Beard Oil vs Beard Balm

Beard oil? Beard balm? Maaaaan! I don’t know –  I just want my beard to look awesome!

With the assortment of beard grooming products on the market, this conundrum can be a bit of a noggin scratcher and worthy of a good beard stroke and ponder over. Easily one of the most common questions we get asked here at The Bearded Stag is: ‘What’s the difference between beard oil and beard balm?’

First of all, let’s look at the difference between these two beard potions. Beard oil is a mix of essential oils and carrier oils that is applied to one’s beard and will nourish the hair and skin beneath making your beard soft luscious and smell irresistible. Being an oil, this product has an easier time reaching the skin underneath, which will aid in reducing beard itch and beardruff. Beard balm on the other hand, while still containing the essential oils found in beard oil, has the addition of bees wax and butter, so while still conditioning the beard, the balm will also provide a light hold and can help bring together and control the most unruly of Man beards and yet still maintain your natural look. Some gents opt for only one of these products while others will include both in their grooming routine.

Beard oil is the go-to for many men as this product will condition as well as make your beard look neater, it is easy to apply and will benefit all beard lengths from 10 days growth to serious levels of Man Beardery. It will assist and improve the following:

• Softness of the beard
• Nourishment of the hair and skin
• Reduce beard itch
• Reduce beardruff
• Fullness and shine of the beard
• Lure mating partners with the amazing scent of your beard*

So when would I choose beard balm over oil? Good question. Beard balm is perfect for those days when you want to tame that man beast on your face. The balm will provide more lasting control over your beard and give a consistent direction for your hair follicles. Being a thicker consistency, it will also coat your strands making your beard look fuller. If you don’t like the slight shine beard oil adds to your beard, then beard balm is a good option as it provides a more matte finish and therefore making it appear less evident that there is anything in your beard. Generally, beard balm is used in larger beards, anywhere from a few weeks onwards, that’s not to say you can’t use it in shorter beards, you will still get the conditioning benefits but you will not have a need to style it. Beard balm will assist and improve the following:

• Nourishment of the hair and skin
• Fullness of the beard
• Styling and control
• Can be used to tame your moustache
• While generally the scents aren’t as strong as beard oil, you will still be resisting the urge to chew your beard and moustache all day.

As you can see both these products offer a few similarities but still achieve different results. So to sum it all up, beard oil is the staple product, providing the hair and skin the best possible environment to craft your man beard from whilst keeping its natural shape. Beard balm will also condition as well as aid in style and control your once untameable man beast. In our opinion, you want both. The oil for the health of your beard and the balm to style it. Now that you know the difference go out and try some, your beard will thank you for it.

*No actual testing has occurred to confirm beard oil can lure mating partners.., but hey it’s always worth a shot!

Which team are you on?

BEARD OIL   BEARD BALM