The RUNESILK Guide · Beard Oil Series 3 of 8
What's In Your Beard Oil? Grapeseed, Jojoba, Argan, Borage and Sea Buckthorn Explained
Scent is what makes each RUNESILK oil different, but the carrier oil blend underneath is what actually does the conditioning. Every one of our twelve scents shares the same five oils, in the same cold pressed, unrefined form. Here is what each one is doing and why it earned its place in the blend.
Grapeseed oil
A light, fast absorbing oil that sits at the base of the blend. It carries a high concentration of linoleic acid, which helps it sink in quickly without leaving a heavy or greasy finish, useful for anyone applying oil in the morning and wanting to get on with the day.
Jojoba oil
Technically a liquid wax rather than a true oil, which is exactly why it works so well here. Its structure closely resembles the sebum your skin already produces, so it absorbs in a way that feels familiar to the skin rather than sitting on top of it, helping balance the skin underneath the beard rather than overloading it.
Argan oil
Rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, argan is the oil doing most of the heavy lifting on softness and shine. It coats the hair shaft, smoothing the outer cuticle, which is what gives a well oiled beard that noticeably softer, less wiry feel.
Borage oil
One of the richest natural sources of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), an omega 6 fatty acid known for its calming effect on irritated or sensitive skin. It is the ingredient most directly responsible for reducing the itch that shows up in the first few weeks of growing out a beard.
Sea Buckthorn oil
Deep orange in colour and used in smaller proportion for that reason, sea buckthorn is packed with omega 7 fatty acids and antioxidants that support the skin's natural barrier. It is included for skin health as much as hair condition, working quietly alongside borage to keep the skin underneath the beard comfortable.
The blend at a glance
| Oil | Type | Main job in the blend |
|---|---|---|
| Grapeseed | Light carrier oil | Fast absorption, non greasy base |
| Jojoba | Liquid wax | Mimics natural sebum, balances skin |
| Argan | Rich carrier oil | Softness, shine, cuticle smoothing |
| Borage | GLA rich oil | Calms irritation and itch |
| Sea Buckthorn | Antioxidant rich oil | Supports skin barrier health |
Frequently asked questions
Because the blend already does its job well. Changing the carrier oils between scents would mean re-testing conditioning performance every time, so we keep the base consistent and let the essential oil blend define each scent instead.
Yes, though its strong colour means it is used in a smaller proportion than the other four oils to avoid any staining on skin or fabric. The concentration used is chosen for skin comfort, not to limit its benefit.
Borage oil, thanks to its high GLA content, does the most direct work calming irritation, with sea buckthorn supporting the skin barrier alongside it.
No. Because its structure is so close to natural sebum, jojoba is generally well tolerated by most skin types and is a common choice in oils formulated for sensitive or acne prone skin.
Every oil in our full beard oil collection uses this exact five oil base. For a wider look at what makes a good beard oil beyond the ingredient list, start with our buying guide.