It might sound strange but it only recently dawned on us that many folks shopping for beard products might get confused about which product to use: beard balm or beard oil.
Which one do you buy? What’s the better value? How do I know which one works for me? It is an epiphany to many that they need to tame that wild facial hair – and we’re not doing any favors if we don’t take the time to explain the differences between the two. So, sit back, take a deep breath and we’ll do our best to explain.
The first difference between beard oil and beard balm is that you will usually get more scent choices in the oil than in the balm. So that’s a plus one for the oil.
The second difference is in application. You can apply beard oil quicker than the balm because you need to melt the balm in your hands. The best way to do that is to rub it gently between your forefinger and the thumb until the wax dissolves enough for you to be able to apply it.
Let’s stop here and make it clear that even though it seems like beard oil is winning here, that’s not the case because in the end it all comes down to personal preference.
At Beard Care Products, we’ve been using the oils for a few years and decided to give the balms a try and we were pleasantly surprised.
The third difference is hold – as in keeping your facial hair looking neat and well-groomed. We’ve noticed that a beard balm tends to give you a better hold than the oil. This is not a scientific study, and of course you might find the reverse to be true, but after several applications, it does seem the balm (perhaps due to the weight of the beeswax) seems to hold the facial hair down better.
The fourth difference is in the shine. If you are looking for more shine, then the oil is better for that. If you want less shine or to be less conspicuous or perhaps want to portray a more natural look than we believe that beard balm is better. Yes, you could almost achieve the same by applying less oil and that’s your choice as well.
How do you know which one is right for you? It’s only by experimenting. We’ve mentioned above that we were exclusively applying beard oil but decided to try the balm on a whim and it worked out so well, that the balm has also become a favorite.
Another plus for the balm is that it’s easy to take with you when you’re on the go. You don’t have to worry about spills as with the oil, and you can apply it quickly to get that facial hair in shape.
We have a number of beard oils and balms to choose from. Check out the reviews and see what works for you.