Author: Faiysal Kothiwala
Published at: Jul 14, 2025
Any Viking worth his salt will tell you that using the correct facial hair care products is essential for maintaining an epic beard. When choosing a beard moisturiser, you must pay close attention to the product’s ingredients and benefits.
The trouble is, there are a great many products on the market, and things can quickly become confusing and overwhelming. By the end of this article, you’ll know which products are best suited to your specific needs. We’ll also provide a homemade recipe as an alternative to mass-produced beard moisturising products. Read on to discover more.
There are many excellent products available, but even one with top-quality ingredients and rave reviews might not be the right match for you. This is because you may have a different beard and skin type than the one the product was formulated for. The first step in this journey is to know yourself.
Dry facial skin can lead to itchiness and beard dandruff. This might be caused by harsh weather conditions, improper beard care, or a natural predisposition to dry skin.
If your skin is dry, it means it isn’t producing the natural oils needed to coat your beard hair. Consequently, your beard will also be dry. Unfortunately, this will slow down your beard hair growth.
The best products for you are beard oils, which you can supplement with other moisturisers as part of your grooming routine.
Sensitive skin can lead to a host of issues such as itchiness, dryness, and acne. If you have sensitive skin, you may have noticed that certain products aggravate your condition. This is likely due to specific ingredients within the products.
As a general rule, you should avoid beard conditioners with numerous ingredients and harsh chemicals. A safer option is to choose products made with only a few natural components.
It is possible to have oily skin and still experience dry beard hair. Oily skin is also more prone to blemishes. Even so, moisturising is crucial, even if your skin leans towards the oily side.
One solution is to ensure your skin remains clean and to opt for a non-greasy moisturising formula.
Your skin and beard are considered ‘normal’ if they don’t feel particularly dry or oily, and if you haven’t experienced sensitivity to certain products or chemicals. If you have a normal skin beard, you’re in luck.
This beard type is the most versatile when it comes to choosing a moisturiser, as most products are designed with this skin and hair type in mind.
As we grow older, we begin to notice changes in our skin’s texture and appearance. Ageing skin becomes thinner and produces fewer natural oils, which can result in dryness and discomfort.
You should choose a product that offers a high level of hydration. Some beard oils even contain anti-ageing ingredients, which can help your skin remain firm and soft to the touch.
Moisturising is a vital step in any beard care regimen. It prevents your beard hair from drying out and helps reduce curling and beard dandruff. A well-moisturised beard appears healthy, well-kept, and feels excellent to the touch.
Beard Moisturisers Soften Your Facial Hair. Fibres consist of an inner part (medulla, cortex) and an outer layer called the cuticle. This outer layer is made of overlapping scaly cells, similar to roof tiles.
Moisturiser acts as a sealant, helping those tiles stay close together and retain moisture within the hair shaft, thus preventing dryness. If the cuticle cells are stacked closely, the moisturiser smooths the hair fibre, making it feel softer.
Dry skin or coarse beard hair can lead to scaling, sensitivity, tightness, and of course, itching.
We all know that an itchy beard can be incredibly uncomfortable. Fortunately, this symptom can be remedied by using a quality moisturiser for your beard and skin. It will hydrate the beard hair and help relieve itching, sometimes from the first use.
You may have heard that beard oil should be applied after washing your beard or taking a shower. There’s a scientific reason behind this.
Your beard hair absorbs water molecules into its core. Applying moisturiser afterwards traps the moisture inside, improving hydration and preventing dryness and coarseness.
Well-hydrated skin will also produce natural oils to coat and protect beard hairs from moisture loss.
The best time to detangle your beard is when it is moisturised. Wet hair is more prone to breakage, so it’s safer to detangle after applying a moisturiser. This coats the hair and allows it to glide smoothly for effortless combing.
Now that we’ve covered beard and skin types and the benefits of using moisturisers, it’s time to explore the types of products you should look for.
Beard balm is a styling product that also protects and moisturises beard hair. A quality balm should include natural ingredients such as shea butter, macadamia oil, or sweet almond oil, known for their nourishing and hydrating qualities. Beard balm is excellent for combating beard itch.
Some balms also contain beeswax, which helps seal in natural oils and moisture. Use balm on a clean beard for best results.
Beard oil is essential for hydration, benefiting both skin and beard hair.
A high-quality beard oil combats dryness and protects your beard from environmental stressors such as UV rays and cold weather. It’s a product that you can (and should) use daily.
Conditioners work by smoothing the hair cuticle using humectants (to attract moisture) and nourishing oils.
They prevent dryness, leave hair soft and manageable, and reduce static. Use beard conditioner 1-2 times per week during your wash routine.
If your beard needs an extra hydration boost, try a deep conditioner or beard mask—especially useful in winter.
A moisturising routine should be tailored to your needs and depends on the types of products you’re using. This is a step you simply cannot skip in your beard care routine, and you should always try to pay attention to your beard and adapt your moisturising habits as needed.
You can start your day by applying a moisturising agent such as beard oil. This helps to protect your beard hairs and the skin beneath, while keeping them properly hydrated. You can also use a beard balm or beard wax to help tame those sleep-tousled beard hairs, and give an added hydration boost.
Applying moisturiser in the morning also assists with styling and combing, as it facilitates the detangling process. It can make your beard hair softer and more manageable, while also adding texture and volume.
You can also apply a moisturising product as part of your nightly routine. The best choice would be your beard oil. This helps your beard recover from any harsh treatment during the day. Applying a beard moisturiser in the evening is particularly important if you prefer to shower at night.
Your skin and facial hair can be affected by extreme weather. You’ve probably noticed that cold weather tends to leave your skin feeling dry. The same thing happens to your beard.
This means you need to apply a beard and face moisturiser regularly when the weather is cold or dry. You’ll probably also need to use products like beard oil more than once a day.
In the warmer months, you might be tempted to skip using moisturising products. However, keep in mind that heat and strong UV rays from the sun can damage and dry out your beard hair just as much as the cold.
Focus on keeping your skin and facial hair clean, and find a beard moisturising product that still feels pleasant during the scorching summer months. Read on to discover our top recommendations for beard conditioners and moisturisers.
If you’re a fan of DIY, you can try making your own beard moisturiser. You can follow the recipe below or get creative and craft your own variation.
Moisturising products made from natural ingredients usually include a carrier oil and essential oils for fragrance and other added benefits. For this recipe, we’ve chosen argan oil as the carrier oil.
Argan oil is renowned in the dermato-cosmetic industry for its multiple uses and therapeutic properties, such as anti-ageing, moisturising, wound healing, and anti-acne and anti-sebum effects. Argan oil is affordable, and it has a light texture that won’t leave your beard feeling greasy.
Argan oil does have a distinctive scent that some people might not find pleasant. You can mask this by blending it with a few drops of your preferred essential oil.
For this recipe, we’ve selected sandalwood oil. Sandalwood oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and it is generally well-tolerated when applied to the skin.
We recommend preparing small batches at a time. This makes them easier to store and convenient to take with you when travelling.
The preparation process is easier if you use a glass dropper bottle for storage. A dropper allows you to apply a few drops at a time and helps prevent spills.
Once you’ve chosen your storage container, measure out the required amount of argan oil. Don’t fill the bottle entirely, as you’ll also be adding essential oil. To be safe, keep the bottle around three-quarters full.
Essential oils must be added in small quantities. They are highly concentrated and can cause skin irritation. Fortunately, due to their potency, you only need a few drops to change the fragrance of your beard moisturiser.
You can add 10 drops of sandalwood oil to 30 ml of argan oil, though you may go as high as 15 drops. Check the intensity of the scent as you go and adjust to your liking.
Once you’ve added your essential oil, shake the bottle to mix the ingredients thoroughly.
Store your beard moisturiser in a coloured bottle to protect it from oxidation.
Keep the bottle in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Argan oil has a long shelf life, so you’ll be able to enjoy your homemade moisturiser for months to come.
Apply this moisturiser just as you would beard oil, and incorporate it into your daily beard care routine.
Use the dropper to dispense 3-4 drops into the palm of your hand, then spread it evenly through your beard hair. You can also use a comb to ensure the oil is evenly distributed.
Day Liquid Tonic is an excellent moisturising product with nourishing properties that help keep your beard hair soft, hydrated, and protected against the harmful effects of UV rays.
Ingredients
Our beard oil is made with all-natural ingredients: macadamia oil, sunflower seed oil, sweet almond oil, argan oil, avocado oil, rice bran oil, and essential oils for our signature scents.
Reviewed and Tested Results
“Brilliant! Fast shipping, fantastic scent, and really fills out my beard. After just a week of use, it’s already promoted hair growth and gives me control over straggly ends. Love it!” - R., United Kingdom
“Overall, my experience with both the Day and Night Liquid Gold Tonic (Odin's Virtue) from The Beard Struggle has been glorious. The scent is unique compared to other beard oils I’ve tried from The Beard Struggle.
It’s bright, spicy, and long-lasting. The effectiveness of this oil speaks for itself - I’ve had no beard itch and can really feel the nourishment in my beard. It’s truly... liquid gold.” - C., United States
“Love all the products, especially this day tonic for the beard. Keeps both beard and skin moisturised throughout the day, and gives the beard a lovely shine. I also adore the scent.”
Gentlemen’s Beard Balm is our classic balm, made from 100% natural, organic ingredients. It keeps beard hair hydrated and nourished while doubling as a styling product.
Ingredients
Only the finest natural ingredients are chosen: shea butter, rice bran oil, macadamia oil, avocado oil, sunflower seed oil, argan oil, sweet almond oil, cera alba, and essential oils for our signature fragrances.
Reviewed and Tested Results
“I recently got the Valhalla’s Gates scent of the Beard Balm and it is incredible - keeps my beard moisturised, soft, well-groomed and smelling fantastic!” - H., United Kingdom
“Hello Beard Struggle Team, I recently purchased several beard balms and must say I am absolutely won over. I love the fragrance blends you’ve created and my beard (which is rather massive) looks shinier than ever. Hard to choose a favourite, but ‘Odin’s Virtue’ is a standout. Keep up the excellent work - SKOL!!” - R., France
“This product has been a Godsend. My beard has always been dry and difficult to maintain, the balm and oils help me keep it under control.” - R., United States
Viking Sea Mineral Beard Mask is a superb moisturising treatment that delivers deep hydration and nourishment. It leaves your beard soft and supple to the touch.
Ingredients
Powerful natural ingredients that deeply moisturise and cleanse: Dead Sea mud, aloe, Ricinus, castor seed oil, shea butter, macadamia oil, rice bran oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, argan oil, tocopherol, papaya fruit extract, and emulsifiers.
Reviewed and Tested Results
“I love these washes, they leave my beard smooth and I’ve had no skin issues since using them. I’m very sensitive to beard products, but TBS has made the perfect solution for me. Love it - I won’t use anything else!” - M., Austria
“I must admit I was sceptical at first - I never imagined spending more than a few quid to show my beard some love. But other products made things worse, leaving bald spots. After using The Beard Struggle products and the mineral mask, everything changed. The mask immediately gave my skin the hydration it was thirsting for. After two weeks of following the instructions, I’m seeing healthy new beard growth. A big thank you to The Beard Struggle for breathing new life into my beard!” - D., United States
“This is hands down my favourite product on the site. Working in a kitchen, my beard often feels dirty and heavy. But after massaging in the Viking Sea Mineral Mask, letting it dry, then rinsing it off, my beard feels softer, lighter, and stronger. I use it twice a week and follow up with beard oil. If you want a soft, healthy beard - this is a must-have!” - D., United Kingdom
It’s essential to take the time to understand your skin and beard hair types. If you have sensitive skin, opt for products made from natural ingredients as they tend to be gentler.
If your skin and beard are dry, you may need to combine several moisturising products for best results. Consider using beard oil daily alongside a balm, or add a conditioner or beard mask to your routine.
If you have oily skin, don’t skip moisturising,just choose a product that doesn’t leave your skin greasy. Ingredients like argan oil may help regulate sebum production.
If your skin is ageing, it’s especially important to keep it and your beard well-hydrated. Choose products that offer enhanced hydration and protection. Ingredients such as macadamia oil are known for their anti-ageing properties.
There are countless options available, but with this knowledge, we hope you’ll find the perfect moisturising product for your epic Viking beard.
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