Keep your beard conditioned
More than being just a fashion statement, growing a beard can have a number of benefits, according to research conducted by the University of Southern Queensland. They found that a beard can block up to 95 per cent of the sun’s damaging UV rays, thus reducing the risk of skin cancer in the area on …
More than being just a fashion statement, growing a beard can have a number of benefits, according to research conducted by the University of Southern Queensland.
They found that a beard can block up to 95 per cent of the sun’s damaging UV rays, thus reducing the risk of skin cancer in the area on the face.
The research also found a beard can catch dust and pollen and act as a filter to keep allergens out of the nose and respiratory system, helping those who suffer from hay fever and allergies.
However, if you want your beard to work for you, you need to give it the best treatment possible to keep the skin and hair follicles well nourished and the hair in good condition.
The earliest record of beard oil being used dates to ancient Mesopotamia (Babylon), where a beard oil made from sesame seeds is thought to have been popular as part of a culture that revered facial hair.
Long, thick, luxurious beards were the norm for all ancient cultures in Mesopotamia.
Not only was facial hair commonplace, but it was also intricately styled.
The meticulous work that went into styling the beard with tongs and curlers would take its toll on the hair if there was no beard oil for men practising this style of grooming and their facial hair would be damaged.
Sesame seed oil is thought to have been the key oil available in the area.
This base moisturises, kills lice, fights and repairs the damage.
Beard oils also found favour with the Ancient Greeks and Romans who had their own developments and used the oils for two different reasons.
The Greeks cherished their beards as a sign of manhood and, some sources say, once a boy began to grow facial hair, he was no longer allowed to cut his hair until his beard had grown, as a tribute to Apollo, the sun god.
While the Greeks are known for their olive oil, it was castor oil they turned to in order to keep their beards in good condition.
The Romans, who were traditionally clean-shaven, used beard oil to condition the skin before shaving.
A boy’s first shave was a special event for the entire family which was ritualised as a religious ceremony.
Young boys would rub olive oil into their facial hair as it began to grow, hoping for a thicker, nicer beard come their first-shave ceremony.
Over the centuries, beard oils have been designed, using different carrier oils and essential oils, to offer a host of benefits and scents.
Some of these and their benefits are listed below, as given to the Addie by local beard oil and soap producer Andrew Geral, to help you select the right mixture for you when purchasing a beard oil.
Carrier oils:
• Castor oil – Castor oil has the ability to penetrate deep into the hair follicles and nourish it. It also helps hair look smooth, healthy, and silky, and it also works as a hair conditioner. Ricinoleic acid, the main fatty acid found in castor oil, has impressive anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown that when castor oil is applied topically, it reduces inflammation and relieves pain. It also fights fungus and reduces acne.
• Hemp seed oil – A moisturising oil that prevents facial hair from becoming brittle.
• Sweet almond oil – This oil is known for its exceptional benefits to the skin. While it softens and conditions the hair, its true benefits lie in helping maintain the health of the skin beneath the beard, which Andrew says “is, in reality, the foundation of the beard”. Andrew comments that he has had customers with nut allergies use his oils containing sweet almond oil without having adverse reactions.
• Grape seed oil – This oil has been found to have a high concentration of linoleic acid which has anti-inflammatory, acne reductive and moisture retentive properties when used on the skin. Andrew comments: “Grape seed is very mellow on the skin and won’t clog the pores or lead to breakouts.” It has been noted for its healing effects on dry and damaged hair. Andrew recommends this option if you are looking to avoid the greasy feeling often associated with heavier carrier oils.
• Apricot kernel oil – This oil is rapidly absorbed by the skin and relieves itching and heals dry and chapped skin. It also may reduce wrinkles. Apricot kernel oil adds shine and penetrates deeply to soften and strengthen the hair.
• Argan oil – This is said to be one of the best oils for your hair as it conditions and softens the hair. It is also used to treat acne and flaky skin.
Essential oils:
• Tea Tree – “Tea tree is magical and does so many great things,” says Andrew. This oil has antiviral, antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-infection and antifungal properties. It can unclog the hair follicles to boost the immune system. It saturates your beard hair which prevents from parasitic and bacterial contamination. Tea tree oil will purify your beard from pollution and make the beard hair soft and delicate.
• Pine – Pine oil is used often for the smell alone in a variety of cosmetics and is also primarily used in the treatment of a range of skin conditions, including psoriasis, itching and breakouts.
• Lemon – Lemon is known for its ability to remove toxins from any part of the body, including the skin and hair. It is a known treatment for acne and seborrhoea (the excessive discharge of sebum from the sebaceous glands).
• Peppermint – A peppermint beard oil has a number of great properties, including preventing dandruff and moisturising the skin beneath your beard. It gives your whiskers a feel-good, cooling sensation and a refreshing smell. Peppermint beard oil increases blood flow to your hair follicles. This brings more nutrients to your beard and results in growth that’s healthier and fuller, and perhaps more important, faster.
• Clove – With a spicy scent, clove can help fight bacterial or fungal infections, and some people also claim that it can help fight wrinkles. It’s also a common ingredient in natural insect repellents, as the smell helps to render you invisible to biting insects like mosquitoes and gnats.
• Cedarwood – This oil contains the greatest concentration (among commonly used beard oil ingredients) of sesquiterpenes, a terpene which helps release toxins from the body and increase circulation. It also has antiseptic, antibacterial, astringent and anti-fungal properties and is a natural insect repellent. In aromatherapy, it is used for its calming effect.
* Historical information taken from numerous sources, primarily www.gentlemansfoundry.com
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