DEPOT®
No. 403 Pre-Shave & Softening Beard Oil
Pre-Shave + Daily Beard Oil
Pre-shave softener. Daily beard oil. Two jobs.
DEPOT® No. 403 Pre-Shave & Softening Beard Oil — versatile oil for pre-shave skin preparation and daily beard conditioning. Apricot Oil, Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, and Vitamin E soften the beard, prevent irritation, nourish the skin, and add control and shine without greasiness.
- Shine
- Shave
Professional Men’s Grooming · Barber-Inspired Care
This is probably for you if…
- Pre-shave softening
- Beard care
- Coarse beard texture
- Shine without greasiness
In stock + ready to ship
Unopened + unused items may be eligible for exchange or store credit within 14 days. Returns policy
- Free shipping $100+Canada + U.S. · duties included
- Packed by ModaBowmanville, Ontario
- Earn Inner CirclePoints on eligible orders
What it does
- Softens beard and prepares skin before shaving — reduces irritation
- Nourishes and conditions beard daily without greasiness
- Adds control and shine; neutralises food and sweat odours
- Absorbs quickly — no greasy residue
Perfect for
- Pre-shave softening; beard care; coarse beard texture; shine without greasiness
How to use
- Apply a few drops to beard or skin before shaving, or work through the beard as a softening grooming oil.
Why we like it
The Moda Team Review
No. 403 earns its place in a DEPOT routine because it does two jobs: softens skin and beard before shaving for a closer, more comfortable result, and works as a daily beard oil that conditions, adds shine, and controls odour without greasiness. The plant oil blend absorbs quickly, no greasy residue, and the fragrance — available in Sweet Almond or Fresh Black Pepper — is as masculine and distinctive as anything else in the DEPOT range.
Moda
What’s inside — and why it’s there
The ingredients worth knowing.
- Apricot Oil — emollient, nourishing, conditioning. Jojoba Oil — emollient, nourishing, conditioning. Sweet Almond Oil — emollient, nourishing, conditioning. Vitamin E — antioxidant, anti-radical. Absorbs quickly without greasing.
View full ingredient list
High-quality plant oil blend; emollient and restructuring oils. Available in Sweet Almond and Fresh Black Pepper fragrance profiles.
How to use
Use it the way we would.
- Apply a few drops to beard or skin before shaving, or work through the beard as a softening grooming oil.
Moda stylist tipAs pre-shave: a few drops on the face before No. 404 Soothing Shaving Soap for a closer, more comfortable shave. As beard oil: work a few drops through the beard after washing with No. 501 for daily conditioning.
Reviews
Questions? We get them.
Good to know.
The questions we hear most about this product. If yours isn’t here, a real stylist will answer.
Ask ModaI've tried beard oils before and they made my beard look greasy. Will No. 403 do the same?
No — greasiness is typically a sign of either too much product or oils that don't absorb well. No. 403 uses a high-quality plant oil blend specifically chosen for its absorption properties and non-greasy finish. Start with 3–4 drops maximum for a medium-length beard, warm between the palms before applying, and work through the beard thoroughly.
How does No. 403 work as a pre-shave oil? Don't I need something specific for shaving?
Yes — No. 403 is dual-recommended by DEPOT® for both pre-shave and beard conditioning use. As a pre-shave oil, a few drops applied to the beard before the shaving product soften the beard hair and condition the skin underneath, helping the razor glide more cleanly. Follow with No. 404 Soothing Shaving Soap for the actual shave.
Which fragrance should I choose — Sweet Almond or Fresh Black Pepper?
This comes down to personal scent preference. Sweet Almond has a softer, warmer character. Fresh Black Pepper is more distinctive — spicy, masculine, and more complex. Fresh Black Pepper is the more commented-on fragrance at Moda — clients often ask what their barber used. If in doubt, Fresh Black Pepper is the bolder, more memorable choice.
I have a short beard of about 1cm. Is beard oil still necessary or is it only for longer beards?
Yes, beard oil is beneficial at any length. The conditioning and skin-moisturising benefits apply to the skin underneath the beard regardless of beard length. Use 2–3 drops for a short beard, focused on the skin rather than the beard hair itself.
Does No. 403 help with beard itch? My beard gets uncomfortable, especially in the first few weeks of growth.
Yes. Beard itch in the early growth phase is largely caused by dry, irritated skin underneath the beard. No. 403's emollient plant oil blend conditions both the beard hair and the skin beneath it, directly addressing the dryness that causes itch. Daily use during the early growth weeks significantly reduces this discomfort for most clients.
Returns
Unopened + unused products may be eligible for exchange or Moda store credit within 14 days.
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