If you have a beard, you know that it’s an investment. It takes a lot of time to grow, shape, and maintain it, so it looks neat and tidy.
If your beard is dry, unruly, or just looks like it needs some extra attention, a beard balm might be just the thing you need. Beard balms can not only help condition and smooth your beard, but they also help the underlying skin, keeping it moisturized and preventing itch and dandruff. Some even have natural antibacterial ingredients that can help prevent breakouts and irritation.
There are many beard products on the market, but balms are typically the easiest to use. What’s not easy, though, is finding the right one for your beard!
Here, we’ve pulled together fourteen of the best beard balm products so you can spend more time styling and caring for your beard than shopping for products.
Top 14 Beard Balms Ultimate Table
The Breakdown on Balms
There are many choices when it comes to beard balms, and it could be a little overwhelming if you’re not sure where to start. While beard balms might all look alike, there are some specific things to look for when trying to find the perfect beard balm for you.
What Is Beard Balm?
There are several different products for beard care and maintenance, but beard balm is probably the easiest to use and has benefits beyond making your beard look good. It typically comes in a small tin and has the consistency of chapstick or lip gloss.
Beard balm is meant to condition your beard to keep it soft and smooth. It can also help tame any rogue hairs and is great for keeping underlying skin soft, smooth, and irritation free. While beard balm is great for any beard, you can see a difference if you have a particularly curly beard or if it’s dense. Applying a beard balm regularly can produce amazing results.
While some balms can provide you with some hold, balms generally aren’t meant to be used for styling. Beard waxes are typically used when you want a lot of hold.
How Do I Use Beard Balm?
Application is quick and easy and a lot less messy than an oil would be. You can start with either a wet or dry beard, though some people prefer to apply balm when their beards are wet because it could help it spread a little easier.
First, scrape a small amount of balm out of the tin with the back of your fingernail. Some brands suggest a dime sized amount, but how much you’ll need will really depend on how long your beard is. You should start with a small amount and add more if you need it. It’s much easier to add more than it is to remove too much.
Next, place the balm in your palms and rub it between your hands; this warms up the wax and helps the balm get softer and easier to apply. After the balm has softened, run your fingers through your beard. Massage it into every hair. Some people prefer to use a beard comb to help make sure the balm covers every hair. A comb isn’t necessary, but it is helpful.
That’s it! The balm will continue to soak in and condition your beard all day.
What Is Beard Balm Made Of?
Beard balms are typically made of all natural ingredients, but they vary slightly from brand to brand. There are two main parts to every balm:
- Base – Beard balms all have a base made from a wax and a butter. Usually, either lanolin or beeswax is used along with shea or coconut butter. The proportion of wax to butter will affect the balm’s texture. Beeswax and lanolin are firm while butters are creamy. They become soft and pliable when mixed together. Put a little more beeswax or lanolin in and it will be a little firmer; a little more shea or coconut butter, and it will be a little creamier.
- Oils – Once the base is applied, it coats the hair and holds the oils in place so they can soak in and start conditioning. They also usually provide the scent of the balm. Any oil can be used, and manufacturers typically choose those that are reasonably priced or readily available. Some balms use oils that are local to the region where the balm is made.
Some examples of commonly used oils are jojoba, grapeseed, argan, and kukui nut.
Essential oils are also added according to the properties the manufacturer wants in the balm. For example, tea tree oil is known as an antiseptic while peppermint is soothing, both of which will help calm red, irritated skin.
- Be Careful If You Have Allergies – It’s really important to note here that some of these balms use oils and butters that are nut-based. If you have a nut allergy, make sure you find one that does not have any risk of exposure.
Top 14 Best Beard Balms Reviewed
1. Honest Amish Beard Balm Twist Tin
Honest Amish Beard Balm is made of a variety of organic ingredients that will not only strengthen hair but will also smooth and condition the underlying skin to stop any itching or dandruff. Its base is made in part of avocado, almond, and apricot kernel oils. It’s then mixed with fruit and nut butters and essential oils.
With no added colors or perfumes, no chemicals, and no preservatives, Honest Amish Beard Balm is exceptionally environmentally responsible, right down to the reusable and biodegradable tin that it’s packaged in. It offers a slight hold to contain and smooth away any flyaways hairs.
This is a complex formula that’s designed to be the very best. It’s made by hand and was developed, tested, and perfected in a small town in western Pennsylvania, right in the heart of Amish country. The company stands behind the product so much that they offer a money back satisfaction guarantee. After all, who knows more about rocking a beard than the Amish?
2. Prophet and Tools White Beard Balm Oil Wax
Prophet and Tools Beard Balm Oil Wax is made with all natural ingredients. It conditions your hair just as you would expect from a beard balm, but it also acts as a leave in shampoo and conditioner. You won’t have to wash your beard as often, and it can be especially effective on really dry, unruly beards.
It has a refreshing citrus smell that fades away after about an hour. This balm is white so that even those with white beards can use it without fear that it will lead to any discoloration. Once it’s worked in and melted, it turns clear. Some of the all natural ingredients include shea butter, beeswax, almond, and apricot.
This is another balm that is so thoughtfully put together and well received that the brand offers a 100% hassle free money back guarantee. It will effectively help keep your skin from getting dry and keep your beard smelling clean.
3. Honest Amish Heavy Duty Beard Balm
Another formula from Honest Amish, this heavy duty balm is made for beards that need a little more conditioning and hold. It’s also great for anyone involved in competitions who have long, serious beards and don’t like to mess around with inferior products.
This balm has a slight woodsy smell and contains coconut oil, lanolin, grape seed oil, and beeswax. While this product does not directly say it contains nuts or nut oils, some of Honest Amish’s other products do so it might be best to avoid this product if you have a severe nut allergy.
If you have cowlicks or a frizzy beard that doesn’t seem to respond to anything else, give Honest Amish Heavy Duty Beard Balm a try. It’s thicker than the original Honest Amish balm but has the quality that comes with the trusted brand. It has no artificial coloring and is safe for white beards as it won’t cause any discoloration.
4. Rogue 100% NATURAL Beard Balm Sandalwood
This leave in balm and conditioner treats brittle, itchy beards and even helps repair split ends. It’s scented with essential oils and made with all natural ingredients, including olive oil, coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, and jojoba oil. It will make your beard more manageable and feel soft and silky against your skin.
Rogue Beard Company doesn’t use any pesticides, GMOs, parabens, or any artificial ingredients or fillers. The tins it comes in are reusable, recyclable, and protect it from UV light so it won’t break down or lose its effectiveness. Everything about this balm in environmentally responsible.
They’re so sure of this product that they offer a 100% money back guarantee if you don’t love it. Rogue Beard Company also has a great reputation for customer service, so you know they’ll stand behind their product and their guarantee.
5. Liberty Best Softening Beard Balm
Liberty Grooming beard balm has a base of beeswax for a gentle hold. It also contains all natural ingredients, like coconut oil and eucalyptus. Your itchy beard will be smoother, your skin will feel softer, and your beard will grow healthier.
The combination of shea butter and Argan oil can help beards grow in faster. Argan oil has been used as a conditioner for hair for a long time, but it can help your patchy beard come in more effectively.
When you first open the tin, you may find a hard layer of wax on the top; this is normal for balms that contain more wax than butter. Take some out, and it will quickly become pliable as you warm it up between your palms. If you’re not completely satisfied, Liberty Grooming has a money back guarantee.
6. Hoot’s Organic Beard Oil & Butter Recipe
Hoot’s Naturals Beard Balm is made from organic ingredients, including Vitamin E, beeswax, jojoba oil, rosemary extract, and argan oil. Not only will it condition your beard, leaving it smoother and softer, it will also take care of your skin and prevent dandruff.
Because this balm also includes argan oil, it can encourage your facial hair to grow in thicker. It’s a great product to try if you have a patchy beard or just aren’t happy with the way it’s filling in.
Hoot’s comes in a large 3.5-ounce container, and they include a beard comb. While a beard comb is an optional accessory, the brand believes your beard will look better, and their product will work better if you use a comb. So they provided you with one to try. A beard comb really is a great way to make sure you get your balm throughout your entire beard, making your Hoot’s Natural Beard Balm a little more effective.
Hoots also stands firmly behind the quality of their product and offers a 100% money back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, their excellent customer service will take care of you.
7. Grave Before Shave Bay Rum Beard Balm
Grave Before Shave balm contains a long list of natural ingredients, including jojoba oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and aloe vera. It also contains tea tree oil, which is a natural antiseptic and will help keep any breakouts or irritation under control and infection free.
The texture of Grave Before Shave is noticeably different from some of the other brands. It’s a true balm, not too hard and not too oily. It won’t melt in hot weather but won’t get so hard that you have to scrape through a hard layer of product when you open the tin. It’s solid and consistent so measuring an accurate amount is always easy.
This beard balm has a very unique smell that plays along into the pirate theme of the packaging – bay rum. While it’s faint, it does linger for a little longer than some of the other scented balms.
When it comes conditioning, Grave Before Shave’s texture keeps it from being the most effective at making your beard soft, but it’s great for some light taming and texturing during the day.
8. CanYouHandlebar Premium Beard Dry Oil
For something a little different, try CanYouHandlebar’s dry beard oil. It uses high quality, all natural ingredients like lanolin, local beeswax from Michigan, coconut oil, and shea butter.
Dry oils are just a little different than a true balm, but they serve the same purpose – to make your beard manageable, soft, and awesome. Dry oil is something of a hybrid between a balm and oil. It’s basically beard oil with just enough wax added to keep it solid at room temperature.
This is effective because it will have all the same properties as a beard oil – smooth texture, prevent dry hair, stop itching and skin irritation – but it’s easier to use because it’s in balm form.
Dry Oil melts quickly once you start working it in your palms so it can get a little messy. The manufacturer recommends using a beard oil brush to help make sure it’s distributed evenly throughout your entire beard.
9. GRAVE BEFORE SHAVE Cigar Blend Beard Balm
Another offering from Grave Before Shave, this version of their beard balm offers a masculine cigar scent with some hints of vanilla. It’s a smell that might remind you of Christmas, but it’s subtle enough to use all year round. Like all their products, it’s made from all-natural ingredients, like shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera.
While some balms play with texture and aren’t as firm as a true balm should be, Grave Before Shave makes their beard balms with a solid, firm but pliable texture that stays that way until you warm it up in your hands.
This textural difference has some drawbacks as it’s not as conditioning as some of the more oily balms, but it’s perfect if you want a little bit of softness and light to moderate hold to help tame any stray hairs.
10. Mr Rugged Beard Balm Conditioner
Mr. Rugged Bold Scented Beard Balm Conditioner is made of 99.9% natural ingredients, including argan oil, soybean oil, pumpkin seed oil, and beeswax. These ingredients work together to help minimize irritation and itchiness while softening your beard and giving it a subtle shine.
One little downside to this balm is that there’s artificial fragrance added; this seems a little unusual since everything else about it is all natural and most competitors don’t use artificial fragrance, but if this isn’t a deal breaker for you, the smell and the product are both great.
This balm might not work as well with beards that are particularly curly or dense and typically need a wax for control. It’s still one of the best beard balms available, but if you find it doesn’t work for you, Mr Rugged offers a 100% money back guarantee.
11. BushKlawz Urban Prince Beard Balm Conditioner
This balm is made of shea butter, jojoba oil, argan oil, and apricot oil, among other things. It gets its yellow color from a base of yellow beeswax and promises a refreshing, masculine scent that actually smells like cedar and citrus.
Urban Prince gives your beard a thick feel and a subtle shine. It also helps keep your skin moisturized and balanced so no dandruff, irritation, or itching. In fact, it’s so moisturizing that you can continue using it on your skin should you ever decide to shave your beard.
This balm has a bit of an oily consistency, but that might be just what you need if you have a dry, coarse beard. It conditions nicely, but the oily texture means it doesn’t really help with shaping or holding down rogue hairs or cowlicks. If you’re looking for something that strictly conditions and don’t really want any hold, this is a great one to try.
12. Honest Amish Beard Balm Leave-in Conditioner
Another offering from Honest Amish that’s 100% natural. This balm starts with argan, avocados, grapeseed, and apricot kernel oils that are mixed with fruit and nut butters and essential oils. The result is a balm that will help moisturize your beard and protect your skin from itching and irritation.
The main difference between this and other Honest Amish formulas that made this list is that this one is a leave in conditioner. It’s great for beards that are particularly coarse or thick. Apply it with a comb and you can be sure you’ll get it evenly distributed throughout your entire beard.
The texture of this balm makes it prone to melting. If this comes in the mail on a hot day, don’t open it right away because some of it might spill. Also, make sure you store it somewhere where it’s not in direct sunlight.
13. The Manskape Co Wild Willie’s Beard Butter
This organic beard balm from Wild Willie’s is handmade in Georgia with thirteen responsibly sourced ingredients. There’s no chemicals or preservatives and no added colors or fragrances.
This balm not only conditions and strengthens your beard and keeps your skin soft and free from irritation; it’s one of the few beard balms on our list that is capable of giving you some effective hold. Most balms can only provide a small amount of hold, so if you’re looking for one that can give you more, Wild Willie’s might be it.
Tea tree oil is one of the ingredients in this balm. It’s a natural antiseptic and can help kill bacteria and prevent breakouts. We should also note that this balm has a very thick consistency; this is what gives it its hold, but you may find that it goes on and spreads easier if you’re beard is wet.
14. Professor Fuzzworthy’s Beard Care Balm Gloss
Professor Fuzzworthy’s Beard Care Balm is made in Tasmania and has some ingredients that can only be found in Australia. Leatherwood beeswax is one of the purest forms of beeswax there is and kunzea oil helps smooth skin and prevent itch.
This balm is light and not greasy. While it does have a somewhat waxy texture, it does not act as a beard wax and doesn’t really help with shaping or styling. It’s best used as a conditioner and, in that respect, it performs well.
While this 1.5-ounce tin is smaller than some of the other balms we’ve listed, you can get away with using less of it as long as your beard isn’t particularly thick or curly.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many choices when considering a beard balm. The biggest factor in deciding which is best for you is your beard. Consider the texture of your beard and how much conditioning and control it needs before deciding which one is right for you.
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