Beard Balm vs Beard Butter: The Difference Explained


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Beard balm and beard butter are both made with waxes, butters and oils. Both are used for styling and conditioning. But what's the difference? And which one should you be using? 

In this article, we'll explain the difference between beard balm and beard butter and help you figure out which one is right for you.

Comparison Table Beard Balm vs Beard Butter

Beard Balm

vs

Beard Butter

Holding Power

Strong Hold

vs

Medium Hold

Beard Hair Moisturizing

Medium Moisturizer

vs

Strong Moisturizer

Skin Moisturizing

Light Moisturizer

vs

Medium Moisturizer

Application Difficlulty

Hard

vs

Medium

Consistiency

Wax Like

vs

Wax Like

Beard Balm

Beard balm is used for styling and keeping your beard tamed. It has a higher ratio of wax to butter and oils, which means that it provides more styling power. 

If you are looking for something to keep your beard in place, beard balm is the way to go.

Beard Butter

On the other hand, beard butter is a type of beard balm used to moisturize the beard and keep it healthy. 

It contains less wax than beard balm, making it less effective at styling but more beneficial for keeping your beard healthy. It is made up of natural butters, like shea butter and mango butter.

Both beard balm and beard butter come in various scents, so you can find one that suits your taste.

 

How is beard butter and beard balm made?

Beard butter is quite simple to make but difficult to get the ratios right.

Beard butter consists of four main ingredients:

  • Wax
  • Nut Butter
  • Castor Oil
  • Essential Oil

Ingredients

Wax

Beeswax is the most commonly used wax for beard butter but there are some less expensive synthetic products available. 

The wax gives it the consistency, so the more wax you add the stronger the hold will be.

Nut Butter

The nut butter provides part of the moisturizing properties to the mix.

Shea butter, almond butter, and cocoa butter are great options. 

Castor Oil

Castor oils like jojoba oil and argan oil are used to replace sebum. Sebum is a natural oil your body produces to keep your skin and hair moisturized.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are added for aroma. You can choose your favorite essential oil or try mixing different oils together to create a unique scent.

Mixing Process

To make your own beard butter or balm, blend your favorite ingredients together in a pot and heat until liquified. 

Mix together well with a spoon and pour into jars. Once it has cooled it is ready to use.

If you are looking for more styling/holding power, use a higher ratio of wax.

The great thing about making your own is that you can adjust its consistency at any time with different levels of oils, butters, and waxes to fit your specific needs. 

Is beard balm or beard butter better?

It depends on what you are using it for. A strong holding beard balm is best for styling and keeping your beard in place.

Beard butter is better if you are looking for higher moisturizing properties and lower holding capabilities.

Which one is right for you?

If you have a long beard that needs to be styled and tamed, then beard balm is the way to go.

If you are looking for something to keep your beard healthy and moisturized, beard butter is better.

Mustache wax is the best choice if you want extreme holding abilities. Just make sure whatever product you choose doesn’t contain any questionable ingredients. Your beard will thank you!

Why is beard balm and beard butter good for your beard?

Both beard butter and beard balm are a great addition to your beard because they contains wax which helps lock in moisture. They also contains butters and oils that help to moisturize and keep your beard healthy.

They condition and soften the hair and moisturize the skin underneath your beard. This is important because a dry and itchy beard can be very uncomfortable. 

Moisturizing your beard will eliminate the dreaded beard itch and beard dandruff. 

Finally, they tame wild and frizzy hair and can make it easier to style.

Can you use beard butter instead of beard balm?

Yes, beard butter is an alternative to beard balm.

Beard butter has less holding power than beard balm does, so it should be used accordingly for styling or taming purposes.

Beard butter's moisturizing properties are sure to keep your beard looking good and healthy!

Can you use beard butter instead of beard oil?

Beard oil and beard butter together can provide more benefits for your beard than either one can alone. Using both together will help to keep your beard healthy, hydrated, and styled.

The key is to find the right balance of each that works for you so that you get the most out of them. Due to their moisturizing abilities, they also promote healthy beard growth by providing nourishment to your hair follicles and mimicking the natural oils found on your skin.

A quick tip is to use beard oil at night after showering and then use beard balm or beard butter in the morning to style your beard.

When using both at the same time make sure to use beard oil first and use a smaller amount than normal. Combining too much oil with balm or butter will lessen the holding capabilities.

beard balm vs beard butter

When should you use beard balm instead of beard butter?

Beard balm is a better choice for beards that need more styling because it has a higher ratio of wax to oils. If you are looking for something to keep your beard healthy and moisturized, beard butter is better.

Should I use more beard butter than beard balm?

Using too much of either product can be a bit messy. We recommend you start with a dime size amount and add more as needed. 

For a complete tutorial on applying beard balm check out our article:

How To Apply Beard Balm: Step By Step Instructions

So, which product is right for you?

If you have a dry or itchy beard, we recommend using beard butter to help soothe and moisturize it. 

Click here to pick one up: Beard Butter. It not only keeps your facial hair looking good all day long but also contains ingredients that nourish and protect your skin. 

Beard Butter

Beard Butter

$10.00

Looking to nourish & soften your beard, but don't want to deal with messy & greasy oils? Use a beard butter balm. All the same benefits of beard oil with a matte finish and mild hold for styling. Restores moisture… Read More

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