With the rise in popularity of the self-care movement, the hair care industry is oversaturated with hundreds of new products being added to the market every day. All of these products are made up of different ingredients producing different results. This makes it incredibly challenging for customers to determine the right products for their grooming regime.
At Jaxson Maximus, we have an overwhelming influx of customers asking our barbers which product they should be using; beard balm or beard oil? Since both beard balm and beard oil moisturize your beard, which is the better option?
WHAT IS BEARD BALM
Beard balm is a leave-in conditioner for your beard. Beard balm helps to moisturize, condition, and soften your beard. Most beard balms consist of shea butter, beeswax, and essential oils, such as sunflower oil. All these ingredients aim to protect your skin and seal in moisture.
Unlike beard oil, beard balm will have a thicker consistency than a pomade.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD BEARD BALM?
A good beard balm will contain natural ingredients instead of synthetics. A key element to look out for is natural essential oils. Synthetic fragrances will often contain potentially harmful toxins. These toxins can irritate your skin, leaving your beard brittle and dry.
WHO SHOULD USE BEARD BALM?
Beard balm is best used for guys that have a medium to a long-length beard. Unlike beard oil, beard balm is used to help shape your current beard and tame flyaways. You can also use it to style your mustache or sideburns.
If you are going for that “just got out of the barbershop” perfect look, then beard balm is your best bet. Beard oil is essentially just a mixture of oils. These oils will not provide any structure or support for your beard.
Beard balm will sit on your beard and skin longer than oil would. This will give your beard longer-lasting moisture than oil would.
If your beard is thin or patch, try using a beard balm with a base of shea butter. This will help your beard look thicker and healthier.
ProTip: If you travel a lot, a beard balm will be your best bet. A balm will provide longer moisture for plane rides, and you don’t have to worry about a liquid spilling in your bag.
WHAT IS BEARD OIL?
Beard oil is a mixture of various essential oils (typically argan, jojoba, and castor oil) that work to add moisture to your beard. Unlike beard balm, oil is used mainly for moisturizing the skin underneath your beard. Beard oil works as an excellent natural deodorizer, leaving your beard smelling fresh.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD BEARD OIL?
Similar to that of balms, good beard oil will consist of natural ingredients. Be wary of beard oils that contain many synthetic ingredients as those ingredients can cause breakouts and further skin irritation.
Every manufacture will have there own blend of essentials oils. Some beard oils may contain more fruity ingredients, such as pomegranate oil, while others may have a more earthy scent, such as tea tree. Most of the time, it is really up to personal preference and what you have found works best for your skin type.
At Jaxson Maximus, we have an amazing organic, vegan, and cruelty-free beard oil that our barbers use every day on our clients.
WHO SHOULD USE BEARD OIL?
Beard oil is a great product for those who are just starting to grow out their beards or have shorter length beards. Oil can be a great relief from itching while your beard is still in the stubble phase. It also works great for men with regular or slightly oily skin since it does not cause breakouts.
Oil will give your beard a clean, matte finish, which will be absorbed into your skin much quicker than a balm would.
If you are experiencing any dandruff or flaking of your skin underneath your beard, oil can help eliminate this by adding back in lost moisture to your skin.
HOW TO APPLY BEARD OIL
The amount of oil you use will depend on the length of your beard. A good recommendation is to use between 4-5 drops of beard oil. Put the drops of oil into your hands and rub them together, heating the oils. Start by rubbing the oils on your skin first and work your way down your beard, evenly distributing it.
For longer hair, gentleman, we recommend using a comb to evenly distribute the oil throughout your beard.
BEARD BALM VS. BEARD OIL | WHAT IS BETTER FOR ME?
The answer is well; it depends. Regardless of the type of beard you have using great products are vital for maintaining the longevity of your beard. Beard oils are best for those in the begging stages of growing out their beard while balms are better int the later stages.
Balms are better for those who want more structure to their facial hair while oils are better for those who need an extra layer of skincare.
