from the desk of the groomed man
Beard Oil vs Beard Balm?
BEARD OIL OR BEARD BALM?
Beard oil vs. beard balm (also known as beard wax). It’s a David and Goliath battle. Ok, well maybe not, but it can be a confusing one. The pros and cons of each are extensive and taking sides is almost a political statement. What’s best for you? Well like most things in life, that depends what you want.
First, let’s touch on how oil is naturally present on your face. Ever pushed your head against a clean window? That smudge that’s left is the oil off of your hair, beard or skin- maybe all 3. The skin and hair produce oil (sebum) to keep it moisturised and waterproof. This leads to durability, elasticity and general better wellbeing of the hair. Occasionally people suffer from dry skin. This problem comes in many shapes and forms- usually eczema. Dry skin around the hair follicles (head or beard, even underarm and eyebrow) often leads to flaky and dry skin- commonly known as dandruff.
Now as we know, there is a plethora of products on the market for people suffering from a dry scalp. So you can ignore what comes next and use some `Head & Shoulders dry scalp’ on your beard! Kidding! Products made for a dry scalp or dandruff as specifically made for head hair- that’s a different kind of hair. Plus, have you ever read the ingredients in some of that ‘specialist’ stuff? Hooley dooley.
So if you regularly suffer from a dry scalp- and even if you don’t- you’re probably going to have a dry and itchy beard at some point. Sounds like you need some help!
Perhaps you’re like a lot of other gents I speak to. You have no problem growing hair around the jawline but your cheeks are patchy and inconsistent. Or perhaps you’re like me- one side of your moustache has a great upward Salvidor Dali curl but the other side droops south like a Mongolian warlord. Sounds like you need some help!
And we find help in the form of beard oil or a wax.
Why you should use beard oil
Beard oil is the most common and important solution to any beard problem. Even if your beard is in great shape, regular beard oil use is important. It’s the easiest way to keep the hair on your face healthy, soft and your skin moisturised. This means strong, healthier facial hair and better growing conditions.
Your hair follicles are like the little machine where each hair grows from. And like most machines, they need to stay working properly. In other words, your beard oil isn’t actually for your beard, it’s for your skin underneath. If you keep the factory that produces the facial hair happy, you can then start work on the hair that it has already made.
Whether you suffer from dry skin and beard dandruff or just want to maintain a healthy beard or moustache, a well made, organic beard oil should be the keystone to your grooming routine. But don’t apply it too regularly (more than daily) and don’t apply too much. Greasy beards aren’t cool and they can lead to the opposite end of the skin problem spectrum (pimples, acne and a decline in general skin quality). The Groomed Man Co. Australian made beard oil was made to be lightweight, non-greasy and fast absorbing using ingredients that replicate the skins natural sebum production such as jojoba. A mixture of jojoba beard oil, argan beard oil and almond beard oil bases, ensured you're receiving ingredients that approach maintaining optimum beard and skin health on all fronts.
Why you should use beard balm
The next common product is a beard balm. Beard balm comes in many forms, some focused on styling using heavier waxes such as beeswax, while other balms may be considered conditioning balms. Our beard balm was made to condition the beard leaving it soft, while complimenting its natural style. We avoided beeswax, to remain vegan friendly, and instead used berry wax which is lighter and fully absorbs into the beard. It also helps eliminate beard itch, reduce beard dandruff and is ideal for sensitive skin.
When looking at using a beard balm, ensure the ingredients contain a good mix of waxes, butters and oils. These naturally malleable ingredients won’t damage the health of your hair. Petroleum and silicone-based ingredients are synthetic and do not let the hair breathe at all. Jojoba or argan oil are natural moisturisers and usually a staple ingredient of waxes. A good beard balm should have a scent to it but should be substantially less scented than your oil.
The importance of beard washing and beard conditioning when using beard oil and beard balm
Whether you use beard oil or beard balm, regular beard washing is also important. Just like hair, a build up of oil can leave your beard looking far from its best. We recommend using a beard wash one to two days a week, and focus more on co-washing with a natural beard conditioner most days.
Using beard oil and beard balm together or separately
What if you enjoy using beard oil and beard balm? Can they be used together or do they need to be used separately. The answer is both.
A beard oil is always best applied immediately after a shower, when the beard it towel dried. The slight dampness to the beard will help shuttle the oil into the follicles and ensure it's absorbed. If you have a longer beard, an oil will get the job done.
What we love about beard balm is that it can be applied in a dry beard, and it adds a natural style to manage the flyaway hairs. This is ideal when you're racing out the door and might not have time for a shower. Due to the butters in the balm, you're receiving the extra conditioning benefits as well.
Whatever path you take, remember that everybody’s body is different. What works for me probably won’t work for you. But hey, it might. If it doesn’t, keep experimenting. The point is to educate and encourage you to find what works for you.