A balm is defined as a fragrant cream meant to heal or soothe the skin. A beard balm is a specifically designed product meant to hydrate and soften facial hair, and soothe the skin under it. You can use it alongside your other care products, to give your beard hair some extra love and attention.

It’s important to know how to use beard balm, especially if your facial hair or the skin underneath is feeling dry. A daily application of the product can make a real difference when dealing with dry, unruly beards, and with the dreaded beard dandruff.

We’ve compiled a guide to help you understand everything there is to know about beard balm: benefits, ingredients, and how to apply it. Read on to find out more.

What Is Beard Balm?

Beard balm is a type of leave-in conditioner for your facial hair. It can be used as a styling product as well as a moisturizer. It’s made from a well-balanced mix of waxes, different kinds of butter, and oils that provide your skin and hair with hydration and offer protection against the elements.

Beard balms offer a relatively strong hold for your beard hairs while providing hydration and care. They make hair softer, easier to tame and style, and they fight off the itchiness associated with dry skin.

Benefits of Using a Beard Balm

A beard balm can give you a boost of hydration. If your hair or skin is naturally dry, or if you need something extra for the colder months of the year, this product is something you should check out, alongside beard oils.
It’s an ally in the fight against beardruff. Daily use can help prevent or treat beard dandruff.
It doesn’t make your beard feel greasy. It gives your facial hair a softening, hydrating treatment without making it look oily. It also helps alleviate beard itch.
You can use it to style your beard. The wax it contains will help keep your hair follicles in place, so your beard will not only feel good but will also look great.
Helps protect your beard. Its oils and wax act as a shield against your hair and the elements. This will keep moisture inside the hair shaft, preventing it from drying out and promoting healthy beard growth.

Common Beard Balm Ingredients

Search for products with good quality ingredients. Try to choose a beard balm made from skin-friendly, all-natural ingredients, such as shea butter, coconut oil, and others. Synthetic chemicals, especially those used in fragrances have a higher chance of causing skin irritation.

A Wax

Beard balm should have some sort of wax on its list of ingredients. Good quality products will contain Cera alba, more commonly known as beeswax. The beard wax will act as a sealant for your hair. It will keep the moisture inside the hair shaft. Once the wax hardens it also offers a good hold, which helps with taming unruly hairs and styling your beard.

All-Natural Butters

Butter has a creamy texture. They make the beard balm pleasant to the touch and easy to apply. The most frequently used kinds of butter are shea butter and cocoa butter.

Shea butter is widely used in the medical and cosmetic fields. It is rich in antioxidants and valuable fatty acids. It is an emollient and moisturizer, it protects against UV rays, and it has anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties.

Cocoa butter has hydrating and emollient properties and is frequently used in cosmetic products. It is considered a skin conditioning and thickening agent and is recommended for normal, dry, or mixed, sensitive, and delicate skin.

High-Quality Carrier Oils

Natural oils contain fatty acids which are an essential element for skin and hair health. The most frequently used for hair care are almond, avocado, jojoba, borage, sesame, macadamia, and argan oil. These oils are lightweight and nutrient-rich. They are perfectly suited for both your beard and the skin beneath it.

These oils are used in the fabrication of cosmetic products. They have emollient, protective, regenerative, and antioxidant properties. They act as hydrating and conditioning agents for the skin and hair.

High-Quality Essential Oils

Essential oils are widely used in a diversity of fields such as pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetic, sanitary, and food. They smell amazing and they are the perfect alternative to synthetic chemical scents.

These types of oils are also praised for their other properties. They are rich in antioxidants and some of them even have antifungal and antibacterial properties. These properties are more potent in essential oils extracted from spices and herbs like mint, cinnamon, thyme, salvia, and clove.

How to Apply Beard Balm?

Step 1: Remove Any Knots or Tangles

Start the process with a clean canvas. After using your beard wash, dry your facial hair with a soft towel by using light, patting motions.

Use a comb or a beard brush to gently detangle your beard. This will help you to evenly distribute your beard balm, and it will make a difference when you’re trying to tame and style your beard.

Step 2: Rub the Balm in the Palms of Your Hands

Scoop up an adequate amount of beard balm. The general rule is that you should use an amount equal to your fingernail, but you can always adapt the quantity according to your needs. If you have a thick, and long beard, you can simply use a larger amount of product.

Rub the balm between your hands for about 20 seconds. Your body heat will soften the balm and make it easier to apply.

Step 3: Massage Gently and Work It Into the Skin Beneath Your Beard

Apply the balm to your slightly damp beard. Start applying from the base of your facial hair. Keep your fingers flat and gently spread the balm on the skin beneath your beard. Try to avoid any vigorous, enthusiastic rubbing. While this will probably do the job more quickly, it might also damage your hair fibers.

Take your time with this step, so you can make sure to get the rich, hydrating components of the product on the surface of your skin. This helps keep your face moisturized and protected throughout the day.

Step 4: Cover the Entire Beard

Always apply your beard balm starting from the roots and heading towards the tips of your hair. Work in small sections and make sure that the entire length of the facial hairs is evenly covered.

Step 5: Comb Your Beard

Use your beard comb or beard brush to finish the process. Gently brush the hair from roots to tips, in a downward motion. This will ensure that your beard balm is evenly distributed, so it will act as a styling aid.

Things to Consider Before Using a Beard Balm

Beard Length

Beard balm is well-suited for long, thick beards. It offers some much-needed hydration while acting as a styling product. The longer and thicker your beard is, the more product you’ll need to use. Just remember that you should start with smaller quantities and supplement if needed.

Men with short beards can also benefit from a beard balm even if they don’t necessarily need a lot of styling. Applying beard balm will help keep your skin and hair hydrated, and it can be really helpful if your skin has a tendency to dry out.

Applying Beard Balm and Oil Together

You can apply your beard oil after washing and detangling your beard. This will help keep your beard hydrated, and keep your hair supple and tamed. Apply it with gentle rubbing motions and spread it evenly using a beard comb.

You can use beard oil and beard balm together or you can alternate between the two. If you use them together start with the beard oil and apply the balm for more support. If you alternate between the two, use the beard balm in the morning and the beard oil before bedtime.

When Should You Use and Apply Beard Balm?

Beard balm is most efficient when applied after the shower, especially if you sport a thicker beard. The balm will trap all that steamy moisture inside the hair fibers and will help keep your beard hydrated the entire day. If you include a beard balm as a part of your morning grooming routine, it can be an effective styling product that helps straighten out stray hairs.

What Tools Do You Need for Beard Balm Application?

Comb or Brush (or Both)

You should use your comb or brush to detangle your facial hair before applying your beard care products. Although using a brush or comb is not mandatory, it is useful if you want to make sure that the product is evenly distributed throughout your beard.

Combs and brushes made from natural materials like wood are a good choice. They are more gentle on the hair fibers and skin, and will not generate static buildup.

Mirror

A good choice is the bathroom mirror. You’ll want to have good lighting and a mirror that’s set at an appropriate height. You need to see the progress you're making, and to make sure that your products are evenly distributed through your beard. While you can do some things by feel alone, styling your facial hair definitely requires some visual input.

FAQs About Using a Beard Balm

How Often Should You Use Beard Balm?

You can use your beard balm daily, as a part of your care routine. If your facial hair doesn’t need a hydration boost, you can use the beard balm as a styling product without having to apply beard oil.

When Should You Start Using Beard Balm?

You can start using a beard balm whenever you need it. Because it’s intended for styling, a beard balm will probably be more efficient for beards of at least one inch in length.

Should You Use Beard Balm at Night?

Using your beard balm after your morning shower is more efficient. This will help the active ingredients absorb into your skin, and trap moisture inside the hair fibers. Still, you can definitely use the balm at night as a moisturizing conditioner.

Can You Use Beard Oil and Balm Together?

You can use both products if your skin or hair is feeling dry. If your hair feels too greasy, you can try alternating your products. Use the beard balm in your morning care routine and the beard oil at night. If you want to use them together, you can apply your beard balm after your beard oil.

Where Can I Get a Beard Balm?

Beard balms are popular beard care products. You can get them online, at your local shops, or at the drugstore. We recommend The Beard Struggle’s Beard Balm, a product made from natural ingredients, with a paraben-free, cruelty-free, non-greasy formula, and an exciting array of unique scents.