need to store it properly.
To do so, here’s what we recommend:
- Before opening, store your black seed oil in a cupboard away from the light. Sunlight will degrade the product – making it less effective.
- After opening, store the black seed oil in your refrigerator. It should be good for up to six months – although you’ll most likely use it before then.
Conclusion
And just like that, you’re up-to-date on using black seed oil in your beard.
We’ve covered everything from what it is, how it’s used, its benefits, how to use it, and even how to store it. Now all you need to do is go pick up some and try it for yourself.
Before you do that, however, you might want to check out what we have in stock at Mission Beard. If anything, we’re saving you a few clicks navigating to another website.
Seriously though, we’ve got an all-star lineup of beard oil, beard balm, and beard bushes – not to mention a wide range of articles just like this one.