Beard Oil vs Balm – The Differences and Why You Need Both

Beard enthusiasts know the differences between beard oil vs balm. They are also well aware of the importance of adding both to their beard care routine.

However, those who are new to beards might think that beard oil and beard balm provide similar benefits, and they can just choose one of the two. After all, both products help to condition and style your beard handsomely, right?

Choosing the best beard care products for your grooming arsenal can be frustrating, especially with the thousands of choices that are available. And you often hear men raving about this beard oil or that beard balm. Confusing, we know. But this article will help you learn the differences and similarities between the two, and what they can do for your beard.

What Is Beard Oil?

Beard oil is a lightweight moisturizer intended for your facial hair. It is oil-based and uses natural carrier oils like jojoba oil, olive oil, and argan oil, among many others. Beard oil application is very easy, and you can quickly apply it to your entire beard. It serves as a daily moisturizer for your facial hair and for the skin underneath it.

All beard types can benefit from beard oil, regardless of style and length. As a matter of fact, many barbers recommend using beard oil during the early stages of beard growth. This is to reduce dry skin, as well as beardruff and flaking.

What is Beard Balm?

Beard balm generally contains natural waxes and or butters like cocoa butter or shea butter, giving it a thick consistency, almost like a cream.

Beard balm isn’t absorbed by the skin as easily as beard oil is, nor does it just drip away from the beard. Its thickness allows you to style and hold an unruly beard to your desired grooming goals.

A beard balm is also great for mustaches and sideburns. It helps tame down flyaway hairs too. Also, since it is not absorbed by the skin as quickly as oil, it gives your beard more time to absorb its nutrients and get more moisture from it.

Beard Oil vs Balm: The Similarities

Now that we have an overview of beard oil and beard balm, let’s look at the similarities.

They Both Make Use of Carrier and Essential Oils

The similarities of beard oil and beard balm lie in their main ingredients: carrier and essential oils. Both beard products make use of these oils as primary ingredients. The carrier oils are the main ingredient, especially for beard oils. The carrier oils provide the necessary moisture and hydration to the skin and hair follicles. Moreover, they provide softer beard locks that are shiny and healthy.

Meanwhile, the essential oils give the products their fragrance. Whether you are using beard oil or beard balm, the essential oils added to it will be aromatic. There are many different essential oils, and producers use them to achieve a certain scent, from woodsy to vanilla.

Some b are unscented and do not contain essential oils. This is to cater to men who prefer to have non-fragrant products applied to their skin and beard, or who may have allergies to different scents.

They Effectively Manage Your Beard

If you use beard oil and beard balm, you will help to ensure that your beard grows healthy and softer. These products also make your beard easier to manage when growing and styling. Since both products can be applied using beard brushes and combs, you do not have to worry about uneven application. You can coat all your beard hairs evenly without neglecting a spot. Moreover, it makes the application easier as you can use brushes and a comb to perfectly style stray beard hairs.

They Help Improve Your Overall Appearance

Using beard oil and beard balm will boost your self-confidence. You will have more confidence in your appearance, both in professional situations and when dating.

Beard Oil vs Balm: The Differences

Though beard oil and beard balm have their similarities, there are definitely differences too. These unique differences make them special and extraordinary, so make sure to keep them in your grooming arsenal.

The Inclusion of Butter and Beeswax in Beard Balms

What makes beard balms unique are the butter and beeswax that they contain. Shea and cocoa butters are the most common butters used in beard balm products. These butters act as an additional moisturizing agent that locks in more moisture into your skin, hair, and hair follicles. If you have extremely dry skin, adding beard balm on top of your beard oil will work wonders as it increases the moisturizing level of your beard.

Waxes and butters also give beard balms their solid and waxy consistency. Because of this different consistency, beard balms do not spill easily as liquid beard oil does. Therefore, it is less messy and more comfortable to apply. Beeswax also serves as an additional layer of protection against dryness and other harmful irritants present in your surroundings.

Beard Oil Is Mainly For Health, While Beard Balm Is More For Styling

Both beard oil and beard balm moisturize and hydrate skin and hair follicles, as both contain carrier and essentials oils. However, because of a beard balm’s waxy nature, it has the added benefit of holding your beard hair the way you want it to, which is great for styling. On the other hand, beard oil is more easily absorbed by the skin and helps improve general beard health by preventing inflammation, itchiness, and beardruff.

Application Method Differs

The application processes differ, depending upon whether you’re adding beard oil or beard balm.

Beard oil comes with a dropper. You put a few drops on your palm, rub your hands together for easy distribution, and apply the beard oil gently to your beard while massaging the skin underneath for better absorption. You can also use beard brushes and combs to make sure that the oil has been distributed evenly.

For beard balm, you need a little bit of warm-up. Rub your hands together to create some friction and heat. Take a bit of the balm onto your fingers, spread it on your beard, and work it into the hair with your warmed palms. Then use a beard brush or comb to distribute it evenly, as well as styling your beard the way you want to.

Beard Oil vs Balm: Which One to Choose? Our Final Thoughts

Choosing between a beard oil vs balm should never be a question, to be honest. Since both beard care products have different uses, it is best to add both to your beard care regimen. But do so in the right amounts. Never too much, yet never too little. This is to ensure that you improve your beard’s health and condition while maintaining style and manageability.

Beard oil is most helpful when you wish to condition your facial skin along with your beard hair.

Beard balm’s thicker texture can help to hold and tame unruly beard hairs, allowing you to style your beard more easily.

So, our final thought is that there should not be a beard oil vs balm debate. Both products are equally important, and both products should be part of your grooming repertoire.