Beard balm is a great way to keep your beard looking neat and tidy. It also helps to condition the hair and moisturize the skin. In this blog post, we will teach you how to make beard balm at home. If you have the time and patience, it is a fairly easy process, and only requires a few ingredients for a great beard balm recipe.
Table of Contents
What is Beard Balm?
Beard balm is essentially a leave-in conditioner that is used to style, moisturize, and protect facial hair. It is typically made from a blend of oils, butters, and waxes.
The main purpose of beard balm is to keep the facial hair healthy and hydrated, while also providing a light hold. This allows you to style your beard into place, without using any harsh chemicals or products.
You can find a wide range of beard balm products on the markets, some better than others (watch out for harsh additives). Additionally, you can also try making your own beard balm at home.
Key Ingredients in a Beard Balm
Let's review the four key naturally derived ingredients that you need to make your own beard balm.
Wax
Wax is used for a hold to shape your beard and tame flyaways. There are a few different types of wax that can be used, but the most common are beeswax and carnauba wax.
Butter
Butter is used to moisturize facial hair and skin. It also gives the beard balm a thickened smooth texture. The most common type of butter used is shea butter, but you could also use cocoa butter or mango butter.
Carrier Oils
Carrier oils are also used to moisturize facial hair and skin. They are also used to dilute essential oils so that they can be safely applied to the skin. The most common carrier oils used are a blend of jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, argan oil, and/or grapeseed oil.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are used for their scent, but they also have various properties that can be beneficial for the hair and skin. The most common essential oils used in beard balm are cedarwood, eucalyptus, lemon, tea tree, and/or peppermint.
Can I Make Beard Balm without Beeswax?
Yes, you can make a homemade beard balm without beeswax. However, it will not have the same holding power as a wax-based beard balm. If you are looking for a vegan-friendly option, you can try using carnauba wax or soy wax. Alternatively, you could also use an organic hair gel or pomade- however, be on the look for added preservatives, thickeners, and perfume.
Which Oils Are Best to Use?
There are a lot of different carrier oils to choose from. So which should you include in your DIY beard balm recipe? Let's review so you can make an informed choice about your beard oil.
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Grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil is light and non-greasy. It is easily absorbed into the hair and skin, making it a great option for those with oily skin. Additionally, grapeseed oil has anti-inflammatory properties which can help to soothe any irritation or itchiness.
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Argan oil: Argan oil is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. It can help to nourish and protect the hair, while also taming frizz.
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Jojoba oil: Jojoba oil closely resembles the sebum produced by our skin. This makes it an excellent choice for those with dry or sensitive skin, as it will not clog pores or irritate the skin.
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Sweet almond oil: Sweet almond oil is a versatile oil that can be used on all skin types. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, which make it great for nourishing the hair and skin. Additionally, sweet almond oil has anti-inflammatory properties which can help to soothe any irritation or itchiness.
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Avocado oil: Avocado oil is rich in vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats to nourish and moisturize.
Benefits of Beard Balm
Beard balm offers a variety of benefits for both the hair and the skin. Some of the main benefits include:
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Moisturizing the hair and skin
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Supporting a shiny mane and glowing skin
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Taming flyaways
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Helping to shape and style the beard
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Protecting the hair from damage
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Reducing itchiness and irritation
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Boosting the growth potential of your beard
DIY Beard Balm Recipe Basics
Want to know how to make beard balm at home? Let's review the basic beard balm recipe that you can try at home. Plus, tips for getting the scent and benefits you want from your beard balm.
Before getting started, you will need to:
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Purchase and gather the raw ingredients
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A double boiler
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Funnel
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Heat-safe jar(s) to put your beard balm into (preferably a small glass jar).
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Plus, you'll need access to a burner to be able to effectively blend your ingredients.
A Basic Beard Balm Recipe
Ingredients:
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1/4 cup of beeswax pastilles
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1/4 cup of shea butter
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1/4 cup of cocoa butter
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1/3 cup of carrier oil (olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil are typically easiest to find for a beard oil)
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2 to 10 drops of essential oil (one type or a mix)
Instructions:
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Start by melting the beeswax, shea butter, and cocoa butter in a double boiler.
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Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the carrier oil and essential oils.
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Pour into a glass jar or tin and allow it to cool completely before using.
Troubleshooting tips:
If you're not happy with how your beard balm turned out, try these tips:
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If your beard balm is too hard, add more carrier beard oil.
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If it's too soft, add more beard wax (beeswax).
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If you want more moisturizing power and bulk, add more butter (in any ratio you desire).
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If you want a stronger scent, add more essential oil drops until you're happy with the smell of your own beard balm recipe.
Remember to label your beard balm so you remember what's in it and when you made it!
Essential Oils Blend for Great Scents
Try adding these specific essential oil blends to achieve the desired smell. What is best all depends on your personal preferences.
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To create a woodsy scent: cedarwood, rosewood, bergamot, and clary sage essential oil
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For a citrusy smell: lemon, orange, grapefruit, and tangerine essential oil
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To make a refreshing minty beard balm: peppermint, spearmint, and eucalyptus essential oil
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For a manly musk: sandalwood, frankincense, myrrh, and bergamot essential oil
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To achieve an Earthy aroma: patchouli, vetiver, geranium, and rosemary essential
Use these essential oil combinations (or come up with your own!) to get the perfect scent for your DIY beard balm.
How Can I Keep My Beard Balm from Being Greasy?
Beard balm can sometimes be greasy, but there are a few things you can do to prevent this.
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To start, when you apply beard balm make sure not to use too much. A little goes a long way! If you find that your beard is still looking greasy after applying a small amount of beard balm, try using a brush or comb to evenly distribute the product through your beard.
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Another thing you can do is choose a lighter carrier oil, like jojoba oil or apricot kernel oil. These oils are less likely to leave your beard looking greasy.
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Finally, if you're still having trouble with a greasy beard, try using a different product or beard balm recipe that has a lower ratio of oil.
Skip the Mess: Try Wild Willies Beard Butter
There are two primary reasons that people decide to make their own skin and hair products. Firstly, they typically want to save money on products that are traditionally very expensive (especially when they're organic and high quality). Second, they want to make a pure product free of any additives that add shelf life or fragrance.
If you're looking for an easier, cheaper, and less messy way to get all the benefits of beard balm consider using Wild Willies Beard products. Wild Willies Beard Butter is an excellent natural beard balm choice that is filled with all the things your beard loves without any added harsh chemicals- and at a great price.
Check out Wild Willies Beard Butter
Beard Butter
$ 10.00
Looking to nourish & soften your beard, but don't want to deal with messy & greasy oils? Use a beard butter/balm. All the same benefits of beard oil with a matte finish and mild hold for styling. Restores moisture Leaves… Read More
Finding a Beard Balm You Love
The best way to find a beard balm that you love is to experiment with different recipes and ingredients until you find the perfect combination for your hair type and desired scent. Have fun with it, and don't be afraid to try something new! If you're not sure where to start, we suggest checking out Wild Willies Beard Butter.
