Can beard oil cause acne? Growing a long and bushy beard is just the first step. You need to take proper care of your beard otherwise it will do more harm than good to your appearance. An important part of the beard care routine is beard oil.
However, there is a growing concern in the beard community that extensive use of beard oils is bad for your skin. So, can beard oil cause acne and other dermatological problems? Read on to find out.
Do beard oils cause acne?
I hate to be that guy but the answer is ‘it depends’. We’re going to have a look at multiple factors that can cause acne breakouts.
- What is the beard oil made of?
- What other skincare and beard products do you use?
- What skin type do you have? What is your hygiene?
- And rather surprisingly, what are your dietary habits?
However, it will be difficult to come to a firm conclusion even upon addressing all of these questions. Every person is different.
Use the guidelines from this article but make the final decision based on your own experience.
Skin types
Our skin is the biggest and one of the most complex organs of our body. It is constantly exposed to negative environmental effects like cold, heat, dirt, bacteria, and damage. So it’s gotta be very resistant. At the same time, it is very delicate and sensitive to any changes in our organism.
This is why it is important to consult a dermatologist if you have acne-prone skin. Frequent acne breakouts might be an indicator of more serious health problems.
With that being said let’s look at different skin types.
Oily skin
To protect the skin from exposure to harmful effects, our body secretes oil. It’s our natural defense mechanism. However, too much of a good thing is bad, and sometimes overproduction of oil can lead to acne.
Oily skin, especially skin underneath our facial hair, might become a positive environment for various micro-organisms. The bacteria can cause skin inflammation and beard dandruff. That’s why looking for anti-bacterial and anti-inflammation beard oil is important.
Jojoba and argan oils have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Besides they have a soothing effect and can reduce itching.
The excess oils and dead skin cells often clog the pores on our skin. Clogged pores and hair follicles are one of the major causes of acne.
Some people might advise using alcohol to remove the excess oil. However, will produce the opposite effect. Alcohol is a pretty toxic substance that dries and puts stress on the skin. That’s why if you regularly rub alcohol into your skin your body will produce even more oil to protect itself.
Dry skin
Dry skin needs to be moisturized. This is true for other types as well, especially if you live in a dry climate.
Some beard oils contain essential oils with great moisturizing properties. These oils are coconut oil, argan oil, and shea butter. Sweet almond oil will also soften your beard as well as moisturize the skin.
Make sure to apply beard oil onto the skin beneath the hair as well for maximum moisturizing effect.
Acne-prone skin
If you have sensitive skin that is prone to acne, picking a beard oil will be especially difficult.
The rule of thumb would be to look for a beard oil with a low comedogenic rating. What is the comedogenic rating? It is a scale from zero to six that tells what is the chance that certain beard oil can lead to acne. Zero means that this beard oil is highly unlikely to cause breakouts, and five signifies that likelihood of acne is pretty high.
Most beard oil brands have this information on the package.
Checking out the ingredients is generally a good idea. Try to avoid beard oil brands with vitamin E oil and alcohol in them. They dry the skin out and cause natural oil secretion. This combination is a sure way to clog pores.
Best beard oil components
When we’re talking about the best beard oil components it is important to clarify that there are no products that are perfect for everyone.
Again you have to always consider specific traits of your skin and your organism. Besides, most components might have some adverse effects as well as cause allergic reactions in some rare cases.
Below, I’ve listed components that suit most types of skin and have almost no side effects. (I added ‘almost no side effects’ here because there are always segments of the population who might have allergic reactions to some components).
Every beard oil is made up of two kinds of oils: carrier oils and essential oil.
Jojoba oil
Jojoba oil is one of the best carrier oils out there. It never causes acne and has an outstanding moisturizing effect.
Argan oil
A high-quality beard oil should have argan oil in it. It is great at fighting most microorganisms (including microscopic fungi) that can settle on your skin and under your facial hair.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is the only essential oil on this list. Partly because it is that good, and partly because there are just too many great essential oils. I would need to write another article to describe all of them, and this one is getting quite long already.
This oil has numerous health benefits. It soothes the skin, prevents inflammation, and even promotes hair growth.
Additional advice
As I mentioned, beard oil alone cannot lead to acne. If you tried out multiple oils and these nasty whiteheads and pimples still bedevil you, the problem should lie elsewhere.
Skincare routine
Set a proper skincare routine. Wash your face carefully so as not to damage it and then gently pat it dry. Washing your neck every day is also extremely important. Nasty bacteria can easily migrate on your face.
Try applying beard oil at the same time every day. This way your skin will be able to accommodate better.
Pillowcase
Change your pillowcase regularly, at least twice a week. After a week your pillowcase becomes a great incubator for all sorts of nasty microbial life forms that feed on dead skin cells, oils, and saliva. Gross!
Conclusion
Can beard oil cause acne? Not really. Most beard oils are totally harmless. However, if you have sensitive skin the oil can clog pores and increase the possibility of a breakout. To avoid clogged pores pick a beard oil and a beard balm with a low comedogenic score.
If, on the other hand, you are not prone to acne you have more wiggle room. Some oils moisturize, increase hair growth, or make your beard more time. Pick the one that suits your needs best!
FAQ
Does using beard oil cause pimples?
It might. There are numerous factors to take into consideration. What beard oil you’re using? What skin type do you have? What is your skincare routine? And even, what is in your diet?
Should you use beard oil if you have acne?
If you’re prone to acne you need to be extra cautious with all skincare products. Beard oil is not an exception. Look for a beard oil with a low comedogenic score, preferably zero or one. These beard oils are less likely to clog pores of your skin.
At the same time, you must monitor your condition. Every individual is different. If you notice that your acne has gotten worse after a couple of weeks of using a particular brand, pick a different product.
How do you prevent beard oil from acne?
Beard oil alone is not likely to cause acne. If you have sensitive skin selecting a beard oil with a lower comedogenic rating might be a good idea.
However, picking a proper beard oil is just the first step. You also need to maintain good hygiene. That includes washing your face and neck at least twice a day, moisturizing your skin, and changing your pillowcase a couple of times a week.
Which beard oil does not cause acne?
Beard oils with low a comedogenic rating are less likely to cause acne. The perfect product should contain essential oils, good moisturizers (almond oil), and essential oils with antimicrobial and soothing properties (argan oil, tea tree oil).