# Why can't I use Grecian Formula on my beard? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 13, 2002, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108 "2002-10-13T16:55:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/1 "2002-10-13T16:55:20Z")
My otherwise youthful appearance is ruined my the grey hairs that are peppered within my beard. I have absolutely no grey in the hair on my head. The makers of Grecian Formula warn not to use their product on the beard, but they give no reason why not. Anyone here know why not? [http://www.grecian-formula.com/faq-grecian.html#Q7](http://www.grecian-formula.com/faq-grecian.html#Q7) ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/2 "2002-10-13T17:24:44Z")
You’re just using the wrong product. As shown on [this](http://www.menessentials.com/tips/hair_dye.html) web page, several other brands either allow for use on beards or offer separate products specifically for beard use, including Grecian 5. Many years ago I used some of these to dye my beard. Worked fine. Of course, now I am happily natural and distinguished.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/3 "2002-10-13T17:27:35Z")
I suspect they are not permitted to tell you, “Go ahead, use it near your mouth! It won’t hurt ya!” Whether it will hurt ya is another story; I suggest you read the label and see what’s in it. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/4 "2002-10-13T17:36:23Z")
I’ve noticed many over the counter beard dying products. You shouldn’t have trouble finding one. Now, if may hijack a bit: How does one dye their eyebrows? My hair only has a bit of gray in it currently, but my EYEBROWS have decided to get noticeable white hairs in them, which looks dumb. There are severe warnings on all hair, beard, moustache dying products not to dye your eyebrows because if you get the stuff in your eyes, horrid things happen. I tend to believe it. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/5 "2002-10-13T18:00:24Z")
I don’t want to dye my beard. I want to replenish the melenin so it changes back itself naturally, which is what Grecian sort of does. First of all, dye is a damn mess. Second of all, I have red hair (I’m Red Beard the Pirate:p) and none of the dyes on the market match my hair color. I noticed that some of the “generic” Grecian formulas also say not to use on beards. Why? Will my head fall off? What’s in this stuff that’s so bad? ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_Scene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Bob\_Scene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Scene)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/6 "2002-10-13T18:19:36Z")
> [@](#): > > What’s in this stuff that’s so bad? Lead acetate. ---
**Author:** ![Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Some_Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/7 "2002-10-13T18:19:40Z")
I think one Grecian Formula’s competitors (Just for Men, mayhap?) sells a kit with a slightly “pastier” formula and a don’t-call-it-a-mascara-brush brush, specifically for use in moustaches and eyebrows. Let me search, I’ll see if I can come up with it. ---
**Author:** ![Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Some_Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/8 "2002-10-13T18:24:16Z")
Et [voila](http://www.justformen.com/facialcolor.shtml)! Contrary to my remembrance, however, it says nothing about eyebrows - I’d be careful near the ol’ peepers, if I were the type to need hair coloring. ::bronx cheer smiley:: ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Patrol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Cat\_Patrol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Patrol)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/9 "2002-10-13T18:58:07Z")
I’m in kind of the same boat. I’m going gray on my sideburn areas. The hairs there are sort of tough and wiry like facial hair. Anyway, I use Grecian on it, it darkens them, it just takes multiple applications. Oh, and be sure to wash your hands after use, because one of the active ingredients in Grecian is a form of lead. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/10 "2002-10-13T18:59:54Z")
OK, I apologize for the highjack, but I tried two bottles of Grecian and it never changed my hair. Two full bottles. No one noticed a difference, including people who only seem a few times a year. Has anyone else experienced this? Anyone have a conjecture as to why this might have happened. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Patrol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Cat\_Patrol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Patrol)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/11 "2002-10-13T20:50:37Z")
Well I do know that you have to shake the bottle constantly, because the active ingrediant seperates from the rest within a few seconds. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/13 "2002-10-13T23:40:05Z")
I’ve used the 5 minute Beard Stuff by Grecian. It works nicely, but it doesn’t really make the gray go to dark brown, it makes the gray to do very brownish gray. Big difference. In a week, it’s gone and the skunk stripes I have in two places in the beard are back. I’ll live. Okay, okay, I’m vain. 😉 Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2002, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/14 "2002-10-14T01:42:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Some Guy \* > \*\*Et [voila](http://www.justformen.com/facialcolor.shtml)! > > Contrary to my remembrance, however, it says nothing about eyebrows - I’d be careful near the ol’ peepers, if I were the type to need hair coloring. > ::bronx cheer smiley:: \*\* That’s one of the products that tells you not to use it on your eyebrows - if you read the directions INSIDE the damn box after you’ve already bought it, IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![MoMan1712](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@MoMan1712](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoMan1712)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/15 "2012-11-18T07:20:44Z")
Tried Grecian2000 on a very grey beard / moustache for Movember. My hair is mediterranean black. Didn’t hurt me but didn’t do anything at all. Facial hair is just too thick. There is Grecian5 which is a 2 part dye or “just for men - for beards” which is another 2 part dye. Both work. Process takes 5 minutes and works fine. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/16 "2012-11-18T07:36:56Z")
Wow. A ten year old thread where most of the people who originally posted in it are still active. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/17 "2012-11-18T07:59:31Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > OK, I apologize for the highjack, but I tried two bottles of Grecian and it never changed my hair. Two full bottles. No one noticed a difference, including people who only seem a few times a year. Has anyone else experienced this? Anyone have a conjecture as to why this might have happened. But did you drink it with water? ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/18 "2012-11-18T16:59:35Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > Wow. A ten year old thread where most of the people who originally posted in it are still active. And probably have grayer beards (or not). ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/19 "2012-11-18T21:01:08Z")
A gray zombie thread. ---
**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/20 "2012-11-19T16:42:13Z")
Grecian formula was once rumored to contain arsenic. I cannot find a reference to arsenic but Wikipedia entry says it has been banned in Canada because of lead acetate - and that it doesn’t work well on facial hair. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/21 "2012-11-19T17:21:54Z")
You wind up with a green beard, don’t come running to us. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108.md?page=2)