Beard Balm vs Beard Butter

When it comes to beard grooming products, there is no shortage of choices on the market. Beard Butter and Beard Balm get compared all the time, and rightfully so. Beard balm is designed to help you style and shape your beard, but so is Beard Butter!.

However, there are a few key differences so we thought we'd really explain the pros and cons of each so you can decide for yourself which is best for you.

Let’s first start with Beard Balm:

Beard Balm is typically made up of a tacky blend of carrier oils and beeswax. The purpose of beard balm is to style your beard and control flyaway hairs and keep your beard shaped with a firm hold. The real benefit of beard balm comes with its hold for stubborn beard hairs.

Because of this firm hold, beard balm is best used on shorter beards to really hold it in place. This comes at a cost however as the downside to beard balm is that the beeswax can make your beard hard or stiff, so be mindful of how much beeswax is used (especially your beard gets longer).

When it comes to how to use beard balm, you will scoop some out into your hands and melt the balm down by rubbing your hands together. This will help make the firm holing beeswax a bit easier to apply to your beard, then grab your favorite beard comb or brush and style your beard into place.

Beard Balm will typically come in a smaller container (usually 2oz) vs 3oz Beard Butter (for the same price).

Should you consider beard balm? Because of its tackiness, you should consider trying a beard balm if you have a short unruly beard and are really looking for a significant hold that will keep your beard really in place. Think of it as a firm hold gel for your hair.

We all want our beards to look good and the hold is what keeps it in place all day long. But what if you could have the hold AND other benefits? That's where Beard Butter really stands out.

So What is Beard Butter?

Most quality beard butter will be a shea butter based formula along with carrier oils which will give you the moisture you need to promote fuller, healthier growth.

Shea butter is an incredible moisturizer that will soften the beard hairs, but what's also so great about shea butter is how it absorbs into the beard hairs giving your beard a fuller appearance, instantly.

The best beard butter will, of course, be made of all-natural ingredients and avoid any synthetics, alcohol, or fillers.

Because of great all-natural ingredients like Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Grape Seed Oil, and Vitamin E, Beard Butter will serve as a deep conditioner to soften and control your beard hairs while also giving you a light to medium hold to tame flyaway hairs and shape your beard without leaving it too tacky or hard.

Plus these ingredients have been proven to help with better, healthier beard growth!

It's for these reasons we strongly believe it offers everything a beard balm does and more, without the downside of leaving you with a tacky beard. It's also why we spent 14 months and endless revisions to create an all in one product that can simplify your beard care routine and help you grow the best beard possible.

Beard balm and beard butter are both great products. What it really comes down to is what look and feel you are looking for. If you want to really lock your beard into place, beard balm may be for you.

If you are looking for a deep conditioner to soften and promote better beard growth, AND still have a light to medium hold to shape your beard and hold it all day long, Beard Butter is the right choice.

How Often Should I Use Beard Balm and Beard Butter?

You should use beard butter about once daily at night. By using it daily, you will prevent having dry skin or a coarse beard. For beard balm, if you have a long beard, it's recommended that you use the balm daily in the morning. However, if you have a short beard, you should use beard balm every other day in the morning (or three times per week). Many beardsmen say they get the best results by using butter for nourishment and conditioning, and then beard balm for shaping. Ultimately, both are different products, and you should tailor the frequency you use them to your beard's specific look and how the products work for you.

Is There an Optimal Way to Apply Beard Butter?

Yes, there's a pretty widely accepted optimal way to apply some beard butter and get the most out of it in terms of conditioning, styling and absorption.

The trick is to get the prep right, warm the product up, and then apply it with some finesse.

The Lowdown on How to Apply Beard Butter Like a Pro

Step 1: Get Your Beard Ready

• Give It a Good Clean: Wash your beard with some gentle beard wash or shampoo to get rid of all the dirt and product buildup. The butter will work way better when it's applied to a clean "canvas".

• Dry It a Bit: Pat your beard dry with a towel. Most beard butter enthusiasts agree it does best on a dry or just slightly damp beard - if it's dripping wet it won't absorb right. Being only slightly damp, especially after a warm shower, can help keep that moisture locked in.

Step 2: Get the Right Amount On

• Start With a Little: beard butter is packed with goodness so you don't need much. Try starting with a dime-sized scoop to see how it goes.

• Adjust for Your Beard's Length: If you've got a longer or really thick beard, you may need a bit more. But be careful not to put too much in because it can look greasy.

Step 3: Get the Butter Ready

• Warm It Up: Rub the butter up between your palms and fingers until it's completely melted and feels like a nice oil. This bit is really important - it makes the butter soft and easy to spread, and gets the conditioning ingredients working.

Step 4: Get It All Over Your Beard

• Work It In: Start at the base of your beard, where the hair and skin meet, and massage the butter into your skin. This is where the moisturizing is needed most.

• Get It All the Way Down to the Tips: Then comb the butter all the way through your hair to the tips. Make sure every bit of your beard, even the underside, is coated nicely.

Step 5: Get It Looking Ship-Shape

• Even It Out: Use a beard comb or a boar's hair brush to gently comb out your beard. This bit is important to get the butter distributed evenly and to keep your beard from getting all knotted up.

• Style It Up: Use the butter to shape and style your beard as you like.

Is There an Optimal Way to Apply Beard Balm?

Yes, there's an optimal way to put on beard balm to get the most out of it in terms of maximum absorption and conditioning.

The trick is in following a few key steps - getting ready, warming up the product, and using the right application technique.

A Super Practical Step-by-Step Guide for Putting on Beard Balm

Step 1: Get Clean, Towel-Dried and Ready to Go

• Give It a Clean: Use a mild beard wash or shampoo to get rid of dirt, oils, product gunk t. Beard balm works best on a clean 'canvas' - like a blank piece of paper.

• Towel Dry: Take your time and pat your beard dry with a towel. Beard balm really likes being on a beard that's either completely dry or just slightly damp (not dripping). This is where being slightly damp really helps lock in the moisture.

Step 2: Grab the Right Amount

• Go Slow: Beard balm is concentrated, so a little bit goes a long way. You can start off with just about the size of a dime for an average beard.

• Beard Length Matters: If you've got a really long or thick beard, you might need a little more, but remember, its better to start slow and add to it if needed, rather than go all greasy.

Step 3: Melt It Down and Get It Ready to Use

• Get It Soft: Rub the balm between your palms and all your fingers and get it all melted and silky smooth. This bit is crucial, as it breaks down the solid wax and makes the product easy to spread for even conditioning and hold.

Step 4: Get It All Evenly Coated

• Work It In from the Roots: Start at the base of your beard and work it down into the skin underneath - this is where all the healthy hair happens and that's where the moisturizing is most needed. Just use your fingers to get it all massaged in.

• Get It All the Way Through: Next, take it from the roots all the way down to the ends - get it on every bit of your beard, even the underside. Make sure its all coated up.

Step 5: Get It All Sorted & Style It

• Get It All Even: Take out a beard comb or a boars hair brush, and gently comb or brush your beard. This gets the balm nice and evenly distributed, gets any knots untangled and adds a bit of volume.

• Style It Up: You can now use the hold from the balm to get your beard looking how you want it to, taming flyaways and shaping your beard.

Can I Use Both Beard Balm and Beard Butter in My Grooming Routine? If So, Which Should I Use First?

Yes, you absolutely can (and many people do!) use both beard balm and beard butter in their grooming routine.

Using both products allows you to get the best benefits of each, but the optimal way to use them is by applying them at different times of the day, or by layering them in a specific order.

Here is a breakdown of which to use first, depending on your goal:

The most common and effective way to use both is to leverage their primary function at different times of the day.

Which One Should I Choose Beard Balm vs Beard Butter?

The choice between beard balm and beard butter for a one-product routine is all about what your beard really needs: does it need to be held in place or does it need some serious TLC to feel silky and healthy?

Both products will give your beard a bit of moisture, but you've got to think about which one will deliver the most important job for your specific beard.

The Verdict: Choose Based on What Your Beard Is Trying to Tell You

If your number one priority is to get your beard to a point where it's not falling apart at the seams - where it's soft, and your skin underneath isn't all dry and itchy, especially if your skin is super sensitive, then Beard Butter is the way to go.

Beard Butter is basically a deep conditioning treatment that has no wax to speak of, so it soaks deep into your hair and skin to really give you that moisture and smoothness that a healthy beard relies on.

But, on the other hand, if you're trying to tame a beard that's gone a bit rogue, you might be considering Beard Balm. It's got beeswax that gives you a stiff hold and structure, which will keep your beard in line. However, this it can also weigh the beard down and often comes at the expense of the deep, nourishing conditioning that beard butter offers.

Which Is Better for Dry Skin and Itchiness Beard Balm or Beard Butter?

For dry skin and itchiness under your beard , Beard Butter is usually the better choice.

The main reason is the difference in ingredients and consistency - which impacts how well the product gets to and nourishes the skin underneath the beard.

Beard Butter vs. Beard Balm for Dry Skin and Itchiness: Which Is Better

Dry skin and itchiness are usually down to a lack of moisture on the skin underneath your beard. Beard butter is designed to fix this issue:

1. Getting Down to the Roots: Since there's no wax to block the way, beard butter can get right down to the hair follicles and the skin underneath - where all the dryness and itchiness is coming from .This means the good stuff in the butter gets to the right place and really does some good.

2. Loads of Hydration: Beard butter is full of ingredients like shea butter and cocoa butter - which are brilliant for keeping your skin soft and healthy.

3. Night Treatment: Beard butter is perfect for use as an overnight leave in conditioner. This means you can put it on before bed and let it do its magic all night long - so in the morning your skin and beard will be nice and soft.

So, Why Do Some People Use Beard Balm?

While beard butter is the clear winner for fixing the underlying causes of dry skin and itchiness, beard balm's primary function is different:

• Protecting from the elements: The wax in balm creates a layer of protection that keeps the moisture in and the cold air and wind out. This is really good for keeping your skin and beard from getting too dry.

• Locking in oil: If you use beard oil, you can put balm on top of it to keep it all locked in for the rest of the day.

If you have any questions about beard balm or beard butter, or any other beard products for that matter, don't hesitate to contact us anytime!

Keep it growing and as always, Live Bearded!