Stubble is sexy, but beards are beautiful. If you or your boo has facial fauna, chances are that you want it to be as soft and healthy as possible. If you’re completely honest with yourself, you’ll accept that beards are a breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria. And you know what, they’re so goddam itchy too. The cleaner you keep it, the itchier it may feel. But it doesn’t have to be this way; using a facial oil as a moisturizer post facial cleansing will keep your beard feeling nourished and soft, all while taking care of the tender skin underneath.

Maybe you’ve heard of the trend of beard oil sweeping over the well-groomed men of this world, and asked yourself, what the heck is beard oil? That’s probably something for Brooklyn hipsters, you might have thought. However, according to skincare specialists, taking care of your facial hair is just as important as taking care of the skin on your head.

You don’t need a special oil specifically beard-oriented to do this. In fact, our staple argan oil will do just fine. Jojoba oil works wonders here as well. Simply apply a couple drops of either of these base oils to your palms after cleansing or showering. Pat all over the covered area making sure you’ve fully coated the strands. Apparently, it’s best to apply this oil after cleansing because your pores are open and your hair folicles are more likely to receive the nutrients. If you’re after a longer facial hair, keep in mind that some say these oils even stimulate hair growth. In search of luxury? Try Mr. Incredible from Yuli. This wonderful product is actually based in argan and jojoba oil, but is accompanied by a much more sophisticated scent profile—good for after a shave or for daily beard maintentance. Finally, if you decide to shave it all off, try out Susanne Kaufmann’s Aftershave Balm for a nourishing calming cream for worn out skin.

So, whether you’ve got wirey whiskers, a sleek mustache, a goatee, or a big bushy Santa Claus beard, hopefully this convinces you to apply a daily oil for thicker, softer, healthier, well-groomed facial hair.

Have you ever tried a beard oil? Would you like to? Let me know in the comments below.