Navigating the world of beard grooming can be tricky, especially when deciding between beard balm versus oil. Both products offer unique benefits, but which one is right for your beard type? Let's dive into the details.
What Is The Difference Between Beard Balm vs Beard Oil?
Beard balm and beard oil may sound quite similar, but they’re really not. That’s why understanding the difference between beard balm and beard oil is crucial for proper beard care. While both aim to hydrate and nourish your beard, they serve slightly different purposes and have distinct textures.
Beard Balm: This product has a cream-like texture. It typically contains a blend of beeswax, butter (like shea or cocoa), and essential oils. Beard balm provides moisture, helps with styling, and offers a light hold to keep stray hairs in place.
Beard Oil: Beard oil (also referred to as beard serum) is a lighter, liquid product composed primarily of carrier oils and essential oils. It penetrates deeply into the beard hair and skin, providing hydration and a subtle shine. Beard oil is excellent for nourishing the skin underneath your beard and preventing dryness and itching.
What Is The Purpose Of Beard Oil?
What does beard oil do exactly and why use beard oil in the first place? Beard oil is designed to lock moisture in. In doing so, it hydrates and conditions both your facial hair and the skin beneath it. It's particularly beneficial for men with shorter beards or those experiencing dryness and itchiness. What’s more, it also adds a long-lasting shine and gives your beard a smooth, polished look and feel all day long.
TRY: The Scotch Porter Beard Oil for a shiny, frizz-free beard that commands attention. It defines and enhances your natural beard, while locking in moisture from root to tip, which helps soften coarse facial hair over time.
How to apply beard oil
- Clean your beard: Start with a damp beard.
- Dispense oil: Pour a few drops of oil into your palm. The amount varies depending on the length and thickness of your beard. Use 1-2 pumps for shorter beards and 3-4 for longer beards.
- Warm it up: Rub your hands together to warm the oil.
- Apply evenly: Massage the oil into your beard, ensuring it reaches the skin beneath.
- Comb through: Use a beard comb to distribute the oil evenly and detangle any knots.
When to apply beard oil
For best results, apply beard oil daily, preferably after showering when your pores are open and can better absorb the oil.
What Is The Purpose Of Beard Balm?
If you’ve ever asked yourself, what does beard balm do and what is beard balm used for—we’ve got answers. Typically, beard balm is ideal for those needing extra conditioning and moisturizing of their beard. If you’re experiencing dryness or itchiness, beard balm is great at softening and hydrating both your beard and the skin beneath it. Additionally, beard balm can help to condition and style your beard, making it look fuller and more controlled. Often used by those with medium to long beards, beard balm’s cream-like texture also helps to hold down stubborn hair or flyaways in order to maintain the shape of your styled beard.
TRY: The Scotch Porter Beard Balm to give your beard a light hold when you style and shape your beard. It works to tame unruly beard hair while delivering a dose of hydration for a healthier, fuller-looking beard.
How to apply beard balm
- Scoop a healthy amount: Use your finger to scoop out a small amount of balm.
- Apply evenly: Work the balm into your beard, starting from the roots and moving outwards.
- Shape and style: Use your hands or a beard comb to shape and style your beard as desired.
When to apply beard balm
Apply beard balm after washing and drying your beard. It can be used daily or as needed, especially when you need extra control for styling.
Which Product To Apply First: Beard Balm or Beard Oil?
When it comes to layering beard products between these two items, it’s best to start with beard balm. Here’s why:
Beard balm first: Start with beard balm to provide your beard with structure and light hold. The balm contains beeswax and butter, which help to shape your beard and keep stray hairs in place. It also offers some initial moisture, creating a good base layer for your grooming routine.
Beard oil second: After applying the beard balm, follow up with beard oil. The oil will penetrate both the beard balm and your hair, providing deep hydration and nourishment. By applying oil last, you ensure that your beard gets a shiny, soft finish without compromising the hold and control provided by the balm.
Summary Of Differences Between Beard Balm vs Beard Oil
Here’s a quick summary of the key differences between beard balm and beard oil.
|
Feature |
Beard Balm |
Beard Oil |
|
Purpose |
Styling, moisture, light hold |
Reducing frizz |
|
Texture |
Cream-like |
Light, liquid |
|
Pros |
Smooths and softens |
Locks in moisture, nourishes skin under beard |
|
Cons |
Can feel heavy, might require washing out daily |
Might not provide enough hold for styling |
|
Best for |
Medium to long beards, styling needs |
Short to medium beards, dry/itchy skin |
Conclusion: What Do You Want For Your Beard?
Deciding between beard balm and beard oil ultimately depends on your beard type and grooming needs. If you're looking for hydration and a lighter feel, beard oil is perfect for nourishing the skin and softening your beard. If you need more control and styling options, beard balm provides the hold and shape to keep your beard looking sharp. Ideally however, if you’re looking to keep your beard in the best condition possible, you’ll want to be using both regularly.
Now that you know the difference between beard balm and beard oil, you can choose the right product to achieve the beard of your dreams. Happy grooming!
