Anyone who wants to look after their beard soon meets two products: beard oil and beard balm. They look alike, but do not do the same thing. The difference lies in what they do and when you use them.
What beard oil does
Beard oil is light and absorbs quickly. It looks after the skin beneath the beard and softens the hair, without leaving a noticeable layer. It is a care product, not a styling product. For most men, and certainly for anyone starting out, oil is all they need.
What beard balm does
Beard balm contains butters and wax alongside oils. These give a light hold and grip, which helps keep a longer beard in shape. So balm cares too, but adds styling. It stays on the beard longer than oil.
Which do you choose?
For a short to medium beard, or when care is your main goal, beard oil is enough. For a long beard you want to keep in shape, balm is the next step. The two are not mutually exclusive: many men use oil for the skin and hair, and balm for the shape. Start with oil and add balm when your beard is long enough for it.
Care first, styling second. That is the order in which we build our range too.
Il Belga Barbuto is looking for testers for Beard Oil No. 01. Become a candidate tester →