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10 Best Beard Balm Picks: Tried & Tested

Author: Faiysal Kothiwala

Published at: Dec 09, 2024

According to a 2023 study published in the Journal of Dermatological Research, men who regularly use balms report 60% fewer issues with beard dandruff and skin irritation compared to those who don't

These multi-purpose products act as a conditioner, moisturiser, and styling agent. When applied correctly and regularly, they can help keep your beard hairs strong, shiny, and healthy and can even help you grow a long and full beard.

Read on to explore the best beard balms out there and our guide to help you find the perfect product for your needs.

The Best Beard Balms for Men: Full List Unraveled

Finding the right balm can transform your grooming routine and the health of your facial hair, and that is what we’re here to help you with. Here is the ultimate list of balms to consider for your beard. 

1. Warrior's Beard Balm

⚔️ Our top pick combines premium quality with outstanding performance at a great value point.

Top-Rated Beard Balm On Our List

TBS balm checks all our requirements for the making of a fantastic product. It has an excellent quality-price balance and it’s crafted using all-natural ingredients like Cera alba, avocado oil, sweet almond oil, and macadamia oil that have scientifically-backed effects.

The Warrior’s Beard Balm is suitable for all beard types and can be successfully used as a moisturising conditioner and styling product. It has a non-greasy consistency that soothes your skin while protecting your beard hairs.

Key Features:

  • Medium-strength hold

  • Multiple cologne-grade fragrances to choose from

  • Cruelty-free

  • Paraben-free

  • Comes in a 50g or 1.76 US oz patented warrior-glass jar

2. Zeus Organic Beard Balm

⚔️ For beard enthusiasts with sensitive skin, this specialised formula provides gentle care without compromising on performance.

Good for Sensitive Skin

This is an exceptional product for men who experience irritation with standard beard products. It has remarkable soothing properties and acts as both a conditioning and styling agent. It features a careful selection of organic ingredients such as argan oil, hemp seed oil, and green tea extract, known for their anti-inflammatory benefits.

Key Features:

  • Hypoallergenic

  • 100% organic ingredients

  • Subtle sandalwood and citrus aroma

  • Comes in a 60g or 2 oz metal tin

3. Billy Jealousy Beard Balm

⚔️This aromatic option delivers both style and substance with its distinctive fragrance profile.

A Balm with a Fantastic Smell

This product offers a light hold with a matte finish while providing soothing hydration for your skin and facial hair. It combines some good ingredients like coconut, sunflower and castor seed oil that have a softening and protective effect. Best of all, it smells really darn good.

Key Features:

  • Comes in a 57g or 2 oz container

  • Incorporates natural ingredients

  • Black pepper and sandalwood scent

4. Smooth Viking Beard Balm

⚔️ For men seeking maximum control over unruly facial hair, this formula delivers exceptional hold without sacrificing comfort.

Best Beard Balm for Strong Hold

A good product choice if you're looking for a moisturising beard conditioner with good styling properties. This beard balm creates a strong hold that helps contain those pesky stray hairs throughout your day. Its natural ingredients include beeswax, jojoba oils and avocado oil, which will provide a soothing, softening effect.

Key Features:

  • Vegan-friendly

  • Strong hold

  • Comes in a 2-oz container

5. Cremo Styling Beard Balm

⚔️ This lightweight formula is the best beard styling balm for men who want control without the heavy, greasy feel of traditional balms.

Among the Best Non-Greasy Beard Balms

If you're past the scruff stage and you’re looking for a way to tame and style your beard while keeping it looking shiny and healthy, this non-greasy, nourishing product is a great option. This product combines beeswax, shea butter, and essential oils to create a good care and styling product that gives off a high gloss finish.

Key Features:

  • Contains natural ingredients

  • 3 scent choices

  • Comes in a 56g or 2 oz jar

6. Uppercut Beard Balm

⚔️ For those with longer facial hair, this specialised formula addresses the unique challenges of maintaining lengthy beards.

Great Choice for Long Beards

This non-oily balm is actually a styling cream gel. It was designed for medium and long beards, and it offers a light hold while providing hydration and just the right amount of shine. The product is lightweight, which helps achieve an even distribution along your hair fibres.

Key Features:

  • Subtle coconut fragrance

  • Comes in a 100 mL or 3.3 fl oz pump bottle

  • Water-based

7. Grave Before Shave Beard Balm

⚔️ This cleverly named product delivers a gentler hold that's perfect for daily styling without stiffness.

Another Decent Choice for Long Beards

Besides the creative brand name, this product impresses with its use of natural ingredients. It offers a light hold that helps tame your hair fibres and ease the process of styling. It also serves as a deep conditioner while helping protect your whiskers from daily stressors.

Key Features:

  • Incorporates natural ingredients

  • Bourbon and sandalwood scent

  • Comes in a 4-oz container

8. Beardbrand Utility Balm

⚔️ For those seeking a premium product with versatile applications, this multi-purpose balm excels at both beard and skin care.

All-Purpose Conditioning Balm

This product was created using a proprietary blend of high-quality butters and waxes. It contains a harmonious mix of shea butter, mango butter, and lanolin that work together to soften and condition your facial hair. Its nourishing formula penetrates deep into the beard while moisturising the skin beneath, effectively preventing flakiness and the uncomfortable itching that often accompanies beard growth.

Key Features:

  • Multiple signature scent profiles

  • Travel-friendly packaging

  • No synthetic fragrances

  • Comes in a 3.4 oz tin container

9. Mountaineer Brand Beard Balm

⚔️ When deep conditioning is your priority, this rugged formula delivers exceptional moisture without the greasy aftermath.

Designed for Deep-Conditioning

This leave-in conditioner utilises a carefully crafted recipe of essential oils, beeswax, and shea butter to provide your beard with long-lasting hydration and control. It penetrates coarse hair effectively while providing enough hold to keep stray hairs in check throughout the day.

Key Features:

  • Hand-crafted in small batches

  • All-natural ingredients

  • Available in multiple woodsy scents

  • Comes in a 2-oz recyclable container

10. Detroit Grooming Co. Beard Balm

⚔️ For those seeking maximum value, this generously sized balm offers exceptional longevity without sacrificing quality.

Long-Lasting Effect

This is a product that’s rich in vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. It has great moisturising properties and targets coarse or dry beard hair. A cool thing about the Detroit Grooming balm comes in a large container. Like with most products of this kind, you’ll be using a very small amount for each application, which means it will last longer.

Key Features:

  • Natural ingredients

  • Vanilla and cedarwood scent

  • Comes in a 114 g or 4 oz jar

What to Look For When Choosing a Perfect Balm?

Finding the perfect balm for your grooming routine requires attention to several key factors. Here's what to consider when making your selection:

1. Ingredients

The list of ingredients will make or break a product. Try searching for products that use natural ingredients like oils - tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, almond oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oil are great options - and butters - cocoa butter, mango butter, and shea butter are ideal. One thing you should be wary of is alcohol, as it can dry out your skin and hair and act as an irritant.

Keep in mind that the best products for your needs should match your tastes in terms of smell and consistency.

If you have skin reactions when you apply balms or other beard care products, we recommend using unscented balms or oils that are rich in aloe vera juice.

2. Holding Strength

If you struggle with coarse beard hairs and your beard is always unruly, then you should opt for a product that offers a medium to high hold. This will ensure an optimal blend between styling and hydrating properties. High-quality balms can help men with unruly beards maintain their beard style for up to eight hours or more.

3. Beard Growth & Vitamins

Having a good beard care regimen by keeping your whiskers and skin clean and moisturised can go a long way towards maintaining healthy beard growth. The extra benefits of adding vitamins and other nutrients can only serve to improve the quality and health of your hair fibres and skin, helping you overcome beard itch and making your beard soft.

4. Price

Weigh your options and consider investing in a product with a good price vs quality balance. Remember that the best balms out there will be a bit more expensive, but will have more benefits in the long run, such as promoting hair growth, making your beard feel softer, and helping you maintain a tamed beard.

Discover the Best Beard Balms Your Beard Truly Deserves

Whether you're growing your first beard or you're a seasoned beard veteran, the right balm can make all the difference in your grooming routine. A high-quality balm will help keep your beard looking sharp, feeling soft, and staying healthy while soothing the skin underneath. 

Take the time to consider your unique beard needs before choosing a product: length, thickness, skin sensitivity, and styling goals. Stick to natural ingredients, avoid harsh chemicals, and don’t be afraid to try different scents and textures until you find the one that works best for you

For top-tier beard care and expert grooming tips, visit The Beard Struggle and take the first step toward your best beard yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do balms actually work?

Balms are a type of beard care product that serves multiple purposes and delivers on all accounts. Good balms are efficient styling products, conditioners, and moisturisers, all at the same time.

What's better: balm or wax?

It all depends on your particular needs. If you’re looking for a styling product that provides a very strong hold, then you’ll be better served by a beard wax. A balm can also be used as a styling product, but although it has a lighter hold than beard wax, it compensates for it by providing hydration and nutrients to help soften and strengthen your beard hair. In addition, the best beard balms can help you style your beard and maintain that look for hours.

What goes on first: balm or oil?

You should apply your beard oil first. The reasoning behind this is that balm usually contains a styling agent like beeswax that coats your hair, traps moisture inside the hair fibre and helps keep your whiskers in place. But this same wax can act as a barrier and slow down the absorption of all those amazing nutrients inside your beard oil.

When is the best time to put on a balm?

You can apply your balm as part of your beard care routine. After washing your beard with your favourite beard shampoo, apply your beard oil, then apply your balm for that extra boost of hydration. You can also use it as a styling product to help protect your facial hair and get rid of those pesky flyaway hairs.

What’s the best beard balm for hold?

When looking for the best beard balm in terms of hold potential, rest assured, The Warrior’s Beard Balm is a top choice. It offers a strong hold while nourishing your beard with natural ingredients like beeswax and jojoba oil, keeping it hydrated and soft all day.

Style, Condition, And Hydrate Your Viking Beard With The Ultimate Beard Product

Check out The Beard Struggle’s collection of products & guides to help you get an amazing Viking beard.

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