Best Beard Oil and Balm for Ultimate Hydration: 2021 Buyer’s Guide

These days, men now have more beard care products to choose from than ever. Most people are confused about the differences between different beard care products, considering you’ll have oils, waxes, balms, conditioners, softeners, and shampoos to choose from. But with the best beard oil and balm, you can enjoy a beard that’s softer, hydrated, and more manageable. Using these products can boost beard health and growth, while making your beard easier to style and care for.

I’ve checked out some of the top-selling balms and oils with a higher than average user rating. Each product has something special to offer in terms of hold, scent, and hydrating power. My buyer’s guide and my product recommendations can help to steer you in the right direction, so you can easily find products that will work for your beard based on thickness and length, in addition to skin type and styling needs.

Below, you’ll find a comparison chart that lists some of the similarities between these products, what they smell like, and what they can do for your beard.

Beard Oils and Balms Comparison Chart

Product	Type	Scent	Active ingredient	Rating
Grow Alpha Beard Balm Shop On Amazon!	Balm	Sandalwood	Shea butter
EZGO Beard Balm Conditioner Shop On Amazon!	Balm	Fragrance-free	Jojoba oil
Mane Tame Beard Oil Shop On Amazon!	Oil	Fresh Scent	Organic hemp seed oil
Bossman Beard oil Shop On Amazon!	Oil	Sandalwood	Argan oil
Jack Black Beard Oil Shop On Amazon!	Oil	Kalahair melon	Plum oil
Urban Nomads Beard Balm Shop On Amazon!	Balm	Citrus	Beeswax/sesame seed oil
Beard Bolt XL Beard Balm Shop On Amazon!	Balm	Floral	Jojoba oil/caffiene

Best Beard Balm for Hold-Grow Alpha Beard Balm

Our Rating: (5/5)

This is a fragrant, creamy-textured beard conditioner that’s very luxurious and hydrating. It contains all-natural ingredients and is designed to tame even the most unruly mane. It offers a firm hold, so it can be used for styling and hydrating purposes. This product contains jojoba oil, argan oil, and shea butter, in addition to other essential oils that are designed to repair and soften split hair and dry skin.

This nourishing formula can be applied once daily and can be used in addition to a good beard oil or a deep conditioner. The specially formulated balm can also instantly relieve the itching that’s common with new beard growth or excessively dry skin.

Conclusion

This thick, creamy balm has a strong sandalwood fragrance which may not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, if you love the smell of sandalwood and you’re looking for a balm with strong styling and moisturizing properties, then you’ll love this new balm from Grow Alpha Beard. However, if you want a balm that can be used in addition to beard oil, you may want to pass this product by, since its thicker formula can make your beard look somewhat greasy if mixed with other products. I gave this balm a rating of five out of five stars.

Best Beard Balm for Growth-EZGO Beard Balm Conditioner

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

EZGO’s latest beard balm will quickly become your go-to beard styling product if you’re looking for a balm that can also be used to style your beard. It’s also a great choice if you’re currently in the first stages of beard growth since it contains a variety of ingredients that are designed to soothe intense itching and dry skin. This product contains EZGO’s patented anti-itch formula, that’s also designed to boost hair health and stimulate growth. This formula is able to easily penetrate the hair follicles for healthier, softer, shinier hair. It also promotes manageability, smoothness, and hair strength. This lightweight formula is tough enough to sculpt long beards, tame wiry hair, and leave your beard looking smooth, soft, and well-groomed.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for an unscented balm you can use daily to tame and style your beard, then this product is a great choice. It’s not only designed to make styling your beard more manageable, but it can also help to repair split ends, brittle hair, damaged hair, dryness, and irritation. It’s designed to help the skin retain moisture while boosting hair growth and leaving your beard feeling soft and smooth. I gave this product a rating of four and a half out of five stars.

Best Organic Beard Oil-Mane Tame Beard Oil

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This oil is designed for coarse, itchy beards. This powerful conditioning beard care product can instantly reduce dandruff, soften wiry hair, and soothe irritated skin. It will also come in handy for new beard wearers who are suffering from intense itching and dryness. The mild scent will complement your other hair care products and does not smell overwhelming. This oil contains organic hemp seed oil, argan oil, and other essential oils. The lightweight formula will not weigh down your beard, or leave it looking greasy, as long as you follow the manufacturer’s application instructions.

Conclusion

While this beard oil is perfect if you’re looking for a solution for itching and dryness, it doesn’t work well in terms of acting as a styling product. In fact, it offers no type of hold whatsoever, so if you’re simply looking for an oil that can be used to smooth out those wiry hairs, then you may want to look elsewhere. But, if you’re currently dealing with intense itching, redness, dryness, and a coarse beard, then this is a great product to use right after a shower, to help promote beard softness, while working to hydrate both the skin and beard. I gave this product a rating of four and a half out of five stars.

Best Beard Oil for Acne Prone Skin-Bossman Beard Oil

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

If you have sensitive, acne-prone skin, then finding a beard oil that won’t leave your hair and skin feeling greasy, which can promote breakouts, can be a challenge. Fortunately, the latest formula by Bossman is specifically designed for men with sensitive, acne-prone skin. But not only will it help to prevent breakouts and leave your skin feeling smooth, but it also helps to stimulate hair growth and can repair, brittle, damaged hair. It offers full coverage and is designed to soothe skin irritation, dryness, and prevents ingrown hairs, acne, rashes, and redness. It’s a great product if you’ve dealt with overly greasy beard oils in the past and you’re searching for a product that features a formula that’s specifically designed for sensitive skin.

Conclusion

Your average beard oil isn’t designed to provide full coverage and can dry out quickly, but this is a specially formulated oil that’s designed to protect the skin from breakouts, helps to reduce itching, and even stimulates hair growth. It’s a great choice for men with sensitive skin who are in search of a gentle oil that will keep their beard looking healthy and smooth while preventing skin irritation. I gave this oil a rating of four and a half out of five stars.

Best Smelling Beard Oil-Jack Black Beard Oil

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

As your beard grows, the skin underneath can become dry, while the beard itself can become unruly and brittle. Throw in skin that’s constantly itching and you’re looking at a miserable few months while your beard grows in. Fortunately, this beard oil by Jack Black contains powerful vitamins, antioxidants, and essential oils, all of which possess hydrating qualities that can quickly soothe irritated, itchy, dry skin. This lightweight oil also contains Kalahari melon essential oil, which will leave your beard smelling pretty amazing. However, the scent itself is not overpowering.

Conclusion

This product’s botanicals and essential oils work together to leave your beard smelling and looking great. The anti-itch formula soothes irritated skin, promotes skin health and hair growth, and helps to soften even the coarsest beard. The powerful vitamins and antioxidants will leave your beard feeling and looking great, but it doesn’t offer much holding power, so you’ll need to use an additional beard care product for styling purposes. I gave this product a rating of four and a half out of five stars.

Best Smelling Beard Balm-Urban Nomads Beard Balm

Our Rating: (4/5)

This is a beard balm that contains beeswax, so it works in a similar manner to a beard wax product, but offers all of the benefits of a balm. It helps to restore shine, softens coarse beards, repairs split ends, and moisturizes the skin and hair follicles. It offers a better than average hold, thanks to the addition of beeswax, so it can also be used to sculpt and style your facial hair.

Conclusion

If you’re prone to breakouts, then I don’t recommend this product since it contains petroleum, which can clog the pores. Additionally, this product can also be difficult to washout due to the beeswax and petroleum content. However, if you’re looking for a fast-acting formula that’s designed to repair damaged hair, minimize itching, and promotes hair and skin health, then this balm is a great option. I gave this product a rating of four and out five stars.

Best Beard Balm for Coarse Hair-Beard Bolt XL Beard Balm

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

Not only does this balm help to stimulate beard growth and promotes skin health, but it will instantly work to soften even the coarsest beard. It’s also a great choice for people with sensitive skin, those dealing with dandruff, or men in the itchy growing phase.

Conclusion

This balm contains caffeine, which works to stimulate hair growth, while its strong hydrating formula will instantly smooth even the coarsest hair. However, it doesn’t offer much in terms of holding power, so if you’re looking for a balm you can use to shape a long beard, this isn’t it. Yet, if you’re in serious need of a balm that can relieve itching and instantly improve the appearance of your beard, then this will quickly be your go-to beard care product. I gave it a rating of four and a half out of five stars.

Beard Oils and Balms Buyer’s Guide

If you’re searching online for a product that can help straighten your beard, leave it looking soft and smooth, or a product that can work miracles on your itchy face, tangled beard, or beard dandruff, then you’ve come to the right place.

There’s plenty of confusion between beard oils and balms, how they work, what they can do, and whether or not you can use both products at once. So, this guide will go over the similarities of these two types of beard care products, why you need to use them, and what they can do for your beard. I’ll start off below by explaining a little bit about oil and how it works.

Beard Oil

Beard oil is considered one of those must-use versatile beard products that will benefit both your skin and your beard. The oil works as a leave-in conditioner of sorts. It helps to improve the texture of your beard, softening it while moisturizing the skin underneath. If you’ve never tried beard oil before, then look for a brand that features all-natural ingredients. Most brands of beard oil consist of essential oils, which will also act as a light cologne, so its lighter fragrance won’t be overpowering.

Beard oils have both softening and moisturizing effects, but won’t leave your beard looking overly shiny. They tend to have more of a matte appearance and can instantly make your beard look fuller and healthy.

These oils tend to work the best for people with stubble or beards that are medium-length. Using this type of oil will help to reduce itching in men who are just growing out a beard, or people who are prone to dry skin and general irritation. But it won’t be the best choice for men who have oily or combination skin since this can lead to breakouts.

Benefits

The best thing about beard oil is the fact that a little goes a long way. however, you need to comb the product throughout your beard, in order to enjoy all the benefits. Some men who are new to beard care products tend to overdo it and use too much oil, which can make it difficult to wash the oil out, can leave a beard looking greasy and heavy, and be pretty messy in general. All it takes is a few drops, a brush or a comb, and you’re all set.

All you’ll need to do is pour a small amount in your hand, and rub the palms of your hands together, then gently massage the oil into both sides of your face, working it deep down into the skin. Next, you’ll use a comb to evenly comb the oil through your beard. You can leave the oil in your hair for a few days since it’s very hydrating for both the skin and your beard. Or, you can choose to wash it out, just be careful to not overdo it considering washing your beard too frequently can cause irritation, increased itching, and dry skin.

Now, onto balms…

Balms

Balms are much different than oils in both texture and moisturizing power. While beard oils are used as a way to tame your beard and provide some moisture for both your skin and beard, a balm is much thicker in consistency, and tends to last longer than oil. It is also able to penetrate deep down, past the top layer of skin, so it essentially hydrates the skin from the inside out. It only needs to be reapplied once a day and works well for people with dry, sensitive, or itchy skin. Unlike an oil, balms are also commonly used to style and sculpt a beard, so you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds, which is a huge plus for most beard wearers.

Benefits

Like oils, balms often contain a variety of essential oils and other types of all-natural ingredients. The essential oils work by quickly absorbing into the skin, instantly hydrating the beard and skin, which can do wonders if you have irritated, itchy, or flaky skin.

However, you’ll need to keep an eye out for balms with a greasy formula. These balms can be difficult to wash out, and can weigh down your beard and will leave it looking greasy and difficult to style.

Most brands offer a non-greasy formula, but you’ll still need to be careful and avoid using too much product, which can make it difficult to style your beard.

Balms are a great choice for use in the winter, and for beards of all lengths and textures. They’re definitely a good choice for men with dry skin, dandruff, or for use during the first growth stage.

To apply the balm, you’ll dip a couple of fingers in it and wipe a dollop size of the product using just your fingertips. Rub your hands together and evenly coat each side of your beard with the product, then use a comb to work it through your beard. Next, you can style your beard as usual, and restyle it later on by simply running a comb through it.

Using Both Products at the Same Time

A common question many beard wearers have is whether or not they can use both types of facial care products at the same time. While it’s possible, most beard wearers don’t recommend it since using both can make your beard look greasy. However, if you’re careful with the amount of balm and oil you use, you can significantly boost their hydrating power, which will be essential if you’re someone who is prone to dry skin. To use, you’ll want to apply the beard oil first. Start by washing your beard using a specially formulated beard shampoo and beard softener. Towel dry your beard and apply a few drops of oil, carefully massaging it into your face.

Use a comb to evenly distribute the oil throughout the beard. Next, use a small amount of the balm, half of what you would use if you used it alone. Rub your palms together and coat your beard with the balm, combing your beard again to blend both of the products together. If you’ve done it correctly, you should have a soft, shiny, well-groomed looking beard. The balm can be used for its extra hydrating power, but it will also allow you to shape a long beard, tame scruff, or straighten out a wiry beard.

Frequency Of Use

Since the hair on the face is much more sensitive than the hair on the head, as well as it’s coarser texture, the skin underneath the hair is very delicate. Because of this, a specialized facial care product is a must. While creating a new grooming regimen that incorporates a balm or oil may sound like overkill to you, but if you’re serious about finally growing out a beard, then it’s a must. If applied according to the directions, beard oil can be used up to three times a day, or as needed. Both the oil and the balm don’t need to be rinsed out. Oil should be your go-to product during the first couple of months when itching is a serious problem. Some people find that oils are much easier to work with, compared to balms.

How often you use either product will depend on your beard care needs, skin condition and sensitivity, and lifestyle. You can use each product once a day to keep your beard looking vibrant and healthy. If you don’t use any type of hydrating product, your beard can quickly become dry and brittle.

Both types of products are great moisturizers and can work to turn a coarse beard into a soft, more manageable beard, in just a matter of a week or two. I recommend choosing a product that contains essential oils, instead of an artificial fragrance, which can smell overwhelming.

Find out some of my top beard growth tips and tricks by clicking here!

Final Thoughts

The best beard oil and balm can work together to keep your beard hydrated and looking great. But if you plan on using both products at the same time, you’ll need to search for a non-greasy formula and be extra-careful when you’re applying each product to avoid overdoing it. I hope the products I’ve included here, in addition to the buyer’s guide have helped you find a product or products that will work for your beard based on how thick and long it is, as well as how you want to style it and whether or not you’re struggling with dry skin or other skin issues. It may take some trial and error in terms of finding a product that has the right texture, fragrance, and holding power, but with the right styling products, you’ll have your beard looking tamed, soft, and smooth, in no time.