How to Oil a Beard Trimmer (and Whether Yours Needs It)

Your beard could be a work of art.

But if you want it to be a Da Vinci or Van Gogh, then you need the right tools.

And, in this case, the right tool means a beard trimmer.

But we’re not just talking about your grandfather's beard trimmer you found in the attic. We’re talking about a well-maintained beard trimmer.

Let’s face it, Da Vinci didn’t paint the Mona Lisa with any paintbrush he found laying around. He painted it with tools that were well taken care of.

That means, if you want a masterpiece of a beard, you need to treat your beard trimmer right – by keeping it clean and, if it needs it, oiled.

Lucky for you, this article covers exactly that, including whether your trimmer needs oil at all (our founder, Alex, has never oiled his).

So, what exactly is a beard trimmer?

Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like.

A beard trimmer is similar to hair clippers – except with smaller blades and teeth. This minor adjustment makes it ideal for cutting your facial hair – whether it’s your moustache or beard.

If you don’t currently have a beard trimmer, there’s no need to worry. Take a look at the one Alex uses, the Philips Multigroom 7000.

You’ve got your beard trimmer, and you’re ready to go.

If your trimmer needs oil, a few drops now and then will help keep it running well. Here’s what it does:

Blade oil lubricates the blades as they slide against each other and helps protect them from rust. Less friction means less wear, so the blades stay sharp for longer.

Who doesn’t want their tools to last a lifetime? Not only will you save money, but you’ll finally be “that hipster” using vintage tools.

If your beard trimmer is running hot or making loud, unnerving sounds, it’s time for some maintenance.

Often, the culprit is hair packed in behind the blades, which you fix by cleaning, not oiling. Once it’s clean, a drop of oil (if your trimmer needs it) cuts the friction that makes blades run hot.

Our guide on how to clean a beard trimmer walks you through it.

There you are, trimming your beard. All of a sudden you feel a sharp pain.

That’s right, you’ve pulled out a hair from your beard.

If this is a regular occurrence for you, it’s probably a sign that your trimmer needs cleaning or, if it takes oil, oiling.

Think about it – a clean, well-lubricated trimmer is bound to yank, pull, and snag a lot less.

However, if you’ve recently cleaned and oiled your trimmer and it still pulls, you might need a new blade – as dull blades can also cause snagging or yanking.

Honest answer: no. Our founder, Alex, has never oiled his Philips Multigroom 7000. In his words: “Never needed to. You should probably follow their advice and oil it, but this baby has been running smooth for years without needing to oil. Maybe that’s terrible advice but it’s what’s worked for me.”

He’s never had a trimmer snag, overheat or die on him either: “That’s why I buy Philips. These things just keep on going.”

The lesson isn’t “never oil your trimmer”. It’s “check what yours needs”. Some models need a drop of dedicated clipper or blade oil after cleaning, while others, including many Philips Multigroom models, don’t need oiling at all. Your manual will tell you which you’ve got.

Before you go ahead on your oily journey, you need to know what you need.

Lucky for you, there are only two things:

For starters, you need a beard trimmer (ok, duh).

Check the manual first: some trimmers, including many Philips Multigroom models, don’t need oil at all.

If yours does need oil, you’ll need one more thing.

This brings us to the second item on this list.

The other thing you’ll need is oil.

But we’re not talking about the vegetable oil you’re using to grease your pans.

We’re talking about high-quality oils specifically made for hair and beard trimmers.

But, don’t worry, just because they’re unique to beard trimmers doesn’t mean you’ll need to spend an arm and leg on it. And, in the long run, a bottle of clipper oil is a lot cheaper than a brand-new beard trimmer.

A popular choice is Wahl’s blade oil (often called Wahl Clipper Oil). It’s affordable, and a small bottle lasts for years. If your trimmer’s manufacturer recommends a particular oil, use that.

So, do yourself a favour and go pick some up.

Now it’s what you’ve been waiting for.

It’s officially time to cover how to oil a beard trimmer.

We’ve covered the entire process in five simple steps.

Now let’s get to it.

You might think it’s obvious, but you can never be too careful.

Seriously, always start any maintenance by unplugging your beard trimmer.

If your beard trimmer doesn’t have a cord, make sure you take it off the charger.

Once that’s done, you can start the real process of oiling your trimmer.

You’ll want to start by taking apart your trimmer.

Usually, this means taking off any guards so you can have complete access to the blades.

If your blades look particularly dirty (or hairy), use a brush to clean them off. Most trimmers come with a little cleaning brush; an old toothbrush works too. (Save your beard brush for your beard!)

Next, find the trimmer blades.

This should be easy, as the clipper blades are the metal pieces that you trim your beard with.

Once you’ve found the blades, it’s time to apply the oil.

To do so, add a few drops of oil along the blade teeth, where the two blades meet (your manual may say exactly how many; two or three is typical).

Then turn the trimmer on for a few seconds so the oil spreads, and wipe off any excess with a tissue so it doesn’t end up in your beard. 

Now that you’ve successfully oiled your trimmer, it’s time to put it back together.

Reassembling your trimmer should be as simple as taking it apart.

All you need to do is reattach the guard.

If you’re unsure how to do this, the instructions should be in the manual for your specific trimmer.

Don’t worry, though, if you’ve lost your manual, we’ve got you covered: here’s how to use a beard trimmer.

It’s a question we get a lot, and as a beard oil company, you might expect us to say yes. Alex’s answer: “I wouldn’t. Beard oil is formulated for your beard and skin, and our scented blends can leave residue on the blades.”

The same goes for cooking oils like olive or vegetable oil, which can turn sticky over time. Stick with the lubricant your trimmer’s manufacturer recommends, and save the beard oil for your beard.

So, what else do you need to know? Or is that everything?

Well, we do have two tips for trimmers that need oil.

If your trimmer needs oil, follow the manual. Every few uses is typical, and some clipper makers suggest a drop before each use.

Sticking to a routine will keep your trimmer in tip-top shape.

For some people with longer beards, a few uses may only be once a month. That’s perfectly fine – it all depends on the style of your beard.

As we mentioned, you shouldn’t be using any old oil you can find in your house.

A dedicated clipper or blade oil works best. 

That being said, most clipper oils are a light mineral oil, so a plain, unscented mineral oil will do in a pinch. Avoid anything with added fragrance, and don’t use beard oil or cooking oil.

So, now you’re up to date on how to oil your beard trimmer.

You’ll be thankful in the long run for performing this quick and easy maintenance on your trimmer.

Seriously, save the £50 for a new trimmer and spend it on some product.

Speaking of beard products, it’s the perfect time for a shameless plug.

Here at Mission Beard, we sell all types of high-quality beard products. So no matter if you’re looking for beard oil, a beard brush, or beard balm, we’ve got you covered. Not to mention, we have a wide collection of articles just like this one.