Hempseed Oil For Beard Growth: Why It's Been Our Main Ingredient Since Day One

August 7, 2023

Hempseed Oil For Beard Growth: Why It's Been Our Main Ingredient Since Day One

Why would you need hempseed oil for beard growth? Since the very 1st bottle of beard oil we made back in 2012, our main ingredient has been hempseed oil.

It’s been controversial on occasion because it’s often misunderstood. People seem to panic when they read Cannabis Sativa, although the THC content is removed.

I discovered the oil’s power while learning sports massage therapy in 2011. It was always going to be a main ingredient. Find out why below.

What is hempseed oil, exactly?

Hempseed oil is pressed from the seeds of the hemp plant; a variety of Cannabis Sativa that has been cultivated in Europe for centuries for everything from rope and textiles to food and medicine.

The confusion with marijuana comes from the fact that both hemp and marijuana come from the cannabis plant family. The difference is THC: tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound that causes a high.

Marijuana contains THC in significant quantities. Hemp does not. UK and EU regulations require a THC level below 0.2% in hemp-derived products, and hempseed oil contains no traceable amounts at all.

It's legal, it's safe, and it's been used in skincare and haircare for decades.

What it does contain is something far more useful for your beard: the most concentrated source of essential fatty acids of any plant oil on earth.

How I discovered hemp oil (and why it was always going to be in Braw Beard Oil)

In 2011, before Braw Beard existed, I was studying sports massage therapy. Hempseed oil was one of the carrier oils we worked with regularly. Valued for its skin absorption, its anti-inflammatory properties, and its ability to nourish tissue without sitting heavy on the surface.

When I made the first bottle of Braw Beard Oil in 2012, hempseed oil was the main ingredient. I knew how amazing an ingredient it was for both skin and beards, and I had to share it with others.

That hasn't changed in over a decade.

What hempseed oil actually does for your beard

It softens coarse beard hair

Beard hair is structurally different from the hair on your head; it’s coarser, thicker, and rougher in texture. The fatty acids in hempseed oil penetrate the hair shaft directly, hydrating each strand from the inside and improving texture noticeably. The result is a beard that feels softer to touch and looks better groomed even without any styling product.

It strengthens hair and reduces breakage

Hair is made of keratin, a tough structural protein that makes up around 90% of the hair shaft. The omega fatty acids in hempseed oil support keratin production, making the hair stronger and more resilient to breakage.

Hempseed oil is also a ceramide oil. Ceramides are lipid molecules that keep the hair cuticle flat and sealed, forming a protective barrier that prevents protein from seeping out of the hair shaft. Less protein loss means less breakage, less frizz, and stronger hair over time.

It moisturises without coating

This is where hempseed oil separates itself from cheaper oils. Many mineral oils and silicone-based products create the illusion of moisturised hair by coating the surface, but they don't actually penetrate the hair or skin. Hempseed oil does. It's made up of around 80% essential fatty acids, which are small enough to absorb at a cellular level, preventing moisture loss from the inside rather than just sealing the surface. Your skin and hair are actually hydrated, not just coated.

It soothes irritation and tackles beardruff

The omega-3 fatty acids in hempseed oil help regulate sebum production, the natural oil your skin produces. When sebum production is balanced, you get less of the dryness and flakiness that leads to beardruff (beard dandruff), and less of the irritation that comes with a dry beard.

Hempseed oil also has natural anti-inflammatory properties, which helps with redness and itching, particularly useful during the early stages of beard growth when the skin is adjusting.

It supports beard growth

When massaged into the skin, hempseed oil improves blood circulation at the follicle level. Better circulation means more oxygen and nutrients reaching the hair follicles, which supports healthy growth and can help with patchiness over time. The gamma-linolenic acid (a specific omega-6 fatty acid) in hempseed oil is particularly associated with stimulating follicle activity.

The full nutrient profile of hempseed oil

Hempseed oil is a powerhouse of nutrients:

• Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids - in an ideal 3:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3, which closely mirrors what the skin naturally needs

• Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) - an omega-6 that supports follicle stimulation and reduces inflammation

• Vitamin A - supports healthy cell turnover in the skin beneath the beard

• Vitamin C - antioxidant protection against environmental damage

• Vitamin E - conditions hair and protects against oxidative stress

• Beta-carotenes - antioxidants that support skin health

• Ceramides - protect the hair cuticle and prevent protein loss

• Protein - provides building blocks for keratin directly

That's a lot of work from a single ingredient. You see now why hempseed oil is a key ingredient in our products.

What to look for in a hempseed oil beard product

Not all hempseed oil is extracted the same way. Cold-pressed is best, it preserves the full nutrient profile without the heat damage that solvent extraction can cause. Look for products where hempseed oil is listed as the primary ingredient, not a trace addition buried at the bottom of a long list.

Also check what it's combined with. Hempseed oil works well alongside jojoba (which mimics the skin's natural sebum), argan (which adds shine and softness), and vitamin E (which boosts the antioxidant profile). That's exactly the combination we use in Braw Beard Oils.

Avoid products that combine hempseed oil with alcohol, synthetic fragrances, or silicones; these undermine the very benefits the oil is there to deliver.

How to use it hempseed oil for your beard

Apply a few drops of Braw Beard Oil to a clean, dry or slightly damp beard. Work it through from the roots to the tips, massaging into the skin underneath as well as the hair. The massage motion isn't just about distribution, it actively improves circulation at the follicle, which supports growth over time.

Daily use gives the best results. It takes a week or two to notice the full difference in texture and comfort.

Shop Braw Beard Oils

John, founder of Braw Beard Oils