How to Apply Beard Balm

Like your hair and skin, beards need moisture to look their best. But if you’re new to the beard game or just not much of a beard care product guy, the idea of using beard balm may be daunting.

Wondering how to put on beard balm? You’re not alone —  research has found a significant increase in search terms related to facial hair growth and maintenance over the last decade, which suggests many men (like you!) have questions. Well, we’ve got answers.

Keep reading for a step-by-step guide to how to apply beard balm, plus answers to all your most pressing beard balm FAQs.

Beard balm is a solid beard moisturizer that’s usually packaged in a circular tin. It’s typically made with rich butters (like shea butter, mango butter, and cocoa butter), waxes (like beeswax), and essential oils.

Beard balm is used to condition and moisturize beard hair. It’s also helpful for smoothing frizz and flyaways and styling and softening your beard. Anyone with a beard can technically use beard balm, but it’s often recommended for people with thick, medium to long beards — it may be too heavy for those with a shorter beard length or wispier beards.

Here, we’ll cover how to use beard balm as part of your beard care routine, including when and how much beard balm to use.

1. Wash your face and beard. It’s helpful to start with clean skin and a clean beard. You can use beard wash, but a gentle face wash works well, too — it just depends on your personal preference. Afterwards, dry your face thoroughly, and wait until your beard is mostly dry before applying beard balm. Because beard balm is oil-based, it can be challenging to use if your beard is soaking wet, as the water will repel the product. 

2. Start with a small amount of beard balm. If you’re new to beard balm, start with less than you think you’ll need (it’s easier to add more product than to take it away). Usually, a pea-sized amount is a good amount to start with. You can use the back of your thumbnail to scoop a small amount from the container.

3. Work the balm in your hands. The balm will be solid at room temperature (if you’ve stored it properly in a cool, dark place). Take a few moments to rub the product between your fingers so it warms and becomes more liquid and easier to work with.

4. Apply the balm. Massage the oil into your beard and skin using upward strokes, then pat it down. Don’t be afraid to really rub it into your skin — one of the great things about beard balm is that it’s super hydrating for the skin, too.

5. Style your beard. Use your fingers or a beard brush or a beard comb to style your beard, disperse the balm, and tame any stray hairs. You can add more if you feel like you didn’t have enough to coat your beard evenly or if you want a little more shine or hold.

The benefits of beard balm go beyond just styling. Here’s a rundown of its main perks: 

• Because butter and oils are similar to sebum (your body’s natural oil), beard balms can be hydrating for flaking, dry skin, or beard dandruff. Balm can even help relieve beard itch.

• Balm adds shine to your beard.

• Applying balm adds hold to your beard, so it stays how you style it, helping you maintain your desired beard look.

• Beard balm helps you comb your beard hair to conceal patchy areas.

• Essential oils in beard balm can infuse your beard with a good scent.

Beard balm and beard oil are similar but not identical products. The main difference is their formulations. Beard oil is a liquid and is made of oils (the oil varies depending on the product, but some common ones include jojoba oil, castor oil, and argan oil).

As we mentioned, beard balm (which is also sometimes called beard butter)  is a solid product that liquefies with heat. It is made of butters and waxes, so it has a thicker, waxier consistency. 

Both beard oil and balm can contain essential oils for added scent, and they are moisturizing and conditioning. However, beard balm is a better styling product because it offers hold that beard oil doesn’t.

Some men also wonder if they can use beard balm together with beard oil. While technically you can, the combination tends to be too oily for most skin types. Generally, it’s best to use one at a time, though you can certainly alternate between oil and balm, using one in the morning and one at night.

That said, there are times when it may make sense to use both together in your grooming routine — for example, if you have a very thick beard, it may benefit from the extra moisture. Or, if you have a long beard, you may want to style your mustache with beard balm for hold and use beard oil on the lengths.

Beard balm can be an important part of a beard care routine. Here’s what to remember about this particular facial hair product:

• Beard balm is a beard grooming product for men that provides moisture, styling control, and a healthy shine, especially for medium to long beards. (It may be too heavy for wispy or short beards.)

• To use beard balm, start with a small amount, warm it in your hands, and then work it evenly through your beard to hydrate and hold it in place.

• Beard balm and beard oil aren’t the same, but both help keep your beard feeling and looking its best. Beard balm can also relieve dryness and itchiness and help in taming unruly hairs in your beard.

Want to learn more about growing, styling, and maintaining a healthy beard? Check out our guides to beard styles for bald men and minoxidil for beard growth.