Beard balm vs. oil is a common question we get. We understand that the words beard balm and beard oil may be foreign to any man who believes wholeheartedly that growing a beard was enough work. We get it. Beards are tricky creatures, and most men expect great things from their beards right from the start. Even when they're doing nothing other than rinsing with water and air drying their face rugs every so often.
Beard balm and beard oil. We swear by it. We live by it. We grow by it.
It's what keeps beards soft, healthy, and happy. If you don't know what either of them really is, don't worry. This article is for you.
What does beard oil do?
What does beard oil do? The best way to describe beard oil is like a moisturizer, but for your beard.
Not only does it keep your beard hairs hydrated and soft, but it can also help moisturize the skin beneath your beard.1 For anyone who's ever dealt with beard itch caused by dry skin, you know how important hydration can be.
Yet these aren't the only reasons beard oil serums should form an integral part of your beard care and grooming regimen. Here are just a few more beard oil benefits:
- It may support and promote healthy beard growth.
- It adds moisture which adds extra shine to keep the beard hairs soft and smooth. We all know a shiny beard is a healthy beard, and beard oil adds loads of shine without leaving your beard looking greasy as other products may.
- It can make your beard look fuller. The softening, taming, and shine-adding properties of beard oil could help you style and tame your scraggly beard hairs for a fuller appearance.
- It will make your beard smell insanely good. This is hands-down a favorite benefit. Most people don't realize how much of a flex a great-smelling beard is until they have one. Believe us, once you smell the sweet scent of citrus or mint floating around your face rug, you'll never be the same again.
The best way to use beard oil is by applying it as soon as you get out of the shower or bath. Work it into your beard and skin using your fingertips and enjoy the impromptu face massage that results. One of the great things about beard oil face massages is that they can help improve circulation and boost hair growth in the process.
We really can't stress enough the benefits of applying beard oil for your beard and skin. However, if there's one more product we have to add to our list of must-haves for mind blowing facial hair, it's beard balm.
What does beard balm do?
What does beard balm do? If you have a long beard, beard balm is your friend. Like its oilier cousin, beard balm is great for adding moisture to your facial hair and skin. Most beard balms are made of essential oils (that smell incredible), some form of natural wax, and a moisturizer.2 Its waxier, thicker consistency, compared to beard oil, offers more hold and provides its own set of unique benefits:
- It will help shape your beard. The tackier texture of beard balm means it works like a low-hold beard pomade. It won't dry or make your beard hair stiff. It will just do better at taming unruly beard hairs than regular beard oil. This makes it great for everyday beard styling.
- It's perfect for moisturizing medium to long beards without appearing greasy. Beard balm acts as a leave-in conditioner to prevent your long beard hairs from becoming dry and frizzy and appearing unkempt.
Beard balm should be applied daily whenever you need to tame a few beard hairs or style your beard for the day. It's also important to wash beard balm out at the end of the day, as buildup could clog your pores and cause breakouts.
The Differences & Why You Need Both
Beard oil and balm are great beard products that promote healthy hair growth and leave your beard feeling softer than ever.
However, beard oil is better as a deeply penetrating moisturizer, while beard balm offers more opportunities for styling and keeping your beard looking perfectly groomed.
Some of the key differences between these products are described below:
|
Beard Oil |
Beard Balm |
|
Runny, oily consistency |
Thicker, waxier consistency |
|
Softens beard hairs and provides shine |
Softens beard hairs and provides hold |
|
Works best on short beards |
Works best on medium to long beards |
|
Lightweight product that encourages more beard hair volume |
Heavier product that weighs your beard down more |
If you're not sure which product is right for you, here's some good news: You can use both. Using beard oil and balm together after a shower -- applying beard balm once the oil is slightly absorbed -- you can make the most of both products and get all the shine, softness and hold they provide.
Matching Beard Products to Your Beard's Needs
Choosing the right products for your beard isn't just about grooming---it's about meeting the specific needs of your facial hair and skin. Understanding when to use beard balm vs. oil can make a major difference in both appearance and comfort.
For men with a shorter beard, patchy growth or finer facial hair, beard oil is usually the better option. Its lightweight consistency hydrates without adding weight, making it ideal for reducing beard itch, calming irritation and preventing beard dandruff. It also absorbs quickly into the skin, which is especially beneficial for dry or sensitive skin types.
In contrast, those with a longer beard or denser, curlier facial hair often need something with more hold. This is where beard balm is king. Balm helps in taming beard hair, smoothing out frizz and keeping unruly strands in check throughout the day.
If you're dealing with a particularly dry beard or coarse texture, a combination approach is best: apply a few drops of oil first to hydrate and soothe the skin, then follow with balm to lock in moisture and shape the beard.
Ultimately, choosing the right product depends on beard length, hair texture and skin needs. Finding that balance is key to a healthy, great-looking beard.
Key Ingredients and Benefits of Beard Taming Products
When it comes to high-quality beard grooming products, the ingredients matter just as much as the routine. Reuzel's beard care product line is packed with powerful, natural ingredients that not only tame unruly beards but also nourish the skin underneath.
In Reuzel's beard balm, shea butter and beeswax are key components. Shea butter deeply conditions facial hair, softening coarse textures and improving manageability, while beeswax provides light hold, ideal for shaping and controlling the beard throughout the day. These ingredients give balm its edge in the beard oil vs. balm ingredients comparison, especially for longer or thicker beards that need structure.
Reuzel's beard oil features essential oils like argan oil and jojoba oil, which are known for their deep moisturizing properties. These oils hydrate the skin, reduce itchiness and help prevent flaking, which is crucial for maintaining healthy skin beneath the beard. Jojoba closely mimics the skin's natural oils, while argan oil delivers vital nutrients that encourage smoother, shinier hair.
Another standout ingredient is vitamin E, and can be found in both balm and oil, which acts as a powerful antioxidant. It helps protect facial hair from environmental stressors like pollution and UV exposure, promoting stronger, healthier beard growth over time. For the best results, tailor your beard grooming products to your beard's length, texture and needs.
Troubleshooting Common Beard Issues and Seasonal Care
Maintaining a healthy, well-groomed beard requires more than just daily trimming -- it means tackling common issues like itchiness, dryness, beard dandruff, flyaway hairs and patchiness with the right products and seasonal strategies.
When to use oil:
Beard oil is essential for targeting skin-related problems. Acting as a beard conditioner, it hydrates the skin beneath your beard, reducing itchiness and flaking while preventing beard dandruff. Regular use of Reuzel's beard oil, especially after a warm shower when pores are open, ensures deep penetration and long-lasting moisture.
When to turn to balm:
For unruly or flyaway hairs, beard balm is your go-to. Its wax-based formula not only shapes but also controls stubborn strands. In the beard balm vs. oil hold comparison, balm clearly wins for styling and hold, thanks to its ingredients.
Tips for the seasons:
During colder months, use beard wax or balm to shield your beard from wind and dry air. The wax creates a barrier that locks in moisture and protects hair strands. In contrast, opt for a lighter oil formula in warmer seasons to avoid heaviness while keeping your beard hydrated.
Transitioning between seasons? Adjust application frequency -- daily oil in winter, lighter applications in summer -- and use balm more sparingly in heat. For the best results, combine both strategically for balanced hydration and hold. These beard maintenance tips will help you keep your beard in peak condition year-round.
Choosing the Right Product
If we have convinced you that beard oil and balm are in your future, but you're not sure where to get your hands on the good stuff, you're in luck. Not only does Reuzel offer some of the best oils and balms on the market -- including our Ultimate Beard Care Bundle -- but we have a host of other beard and hair products available to mold and style you to perfection.
For more information on our beard products or to browse and see if we're as good as we say we are, head to Reuzel's beard, shave, and grooming collection right now. Trust us. Your beard will thank you.
