If you have a beard and are looking for something that helps style and moisturize your facial hair, then a quality beard balm is perfect.
To help you find the perfect beard balm to keep your beard in place, we've compiled a list of the best beard balms for hold. From Honest Amish and Beardbrand to Bulldog and Wild Willies, these top-rated products will help you maintain, condition, and style your beard with a look that lasts all day long!
Quick Take:
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Best Overall: Wild Willies Beard Butter
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Organic: Honest Amish Beard Balm Leave-In Conditioner
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Supports Veterans: Gladiator Beard Conditioning Balm
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Scent: Grave Before Shave Beard Balm
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High-End: Beardbrand Styling Balm
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Budget-Friendly: Bulldog Original Beard Balm
Let's dive in.
Table of Contents
Wild Willies Beard Butter
Best Overall
Wild Willies' Beard Butter does it all. It gets rid of coarse beard hairs, fights split ends and unruly beard hair, and reduces irritation, dandruff, and itchiness. It helps keep follicles moist, promoting growth from the inside out. Use it frequently and see your beard strengthen and your hair growth boost.
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Shea butter moisturizes damaged, dry beard hair and protects against weather damage.
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Beeswax is the best natural ingredient for easy styling in a beard balm without creating a greasy residue.
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Jojoba oil nourishes the skin and hair by helping to rebuild moisture lost during the day and stimulating the hair follicles to promote hair growth.
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Argan oil provides the finishing shine.
Consumer Review:
"Wild Willie's has it all: Natural, non-overbearing scent; Excellent price; easy to apply; requires minimal amounts; nice holding all day; doesn't leave your beard sticky, and BEST of all, it's made in the USA. I've had my beard for many years. This is the best overall beard balm I've used. HIGHLY Recommended"
Pros
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13 natural organic ingredients
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Stimulates hair growth
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Free of chemicals, preservatives, and colorants
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Made in the USA
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Veteran-run company
Cons
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Only available in two scents: cool mint and "original" unscented beard balm
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Some customers find it too dense compared to others
Best Feature
Hair growth properties to promote healthy new hair follicles
Price & Rating
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Price: $8.79 for a 2oz. tin; $4.40 per oz.
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Rating: 4.5 ⭐️ (1,230 reviews)
Recommendation
This all-natural beard balm is great for those who want to use an organic product that promotes hair growth at an affordable price.
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
Honest Amish Beard Balm Leave-In Conditioner
Best Organic Balm
Honest Amish's organic beard balm also works as a leave-in conditioner for brittle beards. It is perfect during the colder months of the year, and it helps get rid of itchiness and eliminate beard dandruff, otherwise known as "beardruff."
The Honest Amish Beard Balm is a medium hold, so you will get light shaping without feeling crunchy or stiff, and you won't have a hard time getting it out of your beard at the end of the day.
Consumer Review:
"Really the go-to for beard products, and with good reason. I've purchased a lot of beard products over the years but always revert back to Honest Amish. The scent is aniseed-like, some people may not appreciate it, but personally, I like it. The texture is light and almost creamy, melts easily in the hands, and doesn't leave a greasy look. Gives a good hold, a nice smell, and is easy to use. Try as many beard products as you like but always keep Honest Amish in your arsenal."
Pros
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Organic ingredients for healthy hair
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Easy to wash out of your beard
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No chemicals, preservatives, fragrances, dyes, or colorings
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Made in the USA
Cons
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Not as strong as other beard waxes or balms
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Smaller container size
Best Feature
The formula includes 15 organic essential oils, butters, and botanicals - shea butter, aloe, cocoa butter, argan oil, avocado seed oil, pumpkin seed oil, and sweet almond oil. It also contains kokum, a natural antibiotic that will prevent the buildup of bacteria and reduce the risk of acne.
Price & Rating
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Price: $10.86 for a 2 oz. tin; $5.43 per oz.
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Rating: 4.5 ⭐️ (33,155 reviews)
Recommendation
Best for those who want to use a product with organic ingredients.
Gladiator Beard Conditioning Balm
Company Supports Veterans
Gladiator's Beard Conditioning Balm will tame your beard and keep even the most unruly hairs in place. It uses atomized beeswax to provide enough hold and moisture to hold your beard in place and give it a natural look without leaving behind a waxy or sticky residue.
The BeardShield formula protects your beard against the elements - sun, rain, wind, snow, and nine carrier oils and vitamin E help shield your skin and prevent damage.
Consumer Review:
"The price, the quality, the ingredients, and the scent are all spectacular. It has a very masculine scent without the "high school body spray" headachy smell. My wife found the scent to be unique and very enjoyable."
Pros
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20 premium natural ingredients
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BeardShield to protect your facial hair and skin
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30% more than the average beard balm
Cons
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Less beeswax than most brands
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Scent can be overpowering
Best Feature
The Gladiator Beard Company donates 5% of its profits annually to US military veterans.
Price & Rating
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Price: $15.75 for a 2.6 oz. tin; $6.06 per oz.
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Rating: 4.5 ⭐️ (277 reviews)
Recommendation
Best for anyone who wants to support US military veterans.
Grave Before Shave Beard Balm
Best Scent
The Grave Before Shave Beard Balm has a nice smell that most men will wear without worrying about the scent. The company claims it smells faintly of a cigar, but others claim it leans toward gingerbread. The ingredient profile is impressive, and it moisturizes and prevents itching and dandruff.
With a light to medium hold, you will only notice this balm lasting around 4-5 hours, but if you want a balm that deep conditions, has flexibility, and a fragrance most reviewers rave about, Grave Before Shave is the perfect balm.
Consumer Review:
"I have tried many beard balms and oils. [...] I saw the many different "flavors" from GBS and thought I would try a couple. I ordered the cigar and tequila lemon. With most beard balms, the scent goes away after a few hours, and with these, my beard smells good even the next morning. I'm also amazed at how well it kept my curly beard straight and in place. Did I just find my new favorite beard care products...? I think so."
Pros
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Filled with natural, beard-enhancing ingredients like Vitamin E
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Helps gives you a smoother beard with little to no residue
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Easy to apply and spread throughout your beard
Cons
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Light to medium hold lasts no longer than 4 hours
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Little more creamy than waxy
Best Feature
Incredible scent options like bourbon/sandalwood and cigar/vanilla that customers love.
Price & Rating
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Price: $13.50 for a 2 oz. tin; $6.75 per oz.
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Rating: 4.7 ⭐️ (2,468 reviews)
Recommendation
Best for those who want a sweet but masculine scent that is not overpowering and doesn't wear off after a few hours of wear.
Beardbrand Styling Balm
High-End Option
Beardbrand Styling Balm has a medium hold that allows for natural movement while keeping your beard smooth. The flexibility allows you to run your fingers through your hair without feeling stiff and crunchy, whether you have thick, curly, fine, or thin hair.
The company is so confident in their product that they offer their Beardbrand Assurance promise - if you don't like the balm or the fragrance, they will either provide a refund or allow an exchange for another scent.
Consumer Review:
"I LOVE this balm! I have tried oils, gels, balms, and more on my beard over the years, and this stuff is the best of the best. It smells great, it tames the beard, it adds some shine, it does everything I need it to do."
Pros
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Large product size in comparison to other brands
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Six scents: Old Money, Temple Smoke, Four Vices, Tree Ranger, Spiced Citrus, and Tea Tree
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The packaging looks nice enough to leave out on your counter
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Beardbrand Assurance policy
Cons
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The product can be difficult to melt down and smooth through your beard.
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Does not use natural or organic ingredients
Best Feature
A high-quality beard balm that offers luxury packaging and more product than other companies - approximately three months' worth!
Price & Rating
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Price: $37.00 for a 3.4 oz. tin; $ per oz.
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Rating: 4.6 ⭐️ (3,137 reviews)
Recommendation
For those who want to spend a little more on a luxury product that looks as good as it works.
Bulldog Original Beard Balm
Budget-Friendly Option
Bulldog's Original Beard Balm is designed to soften and tame your beard using natural ingredients like aloe vera, camelina oil, and green tea. This beard balm moisturizes and softens to help manage even the most unruly beard.
Consumer Review:
"I like to use this as my primary balm. It gives my beard volume and actually makes it feel fuller [...] This butter is one of a kind, and I haven't found anything like it on the market (not exaggerating by any stretch). It may or may not be for you, but I highly recommend giving it a try. The price is reasonable at $8-9. I'm VERY happy with the product. This is a staple for my daily hygiene, and I'd be HUGELY disappointed if this product were ever discontinued."
Pros
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Can be found at most drugstores and online
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Lower price point
Cons
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Product builds up and can flake off
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Not the best smelling balm
Best Feature
This beard balm is one of the most affordable on the market, coming in at under $8.
Price & Rating
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Price: $7.28 for a 2.5 oz. tin; $2.91 per oz.
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Rating: 4.6 ⭐️ (2,421 reviews)
Recommendation
Ideal for men who want to spend a little less without sacrificing overall quality.
How to Pick the Best Beard Balm for Hold
Many different types of beard balms are available on the market today, and each has its unique benefits and drawbacks. You'll want to consider these factors when choosing which beard balm is right for you.
Key Ingredients List
Natural ingredients are always preferred because they don't contain harmful chemicals and preservatives. Some of the most common natural ingredients used include beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, sunflower seed oil, olive oil, avocado oil, and jojoba oil.
You'll want to steer clear of synthetic ingredients like parabens, phthalates, mineral oils, petroleum jelly, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, etc.
Moisturizing Ability
Moisturizing ability refers to how well your beard balm absorbs into your skin. If you're looking for something that won't leave your face feeling greasy, look for an oil-based balm. If you want something that will keep your facial hair hydrated all day long, choose a balm made from waxes.
Fragrance Origin
You may want to avoid certain scents or artificial fragrances if you have sensitive skin. Some people prefer an unscented balm, so the scent doesn't clash with other products or colognes they may use. We usually recommend using products that are scented with essential oils because they smell good and have additional benefits for your skin and hair.
Let's Recap
The best beard balm for styling and hold should be formulated with natural ingredients, such as beeswax, cocoa butter, and shea butter, and avoid using synthetic ingredients, as these can dry your skin and hair out or cause irritation.
Best Overall: Wild Willies Beard Butter
We love the Wild Willies Beard Butter because it moisturizes, smoothes, and tames for all-day hold without feeling stiff or rough. It also contains healthy beard growth properties that stimulate the hair follicle and give you the luscious, full beard you want. The ingredients are 100% natural and organic, and all their products are made in the USA. The price point is average and affordable for most customers.
Quick Review
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Organic: Honest Amish Beard Balm Leave-In Conditioner
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Supports Veterans: Gladiator Beard Conditioning Balm
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Scent: Grave Before Shave Beard Balm
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High-End: Beardbrand Styling Balm
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Budget-Friendly: Bulldog Original Beard Balm
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
