A beard looks like it takes care of itself. It doesn't. The hair is coarser than the hair on your head, the skin underneath gets dry, and in winter both get worse. A good beard balm handles all of that in about thirty seconds a day.
Beard balm vs. beard oil
Both condition the hair and the skin under it. The difference is the wax.
- Beard oil is liquid. It soaks in fast and adds shine, but it doesn't hold anything in place.
- Beard balm is oil plus beeswax. The oil softens and conditions; the beeswax adds light hold, tames flyaways and leaves a thin protective layer against wind and cold.
If your beard is longer than a few weeks of growth, or it gets frizzy and unruly, a balm usually does more for you than an oil.
Why beards and the skin under them get dry
Your face makes natural oil, but a beard spreads it across a lot more surface. Longer or thicker beards often don't get enough of it, especially toward the ends. Add cold air, indoor heat and hot showers, and the hair turns coarse and the skin underneath gets tight and flaky.
Conditioning the skin is as important as the hair. A comfortable face makes the whole beard feel better.
What's in a good beard balm
Many beard balms are loaded with fragrance and a long list of butters and additives. You don't need them. A balm needs two things:
- A good oil to soften the hair and condition the skin. We use single-origin Palestinian extra virgin olive oil.
- Beeswax for light hold and protection.
That's the whole formula in our Body Balm. It's unscented, so it won't fight with your cologne, and it has no water, so it needs no preservatives. Choose the Beard band when you order; the balm inside is the same.
How to use beard balm
- Start with a clean, dry or slightly damp beard. Right after a shower is ideal.
- Scoop a small amount. About the size of a pea for a short beard, a little more for a long one. You can always add more.
- Warm it between your palms for a few seconds until it melts.
- Work it through to the skin. Use your fingertips to reach the skin underneath, then run your palms down through the length of the beard.
- Shape it. Comb or brush into place. The beeswax gives enough hold to keep stray hairs down without feeling stiff.
Tips
- Less is more. Too much balm can look greasy. Start small.
- Use it daily in winter, every other day in summer if your skin is less dry.
- Don't forget the mustache and the skin along your jaw and neckline.
- It works on your hands too. Whatever's left on your palms, rub into your knuckles.
A note on sensitive skin
Olive oil and beeswax are gentle for most people, but everyone is different. Patch test on a small area first, and stop using it if you notice irritation.
Show us your beard
Use it for a week, then post a photo with #MelzaytaBeard and tag @shopmelzayta. Share yours and get $5 off your next order of $50 or more.
Shop the Body Balm: two ingredients, unscented, 2 oz tin, made in Northeast Ohio.