Apricot Kernel Oil for Beards and Mustaches
A beard can look sharp and still feel like a wire brush. Apricot kernel oil helps with the softer side of the operation: conditioning facial hair and caring for the skin underneath.
We use it in our beard oil and mustache wax blends because good grooming should feel good up close, too. Here is what this ingredient brings to the formula.
What is apricot kernel oil?
Apricot kernel oil comes from the seed inside an apricot's hard pit. On an ingredient label, you may see it listed as Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil. It is a liquid carrier oil used in skin and hair care for its conditioning properties. [1, 2, 3]
Benefits for your beard, mustache, and skin
A softer feel for facial hair
Coarse facial hair can feel bristly against your hands or someone else's skin. Apricot kernel oil contributes conditioning to a grooming blend, helping dry hair feel softer and smoother. That makes it a useful supporting ingredient whether you wear a full beard or keep your attention on the mustache. [2]
Care for the skin underneath
Facial hair does not cancel out skin care. Apricot kernel oil is an emollient, which means it helps soften and smooth the skin. In a well-chosen blend, that conditioning matters beneath your beard and around your upper lip as much as it does on the hair itself. [1, 2]
Conditioning with a lighter feel
Apricot kernel oil has a light texture that makes it useful in products designed to spread comfortably over skin. We combine it with other ingredients to get the feel we want in each finished product. Start with a small amount of oil or wax and add more where needed. [2, 3]
Why we use it in our mustache wax
Our mustache wax combines white beeswax, organic golden jojoba oil, apricot kernel oil, and castor oil. Beeswax supplies the structure and everyday control. The oils contribute conditioning, helping balance that hold with a softer feel. [4]
That balance suits the mustache you wear every day: tame the flyaways, guide the shape, and keep it looking neat. For more about the ingredient that supplies the hold, read why we use white beeswax.
How to work it into your routine
- For beard conditioning: Work a small amount of beard oil through your facial hair, reaching the skin underneath. Adjust the amount to your beard's length and thickness.
- For mustache control: Warm a small amount of wax between your fingers, distribute it through your mustache, and shape as desired.
Does it make the product smell like apricots?
The ingredient name describes its source. We choose apricot kernel oil for conditioning; choose your finished product by its scent description rather than expecting a fruity apricot fragrance.
Put softer grooming to work
Apricot kernel oil earns its place by contributing to a comfortable, conditioned feel. Explore our beard oils for daily conditioning or our mustache waxes for conditioning with everyday control.
Great beard care doesn't have to be a ripoff.
Sources & Further Reading
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review: Safety Assessment of Plant-Derived Fatty Acid Oils, International Journal of Toxicology (2017).
- Praan Naturals: Apricot Kernel Oil ingredient information.
- Bramble Berry: Apricot Kernel Oil specifications and cosmetic uses.
- Prohibition Soap: Absinthe Mustache Wax formula and directions.
