Ever stared at your reflection and wondered if your beard could do a little more than just survive the day? Maybe it’s begging for some TLC — something to tame those wild curls, add a subtle shine, and keep your skin from turning into a flaky desert. Well, guess what? Beard oil isn’t just some gimmick; it’s the secret weapon every man with facial hair needs in his grooming arsenal. Whether you’re rocking a full Gandalf or just a scruffy stubble, picking the right beard oil can make all the difference between looking like you woke up like that and looking like you actually put in some effort. Ready to upgrade your beard game with some of the finest oils out there? Let’s dive into the curated picks from Esquire’s editors — trust me, these aren’t your average drops. LEARN MORE
Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.
This is the shit (complimentary) that you came to Esquire for. Taylor of Old Bond Street ships its luxury beard oil from the UK. Originally a high society London barber shop in the 1800s, it’s still a family-run business at its core, makers of great shaving creams and razors for centuries.
The beard oil will tame those coarse curls and allowing you to comb and mold it in a fashion that suits your style. The oil comes in Sandalwood, the most popular scent the brand makes. If you keep a closer shave (how did you end up in this story?) Taylor of Old Bond Street’s shaving creams are just as phenomenal.
Features at a Glance
| Key Ingredients |
Grapeseed, sweet almond and argan oil |
| Size |
1.67 fl oz |
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This one is coming to you after I spent hours on various grooming and beard Reddits trying to find a consensus. Because it’s the internet, there wasn’t one. But Beardbrand kept coming up as a consistent favorite among your average dudes. I think that’s because its compatible with so many different skin and beard types. No matter if you need to touch up your mustache with a little shine, or give your coarse beard a nice massage, a little bit of Beardbrand’s oil goes a long way. It’s also loaded with Vitamin E and other natural healing oils.
That all being said, it also smells like the kinda thing you’d expect from Reddit guys. A little overcompensating.
Features at a Glance
| Key Ingredients |
Abyssinian, jojoba, castor, and babassu oils |
| Size |
2 fl oz |
$12 for a two fluid ounce bottle of beard oil is the best deal you can get for anything that isn’t, in the words of the immortal Stephen Sondheim “piss with ink.” Musical references aside, if you struggle with a dry, uncomfortable and just need something—anything—for temporary relief, Honest Amish is the go-to you can add to your Amazon cart and have delivered the next day.
Features at a Glance
| Key Ingredients |
Organic Apricot Kernel Oil, Organic Avocado Oil, Organic Baobab Oil, Golden Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Argan Oil, Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil, |
| Size |
2 fl oz |
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If you want to go the all-natural botanical route, F. Miller is the brand to do it. Its hair oil smells wonderful (mostly rosemary, but generally just herb-y and fresh) and it’s perfect for softening coarse beard hair or using as a daily strengthening serum for the hair on your head. The fashion-y skincare brand was started by Fran Miller back in 2014 with an emphasis on natural ingredients, meticulously developed formulas, and a really beautiful digital design language.
That said, for more of a closer shave situation, the face oil will do a lot of the same stuff with some added ingredients that’ll benefit your skin more than the hair oil.
Features at a Glance
| Key Ingredients |
Jojoba, Grapeseed, Argan, Castor, Hemp seed oil, Pumpkin seed oil |
| Size |
1 fl oz |
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If you’ve been reading along you’ve noticed the achilles’ heel of most beard oils is the way they smell. To avoid that issue entirely, you can opt for the No. 143 fragrance free beard oil from skincare gurus Marlowe. The brand makes this specific product with only four ingredients, all natural oils. This also makes it the best option for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
It’s not the absolute king in terms of moisturizing and relief (and it doesn’t claim to help regrow your beard), but if you need a beard oil free of scents, this is the most natural one that will be kind to your skin.
Features at a Glance
| Key Ingredients |
Safflower seed oil, Sunflower seed oil, Corn oil, Soybean oil |
| Size |
3 fl oz |
Every time I’ve received an Aesop product as a gift, I’ve been overjoyed. The brand’s beard oil is no different. It adds an immediate sheen to your facial hair, smells fancy, and it doesn’t take a lot to lather up. That also makes it great to use as a hair serum—at the price your paying you might as well make it a two-for-one.
Seriously, buying this stuff for yourself is so damn expensive. But that makes it a great way to show your love for someone you care about. Just know there are better deals on this list.
Features at a Glance
| Key Ingredients |
Olive fruit oil, Jojoba seed oil, Grape seed oil, Avocado oil, Sweet Almond oil, |
| Size |
0.8 fl oz |
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What Ingredients to Look for in Beard Oil
Most beard oils are just a mixture of many other types of oils and creams. There are two critical categories of oils to look out for among those (occasionally) length ingredient lists.
- Carrier Oils: These are the oils you’re looking for first. This is what is bringing most of the nourishing and cleansing to the table. Looking at which mix carrier oils make up a beard oil will help you determine which ones are better for softness versus soothing versus shine. Examples include Jojoba, Argan, and Grapeseed oil
- Essential Oils: These are largely included for scent, but they can have other beneficial properties such as encouraging hair growth and reducing inflammation of the skin. Examples include cedarwood, sandalwood, and tea tree oil.
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