It's starting to get pretty hot outside and we haven't even hit the summer months yet. This signifies the need for some early beard TLC. Furthermore, no one wants to walk around with brittle strands that are dried out from the sun. Adding essential oils to your routine will help fight dryness and skin irritation caused by the heat.
Here at Zeus Beard, we broke down everything you need to know about these natural oils and how to best use them to combat your skin or hair issues.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils represent the most potent natural oils available in plants. To create them, the stem, flowers and other main portions of the plant undergo a distillation process with water or steam. When this is over, the highly concentrated material left is your essential oil.
Why are essential oils used?
There are many benefits to utilizing natural oils. For instance, the distillation process pulls out the characteristic fragrance of the plant. However, comforting smells are not the only advantage of using these oils.
Moreover, the bigger benefit is the healing properties that come along with adding natural oils to your routine. From relieving stress to reducing skin irritations and even warding off diseases, the highly concentrated materials are valuable for various reasons.
Keep reading to learn more about which oils you should use to target specific beard-related issues.
Which essential oils are the most beneficial to beards?
To look your best this spring and summer, it is important to keep the hair in your beard moisturized and shiny. However, it is also pertinent not to forget the skin that lies underneath. Likewise, your lips are the centerpiece between your fabulous mustache and beard and need extra care too.
To cover all your bases, here are some of the essential oils you will need.
Tea Tree oil- Tea tree oil contains antiviral and antibacterial properties. When used in limited amounts, it is also useful at treating acne and psoriasis.
Lavender oil- Lavender oil is probably most easily recognized for its pleasant fragrance. However, it is also useful at soothing nerves and easing stress. Naturally, a relaxed body has an easier time allowing your beard to grow.
Sandalwood oil- In addition to halting hair loss, Sandalwood oil has great anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, it can be used to treat wounds and ward off infection.
Peppermint oil- Alongside lavender oil, peppermint oil is known as one of the most effective essential oils. Furthermore, it adds a cool soothing sensation to the skin or hair and freshens bad breath.
Eucalyptus oil- Eucalyptus oil is moisturizing and works efficiently as a cleanser, to degrease and get rid of daily grime. In addition, it works as a healing agent against minor cuts and scrapes.
Which products best utilize these oils?
To take advantage of the tea tree oil and lavender scent, Zeus Natural Tea Tree Beard Oil ($25) is great at reducing itch and leaving your beard shiny. Likewise, Zeus Organic Lip Balm (4-pack / $14) utilizes a combination of peppermint and eucalyptus oils to leave your lips comfortably moisturized and free of cracks.
However, it is important to note that using essential oils, outside of products that already specifically mix them, can be dangerous. For instance, some may be too strong without being diluted. This brings up the importance of carrier oils.
Why should you combine carrier oils and resins with essential oils?
Carrier oils are typically vegetable oils that act as a base. Different than an essential oil, carrier oils derive from the fatty part of the plant, like the seeds or nuts. Since essential oils can be pretty powerful, carrier oils are often added to dilute the potent properties and make them suitable for the skin.
Likewise, certain resins also work well as bases for your essential oil. Mutually beneficial, the oils help resins powdery texture become more useful and accessible in cosmetic products.
Grape Seed oil- Grape seed oil is a perfect base to add to essential oils targeting acne and other skin imperfections. Its anti-inflammatory and astringent properties reduce redness and repair and firm skin.
Safflower oil- Safflower oil does not allow moisture to escape from your beard or skin. In fact, it locks it into place while simultaneously reducing itchiness.
Argan oil- Rich in vitamin A and E, argan oil softens hair and adds luster. It also helps to treat split ends and tame curly or frizzy hair.
Aloe Vera oil- Aloe vera is commonly recognized as the sunburn treatment, which makes it great for the hotter seasons. However, aloe vera's benefits range from fighting off dandruff to reversing the effects of aging.
Dragon's Blood- On its own, the Dragon's Blood palm is not oily enough to produce an essential oil. However, that doesn't negate the importance of the red resin. When mixed with essential oils, Dragon's Blood has many moisturizing properties that calm the hair follicles and prevent irritation.
Which products best utilize these oils?
Products like Zeus Beard Oil ($25), combine safflower seed, grape seed, and argan oils to offer the most natural and healthy beard care solution. However, before using beard oil, it is essential to improve your shower game. Using the Zeus Beard Shampoo and Conditioner set ($34) will expose you to aloe vera oil and Dragon's Blood to leave your skin and hair thoroughly cleaned and fortified.
Why is this important as summer approaches and the weather is warming up?
When it comes to the hotter months, your hair is prone to more sun damage and dryness. In addition, it's more likely the warm weather will push you outside more. While fun, this exposes you to more dirt and environmental irritants. Moreover, added sweat from spring and summer activities also present the problem of too much oil leading to acne and itchiness.
While it might seem counterintuitive to fight an increase of sweat with more oil, the combination of essential and carrier oils are specifically treated to target these issues. Furthermore, their tightening properties help balance out the oily factor.
Naturally, after reading all of the benefits above, you're probably already hooked. However, you don't have to take our word for it. Because, after you add these moisturizing oils to your collection, your positive beard results will have you wondering why you didn't try it sooner.
