August 25, 2022

Have you been wondering if beard balm is right for you? Or have you simply been wondering what beard balm even is? Dude, you’ve come to the right place.

For sure, some bros get confused when they see the name “balm” and then learn that it's like a pomade specifically for shaping and styling your beard. But it’s waaaaay more than that.

Trust your buds at The Rugged Bros to give you the straight scoop on this absolutely dope grooming and conditioning product that’s an essential weapon in any beard warrior’s arsenal.

1. What is Beard Balm?

Beard balm is really three amazing products in one. It’s a leave-in styling product, a conditioner and a moisturizer for your beard.

While beard balm shares some similar ingredients with beard oil, it includes awesome extras like shea butter and beeswax to help you shape your beard, keep flyaways in line, hold vital moisture in, nourish your whiskers, and much more.

2. What is Beard Balm Good For?

  • It tames and holds your preferred beard style without greasy or gunky residue, and without getting crunchy.
  • It banishes flyaways, tangles and knots for flowing locks and silky-smooth brushing.
  • It conditions your beard to have that healthy glow.
  • It provides and holds in vital hydration - not just for hairs, but for your skin beneath, too!
  • It keeps your beard hairs soft so they won’t split or irritate.
  • It sends that horrendous beard itch back to hell where it belongs.
  • It reduces flaky, unsightly beardruff and prevents it from returning.
  • It adds a barrier of protection for your whiskers against UV rays, bone-dry atmosphere, heavy humidity, heat, cold, dirt, dust, pollutants, and more. Under tough conditions, beard hairs will lose vital nutrients and proteins, making them weak, dry, coarse, brittle. Beard balm is like a suit of armor.

3. Can I Use Regular Hair Care Products Instead of Beard Balm?

We say a big NO to that. Regular hair products are designed for your head hairs and that’s all. If you use regular head shampoo/cleanser on your beard, it can damage your man mane and dry out your facial skin. Meanwhile, if you use regular hair styling products on your beard, they’re too harsh and heavy for a beard, so it will most likely not give you the look you’re going for.

Facial hairs are thicker and have a more wiry texture compared to scalp hairs. Not only that, but your skin is much more sensitive on your face than your scalp.

Use beard balm, dude. Millions of experienced beardsters can’t be wrong.

4. What Ingredients are in a Good Beard Balm?

When beard balm is done right, it contains the perfect balance of premium-grade essential oils and carrier oils, all-natural butters, and a small but vital dose of pure white beeswax.

Wait, did that say beeswax? As Rocky would say, “Absolutely!” It’s a small ingredient in beard balm, but provides important shape-holding power that also serves to lock-in nutrients and hydration.

Carrier oils and essential oils are lightweight power punchers in the moisturizing game. Especially oils like virgin argan oil, golden jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, apricot kernel oil, hempseed oil and vitamin E oil – because these are non-greasy masters of nourishing hydration that won’t block pores or clog up hairs.

The butters add the creamy texture to beard balm, so it glides on without sticking or pulling. Look especially for naturally refined shea butter for its outstanding hair hydration properties.

5. What’s the Difference Between Beard Balm and Beard Oil?

Both are awesome for the health, appearance and manageability of your beard and also your skin. But there are key differences…

Beard oil consists first and foremost of essential oils and carrier oils that provide your beard and face with key moisturizing, conditioning and softening. It adds that glorious gloss to your beard while keeping it silky, yet strong. Beard oil is also anti-inflammatory. If you have a super short beard, or you don’t need much styling, a beard oil alone may do just fine for you.

Beard balm is thicker because it includes butters and beeswax. Due to its texture, it adheres to hairs longer than beard oil and thus (1) aids in styling, (2) provides a protective layer, and (3) releases its conditioning nutrients more slowly. Plus the butters and wax go to work to shape your beard for the day ahead, so you can set it and forget it. If you have problems with stray hairs sticking out (called flyaways) or you have a medium to long beard, beard balm becomes an essential part of your regular grooming routine.

Here’s how to tell which is right for you: Beard Balm vs. Beard Oil: Which is Right for You?

6. If I Use Beard Oil, Do I Need to Use Beard Balm?

We say yes. But we recognize it’s a matter of personal choice, depending on the results you want.

Got a longer beard? Definitely use both. Beard oil and beard balm complement each other to form an unbeatable team to give you the glorious power beard you’ve always wanted. The essential moisture provided by the oil for your facial skin and your beard hairs will be sealed in by the balm.

Short beard? Beard oil and brushing are a must, while balm may not be necessary for shorter hairs - unless they persist in sticking out.

But be sure you wash first, then apply oil, then brush, then add balm – as we’ll explain below.

7. When is the Best Time to Apply Beard Balm?

Whenever you apply beard balm, you’ll enjoy its benefits. But it has to be said it works best and absorbs best if you put it on after a warm shower and a light coating of beard oil.

If you have a persistently dry beard, try putting the balm on at night to let it work its magic while you sleep. It should still be pliable for styling the next morning.

8. How Do You Apply Beard Balm?

Okay, let’s get hands-on...

Before you open the beard balm container:

  •       Cleanse your beard with top-shelf-quality beard wash. Use warm water, not hot or cold.
  •       Pat your beard dry with a towel. No rubbing and definitely no blow drying!
  •       Massage in a couple drops of beard oil. If you have a long beard, use more drops as directed.
  •       Brush your beard downwards thoroughly to ensure the oil is distributed evenly.

Now you’re ready for the balm:

  1.     Scoop out a small amount of beard balm and rub it between your hands to soften it and spread it evenly. There’s no need to scoop it out like ice cream. Less is more! For a shorter beard, about half a fingernail size is plenty. Maybe a full fingernail for a longer beard. Trial and error will get you there.
  2.     Keep your fingers mostly flat/straight (but not rigid) and massage the product with palms and fingers through your beard hairs and down to the skin.
  3.     Style and shape your beard and mustache how you want.
  4.     Use a wild boar hair bristle beard brush to distribute the balm and beard oil evenly across hairs and skin. The boar bristles are strong yet gentle enough to glide through easily and assist you in achieving the shape and style you desire.
  5.     If you prefer more of a curl, after brushing, scrunch your hairs with your hands as you wish.

Here’s an in-depth guide on how to apply Beard Balm: How to Use Beard Balm | Step-by-Step

9. How Often Should I Use Beard Balm?

Once a day should be plenty. Don’t overdo it. But you may want to add a smidge more later in the day if you’re going out or need a little extra confidence.

10. How Long Should My Beard Be Before I Start Using Balm?

Any length, my man. Even a beard in its first 4 to 6 weeks can benefit. This is prime time for the dreaded beard itch to strike. Beard itch can drive you nuts and make you want to shave. But beard balm (especially when used after beard oil) can soothe that maddening scratchiness.

Sure, beard balm is ideally suited to more established beards, but you really can’t go wrong adding that extra layer of goodness.

11. Does Balm Help with Beard Dandruff?

Oh my wordy lordy doody, YES!

Provided you rub beard balm right down to the skin, the hydrating properties in the oils and butters combine with your beard oil to make your facial skin as smooth and soft as a baby’s bottom.

12. Will Beard Balm Add Shine to My Beard?

Most of the healthy, sexy gloss will come from your beard oil. But the balm can add some gleam thanks to the argan oil and shea butter.

13. Will Beard Balm Help My Beard Grow Faster?

No. Nothing in a bottle will help a beard grow faster, because that’s a matter of genetics. To ensure it keeps growing thickly and lusciously, look after your health and diet, use a good beard wash, apply beard oil, brush properly and… include beard balm.

14. Is it OK to Use Beard Balm on My Head Hair?

 Sure, we guess. Why the heck not? But really, it’s designed for facial hair. But if it works for you, have at it!

15. Is The Rugged Bros’ Beard Balm Tested on Animals?

Negative. Nope. Naw. Nah bruh. No sir-ee. Nuh-uh. Not on your life. Not a chance. No way, Jose. Never.

The Rugged Bros Beard Balm features the Leaping Bunny symbol, certifying it is cruelty-free.

16. Is The Rugged Bros’ Beard Balm Made in the USA?

You betcha! We wouldn't have it any other way!

17. What are the Ingredients in The Rugged Bros’ Beard Balm?

Fresh from nature’s badass bounty, our natural Beard Balm consists of:

Naturally Refined Shea Butter, 100% Pure White Beeswax, Virgin Argan Oil, Golden Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Avocado Oil, Pumpkin Seed Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Hempseed Oil

There you have it… 17 of our most commonly asked questions about Beard Balm, and 17 answers.

Still got beard balm questions? Add a comment/question below and we’ll be glad to provide tons more info.

Beard out, champ!






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