The importance of knowing what you put into and on your body cannot be overstated. The same can be said for the beard products bearded men use. Some of us are very particular about our grooming products and spend days gazing at the stars (like there are answers there) trying to pick the right products for our beard. Let’s talk about mineral oil for beard.
There are good ones, not so good ones and the nasty ones. Today, we’ll try to find out where mineral oil falls in that category. So let’s jump right in and find out if mineral oil is good for the beard.
Note that, mineral oil and baby oil would be used interchangeably as they are the same product.
Table of Contents
What Are Mineral Oils?
As most of you already know, Mineral oil is a petroleum-based product. It is often a liquid by-product of refined crude oil. It is also called paraffin, petroleum jelly, baby oil, etc. Baby oil is perfumed mineral oil.
This product has been around for quite some time now and has been a staple of the cosmetic industry. It is found as an ingredient for several products due to its lubricating and water retention properties.
So, what has made mineral oil quite popular, especially for beard groomers and beard product manufacturers? There are several reasons for that.
- As previously mentioned is its lubricating and water-retention property. This makes baby oil for beard quite attractive to those with dry skin.
- It has a non-comedogenic property, which makes it a great skincare product for people battling acne.
- Probably the most important is that it is damn cheap, especially when compared to beard oils for bearded men. While an ounce of beard oil could set you back around $20, a nice bottle of baby oil of the same quantity could cost less than $5.
Is Baby Oil Good for Your Face and Beard?
Despite all the seemingly good reasons stated above, does that make mineral oil good for the beard? Probably not, but it is debatable. Some have sworn by this product claiming it makes the beard softer and healthier and enhances growth. However, several facts prove otherwise.
Let’s get this out of the way first. Baby oil for beard isn’t a natural product, and we’ve argued several times against using synthetic products as much as possible in your beard care products.
One of the things that make mineral oil quite popular amongst beard men is its ability to retain water. It acts as a protective layer against moisture loss by forming a thin oily layer on the pores.
However, this is not optimal for beard care as not only does it prevent moisture loss, it also prevents the absorption of nutrients from beard products such as beard oils, carrier oils, and balms. It also doesn’t allow for the secretion of sebum as the pores are already clogged.
Are there Side Effects of Mineral Oil for Beard?
Sadly there are problems usually attached to using mineral oil on your beard. They include:
- Clogging of pores as it coats the skin with a thin layer of oil that acts as a barrier against moisture loss and microorganism growth
- Prevents pores from breathing and skin from releasing sebum
- Decreases the effectiveness of other beard products because your skin cannot absorb them due to clogged pores
- Doesn’t moisturize your skin – it just sits on the surface making it appear healthier
- Could cause beardruff as a result of lack of nutrients to the beard
- Breakage of hair
- Interferes with the creation of natural oils
- Mineral oils that are not fully refined could be carcinogenic
- Zero benefits on the skin.
PS: Refined mineral oils are harmless and are usually used to make cosmetics. However, not all mineral oils sold are fully refined. Using these could be detrimental to the skin and likely carcinogenic.
Are Mineral Oils Substitute for Beard Oils?
Yeah, we know beard oils are expensive but that’s to be expected when getting quality. Mineral oils are cheap and found in a whole lot of grooming products. Many manufacturers are only concerned about making money and not bothered about the harmful effects some products could have on consumers.
Quality beard oil is made from all-natural ingredients. This is not the same for mineral oils. It is always advisable to use natural products for your skin and beard. Like mineral oil, beard oil is non-comedogenic. So fear not doubting Thomases, you won’t get acne from using beard oils.
Probably the most important benefit beard oil has is that it can be used on beards of any volume, be it a stubble or thick beard. It provides relief when it comes to itching, leaving your beards clean and healthy.
Beard oil also moisturizes your beard when applied regularly. Baby oil, on the other hand, only makes it look like your beard is being moisturized when it’s not.
If you’re seeking alternatives for the more expensive beard oil, you should go for beard balms or more organic oils like Jojoba, Aragan, etc.
You shouldn’t substitute a quality beard oil for mineral oil for beard.
Final Verdict
It’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to mineral oil. It can be used when in dire need and you can’t afford a beard oil at the moment, or you happen to run out of beard products in your shelf. It should be used sparingly and not for an extended period.
While many men would go on using baby oil for their beard (you can’t change everyone’s mind), it is still worth mentioning that beard oil is way more effective in giving a healthier-looking beard. Why? Because it was designed to take care of your beard so definitely it would yield a better result.
Do not fall for beard oils containing mineral oils because they are cheap. It won’t help you. If you can’t afford a beard oil, save up or go for the more affordable, natural alternatives and you would be just fine. Read the label of any beard product you purchase as many popular beard products contain mineral oil, which we strongly recommend you avoid.
That’s it from this end. We do hope we have been able to inform you about mineral oils and why you should avoid them in the future. Do not forget to drop any questions you might have in the comment section.
Till next readers, Ciao!
