Beard Oil vs. Balm: Which One is Right for You?

Growing a beard can be tricky, and keeping it soft, healthy, and itch-free is a must for a positive experience.

If you’ve ever stood in the grooming aisle wondering whether to grab beard oil or beard balm, you’re right to be confused. While both products moisturize and nourish your facial hair, they serve different purposes. Some guys swear by oil, while others won't go a day without balm.

So, which one is right for you? And do you need to use both?

We’re here to give you some clarity on the best products to use for your beard. We’ll break down the difference between beard balm and beard oil and offer some tips for adding these products to your beard care routine.

Both of these beard products hydrate and condition your hair and skin. But they’re formulated differently and offer unique benefits.

Beard oil:

• A lightweight, fast-absorbing oil that hydrates the skin and softens beard hair.

• Best for new beards, dry skin, and patchy beards.

• Helps reduce itchiness, flakiness, and beard dandruff.

• Usually made up of essential and carrier oils (like jojoba oil or almond oil).

Beard balm:

• A thicker, wax-based product that provides long-lasting moisture and light hold.

• Used for styling your beard or moustache. 

• Ideal for medium to long beards or dry beards.  

• Helps tame flyaways, frizz, and coarse or curly beard hair.

• Sometimes called beard butter. 

• Usually made up of shea butter, beeswax, and oils. 

If your beard is short and itchy, beard oil is likely your best bet. If your beard is long and unruly, beard balm can help keep it in check while adding moisture. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of the key differences between these beard grooming products: 

Still not sure which beard product fits your needs? Here’s a quick guide to help you decide.

Use beard oil if:

• You have a patchy or shorter beard.  

• You experience itchiness or flaking (“beardruff”).

• You don’t necessarily need to style your beard.

• You prefer a lightweight product that absorbs quickly.

• Your skin underneath feels tight, dry, or irritated.

Use beard balm if: 

• Your beard is medium to long and needs extra moisture.

• You want a light hold for shaping and taming frizz.

• Your beard feels coarse, wiry, or difficult to manage.

• You need all-day hydration that doesn’t evaporate quickly.

Can You Use Both Balm and Oil?

Absolutely! Many guys use both products together for maximum hydration and control. The combination can be great for those who want to address dryness while styling their beard. 

Apply beard oil first to moisturize the skin and soften hair, then follow up with beard balm to lock in moisture and shape the beard. 

But use both sparingly. Too much beard product can lead to build-up or lead to the dreaded beard itch.

Beard care is relatively simple once you get the hang of it. Here are our top tips for applying beard oil and balm.

How to Use Beard Oil

1. Start with a clean, slightly damp beard — for example, after showering.

2. Dispense 2-4 drops of beard oil into your palm (more for longer beards).

3. Rub your hands together to distribute the oil evenly.

4. Massage the oil into the skin first, then work it through the beard hair.

5. Use a beard brush or comb to evenly distribute and style.

How to Use Beard Balm

1. Start with a clean beard — whether it’s damp or dry doesn’t matter. 

2. Scoop a small amount of balm (about a dime-sized amount for short beards, more for longer beards).

3. Rub between your palms to melt and distribute the balm.

4. Apply the balm to the beard hair, focusing on areas that need hydration and styling control.

5. Use a beard comb or brush (or your fingers) to style and shape as needed. 

No matter which product you opt for, it’s important to remember to clean and cleanse your beard. A gentle shampoo can help prevent product buildup and keep your beard clean and fresh.

Generally, beard oil and balm are designed to help your beard look and feel healthy and moisturized. They usually don’t contain ingredients that boost hair growth. 

If you’re concerned about beard growth, though, you have options. 

For example, you can use minoxidil for beard growth.

Topical minoxidil is a hair growth treatment that is available over-the-counter. It’s available in the form of minoxidil foam and minoxidil solution, both of which can stimulate hair follicles to enter the “growth” phase of the hair growth cycle. 

While the FDA has approved minoxidil for treating hair loss, there aren’t yet any FDA-approved hair growth treatments. Still, minoxidil is often recommended for beard hair growth. 

If you’re not sure whether minoxidil is right for you, or if you’re experiencing a condition that’s affecting your beard growth, it might be a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional.

Both beard oil and beard balm can contribute to a healthy beard grooming routine. The product you choose will depend on your beard length, type, and concerns. 

Here are some key takeaways:

• Beard oil is great for moisturizing the skin and softening hair. It’s more appropriate for short beards or beards that don’t need heavy moisturizing or styling. 

• Beard balm provides longer-lasting hydration and light hold. This makes it a good choice for longer beards and dry beards. You can use it to style an unruly beard or moustache.

• You can also use both. If you’d like, you can use both together for maximum moisture, softness, and control. First oil, then balm.

And if you’re looking for more tips, check out our blog posts on getting the best beard of your life. 

Whichever product you choose, keeping your beard well-groomed is key to looking and feeling your best. If you're experiencing beard thinning or patchiness, consider talking to a healthcare provider about clinically proven beard growth treatments, like minoxidil.