Best Smelling Beard Oils

Are you looking for a great smelling beard oil that’ll showcase your unique sense of style?  Like a cologne, scented beard oil should be discovered, not announced.  But unlike cologne, where you apply it just for the scent, beard oil is functional as well.  As a rich conditioning agent for your skin and facial hair, beard oil plays a crucial role in relieving stubborn beard itch and dandruff – it also does a great job of softening your facial hair.

Today our focus turns towards fragrance.  In particular, we’ll be sharing with you some classic and exotic beard oils that’ll subtly capture the scent of you and those around you.  

Expect to get some compliments after applying any one of these beard oils:

Beard Oils Compared

RankingBeard OilSize (ounces)All NaturalCountry of OriginBottle TypeFragrancePricePrice per OunceRating
1Beardbrand Tree Ranger1.0YesUSARestrictor valveWoody$21$21.0098
2Viking Revolution Beard Oil1.0YesUSADropperBay Rum$10$10.0096
3Reuzel Clean & Fresh Beard Serum2.0YesUSAPumpMinty$21$10.5093
4Brisk Beard Grooming Oil1.7YesUKDropperCitrus$9$5.2991
5Crafted Vanilla Beard Oil1.0YesUSADropperVanilla & Tobacco$12$12.0089
6Kiehl’s Beard Grooming Oil1.0YesUSARestrictor valveSandalwood$30$30.0085
7Grave Before Shave Tequila Limon Blend Beard Oil1.0YesUSADropperTequila Limon$13$13.0084
8King C. Gillette Beard Oil1.0YesUSADropperCitrus$10$10.0081

Beardbrand Tree Ranger

Woody
Beardbrand Tree Ranger

Beardbrand’s Tree Ranger beard oil is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a classic woody fragrance in their beard oil. The combination of eucalyptus, pine, and cedarwood essential oils creates a truly unique and unforgettable scent.

Pros

Masculine scent

Quickly alleviates beard dandruff

100% satisfaction guarantee

Cons

Pricey

Small bottle

Founded in 2012, Beardbrand is a pioneer in the beard care market. While they make various beard care products, they are perhaps most well-known for their popular line of beard oils.  

If you are seeking that classic woody aroma in your next beard oil, there is no better option out there than Beardbrand’s own Tree Ranger beard oil.  Tree Ranger is the quintessential beard oil with a woody and floral fragrance.  Beardbrand relies on eucalyptus, pine, and cedarwood to deliver the signature scent.  

At 1oz in size and packaged in a sleek rectangular bottle design – it looks sexy too.  For conditioning, Beardbrand relies on both unique and proven conditioning agents including  Abyssian seed oil, jojoba seed oil, castor seed oil, and more.  Expect your skin and facial hair to feel noticeably softer after its first use.

Viking Revolution Beard Oil

Bay Rum

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Bay rum has been a men’s grooming staple for over 180 years. Viking Revolution’s take on this classic fragrance is top-rated on Amazon and is perfect for any budget.

Pros

Simple ingredient list

Affordable

Cons

Fragrance lacks complexity

Limited availability

Invented in 1838, bay rum has been a men’s grooming staple.  While initially used as an aftershave tonic, this unique fragrance finds its way into other men’s grooming products, including, you guessed it, beard oil.

This beard oil by Viking Revolution is top-rated on Amazon – and with good reason.  Relying on just jojoba oil, argan oil, and essential oil, it’s a simple formula that works well for any skin type. Furthermore, given the simplicity of the oil, the price is lower, allowing it to work into just about any budget.  Viking Revolution also sells this beard oil as a three-pack, providing better long-term value. 

If you like the results that Viking Revolution delivers here – consider also checking out their award-winning beard wash and conditioner set or their beard balm to tame flyaway whiskers.

What customers are saying: Customers have mixed feelings about this beard oil. Some praise its scent, which they describe as a mix of cinnamon and rum, and its non-greasy texture, saying it makes their beard look and feel good. Others are disappointed with the weak or non-existent scent and feel that the product quality has declined over time. The company’s customer service, however, has been praised for their responsiveness.

Reuzel Clean & Fresh Beard Serum

Invigorating

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Reuzel’s Clean & Fresh Beard Serum is an excellent choice for any man looking for a high-quality, great-smelling beard oil. With a carefully formulated blend of natural oils, it does an exceptional job of keeping your beard healthy and looking its best.

Pros

Supports healthy beard growth

Easy-to-use design

Heavy moisturizing properties

Cons

Several ingredients not suitable for sensitive skin types

Social media sensation Reuzel knows how to put together well-performing and high-quality grooming products for men.  While we recently gave high marks to their mustache wax, their Clean & Fresh Beard Serum is carefully formulated blend of oils that does an exceptional job of getting the job done – all while smelling amazing.  

This non-greasy and natural beard oil relies on several standout ingredients, including sunflower oil, shea butter, argan oil, coconut oil, rice bran extract, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, and more.

Reuzel describes scent as a light, citrus, and mint scent – making it perfect for daily wear.  Lastly, the pump top design makes it easy to get measured amounts from the bottle.

What customers are saying: Customers appreciate this beard care product for its light, non-greasy texture and ability to keep beards and skin hydrated and healthy. Many reported the product having a pleasant scent and also being effective in adding shine and reducing beardruff. Some even use it on their hair with great results.

Brisk Beard Grooming Oil

Citrus

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If you’re looking for a lighter, more refreshing scent in your beard oil, Brisk Grooming’s offering is worth checking out. The addition of Vitamin E is also a nice touch, as it helps keep the skin underneath your beard healthy.

Pros

Includes Vitamin E

Bright scent

Cons

Might cause irritation on sensitive skin

UK-based Brisk Grooming has put together a beard oil that’ll instantly transport you to a citrus grove upon application.  With a lemon and grapefruit base, the bright and refreshing oil departs from those heavy woodsy beard oils that have become all too common.  

For conditioning, you’ll find the lightweight oils will help condition both skin and beard hair instantly.  The formula includes sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, avocado oil, etc.  Additionally, Brisk Grooming adds Vitamin E oil, a powerful antioxidant that helps to nourish and protect the skin.

Overall, it’s a nice and fruity beard oil that you may want to consider working into your grooming routine.

What customers are saying: Many customers love this beard oil for its ability to make beards soft and manageable while maintaining a pleasant citrus scent. However, some have experienced inconsistencies in the product’s quality or found that the scent doesn’t last long after applying.

Crafted Vanilla Beard Oil

Warm Fragrance

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Crafted’s beard oil is a great choice for those looking for a light, daily-use conditioning oil. With a pleasant warm vanilla and tobacco scent, it’s perfect for those who want a bit of extra fragrance without being overwhelming.

Pros

Warm fragrance

Great for holidays

100% Natural

Cons

May be too subtle for some

Crafted delivers a pleasant beard oil with warm vanilla and tobacco fragrance that is suitable for daily wear.  However, unlike most other beard oils reviewed, this one by Crafted tends to skew a bit more modest in strength. 

As a conditioning agent, this beard oil is highly effective.  Made from 100% natural and organic ingredients, it’ll relieve beard itch while also nourishing the skin underneath your facial hair.  

While vanilla is one of Crafted’s most popular fragrances, they also make some other unique blends worth considering, including Sandalwood Bourbon, Cedar Leather, and Orange Cream.

Editor’s Note: If you are looking for a stronger vanilla scent, consider the Gunslinger beard oil by Live Bearded.

What customers are saying: Overall, customers seem to be pleased with the beard oil, commenting on its pleasant scent and ability to keep beards soft and moisturized. However, some customers reported issues with the scent being absent or too weak, and a few customers suspect they may have received a counterfeit product. Despite these concerns, many customers seem to be satisfied with the product and its performance.

Kiehl’s Beard Grooming Oil

Sandalwood

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The Kiehl’s Grooming Solutions Nourishing Beard Grooming Oil is a fantastic product for those with coarse or harsh facial hair. It’s also good for all skin types, including sensitive skin. With its rich and oily base of several ingredients, it is an oil that strikes a woodsy and earthy fragrance.

Pros

A rich blend of ingredients

Softens facial hair

Traditional fragrance

Cons

Expensive

Since 1851 Kiehl’s has been making premium skincare products for both men and women.  Carrying on the tradition of quality and craftsmanship, you’ll find the Kiehl’s Grooming Solutions Nourishing Beard Grooming Oil.  With a rich and oily base of several ingredients, it’s an oil that strikes a woodsy and earthy fragrance.  

Made for all skin types, including sensitive skin, it’ll fix your beard up in a hurry.  What sets this oil apart from so many others is the inclusion of pracaxi oil, an ingredient known to condition and soften hair.  So if you have exceptionally coarse or rough facial hair, you may find this great smelling beard oil beneficial.

What customers are saying: Customers love the scent of this product, describing it as a pleasant and masculine aroma. They also appreciate its long-lasting nature, which allows them to smell great throughout the day.

Grave Before Shave Tequila Limon Blend Beard Oil

Tequila Limon

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This beard oil is perfect for those who want a sweet and full-bodied scent that will still attract the ladies. The conditioning properties of the various carrier oils used in this blend make it a great choice for those with dry or damaged hair.

Pros

Trusted brand

Distinct fragrance

Excellent conditioner

Cons

Likely not suitable for workplace settings

Want a distinctly scented beard oil that the ladies love?  Then consider splashing some of the Tequila Limon Blend Beard Oil by Grave Before Shave.

The sweet and full-bodied scent is in a class all its own while still staying true to its conditioning roots.  This beard oil relies on several proven carrier oils which include sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, and apricot kernel oil.  After applying a dime-sized amount, you can expect your beard and skin to feel well-nourished quickly.

What customers are saying: The majority of customers are highly satisfied with this beard oil, praising its fantastic scent and effectiveness in maintaining their beards. However, a few found the scent to be a bit overpowering or unpleasant. Overall, the product receives high ratings and customers would consider repurchasing it.

King C. Gillette Beard Oil

Citrus

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Whether you’re looking for a bright, fresh scent or an effective conditioner, Gillette’s Bergamot & Peppermint Beard Oil is a great choice. Made with high-quality carrier oils, it’s sure to leave your beard looking and feeling its best.

Pros

Complex fragrance

Classic bottle design

Inexpensive

Cons

Fragrance may be too mature for younger men

Known as the “prince of citrus,” bergamot is a top choice for those men looking for brightness in their next beard oil.  But don’t let the primary inclusion of bergamot fool you.  Also, in beard oil, you have a blend of peppermint, geranium, and cedarwood that gives this beard oil complexity like none other while enjoying the growth benefits of peppermint oil.  The best we could describe it as would be a somewhat classic barbershop-like smell that provides an excellent way to start the day.  

Aside from the scent, it’s an effective conditioner that penetrates deep into the skin.  Doing the conditioning work, Gillette relies on several high-performing carrier oils, including grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, and more.  

Lastly, the 1oz dropper bottle design is easy-to-use.

What customers are saying: Customers have mixed opinions about this product: some appreciate its masculine scent, cleanliness, and versatility as a face and beard wash, while others complain about its performance, quality, and packaging. Some customers found the product effective and likable, while others faced issues with short lifespan and weak motor.

Considerations When Buying a Beard Oil

If you are uncertain about some of the nuances of beard oil selection, let us help you.  When deciding on beard oil, you should keep the following in mind:

1. Ingredients

Well-made beard oil should be crafted from all-natural ingredients, including various carrier oils and essential oils.  Natural oils do an excellent job at delivering moisture and nourishment to the skin to help supplement the sebum oil that your sebaceous glands naturally produce.  Never should your beard oil contain artificial ingredients such as silicone, colorants, and more.

Additional ingredients such as Vitamin E may help to repair the skin.

2. Skin Type

Men’s skin types run the gamut from dry to oily.  If you have dry skin, just about any beard oil can suffice.  Richer and heavier oils such as coconut oil or flaxseed oil may work a little better for you.  If you have oily skin, stay away from comedogenic oils (pore-clogging) as they may cause acne. Instead, consider thinner oils such as hemp seed oil, sweet almond oil, or castor seed oil.  

If you aren’t a stickler on ingredients, jojoba oil and argan oil, which are included in most beard oils, do a terrific job at moisturizing and nourishing your skin.

3. Sensitive Skin

If you have severely sensitive skin, be careful when selecting beard oil.  Some essential oils, such as tea tree oil, may cause irritation or redness.  Consider using a beard oil with only a few ingredients.  Additionally, be sure to patch test before fully applying to your beard.

4. Bottle Design

Beard oils come in various bottle designs, including a dropper, restrictor valve, pump, or pour-out.  The dropper and pump bottle type is the easiest to use and provides clean and measured results.  Restrictor valves look nicer yet may cause a mess. Finally, a pour out bottle is the toughest to manage and can lead to unnecessary waste.

5. Scent Profile

Fragrances can be placed into one of the four categories: woody, oriental, floral, and fresh.  Many beard oils will fall in the woody, fresh, and oriental range as these are primarily considered to be masculine.  Should you wear a cologne or body spray, be sure to get a beard oil with the same scent profile to prevent any clashing or muddying of your aroma.

Common Questions

What is a good scent for beard oil?

Deciding on a particular fragrance depends on how and when you plan on wearing the beard oil.  For casual wear, consider a woody or fresh scented beard oil.  For office wear or meeting with clients, consider wearing a light or unscented beard oil.  For evening wear, spicy and oriental fragrances tend to work well.  

How do you use beard oil?

If you want to learn how to apply beard oil for the most effective results, refer to our guide on proper application.

What are the benefits of beard oil?

Beard oil is worn as both a fragrance and as a moisturizer.  Many of the ingredients found in premium beard oils help supplement the sebum oil produced by your sebaceous glands.  Regular application of beard oil helps to prevent beard flakes or dandruff, particularly during the dry winter months.  We discuss more beard oil benefits at great length in this article should you want to learn more.

Adam Williams

As the lead editor of Tools of Men, Adam loves men's grooming products. Particularly of interest is managing facial hair and perfecting the art of the modern man's skincare routine. His work has been featured or quoted in several publications, including New York Magazine, Vice, Sharpologist, MIC, Elite Daily, and more. When Adam isn't working, he enjoys spending time with his two little kids who keep him both on his toes and young at heart.

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