Beard Balm vs. Beard Butter: What's the difference?
Sean
Shopping for beard products can be confusing. There are several different kinds of products. Many have overlapping benefits, but also have qualities that make them suitable for different applications. In this post, we’ll look at beard balm and beard butter to see what the differences are and decide when to use each type of product.
Beard Balm
Beard Balm is a product designed to lock in moisture, protect your beard from the elements, and provide a light hold for styling. While beard balm typically includes moisturizing ingredients, its primary purpose is protecting the beard and helping retain moisture. “Locking in moisture” sounds like marketing talk, but beard balm really does help keep your beard from drying out. It’s especially useful in harsh weather. Cold, precipitation, wind, etc., can all dry out your beard. Beard balm provides a protective layer to keep your beard from losing moisture. Secondarily, beard balm provides a light hold for styling your beard and taming flyaways.
Because the primary purpose of beard balm is to lock in moisture, it typically provides a higher wax content than beard butter. Beeswax is a popular example of this, and you will see beeswax in many balm formulations.
Because beard balm contains wax, it is generally intended for use during the day, rather than for overnight application.
When I do use beard balm, I use it exclusively during the day. The wax content in the balm helps protect my beard from the elements and the light hold helps keep my beard looking the way I want it to. Because of the high wax content, I don’t apply beard balm at night. That isn’t really what most beard balms are formulated for and I don’t like the waxy feel of beard balm in my beard at night.
I have not tested very many beard balms yet, but my favorite balm from those I have tested is Average Bros Beard Balm. It’s a lighter balm, formulated with beeswax, that melts well in my hands and coats my beard evenly.
Beard Butter
Beard butter is used to moisturize and soften a beard. It can also provide many of the same benefits as beard balm, such as locking in moisture and a light hold for styling. Traditionally, though, beard butter is used for moisturizing and softening a beard.
Many beard butters still contain wax, but typically using a lower amount than beard balms. When a beard butter contains wax, it is technically a hybrid product. However, many modern beard butters contain wax. The majority that I have come across include wax as an ingredient.
Some beard butters will advise applying the butter overnight. If a butter contains wax, however, I don’t use it overnight. I have tried it for butters that recommend it, but I don’t personally care for the feel of the beard butter in my beard overnight. I find beard oil to be a much better overnight conditioner for me.
I have not tested very many beard butters yet. In fact, I’ve only tested one: Kühn Beard Butter. However, I do really like the Kühn beard butter. It does a great job of protecting my beard, it provides a light hold I can use for styling, and the birchwood scent I chose smells great. It does contain beeswax, so I don’t use it at night, even though Kühn’s instructions recommend overnight application. I use it before going out to style my beard so it looks nice and neat.
I tend to prefer beard butter over beard balm for general, everyday styling use.
Final Thoughts
This was a short post, but I hope it helps explain the differences between Beard Balm and Beard Butter, and helps you make a decision as to which one to try.
Choose beard balm if you want protection from elements that can dry out your beard and need the stronger hold provided by the higher wax content.
Choose beard butter if you want something with a lighter feel, but still would like to protect your beard and the lighter hold works for you.
If you are looking for something for softening only, I use beard oil as an overnight softener. If you prefer butter, look for one that does not contain wax.
If you’d like more information on how I use beard care products, you can read How to Use Beard Oil and How to Use Beard Care Products next.