Best Beard Oils for Dry Skin, Dandruff and Itch

Beardruff. It’s the beard’s equivalent to scalp dandruff. Ask any guy with a beard and he’ll likely tell you that he’s been there before.

Beardruff is caused by a shortage of the skin’s natural oils called sebum which is produced in the sebaceous glands and is responsible for keeping our skin and hair nourished and hydrated.

While most men’s sebaceous glands pump out sebum like an engine, beard growers unfortunately tend to get the shit end of the stick when it comes to sebum production.

The problem is that our sebaceous glands, as efficient as they are, have a hard time keeping up with the needs of continuous beard growth. They do a great job when we keep our facial hair trimmed short or clean shaven, but as facial hair gets longer – shit begins to hit the fan.

Since longer beard hair requires more sebum to stay nourished and hydrated, our sebaceous glands struggle to produce enough sebum to satisfy the needs of both the beard and the skin. This eventually leads to not only a dry, brittle beard, but also dry skin and flakes (beardruff).

In a hurry? Skip Ahead to the list of best beard oils for dry skin, dandruff, and itch

How to put a Stop to Dry Skin and Beardruff

Now that you know the cause of dry skin and beardruff, you may be wondering what you can do to stop it.

While there are tons of anti-dandruff shampoos and treatments on the market such as Head & Shoulders and Nizoral – they are full of chemicals and ingredients that make them only suitable for use on the scalp.

Now you be be thinking to yourself: fuck it, I’m going to use one anyway. Truth is I wouldn’t blame you. Most men who struggle with beard dandruff have considered using an anti-dandruff shampoo on their beard at one point of another.

But before you start lathering up your beard with a bottle of Head & Shoulders shampoo, I want to point out that it likely won’t do you any good. In fact it’ll probably irritate the sensitive skin on your face and ultimately make the problem worse.

You have to understand that the skin on your face is vastly different than the skin on your scalp.

Check out my list of best beard washes for beard dandruff

Did you know that the skin on the scalp is by far the thickest on the human body? Measuring as thick as 8mm in some areas. By comparison, the skin on our face measures in at roughly 1.51mm and as thin as 0.5mm in some spots.

With that information in mind, it’s no wonder why anti-dandruff treatments should only be limited to use on the thick, tough skin of the scalp and not the face or beard.

Beard Oil

Aside from completely shaving off your beard (screw that), one of the most effective solutions for treating beard dandruff and dry skin is by using a simple, multi-purpose beard oil.

Beard oil offers a variety of benefits including:

• Softens beard hair
• Eliminates beard itch
• Nourishes and hydrates beard hair
• Helps detangle beard hair
• Helps prevent beard flyaways
• Adds a manly fragrance (if scented)
• Nourishes and hydrates skin
• Helps eliminate beard dandruff

While there are a ton of beard oils available on the market, each one containing different ingredients, I compiled a list of the best and most effective beard oils designed to treat dry skin and eliminate beard dandruff.

Each one of the following beard oils is specifically formulated to nourish, moisturize, eliminate dry skin, and help put a stop to that annoying and unsightly beard dandruff. Enjoy.

The Lineup:

• The Bearded Grenade Beard Oil
• Jack Black Beard Oil
• Ranger Grooming Co. Beard Oil
• Shea Moisture – Beard Conditioning Oil
• Lather & Wood Beard Oil
• Viking Revolution Beard Oil
• Marlowe No. 143
• Cremo Beard Oil
• Prophet and Tools Beard Oil

Best Beard Oils for Dry Skin, Dandruff, and Itch Reviewed

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The Bearded Grenade (2 oz)

If you’re suffering from dry skin, beard dandruff, or beard itch, I highly recommend you check out The Bearded Grenade’s line of premium grade beard oils. The Bearded Grenade takes a scientific approach to the way they formulate their beard oil and include ingredients in their beard oil blend that are proven to nourish and moisturize the skin. Inside every bottle of their beard oil you will find unique, skin beneficial carrier oils that you simply won’t find in most beard oils, including: Passionfruit seed oil, watermelon seed oil, jojoba oil, and rosehip oil. These carrier oils are specifically chosen by The Bearded Grenade for their skin beneficial properties and their ability to combat annoying beard itch, dry skin, and beard dandruff.

What else is great about The Bearded Grenade beard oil?

• Great for overall beard health and appearance

TBG beard oil is excellent at eliminating dry skin and beardruff, but that’s not all it’s great at. Aside from its skin moisturizing ingredients, TBG beard oil contains carrier oils that are chosen for their ability to improve beard health, appearance, and even growth. It also helps prevent beard breakage and split ends. Here’s a full look at The Bearded Grenade’s ingredients:

Meadowfoam seed oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, pomegranate seed oil, watermelon seed oil, castor oil, passionfruit seed oil, vitamin E

• Awesome scent options

Combating beard dandruff and dry skin doesn’t have to be a chore; in fact it can be quite enjoyable with the right scented beard oil. One of the things that I really like about The Bearded Grenade is their line of awesome smelling beard oils. Here’s a closer look at some of their scent options:

• Stem to Stern – Features an aquatic cologne scent that smells about as good as it gets. With notes of citrus, amber, marine, and wood, this masculine scented beard oil will leave your beard smelling awesome and free of beard dandruff and itch.
• Fresh Squeeze – A citrusy scented beard oil that smells like a freshly peeled orange with a touch of vanilla. It’s light, fresh, clean, and the perfect scent for everyday use.
• Plague Mask – Probably TBG’s most unique beard oil, Plague Mask features a warm, spicy, and earthy scent that contains notes of cinnamon, clove, tobacco, leather, resins, coffee, vanilla, and patchouli. It’s warm, dark, masculine, and an excellent smelling option for men looking for something a little outside the ordinary.
• Ragged Wood – With a scent as masculine smelling as the name sounds, TBG’s Ragged Wood beard oil is the perfect choice for men who enjoy a true woody smelling beard oil. Containing notes of cedarwood, sandalwood, pine, and vetiver, you can smell like a real man of the forest while eliminating dry skin and beardruff.
• Fresh – Looking for a light subtle scent? Fresh features a blend of mint and eucalyptus that is light, clean, and refreshing. Not too strong but a bit more adventurous than unscented.
• RAW (unscented) – Prefer to forgo the scent all together? The Bearded Grenade RAW unscented beard oil is the perfect choice for you. Formulated without any scent or fragrance, RAW will combat dry skin, beardruff, and itch while leaving your beard feeling soft, smooth, and incredibly healthy.

• Handmade in the USA in small batches

One of the things I really like about The Bearded Grenade is that it’s a small, USA based company that prioritizes quality and freshness. All of their beard oils are handmade in the USA in small, quality controlled batches. This not only ensures consistency, but it also means a fresher product for consumers. While most large companies order their ingredients in large quantities to save on costs and to build inventory, The Bearded Grenade orders their ingredients in small quantities, ensuring nothing but the freshest ingredients go into their beard oil. 

Recap:

• + Specifically formulated with ingredients that combat dry skin and beardruff
• + Made in small batches in the USA
• + TBG prioritizes quality and freshness
• + Improves overall beard health, appearance, and growth
• + Great scent options
• + Cool product packaging
• + Large 2 oz aluminum bottle with pump dispenser
• – It’s a bit pricey

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Jack Black Beard Oil (1oz)

Jack Black beard oil is designed to eradicate dry skin and beardruff while giving your beard a nourishing blast of premium essential oils. Formulated with a unique blend of kalahari melon oil, plum oil, and marula oil, this super premium beard oil from Jack Black does an awesome job of softening dry, brittle facial hair while providing the skin with vital nourishment and hydration. While I’m not crazy about the premium price tag (my one negative), Jack Black products have shown me time and again, you really do get what you pay for.

What I like about Jack Black beard oil:

• A little goes a long way

As I already mentioned, this Jack Black beard oil isn’t exactly cheap. But to be fair, I want to point out that you really don’t need to use a lot of it to achieve full beard coverage. Just 2-3 drops of this stuff stretches surprisingly far, and will be more than enough for most full beards.

• Pump applicator

While eye-drop applicators work fine for their intended purpose, I prefer the more modern pump applicator that Jack Black uses on this bottle of beard oil. It’s quick, precise, and very easy to use. I know it’s not the biggest deal in the world, but it adds to the overall premium quality and feel of this Jack Black beard oil.

• Improves beard health and appearance

Apart from Jack Black beard oil’s ability to put an end to dry skin and beardruff, it also greatly improves the look and feel of beard hair. If used daily (as you should) Jack Black beard oil softens coarse beard hair, detangles, and leaves beards with a smooth, healthy looking sheen.

Recap:

• + Awesome for dry skin and beardruff
• + Unique formula containing kalahari melon, plum, and marula oils
• + Smells great
• + Softens and hydrates beard hair
• + Easy to use pump dispenser
• – It’s expensive

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Ranger Beard Oil (1oz)

Make dry skin and beardruff a thing of the past with Ranger beard oil for men. This extremely popular (5,000+ reviews on Amazon) organic beard oil is designed to improve beard quality and health, while moisturizing dry skin, and helping to eliminate beard dandruff. Ranger beard oil features an eye-dropper style applicator, and is formulated with only two ingredients: Argan oil and jojoba oil. Unscented and fragrance free, this beard oil is intended to be used daily to keep your beard soft and hydrated, but most importantly to put an end to annoying dry skin and beard flakes.

What I like about Ranger beard oil:

• Easy to apply

Ranger beard oil has a medium density consistency (not too thick, not too thin) that is easy to work through even the thickest of beards. You also don’t need to use a lot for it to do it’s job. I.e., a little goes a long way.

• Argan and Jojoba oils

Ranger beard oil excels at alleviating dry skin and beard dandruff and that is due to it’s two main ingredients (and only ingredients) Argan oil and Jojoba oil.

• Argan oil – Produced from the kernels of the Argan tree that are native to Morocco. This medium density oil is packed with omega fatty acids and vitamin E which work to moisturize skin and eliminate dry patches. It’s considered safe for all skin types, and is non-comedogenic (doesn’t clog pores).
• Jojoba oil – Full of hair and skin beneficial vitamins and minerals that nourish dry skin and beard, and helps eliminate beard dandruff. What’s inside: vitamin C, vitamin B, vitamin E, copper, and zinc. Jojoba oil is safe for all skin types is non-comedogenic.

• 100% organic

You don’t have to be a tree hugger to appreciate all-natural and organic ingredients. I’m not. But when it comes to my grooming and skincare needs I prefer to know what it is I’m putting on my skin. Ranger beard oil contains only safe, natural, organic oils that won’t harm your beard or skin. No additives, no fragrances, and no fillers.

• Penetrates fast and dries quickly

One of the great things about Ranger beard oil is that it penetrates the skin and beard quickly, allowing it to dry fast. As long as you don’t overdue it of course. You really only need about a dime sized amount (give or take) of it to achieve full coverage.

Recap:

• + Moisturizes dry skin
• + Eliminates beardruff
• + Softens beard
• + Organic
• + Dries quickly
• + Reasonably priced
• +/- Fragrance free
• +/- Eye-dropper applicator

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Shea Moisture – Beard Conditioning Oil

Tackle beard dandruff, dry skin and itch with the power of shea butter. Shea Moisture Beard Conditioning Oil is made with a few unique ingredients that you typically don’t find in beard oil including shea butter and maracuja oil. Both of these ingredients are known for their excellent skin benefits and are commonly used in skincare products for their ability to eliminate dry skin. Other key ingredients include: Grapeseed oil, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, and argan oil.

What I like about Shea Moisture Beard Oil:

• Feels great in beard

One of the first things I notice about beard oil is how well it feels in my beard once applied. I really like the way Shea Moisture Beard Oil smoothes and softens my beard and leaves it looking healthy and full.

• Pleasant scent

Shea Moisture beard oil doesn’t have a strong scent but it still smells nice and pleasant. It’s great for guys who don’t enjoy strong fragrances in their beard but still enjoy a little odor that is pleasing to the nostrils.

• Easy to use pump dispenser

I’m starting to develop a bias towards beard oil bottles with pump dispensers simply because they are so damn easy to use. Shea Moisture Beard Oil has a single pump dispenser that makes applying the oil easy, convenient and mess-free.

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Lather & Wood Beard Oil (1oz)

This “Ultra-Moisturizing” beard oil from Lather & Wood is intended to do exactly that: moisturize dry skin and beard while eliminating unsightly flakes. Formulated with 7 all-natural essential oils, including: hazelnut, Jojoba, Argan, Castor, Coconut, Grapeseed, and Rosehip. It also contains skin moisturizing and soothing ingredients such as aloe vera and green tea extract. Aside from it’s beard and skin beneficial ingredients, Lather & Wood beard oil features a spill-proof pump applicator that is convenient to use, and in my opinion superior to those old fashioned eye-dropper applicators.

What I like about Lather & Wood beard oil:

• Smells awesome

If you’re looking for an awesome smelling beard oil that also combats dry skin and dandruff, look no further than Lather & Wood. It has an excellent smelling fragrance that isn’t too strong or overbearing, but subtly lingers all day. It smells fresh, masculine, rugged and is the perfect compliment to any manly beard.

• Pump applicator

I really like the spill proof pump applicator that Lather & Wood uses on their bottle. It’s quick, precise, easy to use, and best of all you don’t have to mess around with one of those old school style eye-drop applicators.

Recap:

• + Highly moisturizing for skin and beard
• + Eliminates beardruff
• + Smells excellent
• + 7 all-natural oils
• + Skin moisturizing aloe vera and green tea
• + Spill-proof bottle
• + Pump applicator
• – Kind of pricey

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Viking Revolution Beard Oil (1oz)

This 100% natural beard oil from Viking Revolution is a worthy edition to this list due to it’s ability to nourish and hydrate dry skin, eliminate beardruff, and eliminate beard itch. Formulated with organic argan and jojoba oils, Viking Revolution beard oil has a medium density consistency that makes application quick and easy. While I’m not crazy about the eye-dropper applicator (personal preference) I will say for the price, quality, and fragrance (4 options), you definitely can’t go wrong with this premium quality beard oil from Viking Revolution.

What I like about Viking Revolution beard oil:

• Scent options

If you’re the type of guy that likes options, then Viking Revolution is certainly worth checking out. It’s available in 4 awesome fragrances that all smell fresh and masculine. The lineup includes: Sandalwood (pictured), Bay Rum, Cedar Pine, Clary Sage, and even an unscented option.

• Affordable

One of the things that makes Viking Revolution beard oil so great is how affordable it is. And although it’s price is considered fairly cheap, it is by no means a cheap quality oil. It contains premium argan and jojoba oils that effectively nourish and hydrate, while putting an end to dry skin and unsightly beard dandruff

Recap:

• + 100% natural
• + Moisturizes dry skin
• + Eliminates beardruff
• + Argan and jojoba oils
• + 4 scent options
• + Priced right
• +/- Eye-dropper applicator

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Marlowe No.143 (3oz)

Marlowe men’s products are designed to be simple yet effective, and this No.143 beard oil embodies that to a T. Specifically formulated to nourish and hydrate dry skin and beards, while the all-natural oils effectively eliminate unsightly flakes and beard itch. It contains only safe, natural essential oils, including: sunflower oil, soybean oil, and safflower oil. Aside from being an effective beard oil, Marlowe No. 143 is also a damn good bargain. The large 3oz bottle contains 3x the amount of oil that you’ll find with most other brands, and it’s also priced really well too.

What I like about Marlowe beard oil:

• Great deal

Not only is Marlowe a high quality beard oil, but it’s very reasonably priced and the bottle is about 3x the size of most other beard oils. It’s the perfect option for men who want to enjoy the benefits of premium quality, but don’t necessarily want to spend a ton of money to get it.

Recap:

• + Hydrates dry skin and beards
• + Eliminates flakes
• + All-natural
• + Large 3oz bottle
• + Priced right
• +/- Unscented

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Cremo Beard Oil (1oz)

With a long line of men’s grooming products, including some awesome smelling body washes, Cremo’s products are known for quality and effectiveness and their revitalizing beard oil is no exception. It contains natural jojoba and argan oils to eliminate beard itch, dry skin, and flaking. It also does an awesome job of nourishing dry beard hair, detangling, and even even adds a light, fresh, masculine scent (3 options). Offered in 1oz glass bottles with a eye-dropper applicator, Cremo beard oil is an all-around solid beard oil at a very affordable price.

What I like about Cremo beard oil:

• Smells great

Cremo beard oil is available in 2 scent options: Mint Blend and Forest Blend. And while both scents smell great, I’m partial to Mint Blend. It smells fresh, clean, and masculine without being too strong or overbearing.

• Softens and hydrates

Cremo beard oil does a great job of softening, detangling, and taming coarse beard hair. Thanks to argan and jojoba oils, Cremo has a perfect medium/thick consistency that works quickly through thick, tangled beard hair while it nourishes and hydrates.

Recap:

• + Excellent for dry skin
• + Eliminates beardruff
• + Eliminates beard itch
• + Jojoba and argan oils
• + 3 scent options: mint, forest, unscented
• + Very affordable
• +/- Eyedropper applicator

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Prophet and Tools Beard Oil (1oz)

Eliminate dry skin and beard dandruff like a boss with Prophet and Tools beard oil for men. This do-it-all oil is designed to improve beard health, prevent split ends, detangle, improve beard growth, treat dry skin, and prevent flakes. They even include a pretty cool wooden beard comb with every order. Formulated with natural ingredients such as: vitamin E, aloe vera, chamomile, and jojoba oil, Prophet and Tools beard oil offers premium quality, at a very reasonable price point.

What I like about Prophet and Tools beard oil:

• Supports beard health and growth

Eliminating dry skin and beardruff isn’t the only thing that Prophet and Tools beard oil is great at. It’s formulated with ingredients that have been shown to improve the quality of beard hair and even promote thicker, fuller facial hair. What’s inside:

• Vitamin E – When applied topically, vitamin E has been shown to improve the health and appearance of beard hair and is believed to promote thicker and fuller growth.
• Aloe Vera – Helps smooth beard hair and adds shine. It’s also believed to promote growth, eliminate beard itch, and prevent beard dandruff.
• Chamomile – Promotes healthier, shinier beard hair, and helps alleviate dry skin and dandruff.
• Jojoba oil – Full of vitamins and nutrients that improve beard health and promote thicker and fuller growth.

• Helps prevent split ends and breakage

It’s every beard growers worst nightmare: breakage and split ends. While there isn’t anything we can do about existing split ends (except trim them off) we can take steps to prevent them from reoccurring. Prophet and Tools beard oil is specifically formulated with beard beneficial ingredients that help improve hairs elasticity, which helps eliminate breakage and split ends.

Recap:

• + Eliminates dry skin
• + Eliminates beard dandruff
• + Improves beard growth
• + Contains vitamin E, aloe, chamomile, and jojoba oil
• +/- Unscented
• + Free beard comb
• + Affordable
• +/- Eye dropper applicator

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How to Apply Beard Oil

As I mentioned earlier in this article, beard oil offers a shit ton of benefits for both your skin and beard. Not only does it alleviate dry skin and beardruff, it also dramatically improves the overall look, health, and quality of beard growth.

Bottom line: if you aren’t currently using beard oil, you need to get your ass on it.

While applying beard oil isn’t exactly the most complicated men’s grooming process, there is a right and wrong way of doing it. If you are new to beard oils, you might have a few questions on how to use it.

Here are some of the most common questions regarding beard oil use: When is the best time to apply it? How much should you use? And how often should it be applied?

Below I’ll cover these common questions and offer a few additional tips on how to get the most out of your beard oil.

When is the best time to apply beard oil?

Probably one of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to using beard oil is: when’s the best time to apply it?

While it’s completely fine to apply beard oil anytime, it offers the most benefits for your beard and skin when it’s applied directly after showering.

That’s because steam and hot water temporarily open the shingle-like protective outer layer of your beard hairs called the cuticle, allowing beard oil to penetrate deeper into the hair shaft.

How much beard oil should you use?

How much oil you’ll need fully depends on how large your beard is. Obviously.

Here is a general guideline for determining how much oil you should be using based on the average rate of beard growth for most men:

• No beard to 1 month of growth – 3 to 4 drops of oil

• 1-3 months of growth – 4 to 6 drops of oil

• 3-12 months of growth – 6-10 drops of oil

• 12 months and up – 10+ drops of oil

While not all men’s facial hair grows at the same rate of speed, I want to point out that this is just a guideline. Depending on your beard length, thickness, and density, you’ll need to use a little bit of trial, and error to find the right amount of oil for your particular beard.

Just remember that your beard should never look wet or feel oily after you apply your oil. If it does, use less.

On the flip-side, if you notice that your beard looks dry or brittle after applying oil, you probably aren’t using enough.

How often should beard oil be applied?

Every day! Especially if you suffer from dry skin under your beard and beardruff. Applying beard oil everyday will keep your beard looking it’s best, while alleviating dry skin and flakes. You should absolutely make beard oil a part of your daily routine.

Applying the oil

When it comes to actually applying the oil, just remember to take your time and be thorough.

Step 1. Pour the oil into your palm and work your hands together to spread the oil over your fingers and fingertips.

Step 2. Work the oil onto your skin and roots before spreading to the rest of your beard. This is especially important for keeping the skin under your beard hydrated and to prevent flakes.

Step 3. Thoroughly work the oil throughout the length of your beard in a combing motion. Be sure not to neglect the area under your chin and along your neck line.

Following these steps will ensure that your beard and skin is thoroughly nourished, hydrated, and looking it’s best.

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Thanks for checking out my list of best beard oils for dry skin, dandruff, and itch. If you found this article helpful, check out my list of best unscented beard balms for sensitive skin. As always, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop me a line in the comment section down below.