If you want a soft beard but prefer something lighter than beard butter or cream but less greasy than beard oil, a beard conditioner or beard balm might be the right choice.
Beard conditioners help relieve the itch by hydrating facial hair and moisturizing the skin underneath it without leaving your beard looking greasy or weighed down like a bear oil sometimes can.
Wild Willies and Uncle Jimmy are two companies that have beard softening products all figured out. While they may seem similar, they have some key differences we will compare so that you can choose the best softener for your beard.
Let's take a look at:
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Ease of Use
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Active Ingredients
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Fragrances
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Price Differences
Table of Contents
Quick Take
Overall Winner: Wild Willies Beard Soft
Natural ingredients moisturize and soften facial hair and the skin below to relieve itching while stimulating growth. The product is no-fuss and leaves your beard feeling great.
Uncle Jimmy: Great product with comparable ingredients, but the balmy consistency is not ideal for those that want to save time. The product needs to be finessed a bit more to see similar results.
Uncle Jimmy Conditioning Balm
This conditioning beard balm is a bit different than other softeners on the market because it's in a solid form. The consistency is close to that of a lip balm, and once you get it worked into your beard, this product does a great job of softening and hydrating your facial hair and the skin underneath.
Unlike beard oils, this product contains a blend of wax and various kinds of butter and oils to better seal in moisture. According to one customer, "It feels really good in my hands, and it doesn't take a lot to cover your beard. It smells great, and it has a nice sheen to it." The positive comments don't stop there, with the Conditioning Balm bringing in almost 100 reviews and a 4.9-star rating.
Key Features
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Solid form
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Absorbs quickly
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Non-greasy
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Helps reduce ingrown hairs
Wild Willies Beard Soft
Wild Willies beard softener is an all-natural product that's packed with premium ingredients to condition and soften your beard without the worry of skin irritation. It is easy to use and only takes a few minutes to work into your beard.
Formulated to lock in moisture, soften, and promote growth, Wild Willies beard softener is an excellent choice for those that want a fluffy, healthy-looking beard.
With a 4.9-star rating and over 500 reviews, it's clear that customers are more than satisfied with the product. And it's not just beard users who love it; their significant others are raving about it, too. One reviewer says, "my husband has only been using it for about a week now, and his beard seems so much more tame and so so soft!"
Key Features
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Strengthens hair
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Stimulates beard growth
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Eliminates itchy skin and irritation
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Premium and organic ingredients
Ease of Use
Uncle Jimmy:
The Uncle Jimmy Conditioning Balm is still fairly easy to use, but because it is in solid form, it does require a little extra time to work into your beard and get an even application. You may need to rub the product between your palms to soften it and distribute it with a comb or brush.
Wild Willies:
The Wild Willies Beard Soft is more of a leave-in conditioner that is easy to use. Simply dispense a small amount into your hand and work it into your mustache or beard, paying extra attention to the ends.
Winner: Wild Willies
The Wild Willies Beard Soft is an easier product to use because it doesn't require any extra time to prep the product or work it into your beard. This is ideal for those that want a quick and easy solution to keeping their beard soft.
Active Ingredients
Uncle Jimmy:
The Uncle Jimmy conditioning balm is petroleum and lanolin-free, so you won't have to worry about that greasy feeling. And unlike some other conditioners, this one doesn't rely on added alcohol which can end up drying out your beard. Instead, it leaves behind a natural shine.
This product also contains:
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Shea Butter
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Sunflower Seed Oil
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Avocado Butter
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Jojoba Oil
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Honey
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Black Seed Oil
Shea butter is great for softening and hydrating skin, as well as acting as a barrier to protect your skin from damage. Jojoba oil and honey are good for acne prevention because it keeps your skin from getting too oily. Black seed oil is also great for acne prevention, as well as treatment of eczema. If you are acne-prone, this product is great for you!
Wild Willies:
Wild Willies Beard Soft is made with quality all-natural and organic ingredients that are designed to not only soften your beard but also strengthen it and stimulate growth. Rich natural oils are great for sensitive skin and work to hydrate and nourish, giving you a healthy beard while providing a refreshing, clean scent.
Some other ingredients used:
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Organic Aloe Leaf Juice
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Pro-vitamin B5
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Castor Oil
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Meadowfoam Seed Oil
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Peppermint, Eucalyptus, and Lemongrass Essential Oils
Aloe leaf juice and B5 is great for preventing dry skin. Castor oil and meadowfoam seed oil are also both great for locking in moisture. The essential oils prevent the itchiness that can sometimes come with dry skin. So if you’re prone to dry skin, these are some great ingredients that will keep your skin feeling smooth and hydrated.
Winner: Draw
While we consider this a draw, it's worth noting that the Wild Willies promotes beard growth which may give it a slight edge for those that are trying to grow out their beard.
Fragrances
Uncle Jimmy:
According to the product ingredients, Uncle Jimmy Conditioning Balm's "subtle scent" is a product made with artificial fragrances and perfumes. While this does not seem to affect the performance of the product, some customers may prefer more naturally-derived scents.
Wild Willies:
This beard softener's minty smell comes from peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemongrass essential oils. The scent is refreshing and not too overpowering, making it perfect for those sensitive to fragrances.
Winner: Wild Willies
We prefer the essential oils used in the Wild Willies Beard Softener over the artificial fragrances used in the Uncle Jimmy Conditioning Balm. Not only do they provide a refreshing, clean scent, but they also offer additional benefits like skin hydration.
Price
Uncle Jimmy:
The Uncle Jimmy Conditioning Balm retails for $10.99 per 2oz. container.
Wild Willies:
The Wild Willies Beard Soft is priced at $12.94 for 4oz. bottle.
Winner: Wild Willies
The amount of product you need for each of these beard softeners will depend on the length and thickness of your facial hair. Based on the size of the containers and the price per ounce, we believe that the Wild Willies Beard Softener offers better value for your money.
Final Thoughts: Beard Balm vs. Beard Conditioner for Facial Hair
Uncle Jimmy's Conditioning Balm and Wild Willies Beard Softener are both great products that can help you achieve a softer, more manageable beard.
While they are each easy to use and contain quality ingredients, we believe the Wild Willies Beard Softener is the better product overall.
It is more affordable and contains organic ingredients that are designed to not only soften your hair but also stimulate hair growth. It eliminates rough and brittle beards - the natural oils and vitamins are suitable for all skin types and help to eliminate beard itch and beard dandruff.
