If you’re looking to take your beard from unkempt and shaggy to sleek and healthy, you’re likely to encounter Grapeseed Oil as either a product in and of itself or as an ingredient in various beard balms, beard conditioners, and beard oils. But what does it do?

What is Grapeseed Oil?

Grapeseed oil is a common ingredient used in various cosmetic products. It is a by-product of the wine-making process and comes from the seeds of grapes. The grape plant is also known as Vitis vinifera. 

The oil contains useful omega-6 fatty acids such as linoleic acid oleic acid and is also rich in phenols. Other oils like coconut oil also contain these but have different textures and consistencies that affect their use. 

What skin types are grapeseed oil compatible with?

Grapeseed oil is suitable for all skin types and has a comedogenic rating of 1. This means that it is highly unlikely to clog the pores and cause any subsequent breakouts. It’s a mild oil, not dissimilar to jojoba oil and argan oil, meaning that it can be used by most people without any irritation or issues. 

What does Grapeseed Oil Smell Like?

Grapeseed oil has a vaguely nutty and sweet aroma, but the scent is relatively subtle unlike other carrier and essential oils. 

Benefits of Grapeseed Oil for Skin & Facial Hair

Found in many skin and hair care products, grapeseed oil has a range of benefits for our skin, scalp, and beard. 

Nourishes and Conditions Skin and Facial Hair

Grapeseed oil excels at nourishing and conditioning both skin and hair. The oil is packed with useful nutrients, essential fatty acids, phenols, and antioxidants (source). 

The oil composition allows it to improve the skin’s moisture, softness, collagen, and elasticity (source). It also improves the effects of both vitamin E and vitamin C on the skin which include fighting free radicals, wrinkles, and more (source). 

The moisturizing properties within grapeseed oil also help alleviate beard dandruff and dry skin. In addition, it may provide some benefits for those suffering from eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis. 

Adds A Healthy Shine To Facial Hair

Grapeseed oil also helps to improve the appearance of your facial hairs by making it look much healthier and shinier. It does so without making your beard feel or look greasy (unless overapplied). 

Reduces Frizz

As well as making your beard shinier, grapeseed oil has been shown to contain natural conditioning agents (source), which help to reduce frizz of your beard hairs. The oil lubricates the hair shaft, reducing dryness and friction between the hair follicles. This helps to prevent frizzy or wispy hairs. 

Makes Facial Hair More Pliable

Grapeseed oil is also a natural sealant, meaning that it keeps moisture in the hair. This helps to make hair more pliable and less likely to break, ultimately reducing split ends within your beard. 

Improves hyperpigmentation

Grapeseed oil contains an antioxidant called proanthocyanidin, which has been suggested to even out skin tone. In addition, the oil, when taken orally, can improve hyperpigmentation (source). While there is no research on whether topical usage has the same effects, it may help. 

Promotes Growth

While there hasn’t been much research done into grapeseed oil as a beard growth product, it is known to support strong and healthy follicle growth. By reducing split ends, breakage, and dry skin, the oil can help to protect against ingrown hairs and unkempt appearances. 

There are some studies that suggest that grapeseed oil is helpful as a scalp treatment to encourage hair growth (source). This is likely due to the linolenic acid within the oil found to support scalp hair growth (source). 

If your priority is beard growth, consider looking into products containing peppermint oil, as this has been scientifically proven to improve blood circulation, which can help accelerate hair growth and prevent hair loss. 

Regulates Oil Production

An additional benefit of grapeseed oil is its ability to help regulate the skin’s oil production. It supplements the sebum produced by the sebaceous glands and thus reduces the oil our skin produces. This may help reduce acne. 

Mild Sun Protection

Grapeseed oil has also been found to help protect the skin from the effects of sunlight (source). However, not much research has been done into this, and the protective qualities of the oil are much less than those of sunscreen, and the oil doesn’t provide much more protection from the sun than your beard will naturally anyway (source). 

Grapeseed Oil Side Effects for Skin & Facial Hair

Generally, there are very few side effects to using grapeseed oil on your skin and facial hair. However, with any new grooming product, there is a chance of a reaction. 

Greasy Looking Beard

If you apply too much grapeseed oil, you may find that your beard becomes greasy to the touch and looks oily. 

Rashes Are Unlikely But Possible

There is a chance that a rash may occur, but this is unlikely. If a rash does form, it may be due to the oil becoming contaminated or expired. Be sure to check the shelf-life of your products and patch test before use. 

Unsubstantiated Claims About Grapeseed Oil

There are a lot of claims about grapeseed oil; we bust a few myths: 

Grapeseed Doesn’t Add Volume

One of these claims is that grapeseed oil increases beard or hair volume. This is not likely. The oil cannot add structure or firmness to the hair and so cannot increase the volume of hair. 

Grapeseed Promotes Blood Flow

Another claim made about grapeseed oil is that it increases or promotes blood flow. This is unlikely to be the case, as the oil is not a vasodilator, unlike peppermint oil. 

How to Apply Grapeseed Oil

Applying grapeseed oil is an easy process. To use the oil on your beard, simply: 

• Pour a few drops of oil into your palm 
• Rub your hands together
• Massage the oil onto your skin 
• Run your hands through your beard, coating the hair completely
• Style your beard with a beard brush or comb

Common Questions

Does Grapeseed Oil Clog Pores?

It is very unlikely that grapeseed oil will clog your pores as it has a low comedogenic rating of 1. 

Is Grapeseed Oil Good for Beards?

Yes, grapeseed oil is a very mild oil with a range of benefits for beards. But the biggest benefit of grapeseed oil will be healthy skin.

Can Grapeseed Oil Damage Facial Hair?

It is not likely that grapeseed oil will damage your facial hair. However, it is important when using beard products to regularly clean your beard with a beard shampoo to prevent build-up. 

What Are Some Substitutes of Grapeseed Oil?

If you are looking for a substitute for grapeseed oil, consider using jojoba oil, avocado oil, olive oil, argan oil, or castor oil.

Can you use Straight Grapeseed Oil on Facial Hair?

Grapeseed oil is perfectly safe to use, whether left pure or blended with carrier oils or essential oils. On its own, it will not have much of a fragrance, though. However, if you’re interested in fragranced oil, grapeseed oil blends well with most essential oils due to its mild nature.