How to Use Beard Oil: A London Barber’s Guide

By London Beard Company | Est. 2015 | Barbershops in Dalston, Hackney & Tottenham

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If you’ve just picked up your first bottle of beard oil — or you’ve been using one for years without being sure you’re doing it right — this guide is for you. At London Beard Company, we’ve been making beard oil in London since 2015, and our barbers trim, shape and treat beards on a daily basis across our shops in Dalston, Hackney and Tottenham. We know what works.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to use beard oil properly.

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What Does Beard Oil Actually Do?

Before we get into technique, it’s worth understanding why beard oil matters. Facial hair is naturally drier than the hair on your head because the skin beneath your beard has fewer sebaceous glands — meaning less natural oil production. The result: dryness, itchiness, flakiness (sometimes called “beardruff”), and coarse, wiry hair that’s hard to manage.

A good beard oil replenishes that moisture. It conditions the hair shaft, softens the skin underneath, and leaves your beard looking healthy and well-groomed rather than wild and scratchy. Our oils are made with a base of olive and argan oil — two of the most effective natural oils for hair and skin, used for thousands of years — blended with essential oils for fragrance.

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When Should You Apply Beard Oil?

The best time to apply beard oil is right after a shower or washing your face.

Here’s why: warm water opens the hair cuticle and softens the beard, making it far more receptive to absorbing oil. Towel dry your beard first — you want it damp, not dripping. Applying to a completely dry beard still works, but you’ll get better absorption and conditioning if you apply while there’s a little moisture remaining.

Do it in the morning as part of your daily grooming routine. Consistency is key — daily use will make a noticeable difference to softness and skin health within a couple of weeks.

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How Much Beard Oil Should You Use?

Less than you think. Overusing beard oil is one of the most common mistakes — it leaves your beard looking greasy and can cause breakouts on the skin beneath.

As a general guide:

- Stubble / short beard (under 1 inch): 2–3 drops
- Medium beard (1–2 inches): 3–4 drops
- Long beard (2 inches or more): 4–6 drops

Start on the lower end. You can always add a drop more if needed. Our pipette bottles are designed to give you precise, easy control over how much you dispense.

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Step-by-Step: How to Apply Beard Oil

Step 1 — Dispense into your palm
Drop the correct number of drops into the palm of one hand. Don’t apply directly to the beard from the bottle — you’ll get uneven coverage.

Step 2 — Warm it between your hands
Rub your palms together for a second or two. This warms the oil slightly, making it easier to distribute and helping it absorb more effectively.

Step 3 — Work from the roots outward
Press your palms against your beard and work the oil in from the skin outward. Getting it to the skin beneath is just as important as coating the hair — that’s where the itchiness and dryness originates.

Step 4 — Work through the full length
Use your fingers like a wide-tooth comb to distribute the oil through the length of your beard, making sure you reach all areas including the moustache.

Step 5 — Comb or brush through
Finish with a beard comb or brush to evenly distribute the oil, detangle, and style. This also helps train the beard to grow in the direction you want over time.

Step 6 — Let it absorb
Don’t wipe your beard with a towel after applying. Give it a few minutes to absorb fully. The oil should leave your beard looking healthy and conditioned — not shiny or greasy.

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Which Beard Oil Scent Should You Choose?

This comes down to personal preference, but here are some pointers from our barbers:

• If you want something fresh and clean: try our Citrus Blend
• If you prefer something woody: we have the Velvet Wood
• If you want something nostalgic and sweet: the Cola Blend is unlike anything else on the market. Genuinely smells like cola bottle sweets. It’s a conversation starter.
• If you have sensitive skin or prefer something unscented  the Zero Edition is our fragrance-free oil — pure argan and olive. No added scents, just the conditioning benefits.

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Beard Oil vs Beard Balm — Do You Need Both?

Beard oil is primarily a conditioner — it moisturises the skin and softens the hair. Beard balm does the same but also adds a light hold, helping you style and shape your beard.

For shorter beards, oil alone is usually enough. For medium to longer beards — particularly if you want some shape and control — using oil first and then working a small amount of balm through is the professional approach our barbers use in the shop.

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How Long Does a Bottle Last?

At 2–4 drops per day, a standard 30ml bottle will last approximately 2–3 months with daily use. Our pipette makes sure you’re not wasting a drop.

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Common Beard Oil Mistakes to Avoid

- Using too much — greasy beard, blocked pores. Less is more.
- Skipping the skin — getting oil to the skin beneath is essential for tackling itchiness and beardruff.
- Applying once a week — beard oil works through consistency. Daily use is where you’ll see the difference.
- Ignoring your moustache — it needs conditioning too.

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Ready to Find Your Scent?

We’ve been handcrafting beard oil in London since 2015. All our oils are made from 100% natural ingredients — no chemicals, no alcohol, no synthetic fragrances, no preservatives.

Shop the full beard oil collection or visit one of our barbershops in Dalston, Hackney or Tottenham and let our barbers recommend the right product for your beard type in person.

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London Beard Company. Handmade in London since 2015. #staybearded