The Tubb Starr Difference

OVER THE COURSE OF ONE YEAR, Tubb Starr did a lot of research and development before bringing our best beard products to market. Unlike the plethora of other burgeoning beard product artisans out there, we never just copy what is already in existence.

Instead of doing the copying act that so many other beard product companies are doing, we looked at what is NOT WORKING and went from there.

INFERIOR OILS CREATE INFERIOR PRODUCTS

What we found is that too many products made specifically for beards and mustaches contain ingredients that are just not as good as they could be.

Many beard products contain oils that can help hair grow, stay nourished, moisturized and conditioned; however, they often have cheap “fillers” as their leading ingredients.

We chose to use more expensive, specialist oils as our leading ingredients because of their numerous benefits to beard and mustache hair.

Our oil blends are quick-absorbing, lightweight and full of healthy fats and vitamins to promote growth, reduce hair loss and help thicken beards.

We also chose to stay away from some of the more common oils and butters as they present several issues that should be avoided when caring for your face and the hair that grows thereon.

For example, OLIVE OIL is not a terrible choice in treating beard and mustache hair as it can create a healthy shine with its rich moisturizing capabilities. In fact, many beard products available to you contain olive oil, and those that do often list it as a leading ingredient. Tubb Starr beard products do not include any olive oil despite its moisturizing capabilities. Why? We will tell you why…

Olive oil contains monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and is up to 85% oleic acid. Oleic acid, although a healthy fat, is also an irritant to 1 out of 2 people¹. 

According to Head & Shoulders, a leader in hair care, nearly half of the world’s population is sensitive to oleic acid. This means that 50% of all people will experience a dry, itchy, red scalp that flakes off in scaly patches at some time in their lives. Head & Shoulders attributes this affliction, better known as dandruff, to a combination of three factors coming together, of which oleic acid is one of them¹. The same is true for the skin undeneath beards (which sensitivity we refer to as beard dandruff or beard-druff).

When oleic acid from a source like olive oil makes contact with skin and your skin’s natural oils (sebum), beard-druff can develop in 1 out of 2 people. 

(For more information on this, please visit our post How to Grow a Beard Others Will Envy (Part One): Skin Issues During Beard Growth & Their Solutions.)

Other issues with olive oil are its slow absorption rate and its potential to cause acne and make hair smell bad. Olive oil is heavy and sits on top of the skin which can cause skin pores to become clogged and acne to form. Also, the heavy residue left behind can begin to smell bad in your hair despite best efforts to rinse it out.

Another common beard product ingredient is COCONUT OIL. Coconut oil use has been gaining popularity lately and for good reason. For health concerns, it can be used as an alternative to olive and vegetable oils in cooking since it is high in lauric acid, which can improve HDL (the good cholesterol)². For beauty purposes, the lauric acid content of coconut oil makes it a good hair strengthener and protectant, limiting breakage and split-ends.

The bad news regarding coconut oil is that it contains caprylic triglyceride, which is a healthy fat but one that triggers acne break-outs for many people³.

Another issue with using coconut oil in beard care is that it is solid at room temperature and very thick and creamy. This makes for a good, rich conditioner but does not work in beard oils or lightweight products. To make coconut oil a liquid capable of mixing with other liquids, the long-chain fatty acids must be removed. This liquid form of coconut oil is sold as Fractionated Coconut Oil or MCT Oil.

FRACTIONATED COCONUT OIL, although missing the lauric acid content that its virgin counterpart was full of, still has many nutrients and benefits to beard hair. It contains Vitamins A, C and E that protect, nourish and condition the hair. Additionally, it is an antioxidant, meaning that it neutralizes free radicals to nourish hair follicles, promote growth and reduce hair loss.

Despite its benefits, Tubb Starr has chosen to disclude fractionated coconut oil from its products because we found, during our extensive research, that it develops a foul odor in beards.

We asked several bearded men to participate in a trial where we gave each man one of two beard oil samples to test: one that included fractionated coconut oil and one that did not. The results were unanimous—the beard oil blend that included the coconut oil was reported to have a foul odor (smelled like vomit) after as short as one hour after application, despite no odor being present prior to application.

The reason for the gross smell would be explained by oxidation, although many will argue that coconut oil does not smell bad unless the oil has gone bad or is rancid. All we know is that our trial proved the same result again and again, and we don’t think a smelly beard is worth arguing over.

THE BEST INGREDIENTS CREATE THE BEST PRODUCTS

So now that we know why certain ingredients are discluded from Tubb Starr’s beard labels, we can focus on those ingredients we do include and why we believe them to be better than others.

Tubb Starr DOES use other carrier oils commonly found in other brands’ products, such as GRAPESEED OIL and SWEET ALMOND OIL. The difference is that we do not limit our blends to just two or three of the same kinds of oils.

For example, a popular beard oil sold today for just under $20.00 USD is made using only three ingredients: olive oil, sweet almond oil and apricot kernel oil. On their own these oils all stand as good conditioners for hair and skin, but all three of these oils are mostly oleic.

As we discussed earlier, 1 out of every 2 people is going to have a sensitivity to oleic acid, and so any product that is mostly oleic is going to cause 50% of its users to develop beard-druff. This means they will experience symptoms of dry, red, irritated skin with rash, bumps and even flaking. These bearders could even lose their precious beard locks!

AVOCADO OIL, like olive oil, is mostly oleic; however, unlike olive oil it quickly absorbs into the hair cuticle and is lightweight. Although avocado oil can have as much oleic acid content as olive oil, it has additional properties that fight against dry skin and beard-druff.

Another cause of dry skin, rash and beard-druff is exposure to the sun and heat, as well as humidity and extreme temperatures. Avocado oil can act as a natural sunscreen and a deep moisturizer to help prevent this.

Additionally, the abundance of Vitamin E, beta-carotene and lutein in AVOCADO OIL helps to cleanse the pores and rid them of sebum buildup that excess oil production can cause. This actually reduces the risk of acne development despite its high oleic acid content.

The inclusion of JOJOBA OIL and SHEA NUT OIL in our oil blends act as a sebum replicant. When placing a sebum replicant on the skin, the skin responds by reducing its own oil production. Essentially we are tricking the skin into thinking it has enough sebum already.

This reduction in the skin’s natural oil production is what helps ward off beard-druff and the dry skin, itch, rash and hair loss that comes with it. 

TUBB STARR’S BEARD LABELS ARE FORMULATED WITH YOUR BEARD NEEDS IN MIND

At Tubb Starr we took into account those oils that did not achieve the results we were looking for and those that exceeded our expectations. We decided that, from our year-long research, we could not create just one beard product or oil blend to treat all the beards out there.

Tubb Starr saw a need for different formulas for different types of beards since not all oils are the same and not all oils belong in every type of beard. Furthermore, the chemical makeup of each person differs and not every product works for every person.

That is why we developed three different labels to treat three different kinds of beards: short or new beards; long beards; and afro-textured beards.

Our products sold under the GOLD LABEL, which is for new beards one-half inch in length or less, include ARGAN OIL to treat the dry skin, itch, rash and red bump issues associated with new growth. This oil, often referred to as “liquid gold,” nourishes, moisturizes and conditions the skin as well as the beard. It also smoothes the hair, controls frizz and prevents breakage.

We also include MACADAMIA NUT OIL in this formula to improve the look and feel of your skin underneath the beard to maintain its health and lustre.

An important aspect of beard growth that is often overlooked by other beard products is the need to maintain healthy, unclogged, moisturized skin. Therefore, many inferior beard care products have ingredients that can actually clog pores, cause acne and exacerbate dry, irritated skin.

The oils included in our products are important to maintaining well-moisturized, healthy and blemish-free skin.

Under our JADE LABEL, which is formulated specifically for afro-textured beards, we use HEMP SEED OIL and CAMELLIA SEED OIL. We saw a need for a special formula for tightly-curled, fine-haired beards. The healthy fat, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) that hemp seed oil contains is especially beneficial to this type of hair by boosting keratin production and strengthening each strand so the delicate hairs do not split or break.

A quick Google search for afro-textured beard products will show you many links to sites that discuss the needs of these types of beards but does not provide many product options for purchase.

Tubb Starr is one of only a handful of companies that makes beard-care products formulated specifically for afro-textured beards.

For our long-bearded mates, we have a special formula made with JOJOBA OIL and KUKUI NUT OIL to prevent beard-druff, protect, nourish and condition hair down to the shaft, as well as provide healthy moisture to all skin types. Our PLATINUM LABEL line of products is also great for treating beards exposed to hotter climates and that need moisture without the heaviness.

Each of our beard butters and balms contain 100% pure COCOA BUTTER since it specifically treats dry, itchy and flaky skin. It is safe for use by those who have a nut allergy (unlike shea butter). Our balms also contain KOKUM BUTTER, which promotes hair growth, as well as moisturizes and conditions hair and skin without clogging pores.

TUBB STARR PROVIDES ALL THE LUXURY PRODUCTS YOUR BEARD & MUSTACHE COULD EVER WANT

Tubb Starr’s Beard Cologne & Detangler is designed to naturally detangle beard hair, acting as a leave-in conditioner. As beard hair grows many bearders begin to experience knots. Rather than risk snagging these knots and breaking the hair, use of this detangler will make your beard silky, tangle-free and provide it a nice, refreshing scent.

Tubb Starr’s Beard Cologne & Detangler is also made for those who desire a little pick-me-up for their beard by adding a spritz of shine, moisture and a manly fresh fragrance. This is a great item to carry with you while on a date!

Our Sculpting Wax for Mustache & Beard is made with the natural resin of FRANKINCENSE to provide it with its alluring, all-natural fragrance and the styling power needed of a wax. It also contains LANOLIN and JOJOBA OIL, two ingredients that closely resemble the skin’s natural oils which helps to prevent dry skin and irritation around the nose and mouth.

Our Hydrating & Cooling Beard & Face Tonic is perfect for our bearders who live in the south or who find themselves under the hot sun, whether for work or pleasure. The PURE ALOE VERA GEL gives this tonic its soothing and hydrating properties to tone the skin and calm any inflammation. The PEPPERMINT OIL and GRAPEFRUIT OIL provide the cooling effect that your hot skin will readily drink up.

All it will take is a few spritzes of this premium tonic on your hot face during those sweltering summer months and you will be hooked.

Finally, Tubb Starr’s Uber Moisturizing Beard Wash with Honey & Aloe is made with MANUKA HONEY sourced from New Zealand. This honey is not like the honey you dip your biscuits in or the honey you put in tea.

Manuka honey has many medicinal benefits and is used as an alternative medicine for many illnesses. It is an anti-fungal and antimicrobial, as well. As a beauty treatment, it can treat skin infections, irritations and acne. It also provides rich moisture to beard hair that leaves it super soft and shiny.

THE TUBB STARR DIFFERENCE

Our skin is protected by an oily layer called sebum. Sebum sits on top of the skin and consists of the body’s natural oils. The sebaceous glands create the sebum and push it to the surface of the skin through the hair follicles. Thus facial skin and beard hair are closely linked by sebum and its production.

Oleic acid, better known as Omega-9 fatty acid, and linoleic acid, which you may know as Omega-6 fatty acid, are important building blocks of sebum. The presence or lack of presence of these important fats will determine whether we will experience such skin and hair issues.

Thus, the best beard oils are going to have a combination of oils that are oleic and linoleic to help balance the needs of our skin and hair.

The reason this balance is needed is due to our skin’s chemistry. Linoleic acid is a healthy fat naturally produced by our body. A deficiency of this fat on our skin can cause acne, dry skin and hair and even hair loss.

In fact, people who are prone to acne have been found to have a low linoleic acid content on their skin³.

This reason is why many good (and expensive) cosmetics targeting the acne prone and made to reduce blemishes are high in linoleic acid. These products are also great at retaining moisture and preventing hair loss.

Those who suffer from dry, dull, cracked and peeling skin may be deficient in oleic acid. For this reason, products that have an ample amount of oleic acid content will be preferable to those who are not bothered by acne but experience dry, irritated skin.

A Tools of Men article, The Best Beard Oils of 2018: Reviews of the Top Brands, published on June 12, 2018, listed 14 beard oils that were selected to be the best. We noticed that the products listed consisted of a combination of oils that include several different healthy fats. So it appears that many of you, with or without knowing it, have already found that a good balance of oleic and linoleic acids make for a good beard oil/product. (Of course we believe that had our product been available for testing at the time the article was written Tubb Starr’s beard oils would have made that list.)

To further understand why we need a balance of these fats/lipids for healthy skin and hair, you can read our blog post Getting to Know Your Fats where we discuss this in great detail.

Our How to Grow a Beard Others Will Envy (Part Seven): Choosing the Best Beard Products for You article will also help you determine what skin type you have, as well as the needs of your beard and mustache. From there you will be able to decide which beard products are going to achieve the results you are looking for, including which Tubb Starr Beard Label (Gold, Platinum, Jade) is tailored to your specific needs.

OUR CONTINUED DEDICATION

Tubb Starr strives to make products that contain only the finest ingredients and also to provide a variety of products to treat the variety of beards and mustaches out there. We are always looking for the best ingredients to use so you never have to settle for what others are willing to sell you.

TO SEE FOR YOURSELF THE TUBB STARR DIFFERENCE BY COMPARING OUR LABELS TO OTHER BEARD PRODUCTS, PLEASE SEE OUR TUBB STARR BEARD LABELS COMPARISON CHART.

¹ Head & Shoulders, a part of the P&G Family. The Causes of Dandruff.

² Gunnars, Kris. Top 10 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Coconut Oil. HealthLine. 2018, January 11.

³ PubMed.gov. Essential fatty acids and acne. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. 1986, February 14.