In simple terms, unrefined means an oil or butter is in its most natural, untouched state. It has been pressed or extracted with minimal processing, keeping its natural colour, aroma, viscosity, and nutrients intact. Refined oils, on the other hand, are stripped — deodorised, bleached, heated, filtered until they look and smell neutral. While this makes them easier for big manufacturers (and helps products look “cleaner” on shelves), it comes at a heavy cost. Unrefined = nutrients, integrity, performance. Refined = shelf stability, aesthetics, but less effectiveness. Why Do Brands Refine Their Oils? Refining isn’t about making oils better for your beard or skin — it’s about making them cheaper and easier for mass production. Shelf Life – refined oils last longer on shop shelves because their natural enzymes and nutrients are removed. Uniform Appearance – they look clear and neutral, fitting the ‘cosmetic look’ big brands want. Cost Cutting – refining allows use of lower-quality crops, because defects and smells are processed out. Scalability – it suits industrial labs, not small-batch, craft production. The cost? All the goodness gets stripped out. Antioxidants → gone. Vitamins A, C, E → drastically reduced. Natural fatty acids → diminished. The Real Trade-Off: Shelf Life vs. Nutrients The problem is that refining takes away the very things that make oils powerful. When heat and chemicals are used, sensitive compounds are destroyed. Refined oils might sit on shelves longer, but they don’t do anything meaningful for your beard or skin. Nutrients – vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants are reduced or lost. Integrity – the natural colour, scent, and texture are stripped away. Performance – less nourishment, less hydration, less real protection. Why Unrefined Matters for Your Beard We deliberately chose the hard road. Every product in our Roots Edition is powered by raw, unrefined ingredients — because your beard deserves it. Roots Beard Soap Powered by raw, organic, unrefined coconut oil. Cold-pressed and cured for 6 weeks in-house. Delivers a natural cleanse that removes bacteria and buildup. Roots Beard Oil Anchored by golden Sea Buckthorn oil. Packed with omegas, carotenoids, and vitamins. Thick, viscous, unapologetically bold in colour — nothing diluted. Roots Beard Balm Built on raw, unrefined mango butter. Blended with shea butter and avocado oil. Provides protection and natural hold. How Rugged Beard Co. Does It Differently At Rugged Beard Co., we only work with raw, organic, unrefined carrier oils and butters. Every batch is sourced with integrity, tested, and poured in-house in West London. Cold-pressed extraction only – never heat-treated. Small-batch production – keeping freshness and potency. No fillers, no dilution – just pure function-driven ingredients. Products designed for results first, not appearances. Why This Sets Us Apart While many grooming products on the shelves today look polished, what’s inside often tells a different story. Cheap fillers, refined oils, synthetic fragrances — these are shortcuts we refuse to take. Why It Matters for Your Beard (and Skin) Beards aren’t just hair — they’re rooted in skin. And the skin beneath is where real nourishment starts. Unrefined ingredients mean: Vitamins intact – A, C, E for regeneration and protection. Fatty acids preserved – strengthen cuticles, reduce breakage. Natural antioxidants – shield from irritation, inflammation, and daily stressors. Authentic textures & scents – proof that your products are the real deal. This is the difference between a beard that looks okay and a beard that’s genuinely healthier. How We’re Different Rugged Beard Co. isn’t here to play the industry’s game. We don’t chase uniformity or fragrance-first formulas. Instead, we: Source only from ethical, trusted suppliers. Manufacture in-house in Brentford, West London. Use ingredients in their rawest, most effective form. Accept that colour, aroma, and texture vary — because that’s what nature intended. Because shortcuts don’t belong to us.