The last decade has seen beards come back into mainstream popularity in arguably the biggest way since the 1960s. With the accompaniment of universally appealing hit television series like Vikings and Game of Thrones as well as the prominence of sports icons like James Harden and Conor McGregor, it’s easy to see why men are putting their razors down and letting it all hang out once again.
With the resurgence of substantial beards in everyday grooming, beard oils are more in demand than ever. And as in any saturated market, companies have to be both bold and creative to create products that stand out on store shelves. This is where beneficial plant compounds — such as cannabis terpenes — come in.
What are Terpenes?
Terpenes are naturally occurring hydrocarbons present in all plant life from pine needles to peaches. While these aromatic compounds have become well-known in recent years due to the distinctive flavors and aromas they contribute to cannabis, they’re also increasingly in demand due to scientific research establishing their significant medicinal and therapeutic potential.
Plant terpenes are not to be confused with essential oils, which are formulations containing terpenes along with flavonoids, polyphenols and carrier agents.
It’s worth emphasizing that terpenes are much more than pleasant scent molecules for incorporating into food or beverages. In this post, let’s examine the advantages of terpene-infused beard oils over products made with synthetic ingredients like polyethylene glycol, sulfates and dimethicone.
The Benefits of Terpenes on Facial Hair
Every man and his significant other would agree that a beard wouldn’t be worth the trouble if it were itchy, dirty and brittle. Luckily terpenes, much like cannabinoids, have a number of beneficial properties for both scalp and facial hair. Antibacterial and antimicrobial terpenes can ameliorate various issues associated even with poor shaving technique, such as redness, rawness, dry skin and acne.
Thyme honey terpenes function very well as hair moisturizers, providing nourishment all the way down to the follicle. Moisture not only adds an appealing shine to a bushy beard; it also makes it comfortable and pleasant to touch — making it much more appealing to family and loved ones.
Antioxidant terpenes improve the rate of hair growth by maintaining healthy collagen levels in the connective tissues of hair follicles. Individuals looking to cut growth time by as much as possible would do well to protect their beards from free radicals, premature aging and sun exposure by making use of antioxidant terpenes either supplemented sublingually or applied directly onto hair.
Choosing the Right Terpenes in Beard Oils
When browsing the shelves for infused beard oils, there are a number of standout terpene isolates worth looking for. Peppermint terpenes, such as (e)-caryophyllene, isomenthone and pulegone, are excellent choices for antibacterial functions to protect against irritation and dry skin. As an added bonus, these terpenes naturally possess appealing aroma profiles and double nicely as natural alternatives to aftershave lotion.
Geraniol, (a)-terpineol and linalool are three of the most abundant terpenes in thyme, simultaneously functioning as a moisturizing and protective agent in facial hair. Any of these would essentially work as a beard conditioner, with the added benefit of enhancing aesthetic qualities such as sheen and manageability.
Finally, beard oils infused with antioxidant terpenes like limonene can promote hair growth over the long term by nourishing and shielding a beard in its nascent stages from undesirable elements of everyday life, such as smoggy commutes and sweaty workouts. It’s key to not only choose beard oils by label gimmickry or brand recognition, but by formula composition and desired use case.