Beard balm is a staple in the world of beard products and grooming that helps keep facial hair neat and tidy.
There are two types of beard balm: waxed and un-waxed. Waxed balms are usually thicker and contain beeswax or paraffin wax, while un-waxed balms are thinner and contain petroleum jelly.
The best beard balm for you is going to depend on several key factors, so you'll want to think about the following before making a decision:
-
What's your skin type?
-
What beard hair do you have - stubble, short, fine, curly, straight, or coarse hair?
-
Do you have normal, oily, combination, or dry skin?
-
Do you want more facial hair growth?
-
What is your budget?
-
Personal preference
We've put together a list of a few of the best beard balms for short beards (in our opinion!)
Table of Contents
Quick Overview
-
Overall Winner: Wild Willies Scruff Tamer
-
Scent Options: Badass Beard Care Beard Balm
-
Affordable: Viking Revolution Beard Balm
-
Highly-Rated: Prophet and Tools Beard Balm Premium
-
All-Natural: Hoot's Naturals Bearded Owl Beard Balm
Now, let's take a closer look.
Wild Willies Scruff Tamer
Overall Winner
Wild Willies' Scruff Tamer makes taming your beard easier than ever. Whether you're just starting to grow your beard or you prefer a shorter beard, this balm will work for you. The cream base softens and soothes your facial hair and skin to prevent itch and skin irritation that can come with beard scruff. Wild Willies combines natural ingredients like green tea extract, aloe vera gel, sweet almond oil, and oat protein to keep your beard and skin soft and promote healthy beard growth.
Consumer Review:
"This stuff is amazing. I haven't had to shave the beard off because of dry skin or itch. I work around acid, copper, and thick dust, and this stuff still keeps my beard soft."
Pros
-
Naturally derived ingredients
-
Made specifically for beard scruff and short beards
-
Highly rated and effective
-
10% discount with subscriptions
Cons
-
None
Best Feature
Specifically designed with short beards in mind to eliminate irritations that can come with scruff.
Price & Rating
-
Price: $9.99 for 2 oz. tin ($4.99 per oz)
-
Rating: 4.8 ⭐️ (reviews)
Recommendation
Best for men with short beards who have sensitive skin and need some additional moisture
Beard Scruff Tamer
$ 10.00
Stop the itch! The skin under your beard can become itchy while you're growing it out or in general. If this is you meet your new best friend.… Read More
Badass Beard Care Beard Balm
Most Scent Options
Badass Beard Care's Beard Balm has a soft consistency that softens hair, hydrates skin, and removes the dreaded beard itch and beardruff. It has enough hold to tame stray hairs but not so much that you'll feel stiff and crunchy throughout the day. However, it's the scent profiles that make these beard balms stand out - there are 13 scent options!
Consumer Review:
"This scent (Ladies Man) is phenomenal. It's literally the best-smelling beard balm I have ever used. It smells like a lemon/vanilla buttercream frosting, just not super intense. It's also not greasy in the company makes decent products. I've tried the beard washes, the beard balms, the beard oils, etc."
Pros
-
Many scent options are available
-
Doesn't leave behind a residue
-
Made in the USA
Cons
-
Creamier texture isn't ideal for longer beards
-
More expensive than other brands
Best Feature
There is a scent profile available for everyone's preference - even seasonal ones.
Price & Rating
-
Price: $18.99 for a 2 oz tin ($9.50 per oz)
-
Rating: 4.6 ⭐️ (518 reviews)
Recommendation
Best for those who want more than the standard vanilla, sandalwood, and cedarwood scents.
Viking Revolution Beard Balm
Most Affordable
The Viking Revolution Beard Balm is designed to smooth and control even the most unruly beards with a flexible hold. This is ideal for short beards because you may not need as much hold as a longer, thicker beard would. High-quality natural ingredients eliminate itchy skin and beard dandruff and prevent flaky skin.
Consumer Review:
"I've been using this for about a month, and I gotta say... I'm REALLY happy with it. Not oily, greasy, or waxy. It really turned my beard around. The scents are fantastic and not overbearing. It really softens my beard. I was so impressed I bought their beard wash and conditioner. Those did not disappoint either. Great buy!"
Pros
-
Affordable price-point
-
Key ingredients include butters, oils, and waxes
Cons
-
Grape seed oil is polyunsaturated, which isn't ideal for beards
Best Feature
Argan oil, jojoba oil, mango butter, beeswax, and sweet orange essential oil create the perfect blend of deep conditioning and styling power for beards of any length without leaving you feeling greasy.
Price & Rating
- Price: $9.39 for a 2 oz tin ($4.70 per oz)
- Rating: 4.5 ⭐️ (7,993 reviews)
Recommendation
This product is recommended for men on a tight budget but who still want a quality product.
Prophet and Tools Beard Balm
Highly-Rated
The Prophet Beard Balm is a crystal beard butter designed to melt between your fingers and blend easily into your beard. It is specially formulated to enhance the natural undertones of your beard hair and bring out the vibrancy of any hair color and texture. This non-greasy and quick absorbing balm can even be used on your head hair.
Consumer Review:
"I bought this to moisturize and smooth my facial hair. I don't have the lumberjack beard and don't really need the 'hold' yet, but the rest of it worked well for me. I would recommend this product wholeheartedly at this point."
Pros
-
More product than other beard balms
-
100% organic and no alcohol
-
Bonus beard care e-book with every purchase
Cons
-
Scent can be overpowering
-
More expensive than other beard balms
Best Feature
You get more product in Prophet's container, so it will last you longer than others.
Price & Rating
-
Price: 19.98 for a 3.5 oz container ($5.68 per oz)
-
Rating: 4.7 ⭐️ (386 reviews)
Recommendation
Best for men who want a tried and true product that will keep dry beard and skin nourished.
Hoot's Naturals Bearded Owl Beard Balm
All-Natural
Everything about Hoot's Naturals Beard Balm screams natural, even down to the packaging. This beard and mustache product is 100% organic. It includes natural ingredients like jojoba oil, rosemary extract, and hempseed oil to keep your skin and beard hair moisturized and the beard dandruff away. Hoot's natural beard balm is free of artificial fragrances and keeps your beard healthy.
Consumer Review:
"A little on the thinner side. It offers more moisture and less hold. The product spreads very easily, and as with most lighter balms, you only need a little to cover a lot. I currently am sporting about 5" of solid full mass and just enough to cover the index finger keeps my beard happy all day. The smell is rather earthy, but within a minute dissipates completely, leaving no trace other than a shiny and well taken care of chin crown."
Pros
-
Natural, organic, and ethically sourced
-
No fragrances added
-
Larger product container than most others
Cons
-
Light hold does not last all day
-
Some customers complain about the smell of the rosemary oil
-
Lower rating than the others
Best Feature
The product is made of natural ingredients at an affordable price point
Price & Rating
-
Price: $14.97 for a 4 oz container ($3.74 per oz)
-
Rating: 4.2 ⭐️ (797 reviews)
Recommendation
Best for men with sensitive skin or who struggle with irritation and inflammation
How to Choose the Best Beard Balm for Short Beards
Choosing the right beard balm for short beards can be tricky. There are many different types of beard balms available, each with its own unique benefits. Some balms contain essential oils and natural ingredients for scent and moisture, while others may include menthol or peppermint extracts to help reduce itching and irritation. One may be better for coarse beard hair, while others may be better suited for curly beards or even fuller beards.
You'll want to look for a balm that suits your specific needs. Here is a wrap-up of our favorite beard balms for new and short beards.
Our Take
Overall Winner: Wild Willies
Scent Options: Badass Beard Care
Affordable: Viking Revolution
Highly-Rated: Prophet and Tools
All-Natural: Hoot's Naturals
Beard Scruff Tamer
$ 10.00
Stop the itch! The skin under your beard can become itchy while you're growing it out or in general. If this is you meet your new best friend.… Read More
