Top 10 Essential Oils For Men
Essential oils are for everyone, including men. If you’re a man, or a woman shopping for the men in her life, you’ll find a wide variety of masculine essential oils to use in natural colognes, skin care, hair care and beard care, and more. Men will also benefit from using essential oils for aromatherapy and relaxation.
After all, women aren’t the only ones who need a wellness routine. By using plant-based products like essential oils, men can achieve a healthier lifestyle without risking the effects of harsh chemicals or synthetic compounds. Many mainstream products contain artificial dyes, fragrances, or other ingredients that may lower testosterone levels in men.
Using essential oils for men’s skin care will help men look younger, while other oils will support muscle growth and post-workout recovery. Essential oils can also enhance stamina, energy, cognitive function, and overall mood. They may even help with erectile dysfunction.
So what are the best essential oils for men? Ultimately, it’s up to personal preference. Any oils can be manly essential oils when used by men! However, some essential oils do provide key benefits for a man’s unique needs. We’ve also found that most men prefer oils that have a woody, earthy, herbal, or citrusy aroma.
Whether you’re a man who’s curious about oils but not sure where to start, or a woman looking for a gift, here’s our list of the Top 10 best essential oils for men:
1. Sandalwood
Sandalwood for men offers a rich, grounding aroma that promotes feelings of stability and protection. It’s woody, earthy, warming, and ever-so-slightly sweet. Men can use Sandalwood Essential Oil to lower stress, reduce inflammation, and treat skin irritations.
Sandalwood is also one of the best essential oils for male arousal because its natural chemical composition mimics a human pheromone called androsterone, which is known to attract women. Using Sandalwood in a massage oil can also create an aphrodisiac effect by reducing stress and tension held in the body.
2. Cedarwood
Like Sandalwood, Cedarwood essential oil is warm and woody but has a sharper scent that’s more energizing. It also has a piney note that’s slightly reminiscent of fresh-chopped lumber. This aroma makes Cedarwood an excellent choice for men who love the outdoors.
Cedarwood is naturally antimicrobial, so it can help men neutralize odor-causing bacteria to stay fresh and clean. It also helps reduce inflammation, relieves respiratory and sinus congestion, and promotes hair growth. As a bonus, this essential oil naturally repels insects like mosquitoes.
3. Spruce
Spruce is another essential oil for men that is derived from trees. It’s steam distilled from Spruce pine needles and offers a fresh, evergreen, woody aroma that’s milder and less camphorous than Sandalwood and Cedarwood. This essential oil offers a crisp, clean scent to help men feel fresh and rejuvenated.
Using Spruce essential oil also combats depression, anxiety, and burnout. When used topically with carrier oil, it soothes body aches and sore muscles while promoting faster recovery time after physical labor or workouts. Spruce may also help heal wounds.
4. Frankincense Carterii
When it comes to essential oils for men’s skin care, Frankincense Carterii is one of the most potent options available. Frankincense is high in compounds called alpha-pinenes, which reduce inflammation and promote cellular regeneration. It’s also a natural astringent that helps tone, brighten, and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Men can use Frankincense Carterii in their skin care routine by adding 1-3 drops to their regular cleanser or daily SPF, or blending it with a carrier oil like Jojoba to apply directly to the face. Along with its cleansing and healing abilities, Frankincense offers a deep, woody aroma with a citrusy top note that’s spicy and slightly sweet.
5. Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil is sharp, crisp, and minty-fresh. This oil also contains natural menthol, which delivers a cooling, tingling sensation that helps the skin. We recommend Peppermint for men as a natural pain reliever, as well as a home remedy for coughs, colds, and allergies. Inhaling Peppermint oil helps relieve congestion by loosening mucus and relaxing the body.
It’s also an excellent choice as a hair or beard oil. The menthol in Peppermint oil promotes better circulation, which encourages blood flow to the follicles in the skin. By stimulating the follicles, Peppermint may help slow hair loss and encourage thicker, more voluminous new growth.
6. Patchouli
Patchouli has a dense, deep, earthy aroma that’s slightly musky. It’s a versatile essential oil that can be used on its own or added to a DIY blend of masculine essential oils. We love diffusing Patchouli for its peaceful, grounding vibe that lowers stress and promotes balance. It also promotes mental clarity.
If you’re looking for essential oils for male arousal, you’ll want to add Patchouli to your list because it’s known to increase libido. It contains a natural compound called Pachypodol, which has been studied for its ability to boost testosterone levels in men.
7. Copaiba
Copaiba essential oil is soothing, warming, and woody. When used in men’s skin care, it helps tighten, exfoliate, clear oily build-up, and restore the skin’s natural protective barrier. Copaiba also helps treat acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
Additionally, this essential oil offers analgesic benefits for natural pain relief. We recommend it as an essential oil for men who experience joint stiffness, body aches, or sore muscles. Try blending Copaiba with Fractionated Coconut Oil and massaging into areas of pain or discomfort.
8. Black Pepper
As the name implies, Black Pepper offers a peppery aroma that’s strong and spicy. It stimulates energy, focus, and helps clear brain fog and fatigue. Anecdotally, Black Pepper essential oil also assists people who are trying to quit smoking, so it’s perfect for men who need help kicking a tobacco habit.
Rich in antifungal and antibacterial compounds, Black Pepper oil can be used topically to help men treat athlete’s foot, reduce odor caused by sweat, and help heal small cuts, bruises, and abrasions.
9. Lemon
Lemon is one of our go-to essential oils for men due to its clean, fresh, invigorating citrus scent. Lemon essential oil offers benefits for skin care, like toning and brightening, as well as immune system support and mood.
When diffused or inhaled, Lemon oil promotes natural energy and optimism. It’s perfect for an early morning wake-up call or an afternoon pick-me-up. Lemon also supports better blood flow and reduces inflammation.
10. Tea Tree
Finally, there’s Tea Tree essential oil. Also known as Melaleuca oil, Tea Tree has a sharp, medicinal aroma that’s herbal and slightly sweet. It’s also one of the most effective essential oils for men’s skin care because it acts as a natural astringent and antiseptic agent.
Blending a few drops of Tea Tree into a carrier oil and applying it to the skin can clear acne, reduce the risk of painful in-grown hairs, and soothe irritation after shaving. It’s also antifungal and helps prevent and treat nail infections and athlete’s foot.
Get Creative with More Essential Oils for Men
Although these are our top 10 favorites, remember that men can use any essential oil as well as roll-ons, diffuser blends, and more. So get creative and explore different aromas to feel more masculine, or address personal needs like essential oils for fitness or immunity.
You can also try using masculine essential oils to support your love life. Click here for our blog article on Aphrodisiac Essential Oils.
To learn more about essential oils, check out our guides below: