Beards have made a massive comeback lately and whether you have full-on facial fur or just simple stubble, all gents need to be treating their beard with the same tender care as they do the hair on their dome. Generally, guys don't realize this, which leads to the main reasons why they give up on their beard-to-be: Dry and flaky skin, itching, scratchiness and the underlying skin breaking out.
But, beards are their own beasts. They require special handling and special products. Any gent desiring to grow one needs to know how to properly take care of it to avoid beardruff.
Enter one of the greatest inventions since NFL Red Zone: The Beard Balm.
A beard balm works to tackle the two main struggles with growing a beard. First, it hydrates the coarse facial hair and underlying skin for a softer beard with less itching and flakiness. Additionally, it's essentially a “pomade” or scented lotion that allows you to shape and style your beard for a more well-kempt look.
To properly apply a beard balm, rub it between your fingers and then gently massage it into your beard. After application, comb your beard so that it is evenly distributed.
Beard balms and beard oils are commonly confused. Although they’re similar, they are definitely not one in the same.
Beard balms are butter-based (not like the butter you spread on your toast) and are usually mixed with a Beeswax for maximum holding and styling capabilities. Beard oils on the other hand are, probably not surprisingly, oil-based and used to moisturize the skin underneath your beard, soften your facial hair, reduce itching and promote healthy beard growth.
While both beard balms and beard oils are essential weapons in any legitimate beard-caring arsenal, since we’re focusing on balms right now, let’s take a look at our favorite, top-selling beard balms and what makes them a beard's best friend.
Developed in our own Barbershops, Grooming Lounge Whisker Sauce is a great utility product as it doubles as both a beard lotion and balm - keeping itchiness at bay and moisturizing the skin while offering light styling control and a subtle yet refreshing lime scent. It’s great for everyone from beard beginners to the serious beardsman.
Bluebeards Beard Saver is a daily skin and facial hair lotion that’s also an outstanding anti-itch solution and conditioner for new beard growth. For an established beard, just a dab conditions, softens and manages unruly strands. It’s paraben-free and is now available in unscented and mint versions.
The great thing about this lightweight beard tamer is that it’s perfect for any phase of beard growth, from the initial, itchy stubble field to the full-on Santa beard. The key ingredients are Aloe Leaf Juice, which softens and hydrates and Jojoba Seed Oil, which conditions and adds shine. This is the perfect beard balm for guys whose beards tend to frizz and tangle and for those who need to cover patchy areas.