Post date: July 24, 2024 | Blog
Beard Oil vs. Beard Balm: Which One Is Right for You?
Beards are more than just fashion statements, in fact, a beard is a commitment to grooming, care, and overall wellness. Well, with the rise of beards comes a littany of beard products flooding the market, and two mainstays have become essentials in every man’s grooming arsenal: beard balm and beard oil.
But, how do you choose between these two beard powerhouses? In this guide, we’re going to discuss the differences between beard balm, beard oil, and which is right for your beard care routine.
Understanding Beard Balm and Beard Oil
Before diving into the differences, let’s discover what these products are and what they do in the first place.
Beard Oil
…is a blend of oils (usually essential and carrier oils) that is designed to moisturize beard hair and the skin underneath. And in doing so, beard oil helps soften, nourish, and reduce the irritation that comes with dry beard hair and skin. High quality oils are usually lightweight, absorb quickly, and leave the hair and skin with a nice sheen and subtle fragrance.
Beard Balm
…on the other hand, is a much thicker product that combines oils, butter, and waxes. It mainly serves to moisturize, condition, and style the beard. Balm provides quite a bit more hold and control on the beard hair than oil does, making it perfect for taming unruly beards. It also offers a protective layer of butters and waxes that locks in moisture.
Key Differences Between Beard Balm and Beard Oil
So, now that you know what beard balm and beard oil are and what they do, what are the differences between them?
-
Consistency and Texture
- Beard Oil: Light and easily absorbed by beard hair. Perfect for those who want non-greasy, quick absorption, and fast acting products that give your beard a hydration boost!
- Beard Balm: Much thicker and more solid than beard oil, but offers the hair texture and some control. Feels like a blend of butters and waxes, but still hydrates the beard well. Perfect for those who want the combined abilities of beard oil and beard wax.
-
Ingredients
- Beard Oil: Typically made with a blend of carrier oils (like jojoba oil, argan oil, babassu oil, and more) and essential oils (if scented). The focus is on hydration and nourishment of your hair and skin.
- Beard Balm: Contains similar oils as beard oil but includes additional ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, or cocoa butter that add the thickness and hold to the product. These components add to the balm’s moisturizing properties and provide the necessary hold for your hair.
-
Usage and Benefits
- Beard Oil: Best for moisturizing the skin and beard, reducing itchiness, and preventing beard dandruff (or “beardruff” for those in the know). It’s particularly useful for those with dry skin or are new to beard growth.
- Beard Balm: helps style and shape the beard in addition to adding moisture and hydration. It tends to be better for medium to long beards that need taming and can also provide a thicker, fuller appearance.
-
Hold and Styling
- Beard Oil: Offers little to no hold, focusing instead on hydration and shine.
- Beard Balm: Provides a light to medium hold, making it suitable for styling and managing beard shape throughout the day or for light beard touch ups. Stronger and stubborn beards may still require more.
Is Beard Balm or Beard Oil Right for You?
Choosing between these two beard products really depends on your needs and the characteristics of your own individual beard. Not every beard is the same, and every beard needs a customized approach to look and feel its best.
- For New Beard Growers: If you’re new to the beard-growth journey, then beard oil may be an excellent starting point into the world of beard products. It will helps soothe the irritation and itchiness that often plagues new beard growers.
- For Short to Medium Beards: Here, beard oil is still a very solid option. However, you might consider balm only if you feel you need more control or if your beard hair is growing crazy.
- For Long and Thick Beards: Beard balm is going to be your bread and butter in this category. You’ll get the hydration of beard oil but also allow yourself the ability to style and tame the wild beard hairs that is all too common with longer beards.
- For Dry Skin: Both products can help, in this case, but beard oil is going to be more effective at providing instant relief and spreading directly to the skin more easily. Beard balm may get stuck through the hairs and not spread as easily.
- For Styling Needs: If you find yourself frequently styling your beard, beard balm’s wax component can help keep your beard in place.
Conclusion
Ultimately, both beard balm and beard oil have their unique benefits, and in some cases, should BOTH be used. However, feel free to experiment and compare your beard to the characteristics outlined above in order to determine which product you should try.
Remember, more than the products you use, the key to a great beard is patience, persistence, and care. Be sure to give your beard all the advantages you can!
If you’re curious about which Volt products are right for you, take this short quiz below!
You May Also Enjoy
Complete 2024 Beard Care Guide
