If you're going to invest time and energy into growing a bountiful beard, then you need to ensure that you're taking good care of your newly-formed facial hair.
After all, nobody wants to deal with bone-dry bristles and patchy beard growth, do they?
There are plenty of balms, formulas and conditioners that can support you in maintaining a healthy beard - but one of the most popular all-natural products is coconut oil.
While you might associate coconut oil with cooking, it's actually a highly versatile substance that can also promote healthy hair growth. A few drops of this magical oil can help you to reduce hair breakage, soften skin, and leave dry beard bristles in the past.
Let's look at how applying coconut oil can revolutionise your beard-care regime and enable you to achieve the facial hair of your dreams.
The benefits of using coconut oil on beard hair
Coconut oil can work wonders for beard hair growth - below are a few of the key benefits that this natural product offers.
It's an effective moisturizer
For starters, coconut oil is an effective hydrator with fantastic moisturizing properties. This oil will condition each individual hair shaft on your face, making your whiskers look healthier, shinier, and happier.
It can reduce hair breakage
Regularly applying coconut oil is also a good way to reduce split ends and prevent hair breakage. Since coconut oil keeps your beard fully hydrated through deep conditioning, it's less likely to become dry and brittle.
It can accelerate hair growth
Coconut oil also has the potential to promote superior hair growth. When you keep your hair follicles moisturized and hydrated, you give them a better chance of sprouting those luscious bristles, which is vital for sustained beard growth. However, if you're still struggling to kickstart hair growth, don't panic - there are plenty of other ways to accelerate the process.
It can reduce beard dandruff
Ah, the dreaded beard dandruff - the scourge of hirsute men around the world. If you're struggling with this issue, coconut oil can be a game-changer. This natural oil will help to combat the dryness and flakiness that often lead to persistent dandruff.
It has antibacterial and antifungal properties
Certain types of bacteria and fungi can spell disaster for your facial hair, sabotaging your beard growth and causing a wide range of health problems. Fortunately, coconut oil is packing all-natural antibacterial and antifungal properties that help to prevent these issues.
How to apply coconut oil to your beard
We've already covered a few of the impressive benefits that coconut oil offers your facial hair.
Now it's time to tackle some common questions about when and how you should be applying this natural beard remedy.
When is the best time to apply coconut oil to your beard?
In the majority of cases, coconut oil can be applied daily as part of your beard care routine.
Most facial hair aficionados choose to apply beard oil first thing in the morning or last thing at night - whatever works best for you.
If you're just getting started with using beard oil, we'd also strongly recommend investing in a quality beard brush.
Why use a beard brush? A solid brush offers several benefits for beard growth, including helping you to apply oil thoroughly, tame unruly bristles, and maintain soft hair.
How much coconut oil should you use?
The perfect amount of coconut oil for your face depends on the length and thickness of your beard hair. However, as a rule of thumb, 'less is more' when it comes to applying coconut oil.
An excessive amount of coconut oil can clog pores, so start by applying a small quantity and see how your hair feels.
How often should you use coconut oil?
There are a few factors that dictate how regularly you should use coconut oil, including the current condition of your beard and the climate you live in.
If you're grappling with a very dry beard, you should aim to use coconut oil every day to maximise hydration and moisture. For those of you lucky enough to be sporting a healthy and shiny beard, you can probably get away with applying coconut oil a couple of times a week.
If your beard feels too oily (or if you're living in a humid location) you should only use coconut oil once or twice a month to avoid overloading your pores. It may take a bit of time to nail down your perfect beard care regimen, so just pay attention to the look and feel of your hair.
Can you leave coconut oil on your beard overnight?
You can definitely leave coconut oil to work its magic overnight. In fact, this can be a good way to allow the oil to penetrate every hair shaft and deliver maximum hydration.
Just remember to avoid going overboard with the amount you're using. A small measurement of coconut oil can deliver big results, so there's no need to saturate your beard overnight.
Do you need to wash coconut oil out of your beard?
Coconut oil will naturally be absorbed by your skin and beard hair, so there's no need to worry about washing it out. You only need to use a little coconut oil at a time, so just massage it into your facial hair and enjoy the all-natural benefits.
Does coconut oil help to prevent/reduce dandruff?
Coconut oil can be highly effective at combating beard dandruff. Dandruff is usually caused by the presence of certain bacteria and fungi on your face, which can lead to itchiness, flakiness, and dryness. The antibacterial properties of coconut oil help it to prevent dandruff, excess dead skin, and irritation.
Regularly using coconut oil will keep your beard soft, silky, and dandruff-free.
Are there any potential side effects of using coconut oil for beard care?
Coconut oil can be an excellent addition to your beard maintenance routine, but there are some potential side effects that you should be aware of.
Skin irritation
Using coconut oil is a great way to condition hair and promote growth, but it's possible to have too much of a good thing. Excessive amounts of any type of oil will lead to clogged pores, which can cause the skin underneath your whiskers to become irritated and sore.
While any skin irritation caused by coconut oil is likely to be very mild, it's better to avoid the problem altogether by using a moderate amount of oil.
Acne
If you have acne prone skin, then coconut oil may also cause some minor issues.
While it's true that coconut oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can prevent infections and reduce inflammation, if you have sensitive skin, the oil can still cause discomfort in some cases.
How can I reduce the risk of these side effects?
If you're concerned about the potential side effects of applying oil for your beard, just make an effort to use coconut oil sparingly.
Although coconut oil can indeed clog your pores, this is usually a result of using too much oil and overloading your face.
By slowly building up the amount of coconut oil you use over time, you'll be able to find the sweet spot for your beard - maximum hydration, and zero irritation. This rule applies to all beard oils, too.
If you're regularly using a small amount of coconut oil, you're infinitely more likely to enjoy its soothing properties rather than deal with skin irritation.
Which coconut oil should you use for your beard?
There are a few different types of coconut oil available on the market - but which is best for accelerating beard growth and keeping your bristles healthy?
Firstly, try and find virgin coconut oil (or cold pressed coconut oil) that's 100% organic. You want all-natural oil without any additives or chemical ingredients that can irritate your skin, so keep that in mind when you're shopping around.
Secondly, look for unrefined coconut oil rather than refined coconut oil. Unrefined and pure coconut oil is likely to be more nourishing for your beard, versus processed or refined oil.
How to make coconut oil for beard care?
Coconut oil isn't just a handy all-natural solution for beard care. It's also super easy to source for use at home.
All you need to do is get your hands on a bottle of organic coconut oil, and you can start applying it to your whiskers. If you're feeling adventurous, you even try creating your own homemade beard oils by combining coconut oil with ingredients such as jojoba oil and argan oil.
Looking for a done-for-you coconut oil for beard care? Here's one we'd recommend:
Featuring 16oz of fractionated coconut oil, this affordable bottle boasts a bunch of bearded benefits.
Coconut Oil vs Beard Oil - which is better?
Coconut oil is a solid option for anyone looking to improve beard growth and maintain healthy facial hair.
However, there's an entire world of natural and effective beard oils out there, so there's no need to rush your decision. At Mission Beard, we stock a selection of quality beard oils that are crafted with all-natural ingredients and designed to leave your beard feeling luscious, silky, and healthy.
(Plus, they smell incredible. That may not be essential for beard growth, but it is essential for smelling good and receiving nice compliments about your facial hair.)
However, if you're keen to shop around online, don't be tricked into buying low-quality products. Only purchase from reputable manufacturers to avoid sub-par beard oils with potential negative side effects.
So, is coconut oil good for beard care? Absolutely. Organic coconut oil is packed with natural goodness that can help you to soften hairs, prevent breakages, and reduce irritation.
But if you're new to the world of beard oil, make sure to do a little research before you commit. There are plenty of different oils that are ideal for magnificent beard growth, so don't be afraid to explore your options until you find the perfect product.