In recent years, the quest for sleek, perfectly shaped, trend-setting facial hair has become a serious business. 

If you have a beard nowadays, chances are you’ve got just as many (if not more) beard products to keep it on point than for any other part of your body (including your scalp or head hair). There’s the beard trimmer, beard comb and beard oil, beard wax (confused yet?), not forgetting the scissors needed to keep those rogue hairs in check.

Speaking of that, what’s the difference between beard wax and beard balm? Not always an easier answer but to put it in simple terms: Beard wax provides a stronger hold to style the beard in the desired fashion, whereas beard balm provides moisturizing and soothing benefits to make your beard (and the skin underneath) more manageable. 

But, all of the man mane-taming products in the world won’t give you the look you want without a decent beard balm. No, sir.

Especially if your beard style is longer than what you might call, ‘advanced stubble’, you need a beard balm to keep your facial fuzz happy, healthy, and head-turning.

“If you feel like your beard (and skin underneath) is very dry or hard to comb into a neat order, then a balm is a good option,” says Phil Reader, master barber at Drakes of London. “On a daily basis, I see how balms can improve the appearance of a beard by conditioning the skin and hair and adding a healthy shine. Not to mention banishing the dreaded beard dandruff.“

Yes, the best beard balms, on the market will nourish your whiskers, as well as the skin that lies underneath—leveling up your beard game in ways you never possible.

But, in a time where we’re quite literally drowning in beard balm options, knowing which ones are worth investing in can feel like an impossible task.

If you’re reading this and stuck for ideas, don’t sweat, don’t fret—we’re going to give you a glimpse at the best beard balms on the planet right now.

Read on to find out more about the majesty of beard balms and discover the best product for your precious man mane.

When it comes to men’s grooming, finding the right product that does it all is often a Herculean task. Enter BeardBrand’s Utility Balm, a multipurpose marvel that meets almost every need you could ever want. This utility balm isn’t just for your beard; it’s a one-stop solution for hair, skin, and even tattoos, making it a quintessential item in every man’s grooming arsenal.

Crafted with natural ingredients like shea and mango butter, this balm is a testament to Beardbrand’s commitment to quality and natural care. Its texture strikes the perfect balance – neither too heavy nor too light – ensuring your beard and skin feel nourished without being weighed down. The balm comes in three distinct scents: Old Money, Tree Ranger, and Temple Smoke, each offering a unique olfactory experience to suit various preferences.

Bulldog Skincare is renowned for shunning artificial and animal-sourced ingredients – more than one reason to feel good when you slather this on. The British brand’s beard balm is packed with aloe vera and camelina oil, which make your beard feel softer and look smoother. For anything longer than stubble, this creamy elixir is a bathroom cabinet essential.

Beards are at the heart of Amish culture, with growth signifying the point a boy becomes a man. As you’d expect from these fuss-free folk, all Honest Amish products are handmade, high-quality, and contain all-natural ingredients—no ifs, no buts, and definitely no exceptions.

Most even come in 100 percent recycled packaging, including this one, which contains extracts of argan oil, which is proven to encourage healthy hair, and Kokum, which helps rid the skin of harmful bacteria.

Say hello to this neat little number from Cremo. You know that a business has innovation woven deep beneath its skin when its founder is a Stanford-educated engineer. Cremo packs a lot of science into its range of beard products, and this styling balm is a shining example. Like pomade for beards, just a small dab is enough to shape and hold your beard for hours, without a single hair falling out of place.

Let’s face it, one of the biggest bugbears of growing a beard is the constant itch of the whiskers brushing against the skin, leading many men to develop that trademark beard scratch. The soothing organic ingredients in Wild Willie’s beard balm work to soften the hairs, preventing that god-awful irritation that makes you look as though you’re an alley cat fighting off an army of fleas.

Don’t let the hipster moniker fool you, Badass Beard Care is a brand that takes facial hair very seriously. In fact, it’s one of the only few that make balms with both men and women in mind, such as this one, which claims to contain natural aphrodisiacs to help you close the deal. It’s not called badass for nothing. A real win-win for any beard-sporting modern gent.

We couldn’t have the best beard balm list without including an offering from the mighty Grave Before Shave. The biker’s beard balm of choice, this concoction conditions and protects your beard from menacing bacteria and other pollutants that come with city life. It also promises a firm hold if you’re going for a Sons of Anarchy look, and a scent of citrus, eucalyptus, and rosemary will stop you from smelling of motor oil.

Has your beard experienced too much hardship, and wear and tear as a result of your commanding and downright daring everyday existence? Well, this no-nonsense beard balm will breathe life back into even the harshest of man manes. Formulated by West Virginia firm Mountaineer, it’s designed specifically for damaged hair, pulling on the powers of Vitis Vinifera, Cocos Nucifera (coconut), and Theobroma (cocoa).

Packed with healing natural ingredients, this lavish beard balm from The Art of Shaving is perfect for guys with dry skin and beards on the shorter end of the facial fuzz spectrum. Not only does this well-balanced concoction soothe dry beard skin, but with tasteful sandalwood tones, but your face will also smell fresh and irresistible.

The next in our best beard balm rundown is this incredibly wholesome and decidedly cruelty-free offering from Scotch Porter. Vegans and guys with frizzy beards (or both) have found their staple product here. Infused with biotin and B-vitamins, this spritely elixir helps to regenerate damaged or lifeless beard hairs while significantly reducing frizz.  A caring concoction that boasts a rugged manly scent.

Another beard balm with delicious hints of sandalwood (and mango), this brilliant product also contains beeswax for a firm hold and a smooth (far from greasy) finish. If you’re someone with a long beard (long enough to comb), this is the product that will keep your man mane in check every single day of the week.

The brand name alone is epic (if you’re still reading this, it’s likely that you’re also a beard-o-holic) as is the subtle yet long-lasting hold of this awesome beard balm. Whether you have a stubbly mane, a full-on ZZ Top arrangement—or something in between—this versatile product won’t disappoint. It protects, hydrates, styles, and with hints of orange, this balm is likely to result in plenty of compliments.

If you want to add a colossal dollop of luxury to your beard, this irresistible balm from the B.I.G company is bold, brash, and oh so lavish to the touch. Not only does this beard balm have a regal-like texture and an incredible scent, but its black seed infusion also promotes beard hair health and growth.  A big-hitting product for making a B.I.G impression on life’s various special occasions.

If you have a slightly shorter beard with tough, stubborn bristles, this punchy blend from King C. Gillette is easy to spread and works wonders whether you leave it in or rinse it off after application. Not only will this soften even the hardest of man manes, but it’s citrusy bergamot finish is nothing short of morrish.

Treading life’s not so beaten path, working with your hands, and getting out there in the elements rain or shine is not for the faint-hearted. It’s also hard on your beard. Fortunately, Bossman’s relaxing beard balm is designed to protect every kind of beard from wear and tear with natural ingredients and a slightly floral yet totally manly (yes, you did read that correctly) scent.

This crystal-based and cruelty-free beard blend melts in the hand and offers a super-strong hold of up to 12 hours. If you have a thinner, finer beard that doesn’t do as you tell it, this will thicken up your mane while helping you maintain the style of your dreams. This beard balm doesn’t have much of a scent, but it’s lavish to the touch and in terms of styling, gets the job done.

What is a beard balm?

A beard balm is a cream-like conditioning product that won’t just make your facial hair look good—it’ll nourish the whiskers and the skin below, too. Beard balms are luscious substances that offer a double threat combo of a glowing beard and smooth healthy skin (what’s not to like?).

Beard balms tend to be heavier than beard oils and are generally used by those with longer, bushier beards (but, if you have a neat, stubbly facial situation, a good balm will still work wonders). In addition to boasting a blend of powerful ingredients, the best beard balms also help to style, volumize, and maintain hold (a real plus point if you have a more Thor-like mane).

If you find the best beard balm for your specific needs, style, and skin type, you will never look back. A beard balm is an essential part of any facial fuzz-taming toolkit—and there is a product out there for every kind of gentleman imaginable.

Now that you know what a beard balm does and the benefits of using one of these somewhat magical products, let’s look at the best balms in existence right now.

What to look for in a beard balm

Now that you know all about the best beard styling balms, you’re probably raring to make your choice, add a slew of choices to your shopping cart (we suggest starting with one – hard we know), and level up your beard game. But, before you do, check out these three essential considerations to help you make the best possible decision.

Ingredients

First of all, you should check the ingredient of any potential beard balm before you buy it. If it’s packed with synthetic ingredients there is a higher chance, that your skin will suffer and your beard hair has the potential to become drier than tumbleweed floating around the Sahara desert.

With this in mind, if you’re looking for the best beard balm for regular use, you should look for concoctions made with natural, organic, or plant-based ingredients.

Sealant

The best beard balms on the market will contain a form of a natural (or near natural) sealant as well as ingredients with moisturizing qualities.

If your beard balm contains a sealant, not only will it style better and hold longer—it will also protect your hair follicles and your skin effectively (which is especially important if you have weak beard hair or sensitive beard skin).

Beard Style

Last but certainly not least, when you’re looking for a quality beard balm, you should consider your current or desired style.

In our best beard list, you will notice that there are concoctions designed for different beard types and lengths. If you’re sporting an unruly Zeus-like mane, a thicker, more robust balm will do the trick—but if your beard is short, neat, and fine, a lighter option is what you’ll need. 

How to apply beard balm

Here’s a little something that many beard enthusiasts overlook: beard balms are only effective if you know how to apply them properly.

To guide you to beard balm excellence, here are the three essential steps of application.

Step 1:

Open up your tub or tin and using your middle as well as index fingers, scoop up enough balm to cover your fingertips. Next, rub it between the palms of your hands to warm it a little before application.

When it comes to beard balm, less is more. So, start small and apply a little more at a time if needed.

Step 2:

Work the balm into your beard hair in a consistent circular motion, working all the way to the roots and your skin to ensure it’s absorbed properly. Keep on applying the balm in this fashion until you’ve covered the entire area.

Step 3:

Leave the balm to settle for a few minutes or so, before styling, grooming, or brushing your beard. When you’re happy with the way it looks, head out and show the world your mighty new bearded look.