I use beard oil/balm/butter but my beard is still really dry and unruly, why?

A well moisturized beard starts in the shower and what you wash it with. If you wash your beard with shampoo or regular bar soap, your beard is being stripped and will be very dry. You need to use a conditioner or co-wash.

I'm new to beard products, what's the difference between oil/balm/butter?

They are all designed to moisturize your skin and beard, they just do it in a slightly different manner. Keep it simple. Short beards, beard oil. A bit longer, beard butter. Longer and/or thicker unruly beards, beard balm. Start with an oil and butter if you're new, then go from there.

What's the shelf life of oil/balm/butter?

12 months if stored in a cool, dry place.

How much do I use of oil/balm/butter?

Depends on the length of your beard, but most don't use enough. You need enough to cover all of the hair follicles. It's difficult to apply too much, and very easy to use too little.

How long does the scent last?

You should expect 6-8 hour from our scents.

Will it stain my clothes?

No, it shouldn't. Most beard products leave a greasy film on the outside of your beard which can rub off onto your clothes. Our products are designed to absorb fully so there shouldn't be any transfer onto your shirt or other clothing.

What if I order a scent I don't like?

TOO BAD! I already got your money. JK. If you order any product from kühn and you're not happy with the scent, we will replace it with the scent of you choice. We'll never make someone keep a scent they won't wear.

I Spent Two Years Studying Beard Growth Kits So You Don’t Have To

I’ve been that guy. You know the one-staring at a $75 “beard growth kit” on a website, reading reviews from strangers who swear they went from patchy to Viking in two weeks. And I’ll be honest: I wanted to believe it. So I bought a few. Tried them. Got mediocre results. And then I got curious.

Over the last two years, I’ve read dermatology journals, talked to product formulators (some off the record), and tested more oils and balms than my bathroom cabinet can hold. What I found surprised me-and saved me a lot of money. Here’s the unvarnished truth about those beard growth kits.

What’s Actually in the Bottle?

Every beard oil starts with a carrier oil. Jojoba, argan, grapeseed, coconut-these are the base. Brands love to make them sound exotic, but let’s look at what the science actually says.

Jojoba oil is chemically almost identical to your skin’s natural sebum. A 2014 study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found it has anti-inflammatory properties. That means fewer ingrown hairs and less redness. But it doesn’t grow new hair.
Argan oil is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids. A 2017 review in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences confirms it moisturizes and protects. Less breakage means a fuller-looking beard, but again-no new growth.
Coconut oil has small molecules that can actually penetrate the hair shaft. A 2003 study in the Journal of Cosmetic Science showed it reduces protein loss. Great for strength and length. Not for creating new follicles.

Here’s the hard truth: no carrier oil has ever been proven to stimulate new hair growth on the beard. The molecules that could interact with your hair follicles are too large to penetrate the skin barrier effectively. What these oils do is create a healthier environment for the hair you already have-less inflammation, less shedding, less breakage. That’s valuable. But it’s not magic.

Genetics: The Boss You Can’t Fire

I know this isn’t what anyone wants to hear, but your beard’s potential is determined by how sensitive your hair follicles are to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). That sensitivity is genetic. No oil, balm, or “growth complex” can change it.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Dermatologists have studied hair growth for decades-mostly for scalp balding. The proven treatment is minoxidil (Rogaine). Some men use it on their beards off-label, and it can work by increasing blood flow and extending the growth phase. You won’t find minoxidil in any beard kit because it’s a regulated drug. So brands use “natural” alternatives that sound promising but lack real human studies.

Peppermint oil - One mouse study from 2014 showed it increased hair growth compared to minoxidil. But mouse skin isn’t human beard skin, and no solid human trials exist.
Caffeine - A 2007 lab study found it counteracted DHT in a petri dish. But the concentration in a beard oil is too low, and skin absorption too poor, to replicate that effect.
Biotin - Unless you have a deficiency, adding more biotin to your skin does nothing. Your body can only use so much, and the rest is excreted.

I’m not saying these ingredients are useless. They can soothe, moisturize, and protect your skin. But if a product claims to grow your beard, ask: Where are the human clinical trials? If the brand can’t point to them, they’re selling hope-not science.

What Most Guys Overlook: Your Lifestyle

This part surprised me the most. After digging through the research, the strongest predictor of beard fullness-after genetics-is your overall health. Not what you put on your face.

Sleep - A 2016 study in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology linked chronic sleep deprivation to higher cortisol levels and reduced hair growth. If you’re sleeping five hours and spending $100 on a kit, you’re fighting your own biology.
Stress - Cortisol can shorten the active growth phase of hair follicles. A daily walk, meditation, or even just stepping away from your phone might do more for your beard than any serum.
Diet - Zinc, vitamin D, and iron are all linked to hair health. A 2013 review in Dermatology Practical & Conceptual emphasized that deficiencies are common. Your beard oil can’t fix a zinc deficiency.

I once spoke with a product formulator who admitted-off the record-that return rates for beard growth kits are high. “People expect results in two weeks,” he said. “When they don’t see it, they blame the product. But the product was never the real variable.”

What a Good Beard Kit Actually Looks Like

After all this research, I don’t believe in “growth” kits. I believe in support kits. A good one admits its limits and focuses on what works. Here’s what I’d look for:

A quality carrier oil - Jojoba or argan, with anti-inflammatory ingredients like vitamin E or chamomile. Keeps skin healthy and prevents breakage.
A gentle exfoliant - A silicone scrub brush or a mild chemical exfoliant (like salicylic acid) to prevent ingrown hairs and keep follicles clear.
A silicone-free balm - Beeswax or shea butter for styling and protection. Silicones can trap dirt and clog pores.
A derma roller (0.5mm microneedling) - This tool has real evidence. A 2013 study in the International Journal of Trichology showed microneedling combined with minoxidil boosted hair growth. Used alone, it’s less potent, but it’s more than any oil can do.
A reality check - A simple note that says: “Your genetics set the ceiling, but consistency with skin care, sleep, and nutrition will help you reach it. Give it three to six months.”

Bottom Line

I want you to take a different approach. The beard kit isn’t a cure-it’s a tool for optimizing the skin and hair you already have. If your beard is sparse because of genetics, no product will make it dense. But if it’s sparse because of dry skin, inflammation, poor sleep, or nutrient gaps, a good kit combined with lifestyle changes can absolutely help.

Next time you see a brand claiming to “activate dormant follicles” or “naturally stimulate growth,” ask yourself: Do they have human studies to back that up? If not, they’re selling hope. And hope is fine-just don’t pay $80 for it.

I’ve been down this rabbit hole so you don’t have to. The truth about beard growth? Genetics sets the ceiling. Your health sets the floor. Your kit? It’s just the ladder. Make sure it’s a solid one.

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