We know it takes a lot to grow a glorious scene-stealing beard.
Among a plethora of different beard care products, beard oil has a central place. It is your primary arsenal against hair damage, dry and brittle hair as well as dandruff and itch.
However, when it comes to choosing a beard oil, you can find a number of options. These options come in a narrow price range and have almost the same ingredients.
Most brands are using different combinations of essential and carrier oils, but the base composition remains the same.
I hate to break it to you that most beard oils are also almost identical when it comes to effectiveness, usage, and user-friendliness. You can literally swap one for the other and you would not notice a difference.
So, what else we can ask from a beard oil?. A good warm scent that is not overpowering can be a good point to start.
Therefore, you should be most concerned about your own personal liking or that of your loved ones. You can also make sure that the smell is not too strong to annoy people around you and not too subtle to go unnoticed.
We have spent quite a few hours looking for some of the best scents beard oils have to offer. Stay with us as we put on display our picks.
Table: Comparing 10 Best Smelling Beard Oils and Their Main Ingredients
Our table enlists our picks and their dominant scents to help you decide.
We have also ensured that they contain natural ingredients that are good for your beard. After all, the ingredients have to do the main job of nourishing and hydrating your hair.
We will be describing these products in more detail and layout their scents as plainly as possible to help you make a good choice.
Beard Oil | Scent | Main Ingredients | |
---|---|---|---|
Fruity | Shea butter, Beeswax | ||
Citrusy | Apricot oil, Argan oil | ||
Cedar/Woodsy | Grapeseed oil, jojoba oil | ||
Vanilla cigar | Tea Tree Oil, Pure Apricot Oil | ||
Woody | Argan and Jojoba oils | ||
Light Musk | Hemp seed and Argan oils | ||
Bay Rum | Tea Tree Oil, Aloe Vera | ||
Light Citrusy | Kalahari Melon Oil | ||
Sandalwood | Argan and Jojoba oils | ||
Sandalwood | Jojoba oil and Oakmoss |
1. Bossman Beard Oil – A Subtle Manly Scent to Make People Admire You
Let me break it to you, the first product we have at hand for best smelling beard oil is beard jelly. This may sound a bit counterintuitive but the product is too good to leave out just on that basis.
It is a mixture of beard oil and a beard balm. Therefore, the consistency you get is a semi-solid conditioner-like goop. This makes it easy to apply and stays on much longer than standard beard oil.
Bossman Beard Jelly comes in five different scents including an unscented one. The other four include Magic, Stagecoach, Hammer, and Gold. All of them smell irresistibly good, but we for the moment will be reviewing Magic scent. This, I believe, is the best of the lot and the company touts it as their “original” scent
When it comes to the scent of grooming products, it is a subjective matter. You can perceive a scent differently than your friend. So, don’t get after me if it does not smell like I describe it. However, I will do my best to describe it as plainly as possible.
Bossman Magic has a fruity but manly scent. It is a bit more rugged than other scents of Bossman. However, the best thing about this is that it is subtle and lasts longer than most beard oils. It is not overwhelmingly strong to be annoying, yet manly and noticeable.
When it comes to ingredients, it is shea butter-based and this makes it an excellent moisturizer for your beard. It additionally has cocoa butter, beeswax, and other lighter oils. Shea butter provides lasting hydration and conditioning. The inclusion of beeswax gives it an extra hold which makes this product stand out from other beard oils.
- A mixture of beard oil and beard wax
- Provides good hold
- A subtle manly scent
- A good moisturizer
- Natural ingredients
- Does not absorb much and gives an oily/heavy impression
2. Badass Beard Care Beard Oil – Send Your Lady Wild In Ecstasy With This One
You may kill for your beard, but the fact that it has to be royally good to be loved by others remains true to this day. Believe me, your lady does not like the smell of what you ate at lunch. Therefore, get your beard grooming kit right and add something that makes all of your caring worth it.
Started by bearded veterans, Badass Beard Care produces a whole range of beard care products. However, the beard oil we have at hand is their best-selling product to this day. This USA-made all-natural beard oil takes the lead with its manly citrusy smell which is of medium to light strength. It is a kind of sweet lemon smell that is not too overpowering.
When it comes to ingredients, this oil has utilized a number of natural oils including apricot oil, argan oil, and pure vitamin E oil among others. Apricot oil, in essence, contains oleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid, a natural emollient, and this makes the hair softer and more supple.
Argan oil, on the other hand, is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids. Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant and promotes healthy hair growth. Therefore, with its natural oils, you can expect to get softer and healthier hair growth.
Among others, it also contains rosemary oil, which promotes blood circulation and is a natural anti-inflammatory. This makes sure that your beard remains dandruff and itch-free.
Another good thing which I am sure you will like about this beard oil is its ability to absorb quickly. Therefore, you do not have to worry about the oily or starchy impression of your beard.
- Sweet citrusy smell
- All-natural ingredients
- Absorbs quickly
- Promotes healthy hair growth
- Reduces itch and dandruff
- A bit pricey
- Only one container size
3. Wild Willies Beard Oil – A Fine Woodsy Scent with a Punch of Natural Oils
There are many things to like about Wild Willies Beard Oil, but one thing that will leave you convinced to its user-friendliness is its easy-to-use pump top. This pump top ensures that you get as much oil as you need. Therefore, there will be no spillage or wastage, cool, isn’t it?
When it comes to ingredients, it can match any of the big kahunas. It is enriched with as many as 10 plus natural and organic ingredients. These include grape seed oil, castor seed oil, argan oil, jojoba seed oil, and vitamin E among others. The company claims for all ingredients to be GMO-free.
All of its ingredients help hair in a unique way. For example, argan oil is a good natural conditioner. In addition, argan oil has smaller molecules than most natural oils. This makes them penetrate the hair pores easily and this increases its effectiveness. In addition, it is rich in antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress and free radicals which can damage the hair follicles. All in all, argan oil is one of the best things you can do for your hair be it facial hair or your scalp hair.
Talking about other ingredients, the jojoba seed oil is rich in vitamins and nutrients. It is rich in vitamin B, C, and E and is also a source of micronutrients like zinc and copper. Studies show that deficiency of zinc is one of the common causes of hair loss
What else makes this beard oil a jackpot of ingredients is the presence of vitamin E oil. Vitamin E is gaining popularity on many different fronts. One of its key attributes is being antioxidant and anti-aging. For hair, it delays the greying of hair and stimulates hair growth. This oil, on the whole, hits the mark on so many levels that it leaves little to desire.
As talked about earlier, scents are subjective and there is no universal smell liked by all. What Wild Willies has done well is that it has scented this beard oil subtly. It is a manly woodsy scent that is not too overwhelming. But, here’s the kicker, it does not last that long. Therefore, do not expect to be with you for a whole day.
The quality ingredients and affordable price make this beard oil one of my personal favorites.
- Natural and organic ingredients
- Affordable price
- Easy-to-use pump top
- Lightly woodsy smell
- The scent does not last long
4. Grave Before Shave Cigar Blend Beard Oil – A Sweet Vanilla Cigar Scent to Get You Noticed
Let me clear one thing right off the bat, this oil does not smell anything like cigar smoke or second-hand smoke. It basically smells like an unlit cigar. Therefore, don’t get intimidated by that. It is a sweet vanilla kind of smell, which is not overpowering, but still strong enough to get you noticed.
In terms of consistency, you will like it for the fact that it is not as thick as some of its competitors. This makes it absorb quickly and does not give your beard an oily/heavy look.
For its ingredients, it is rich in natural oils like tea tree oil, pure apricot oil, and sweet almond oil among others. The tea tree is famous for its anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties. This makes a potent solution for dandruff and an itchy beard. In addition, it is a natural cleanser and it clears the buildup of excess oils. It relieves hair follicles of any clogs and makes them breathe again.
In addition, Grave Before Shave (GBS) also contains sweet almond oil which is essentially a multivitamin. This makes it promote hair growth. Among vitamins, it contains vitamin E which is a natural anti-oxidant and it helps repair damaged hair.
One of the noticeable ingredients is aloe vera, which we do not usually see in beard oils. However, nobody can deny its effectiveness as a moisturizer and conditioner. Aloe vera is among few exceptions among moisturizers that soften your skin and hair without clogging your follicles/pores. This makes this oil a good remedy for dry and brittle hair.
- Absorbs quickly
- Sweet vanilla cigar scent
- Reduces dandruff and itch
- Natural ingredients
- Aloe vera conditions the beard
- The consistency is too thin for an oil
5. Cremo Beard Oil Forest Blend – A Light Woody Scent to Sweep You Up in Euphoria
Cremo is one of the well-known names of the men’s grooming industry. They produce a wide variety of products including shaving creams, aftershaves, and body washes, and even colognes. When it comes to beard, they restrict themselves to mostly beard oils and beard washes.
Their beard oil which makes our list is the right combination of performance and price. You basically get a bottle of 1 oz for around $6.50 which is a good value. When it comes to performance, it can compete with the big giants of the market.
For ingredients, it includes a number of natural oils including avocado oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, argan oil, and rosemary oil. In addition, it also contains vitamin E which is a good ingredient to have in your hair products.
Avocado oil is rich in oleic acid and saturated fats. This helps moisturize the hair. In addition, avocado oil can actually penetrate your hair rather than just coating it and its fats help prevent hair breakage.
Argan oil which is one of its main ingredients is rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids. These help fight oxidative stress and prevents dullness and greying of the hair. Moreover, its regular use can restore hair shine and increase its elasticity.
Jojoba oil is essentially a natural multivitamin for hair as it contains vitamins B, C, and E. In addition, it is rich in micronutrients like zinc and copper. Zinc is essential for the growth and repair of your hair and nail tissue. Copper, on the other hand, helps prevent inflammation and increases hair sizes.
All in all, it has a good blend of natural ingredients to make your shin and grow.
If you are wondering about its scent, it does have a woody smell but not like the company claims to be foresty good, but more like a freshly cut 2 x 4. In addition, it is light and does not last that long and you probably would not even notice it if you are wearing strong cologne.
- Good price point
- Lightly woody smell
- Chemical-free ingredients
- The scent does not last long
6. Mane Tame Beard Oil – A Scent To Make You Stand Out From the Crowd
I am sure you too like companies who give user-friendliness due consideration. At this time, most beard oils come in dropper bottles or you just have to pour the oil onto your palm.
We know that it is not the best use of resources. This can lead to wastage and needing to use an undesired amount on your beard. Mane Tame Beard Oil comes in a pump bottle that allows you to spray as much as you can without wasting a bit.
However, the main purpose of beard oil is to provide your beard with the much-needed hydration and nutrients. Does this beard oil serve that purpose? a big yes. It is enriched with organic hemp seed and argan oils.
So, this is basically not an oil where you get a dozen of ingredients and none of them added enough to make an impact. It is a simple product with just a couple of potent ingredients.
Hemp seed is said to be rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. They are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are known to stimulate hair growth. Fatty acids are also said to prevent hyperkeratinization of hair follicles which can lead to clogging of hair follicles and hair loss.
Argan oil, as we know by now, is a popular natural oil in beard oils. It is rich in antioxidants and vitamin E and this can help repair damaged hair. In addition, it is a potent UV protector and this can protect your hair against the harmful effects of direct sunlight. Moreover, as it is rich in vitamins and other nutrients, it will make your hair softer and shinier.
Among many things, this beard oil is free of preservatives like parabens and sulfates. Although these are mostly found in skincare products, it is still better to avoid them in hair products too. Parabens are known as xenoestrogens and these lead to increased estrogen in the body which can regress hair growth.
When it comes to scent, this beard oil is essentially a beard oil cologne. This is because it has a fresh soapy plus light musk cologne scent. You will also like it for the fact that this scent lasts more than most beard oil scents would. All in all, this scent is different from what you would get in most beard oils.
- Easy to use pump top
- Free of chemicals
- Relieves dandruff
- Has a good nutritional value
- Excellent price point
- Glass bottle requires careful handling
7. Grave Before Shave Beard Oil Bay Rum Scent – Get a Taste of Tradition With a Hint of Innovation
Bay rum scent is well-liked by men across. However, it has traditionally been used only in colognes and aftershaves. What if you do not shave and do not wear colognes for whatever reason, but you still fancy bay rum scent.
Worry no more, Grave Before Shave has come up with beard oil that has a bay rum scent. This by far is the sweetest scent on our list. It smells so sweet, you would like to drink it.
In addition, the coconutty afternotes can send anybody into a euphoria.
If you are a mindful value buyer, you will love it for the fact that it comes in a 4-oz bottle. This is four times the amount you get in most beards oils. What else makes this a mouthwatering bargain is its price. The price is well justified for the quality and quantity it has to offer.
When it comes to ingredients, it contains the same ingredients as the Cigar Blend discussed earlier. These include tea tree oil, pure apricot oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E, and aloe vera among some essential oils.
What makes this oil stands out for me is the presence of aloe vera which is a natural moisturizer and provides hydration. It is good for both skin and hair as it conditions the skin and relieves dandruff and itch.
- Innovative bay rum scent for a beard oil
- 4-oz bottle provides good value
- Conditions the skin and relieves dandruff
- Does not absorb well
8. Jack Black Beard Oil – A Premium Product That Leaves Nothing to Desire
When it comes to Jack Black Beard Oil, I believe, the scent is not going to be the deciding factor in this product. The scent would not either make you buy or not buy it. This is because it has a light citrusy smell that is subtle and not overpowering. It would not annoy your close ones.
The scent is ok, but what makes us list this product in the best-scented beard oils is its overall quality.
Nowadays, it seems like everybody is making beard oil. If you are a user, you probably can count a dozen on your fingertips. They are so similar in everything from ingredients to packaging and bottle sizes that you probably do not care which one you are using.
However, Jack Black Beard Oil is not your ordinary beard oil. It comes ahead of the pack on so many points that you would lose count.
To start off, it is cruelty-free and is vegan. Most beard oils are dubious about these aspects. I am an animal advocate, so I also love it for the fact that it is cruelty-free, and I am sure you will too.
When it comes to ingredients, it leaves most of its competitors leagues behind. It contains certified organic products and the oil itself has been tested by dermatologists. Additionally, it is hypoallergenic which makes it suitable even if you have skin sensitivity.
This beard oil takes pride in containing Kalahari melon oil which is rich in fatty acids and rich palmitic and oleic acids. This makes it a potent emollient for dry hair and it helps repair damaged hair. Additionally, this oil is non-comedogenic which means that it does not clog skin pores to cause acne.
Another worthy ingredient is vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant and reduces oxidative stress and minimizes its damaging effects on hair.
One feature I cannot control myself mentioning is its silky consistency. This helps it absorb quickly and does not leave an oily impression as some heavy oils can.
You might have traveled with your beard oil well-secured, but when you open it is spilled all over the place. Jack Black beard oil takes user-friendliness to a new level by giving a bottle top that you can twist to lock. Thus, you can travel without worrying about its spillage.
- Certified organic ingredients
- Light citrusy smell
- A good emollient for dry and brittle hair
- Softens the hair
- Twist to lock top
- Price is on the higher side
9. Kentucky 51 Beard Oil – Good Enough Scent to Make You A Human Magnet
We are in the lower half of our list of best manly-smelling beard oils. The next one on our list has a scent that is soft and creamy and at the same time warm and manly. The best thing about Kentucky 51 Beard Oil is that its scent stays far longer than most beard oils. It can stay with you for even up to a whole day, which is cool.
You would be glad to know that it is an American handmade product that uses natural ingredients. It is easy to apply and as it has mostly natural ingredients it is safe to use and non-irritating.
Among its ingredients include apricot kernel oil which is a carrier oil. The good thing about this carrier oil is that it is safe for all skin types. It is rich in nourishing vitamins, especially vitamin A. This basically strengthens your hair to reduce breakage.
This beard oil also includes argan oil which is rich in vitamin E, antioxidants, and fatty acids. We have talked about some in the earlier reviews on who it fights free radicals and improves the overall health of your hair. Argan oil is also a popular ingredient in anti-aging formulations, so it delays the greying of the hair.
As it is high in fatty acids, it will make your beard soft and healthy. In addition, with its ability to retain moisture, it will moisturize and hydrate your skin and hair. It will give your hair a good shine and will keep your skin from flaking.
- Economical for quantity
- Sweet sandalwood scent with patchouli afternotes
- Rich in nutrients and antioxidants
- Absorbs quickly
- Conditions and softens the beard
- Scent lasts longer
- Some people find smell different than stated
10. St Pierre’s Sandalwood Beard Oil – An Economical Beard Oil With Refined Scent
We are on the last entry for our best beard oil scents, however, consider this one no less than any of the entries above. This oil has a combination of sandalwood and oakmoss notes and this makes it a manly yet classy scent.
The second thing which I am sure will notice about this oil, after the scent, of course, is its consistency. The consistency is just about ideal for beard oil for my liking. It is not too thin and not thick either. This ensures easy application and quick distribution.
In terms of its effectiveness, with apricot kernel oil and jojoba oil, it is essentially a moisturizer. Jojoba oil is also rich in vitamins and micronutrients. Apricot kernel oil, on the other hand, is a natural emollient and works to hydrate and moisturize our skin and hair. This will leave your beard soft and itch-free.
- Economical
- Softens and moisturizes the hair
- Consistency is not too thin nor too thick
- A clean manly sandalwood scent
- Relieves itching
- Scent overall gets mixed reviews
Buyer’s Guide for Best Smelling Beard Oil 2019 - Things to Look Out For or Avoid
We are not here to tell you what we like, but to educate you to make a well-informed decision. Let's get back to basics and see what you should be looking for or avoiding in beard oils.
When going for beard oil, there are quite a few things to consider besides its smell. In fact, you should take smell into the equation after you have contemplated some of the following important factors. After all, these are ingredients that do all the work and a good smell is the icing on the cake.
Essential Oils - Vital for Overall Function of Beard Oil
Essential oils, in essence, are compounds drawn from plants.
These oils are thought to have the “essence” of plants with all of their characteristics including scent and flavor.
Some of the common essential oils include tea tree oil, sandalwood, lemon, lavender, and peppermint among others.
Essential oils are good at reducing inflammation. They have also antibacterial and antifungal properties. These make them a potent solution for conditions such as dandruff, folliculitis, and scalp psoriasis when we talk about hair conditions specifically.
Different beard oils use these essential oils. These can also impart their fragrances to the beard oil if the company does not neutralize them or add some other dominant scents.
Therefore, keep a lookout for these ingredients in your beard oil especially when you have some condition like dandruff going on.
Carrier Oils - Rich In Nutrients and Moistrizures
Carrier oils are also extracted from different plants. As said earlier, they are used to dilute the essential oils and this helps them function. This is why they are carrier oils.
Some of the famous carrier oils are coconut oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, and rosehip oil.
Carrier oils are generally rich in nutrients and moisturizes. Therefore, they are generally used to nourish and hydrate the hairs.
Some of them also have antioxidants which can help reduce free radicles and their damaging effects on hairs and hair follicles.
Most beard oils use a variety of carrier oils and have good nutritional value for hair.
Scented Vs Unscented Beard Oils
This is a debate that bothers most beard oil users. Even the companies are undecided on this one. This is why they are producing an unscented version with a couple of scented options for the same beard oil.
So, what is to this debate, let's explore.
The scent of beard oil can represent its ingredients or is an additionally added fragrance. The scent works by creating an aura around you and we know through aromatherapy that it can improve the health of the body, mind, and spirit.
However, the effects of a specific scent are highly personalized.
Unscented beard oils, on the other hand, have no discrete smell.
People may choose an unscented beard oil for a variety of reasons. These include sensitivity to a certain smell or a variety of smells. Some people also use unscented beard oils because they do not want them to overpower their cologne or perfume. Moreover, some people may use unscented beard oils because they do not want to annoy other people.
Thus, it again is a personalized choice to use unscented beard oil.
User-Friendliness - How Easy It is To Use It
We basically want a beard oil that is easy to apply, spreads evenly, and soaks quickly.
These attributes mostly depend on the texture of the oil. Therefore, you do not want an oil that is too thin or too thick.
Another aspect of user-friendliness is the cap of the bottle. Most beard oils come with a dropper cap which ensures easy application. However, some are coming with a pump top which also is equally convenient.
Price - Decide Is it Justified
When it comes to the price of beard oils you will find them in a narrow range. They are usually from $5 to around $30 for 1-2 ounce bottles.
The factors we described above including quality ingredients, user-friendliness, and scent determine the price of any beard oil. It is up to you to decide if the price is justified.
If you feel $25 for a 1-oz bottle is justified because of its effectiveness, go for it. On the other hand, if you feel a 4-oz bottle at $15 does not add any meaningful value except quantity, then avoid it.
Which Scent to Go With - Be Clever About It
If you have decided to go with scented beard oil, the next question is which scent to go with.
We are no one to decide this for you, it is your personal liking. We can only tell you some attributes you need to look for or avoid.
For example, you should avoid a smell that is too overpowering. This can annoy you and the people around you. Additionally, it can mute your personal cologne or perfume if you are wearing one.
In addition, you need to go for scents that are masculine. Some of these scents include citrus, musk, clean, spicey, earthy and woodsy fragrances.
You can also look for some aphrodisiac scents as they are proven to attract the opposite sex. Some of these scents include lavender, jasmine, sandalwood, and peppermint.
Above are some of the features you need to look for in scented beard oils. Be clever about it and mindful of what you are buying.
FAQs about Best Smelling Beard Oils
Conclusion - Wrapping it Up
Scented beard oils are popular in men and their ladies alike.
We have listed some of the best smelling beard oils you can get your hands on. They contain scents that are known for their subtility and aroma. We have additionally paid due consideration to their ingredients as they are after all which make beard oil effective.
Lastly, if you are still undecided, go through our buyer’s guide, which I am sure will help you decide.
That's all from me for now.