A great beard does not always behave on its own. Coarse hairs, dry-feeling ends, uneven shape and stubborn flyaways can leave even a well-grown beard looking unfinished. That is where beard balm comes in.
Beard balm combines conditioning oils and butters with beeswax to help soften facial hair, improve manageability and provide light control for everyday styling. It sits between a beard oil and a styling wax, making it useful for men who want conditioning benefits without sacrificing shape.
What Is Beard Balm?
Beard balm is a leave-in grooming product made specifically for facial hair. It normally contains a combination of oils, plant butters and wax.
The oils and butters help condition the beard and the skin underneath, while the wax provides enough structure to smooth flyaways and help the beard hold a cleaner shape.
Revered for Men beard balms are made with shea butter, argan oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, beeswax and cocoa butter. Each balm also includes its own masculine fragrance blend.
What Does Beard Balm Do?
Beard balm helps make facial hair softer, smoother and easier to manage. It can also provide light styling control without making the beard feel hard or stiff.
Depending on your beard length and texture, beard balm may help:
- Soften coarse or dry-feeling facial hair
- Condition the beard and skin underneath
- Tame flyaways and unruly hairs
- Make the beard easier to shape
- Add a subtle, healthy-looking shine
- Give the beard a cleaner, more polished appearance
- Add a light masculine scent to your grooming routine
Beard balm is especially helpful for short-to-medium-length beards that have enough growth to become unruly but do not need the strong hold of a heavy styling wax.
What Are the Main Benefits of Beard Balm?
1. It Helps Soften Coarse Beard Hair
Beard hair is often thicker and coarser than the hair on your head. Conditioning oils and butters help improve the way facial hair feels, making it softer and easier to handle.
2. It Provides Light Styling Control
The beeswax in beard balm provides light hold that can help control hairs that stick out in different directions. It will not freeze your beard into place, but it can help create a neater, more intentional shape.
3. It Conditions the Skin Underneath
Beard balm is worked into the beard from the roots to the ends. Applying it close to the roots also allows the conditioning ingredients to reach the skin underneath the beard.
4. It Improves Beard Manageability
A conditioned beard is often easier to comb, brush and shape. Beard balm can help reduce the rough, dry feeling that makes facial hair difficult to manage.
5. It Adds a Polished Finish
Beard balm can add a subtle natural-looking shine without making the beard look wet. The result is a groomed finish that still looks and feels like a real beard.
How to Use Beard Balm Properly
Beard balm works best when it is applied to a clean, dry beard. You can also use it when your beard is slightly damp, but avoid applying it while the hair is soaking wet.
- Use the back of your thumbnail to scoop a small amount of balm from the tin.
- Rub the balm between your fingers and palms until it softens and spreads evenly.
- Massage the balm into your beard, beginning near the roots and working toward the ends.
- Use your hands, a beard comb or a beard brush to distribute the product and shape your beard.
Begin with less than you think you need. You can always add more, but applying too much at once may make the beard feel heavy.
How Much Beard Balm Should You Use?
The right amount depends on the length, thickness and texture of your beard.
- Short beard: Start with a pea-sized amount
- Medium beard: Start with a thumbnail-sized amount
- Long or thick beard: Begin with a small amount and gradually add more as needed
The goal is to lightly coat the beard, not cover it in a thick layer of product.
Can You Use Beard Balm Every Day?
Beard balm can be used as part of a daily grooming routine. The amount you need may change depending on the weather, your beard length and how dry or unruly your facial hair feels.
Some men apply beard balm each morning, while others use it only when their beard needs extra conditioning or control.
Beard Balm vs. Beard Oil: What Is the Difference?
Beard balm and beard oil both help condition facial hair, but they have different textures and purposes.
Beard Oil
Beard oil is lightweight and liquid. It spreads easily through facial hair and is particularly useful for conditioning the beard and skin underneath. It does not normally provide much styling hold.
Beard Balm
Beard balm has a thicker, solid texture because it contains butters and wax. It provides conditioning benefits while also helping smooth, shape and control the beard.
Men with shorter beards may prefer beard oil, while men with longer, thicker or more unruly facial hair may appreciate the additional control provided by beard balm.
Beard oil and beard balm can also be used together. Apply a small amount of beard oil first, allow it to absorb, and then use beard balm for added shape and control. Use both sparingly to avoid weighing down the beard.
Who Should Use Beard Balm?
Beard balm may be a good choice when:
- Your beard feels coarse or dry
- You have flyaways that are difficult to control
- Your beard loses its shape throughout the day
- You want conditioning and light hold in one product
- You prefer a balm texture instead of a liquid oil
- You want to add a subtle scent to your beard
How to Choose a Beard Balm Scent
Beard balm sits close to your face, so the scent should be one you enjoy throughout the day. Revered for Men offers eight beard balm scents ranging from fresh and outdoorsy to warm, dark and sophisticated.
- Fifty Shades: Rose, wild geranium, bergamot, golden amber and vanilla
- Ladies Man: Citrus, birch, oakmoss and cedarwood
- Captain Jack: Citrus, florals, cedarwood and warm rum
- Morning Wood: Sandalwood, amber, vanilla and soft florals
- Cedar & Citrus: Rugged cedarwood and bright citrus
- Cigar Room: Cedarwood, tobacco, rose, tonka bean and bourbon
- Treesome: Spruce, fir, balsam, cedarwood and peach
- Tailgate: Melon, suede, pink pepper and tobacco
For a fresh everyday scent, consider Cedar & Citrus Beard Balm. For something deeper and warmer, try Cigar Room Beard Balm. For a rich amber and vanilla profile, explore Fifty Shades Beard Balm.
Frequently Asked Questions About Beard Balm
Does beard balm make your beard greasy?
Beard balm should not leave the beard excessively greasy when the correct amount is used. Start with a small amount, warm it thoroughly between your hands and distribute it evenly through the beard.
Does beard balm provide strong hold?
Beard balm generally provides light hold. It helps tame flyaways and improve shape while allowing the beard to remain flexible and natural-looking.
Should beard balm be applied to wet or dry hair?
Apply beard balm to a clean, dry or slightly damp beard. Applying it to soaking-wet facial hair can make it harder to distribute evenly.
Can beard balm be used on a short beard?
Yes. A very small amount can help condition short facial hair and improve its appearance. Short beards require considerably less product than longer beards.
Do you need to wash beard balm out?
Beard balm is a leave-in product, so it does not need to be rinsed out immediately after application. Clean your beard regularly using an appropriate beard wash or gentle cleanser to remove product buildup.
Can beard balm replace beard oil?
It depends on your beard and grooming preferences. Beard balm offers both conditioning and light control, while beard oil has a lighter texture and focuses primarily on conditioning. Some men use one product, while others use both.
Find the Right Beard Balm for Your Routine
The right beard balm should make your facial hair easier to manage while fitting naturally into your grooming routine. Start with a small amount, apply it evenly and adjust according to your beard’s length and thickness.
Shop beard balm for men from The Bearded Collection and explore eight masculine scents made in Ontario, Canada.
