There is no better accessory for the modern gentleman than a well-groomed beard. Not only does it add an air of sophistication, but it also shows that you take pride in your appearance. But, of course, achieving the perfect degree of grooming can be a bit of a challenge. That's where beard balm comes in. But what is it, what does it do, and how can you use it to get the best results?
This post will look at everything you need to know about this great beard softener. We'll cover what it is, what it does, the benefits of using it, and how to apply it for the best results. By the end, you'll be an expert on all things beard balm! But let's start by properly understanding your facial landscape first.
Understanding Your Beard
A well-groomed beard is the mark of a true gentleman. However, achieving the perfect look requires more than just a bit of stubble. Unless that's the look, you're going for, of course, in which case we tip our hats to you. For the rest of us working towards fuller manes, extra care and effort are needed.
It's important to understand the different types of hair that make up your beard, as well as the characteristics of your skin. Only then can you choose the right products and grooming techniques to achieve the look you desire.
Beard hair is actually quite different from the hair on your head. It is usually coarser and thicker, making it more resistant to styling. However, this also means that beard hair is more likely to become dry and brittle. As a result, it's essential touse products that are designed specifically for beards. These will help to soften the hair and prevent split ends.
Your skin also plays a vital role in determining the health of your beard. For example, those with dry skin may find that their beard is more prone to flaking and itchiness. In contrast, those with oily skin may find that their beard becomes greasy and attracts dirt more easily. As a result, it's important to choose products that are tailored to your specific skin type. Only then can you achieve a healthy, well-groomed beard.
What Beard Balm Is and What It Does
So, what is beard balm? Simply put, it is a leave-in conditioner that is designed specifically for beards. It contains a number of different ingredients that work together to nourish and protect the hair on your face and the skin beneath.
What Is the Point of Beard Balm?
The point of beard balm is to help style and groom your beard. Beard balm evolved from beard oil, which wasused as far back as the Mesopotamian civilisations to both keep facial hair soft and healthy and also help remove it. However, beard oil does not provide any hold, which can be an issue for those of us with unruly facial hair. But we'll talk about that more when we compare the two products. Beard balm was developed as a solution to this problem. It often contains ingredients like jojoba wax or beeswax, which gives it a thick, creamy texture. This allows it to tame flyaway hairs and give your beard a more polished look.
What Are the Benefits of Beard Balm?
A high-quality beard balm offers many benefits for those looking to maintain a healthy, well-groomed beard. First and foremost, a good balm will help to hydrate, moisturise, and condition the hair, keeping it soft and manageable.
- Hydration – The absorption of moisture into cells. It makes your facial hair and skin soft, pliable, and vibrant.
- Moisturising – A process that helps to seal in hydration and keep your cells supple. The oils in beard balm form a barrier on the surface of your skin and hair, protecting it from environmental damage and helping to prevent moisture loss.
- Conditioning – A process that helps to restore health and improve appearance. Conditioners work by repairing damage, filling in gaps, and providing nutrients that promote growth.
A good beard balm will also provide a light hold, helping you to style your beard into the shape you desire. And lastly, it can help to reduce itchiness and flaking to keep your beard healthy and looking its best.
What Makes a Good Beard Balm
The ingredients that go into beard balm are important, but they are not the only thing that determines whether a product is good or not. The quality of the ingredients, as well as the ratio in which they are used, also play a role in how effective a balm will be. This is why we take special care to source top-shelf ingredients at Seven Potions. As a result, our products are free from parabens, sulfates, colourants, synthetic fragrances, PEGs, and alcohol. In addition, we embrace sustainability by providing all-vegan, natural formulations that are rigorously tested and meet strict EU manufacturing standards.
Most beard balms on the market today use a combination of carrier and essential oils, wax, and butter to provide hydration, conditioning, and hold. Carrier oils are typically lightweight and help to carry the other ingredients deep into the hair shaft and skin pores. Common carrier oils include jojoba, argan, grapeseed, and coconut oil.
Essential oils are more potent than carrier oils and offer several benefits for your hair and skin. Some of the most commonly used essential oils in beard care products include lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint. Their benefits include everything from promoting hair growth to reducing inflammation.
Waxes and butters help to give the balm its thick consistency and provide hold. The most common waxes are beeswax and carnauba wax, while shea butter and cocoa butter are commonly used as balms' bases.
How To Use Beard Balm for the Best Results
Applying beard balm is simple enough that even the most unbearded gentlemen can get on board. First, start with a clean, dry beard. You don't want any old residue or oils clogging up your pores and weighing down your facial hair. It's best to prep your beard by first using beard wash, such asa specially formulated beard shampoo, to remove the grit and grime of the outside world.
Next, scoop out a pea-sized amount of balm with the back of your thumbnail — you can always add more if necessary, but it's tough to take away once applied. Then, rub it between your fingertips until it warms and breaks down into an oil. Next, work it through your beard from root to tip, and coat each hair evenly.
Usea beard brush with natural bristles to help distribute the balm evenly and tame flyaway hairs. A comb can also be used as well, but ensure you're using the wide-toothed end if you have naturally curly facial hair. Otherwise, you risk damaging your hair if it gets snagged.
Once you've worked the balm through your beard, use your fingers or beard brush to further style it into place. You can also use a blow dryer on a low heat setting to help shape your beard while the balm is still wet.
Beard Balm vs Beard Oil — Which One Should You Use?
Beard balm and beard oil are both great products for keeping your beard healthy and looking its best. But which one should you use? Here's a quick rundown of the differences between the two.
Beard balm is made with natural waxes and butters, which gives it a thicker consistency than beard oil. It is ideal for shaping and styling the beard, as well as providing a light hold. Beard oil is lighter in consistency and is absorbed more quickly into the hair follicles. It is ideal for treating dry, brittle hair and promoting growth. Both products can be used together or alternated, depending on your personal preference and beard care needs.
But what about beard butters and beard creams? Well, those are different products as well. A beard butter will have little hold because it contains little to no wax. Their main ingredients are usually shea or mango butters, along with natural oils.
A beard cream generally looks more like —yes, you guessed it! — a cream. They have a light to medium consistency and are often marketed as providing more of a matte finish than beard balms. Some manufacturers sell their beard creams under the moniker of beard balm, though, which can be confusing.
Additional Beard Balm FAQs
Now that you understand the basics of applying beard balm, here are answers to some commonly asked questions that will help you get the most out of your product.
Will beard balm alleviate beard itch and stop beard dandruff?
Yes! In fact, one of the main benefits of using a beard balm is that it can help to hydrate both your facial hair and skin, which can alleviate itchiness and dandruff.
What kind of hold does beard balm have?
The hold of a beard balm can vary depending on the ingredients used. For example, a balm with a higher wax content will provide a stronger hold, while one with a higher butter content will be more conditioning. In either case, beard balm will never offer the same hold and styling potential thata high-quality beard wax will.
How much beard balm should I use?
A little bit of beard balm goes a long way. We recommend starting with a small amount, about the size of a pea or dime, and working up from there if needed. Too much balm can weigh down your beard and make it look greasy, so start small and build up as needed. The amount required will vary depending on the length and thickness of your beard.
When should I apply beard balm?
We recommend applying beard balm after you've washed and towel-dried your beard. This will help ensure the balm can penetrate the hair shaft and skin pores properly.
Do I need to wash my beard before applying beard balm?
We recommend always starting with a clean, dry beard before applying any type of product, including beard balm. This will help to ensure that the product can properly penetrate the hair shaft, hair follicles, and skin pores.
Can I apply too much beard balm?
Yes, it is possible to apply too much beard balm. If you find that your beard is looking greasy or feels heavy after applying the balm, you've probably used too much. In this case, we recommend using a blow dryer on a low heat setting to help remove some of the excess product, along with a beard brush to help work what's there through your mane. Then, take a mental note and use a little less the next time you apply.
Should I apply beard balm in the morning or evening?
It's really up to you and your personal preference. If you find that your beard is looking a little dry or unruly first thing in the morning after you shower, you may want to consider applying balm the night before, so it has a chance to really sink in. On the flip side, if your beard is looking good in the morning but could use a little refresher before heading out for the night, feel free to apply some then. The key is that you're applying your beard balm to a clean, dry beard.
How do I store my beard balm?
We recommend storing your beard balm in a cool, dry place. Many guys like to keep theirs in the medicine cabinet alongside their other grooming products.
Can I use beard balm with other beard products?
Absolutely, you can. In fact, beard balm is considered just one step in a great personal grooming routine. Other steps include beard shampoo and beard conditioner in the shower. And a good beard oil to help with hydration and to add some extra moisture is also a winning combo for thirsty beards.
Should I use beard balm if I have a moustache?
We recommend using beard balm if you have a moustache, as it can help to keep flyaway hairs in check and add a bit of extra shine. Plus, it can do for your moustache hair what it does for your beard hair – help to hydrate and condition both the hair shaft and skin underneath.
Can I use beard balm on my stubble?
Technically, yes. However, we'd recommend using beard oil at this stage of your beard growing journey and transitioning into using beard balm once your beard gets a little longer. This is because short beards don't usually need the extra hold that a balm can provide and may find the added weight of the balm to be a bit too much.
Can I use beard balm on my eyebrows?
You can technically use beard balm on your eyebrows, but we don't recommend it. Beard balm is formulated specifically for facial hair, which means it will be too heavy for the thinner hairs on your eyebrows.
More Beard Care Tips
In addition to using a quality beard balm, there are a few other things you can do to keep your beard looking its best:
- Use a sharp pair of scissors or beard trimmers to trim your beard regularly and prevent split ends. It's best touse scissors specially designed to cut hair to avoid rips, pulls, and damage.
- Alternatively, get regular trims from a professional barber to ensure that your beard is being properly cared for and styled.
- Comb your beard daily with a wide-toothed comb or natural bristle beard brush to help distribute sebum,natural oils from your skin, throughout your facial hair.
- Use a boar bristle orvegan sisal fibre bristle beard brush to help tame flyaway hairs and add some extra shine.
- Eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water to keep your skin and hair hydrated from the inside out.
- Consider using additional high-quality men's grooming products to complement your beard balm, such asa beard conditioner, beard wax, or beard oil.
The Best Beard Balm and Other Fine Men's Grooming Products
We are committed to developing practical solutions for the modern gentleman's grooming needs here at Seven Potions. This is how we cultivate excellence and ensure that only the best products bear our name. We know that every man's grooming routine is unique, which is why we offer a variety of different products to choose from.
Seven Potions Beard Balm
If you're looking for a product to help you achieve the perfect beard,look no further than our Beard Balm, crafted with all the modern gentleman's beard needs in mind. Whether you're looking for extra conditioning, hydration, or softening, our balm has got you covered. And yes, it will also help banish beard itch and annoying beard dandruff as well.
Don't let unruly facial hair get you down. With our balm, you can finally achieve the tame, healthy, and manageable beard you've always wanted. Your beard will be softer and more touchable than ever before, leaving you feeling confident and satisfied. Available in both our signature scents — citrus tonic and woodland harmony — you can't go wrong.
Seven Potions Beard Wax
If you're a gentleman with a fuller beard, you know the struggle of trying to maintain control over your unruly mane. But don't worry, we've got the perfect solution –our Seven Potions Beard Wax.
Our Beard Wax is specifically formulated to tame wispy hairs and help style and shape your beard into the perfect look. It provides just the right amount of hold without leaving any sticky residue, and it also hydrates and moisturises your facial hair. So if you're looking for a product to help you get your beard back under control, our Beard Wax is the perfect choice. Trust us, your beard will thank you!
Seven Potions Beard Shampoo and Conditioner
Looking for a beard shower routine for your beard that will treat it with the respect it deserves? Look no further than ourBeard Shampoo andBeard Conditioner. This perfect pair is formulated from natural ingredients and designed to keep your beard clean and hydrated. Available in either citrus tonic or woodland harmony fragrances to match our other beard care products, they can be purchased individually or in aBeard Shampoo and Conditioner Bundle to save you some money.
Our Beard Shampoo will remove dirt and grit, leaving your beard feeling clean and refreshed. Work a small amount into your beard, lather, and rinse thoroughly. Next, follow up with our Beard Conditioner to restore moisture and hydration to your beard hair and skin. This will help fight tangles, itchiness, and beard dandruff. Simply work the conditioner through your wet beard, leave in for 1-2 minutes, and rinse thoroughly.
Seven Potions Essential Beard Tools
No beard care routine is complete without the right tools for the job.
If you're looking fora high-quality beard comb that will get the job done right, look no further than ours. Our combs are hand-crafted and saw cut from cellulose acetate, a durable, flexible, and sustainable non-petroleum polymer. They're also eco-friendly and gentle, moving smoothly through hair without breaking it. Plus, they resist static and pull excess moisture from your hair as they work. So if you want a comb that will leave your beard looking its best, ours is the way to go.
And we can't forget about beard brushes. Using natural bristles fitted into a pear wood handle, our brushes tame unruly hair and help to spread the skin's natural oils along the length of each hair. This helps to achieve a healthier, better-looking beard. In addition, the natural bristles are gentle on the hair and follicle and help to preserve the natural oils that keep your beard healthy and looking great. Choose one of Seven Potions' three beard brush options for a superior grooming experience:
- Firm, first-cut boar bristles are designed for the gentleman who grows a thicker or longer beard. This option provides the perfect firmness to glide through a substantial forest of hair, taming while stimulating growth.
- Soft, second-cut boar bristles are ideal for anyone with a sparser beard, sensitive skin, or who just keeps things short and trim. This softer option provides all the benefits of the first-cut bristles with a gentler touch.
- Firm, vegan sisal fibre bristles offer a plant-based, sustainable, and biodegradable option for the gentleman seeking a vegan alternative in beard brushes.
Final Beard Balm Thoughts
Balm is an excellent beard softener for guys with beards of all lengths and stages of growth. It can help to hydrate and condition both the hair shaft and the skin underneath, tame flyaway hairs, add extra shine, and provide a light hold throughout the day. Plus, it's easy to use – simply apply a small amount to clean, dry facial hair and style as desired. So whether you're just starting to grow out your beard or you've been rocking one for years, we hope this article has helped you better understand what beard balm is and how to use it for the best results.
