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Periodic Graphics

Periodic Graphics: The science of beard products

Chemical educator and Compound Interest blogger Andy Brunning waxes poetic about the chemistry of facial hair care.

by Andy Brunning, special to C&EN
November 25, 2024
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An infographic on the science of beard products, looking at their ingredients and differences between them.

Carrier oils make up the bulk of beard oils and beard balms. These oils moisturize beard hair and the skin underneath. They replicate the role of the skin's natural oils, coating and hydrating beard hairs. Oils containing a higher proportion of saturated fatty acids are less prone to oxidation and rancidity than oils containing a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids.

Manufacturers add small quantities of essential oils, which give beard oils, balms, and waxes their scents. Terpenes are the primary organic compounds that give essential oils their scents. They also provide antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Beard balms and waxes contain waxes and butters. For a firmer hold during styling, beard waxes contain more wax than balms do. Balms and waxes are thicker than oils, meaning hair absorbs them over a longer period. Additional compounds, like vitamins C and E, prevent oils from oxidizing and going rancid.
Credit: Andy Brunning

To download a pdf of this article, visit cenm.ag/beardproducts.

References used to create this graphic:

Boothby-Shoemaker, Wyatt, Nicholas Comeau, and Steven Daveluy. “The Dermatologist’s Guide to Beards: A Review of Structure, Function, Care and Pathology.” Clin. Exp. Dermatol.(2023). DOI: 10.1093/ced/llad201.

Foxon-Hill, Amanda. “Bootiful Beard Oil.” Realize Beauty(blog). Sept. 4, 2016.

Kuoppala, Ali. “Every Beard Oil Ingredient Explained (in Meticulous Detail).” Beard Resource(blog). Last updated Oct. 12, 2022.

A collaboration between C&EN and Andy Brunning, author of the popular graphics blog Compound Interest

To see more of Brunning’s work, go to compoundchem.com. To see all of C&EN’s Periodic Graphics, visit cenm.ag/periodicgraphics.

 

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