A beard that feels like straw at the ends and sticks out at the sides has two problems: dryness and shape. A beard balm is one of the few products that handles both. This guide to the best beard balms for styling and conditioning compares six options by hold, ingredients, scent, finish and price, so you can match one to your beard length, hair texture and skin.
Balms suit medium to long beards best, where flyaways and dryness show up first. On stubble or a very short beard, a beard oil is often enough, according to a dermatologist quoted by NBC Select.
How we chose: this guide is based on ingredient lists, retailer listings, published editorial testing and dermatology guidance. We did not hands-on test these products for this article. Glamourora is reader-supported, and as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. That commission does not influence our picks.
Quick Answer: Best Beard Balms at a Glance
There is no single winner for every beard. These are editorial calls based on published information:
- Best overall: Manscaped Beard Balm Styling Pomade
- Best for styling and flyaways: Cremo Styling Beard Balm
- Best for a dry or coarse beard: Honest Amish Beard Balm
- Best budget option: SheaMoisture Maracuja Oil & Shea Butter Beard Balm
- Best lightweight, natural finish: Burt’s Bees Conditioning Beard Balm
- Best for longer or thicker beards: Cremo for control, Burt’s Bees for softness
- Unscented-labeled option: Rocky Mountain Barber Company Beard Balm (check the label, see below)
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Hold level | Conditioning ingredients | Scent | Texture / finish | Size | Approx. price | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manscaped Beard Balm Styling Pomade | Overall; clean finish | Light–medium (editorial) | Shea butter, beeswax, coconut and almond oils | Eucalyptus | Creamy; no visible residue (NBC) | 2 oz | $15–17 | Noticeable scent |
| Cremo Styling Beard Balm | Styling; long beards | Medium (editorial) | Beeswax, shea butter, essential oils | Varies by blend | Thick; subtle shine | 2 oz | $10–14 | Scented; shine |
| Honest Amish Beard Balm | Dry, coarse hair | Light (editorial) | Shea butter, coconut oil; marketed as natural | Herbal essential oils | Soft leave-in balm | 2 oz | $11–16 | Little hold |
| SheaMoisture Maracuja Oil & Shea Butter | Budget | Light (editorial) | Castor oil, shea butter | Subtle | Healthy sheen, not greasy (NBC) | 4 oz | $6–11 | Limited formula detail |
| Burt’s Bees Conditioning Beard Balm | Lightweight finish | Light (editorial) | Olive oil, beeswax, hemp seed oil | Woody | Solid balm; not greasy (NBC) | Check label | $10–16 | Scent; price swings |
| Rocky Mountain Barber Co. Beard Balm | Unscented-labeled | Unverified | Shea butter, beeswax, coconut, argan, jojoba oils | Labeled unscented | Solid balm; not greasy (NBC) | Check label | ~$14 | “Unscented” is not “fragrance-free” |
Hold levels are our editorial estimates, not brand ratings. Prices are approximate last-seen figures, so check the listing.
How We Selected These Beard Balms
We started with products named in editorial roundups and in retailer listings, then kept only those with a clearly identifiable format (a leave-in balm, not a rinse-off conditioner, wax or oil) and enough published detail to describe fairly. We compared hold, conditioning ingredients, texture, scent, size and price.
What we did not do: test these balms ourselves, assign scores or star ratings, or publish brand-neutral “hold numbers” that no brand provides. Where a detail was missing, we say so. We cut products whose name or format was inconsistent across retailers.
Formulas, scents and prices change. Read the ingredient list on the product you are buying.
Best Beard Balms for Styling and Conditioning
Start with the job you need done. Most beards need some of each, and the picks below differ in where they lean.
Beard balm for styling
Styling balms contain more wax and feel thicker. Cremo is built around shaping, and Manscaped sells itself as a styling pomade with a lighter feel.
Beard balm for conditioning: dry and coarse beards
Conditioning balms lean on butters and oils. Honest Amish is positioned as a leave-in conditioner, and SheaMoisture’s castor oil and shea base is reviewed as a fit for textured hair.
Beard balm for a long beard
Longer hair has more surface to coat and more flyaways to control. Cremo gives the most control. Burt’s Bees is labeled “best for medium or long beards” by NBC Select, and its tester found it softened edges without feeling greasy.
Individual Product Reviews
Manscaped Beard Balm Styling Pomade: best overall
Verdict: The most balanced pick. It styles, softens, and per NBC Select’s tester, dries fast without a greasy finish.
- Format and ingredients: creamy pomade-style balm with shea butter, beeswax, coconut oil and almond oil.
- Styling and hold: sold as a styling pomade. The brand does not publish a hold level; we estimate light to medium.
- Conditioning: the tester said a small amount made hair feel softer and less bristly.
- Scent and finish: a noticeable eucalyptus scent, which the tester did not find unpleasant, and no visible residue once dry.
- Pros: easy to spread, quick-drying, 2 oz.
- Cons: the scent is not subtle; essential-oil content is not fully verified.
- Consider it if you want light shaping and softness in one step. Choose another if you react to fragrance.
- BEARD BALM: Whip your beard into shape with a rich pomade that keeps you looking well-groomed from sun-up to get-down.
- RULE THE UNRULY: Beard hair can be coarse, unruly, and wiry, with scraggly hairs and flyaways. Put every strand in its p…
- A BREATH OF FRESH BEARD: A unique, fresh blend of eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender essential oils keep your beard look…
Cremo Styling Beard Balm: best for styling and flyaways
Verdict: The firmest option here and the one to try if flyaways are the main complaint.
- Format and ingredients: solid balm with beeswax, shea butter and essential oils. Some listings add argan and jojoba.
- Styling and hold: marketed to style, shape and tame; we estimate medium.
- Conditioning: shea butter softens, but this leans toward styling.
- Scent and finish: scented (several blends exist). NBC Select describes a thick texture and subtle shine.
- Pros: shaping power, suits longer beards, 2 oz tin.
- Cons: scented, and the shine may not suit a matte look.
- Consider it if your beard sticks out or fans at the sides. Choose another if you want a natural finish.
- Styles, shapes and tames beards that have grown past the scruff stage
- Designed with blend of Beeswax, shea butter and essential oils
- Just a small dab locks in moisture and keeps beard looking shiny and healthy
Honest Amish Beard Balm: best for a dry or coarse beard
Verdict: A conditioner first, a styler second.
- Format and ingredients: a leave-in conditioner balm in a 2 oz tin, marketed as natural. Listings cite shea butter and coconut oil.
- Styling and hold: light. The brand’s Heavy Duty version is thicker, but its own copy says it is still a conditioner, not a replacement for wax.
- Conditioning: the richest feel of the group, aimed at dry hair.
- Scent and finish: an herbal scent from essential oils. The brand notes the balm can separate with temperature changes.
- Pros: conditioning focus, small tin, long track record.
- Cons: little hold; natural does not mean gentle, so patch-test if your skin is reactive.
- Consider it if your beard feels dry or wiry. Choose another if you need shape.
- Hand Crafted in the USA
- Softens Coarse and Rogue Hairs
- Stops the Itch and Eliminates Beardruff
SheaMoisture Maracuja Oil & Shea Butter Beard Balm: best budget option
Verdict: The lowest cost per ounce on this list and a good starting point.
- Format and ingredients: solid balm with castor oil and shea butter, per NBC Select. A Target listing shows 4 oz.
- Styling and hold: light; we estimate it tames more than it holds.
- Conditioning: NBC Select says it suits different beard textures and leaves a healthy sheen.
- Scent and finish: subtle scent, sheen instead of grease.
- Pros: price, size, texture-friendly formula.
- Cons: less published detail; the sheen is not matte.
- Consider it if you want to try a balm cheaply. Choose another if you want firm hold.
- FULL BEARD CARE: This non-greasy beard balm, featuring certified organic Fair Trade shea butter, maracuja oil, and tea t…
- NOURISHING FORMULAS: A blend of ultra-nourishing oils including castor oil, coconut oil, and argan oil keeps a man’s ful…
- MARACUJA OIL BENEFITS: Rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin C, Maracuja oil provides maximum moisture while helping…
Burt’s Bees Conditioning Beard Balm: best lightweight, natural finish
Verdict: A soft, unfussy balm for a beard that just needs polish.
- Format and ingredients: solid balm with olive oil, beeswax and hemp seed oil.
- Styling and hold: light. An NBC Select tester said it tamed sharp edges.
- Conditioning: made the beard a little softer in that tester’s experience.
- Scent and finish: a noticeable woody scent. The tester found it scooped easily, melted quickly and did not feel greasy.
- Pros: easy to apply, natural-looking finish.
- Cons: scent, wide price swings, size not verified.
- Consider it if you want soft and natural. Choose another if you need control.
- The information below is per-pack only
- BEARD BALM: Burt’s Bees Conditioning Beard Balm contains nutrient-rich botanicals to keep your beard looking healthy and…
- EASY TO APPLY: Burt’s Bees beard balm for men is quick and easy to apply—just rub a small amount into hands to warm up t…
Rocky Mountain Barber Company Beard Balm: unscented-labeled option
Verdict: The pick for scent-averse readers, with a caveat.
- Format and ingredients: solid balm with shea butter, beeswax, and coconut, argan and jojoba oils, per NBC Select.
- Styling and hold: unverified.
- Conditioning: a mix of oils aimed at longer beards, per the brand as reported by NBC Select.
- Scent and finish: labeled unscented, though some buyers report a faint natural smell. NBC Select found the finish not greasy.
- Pros: low scent, simple ingredients.
- Cons: the label alone does not prove it is fragrance-free.
- Consider it if strong scents bother you. Choose another if you have a diagnosed fragrance allergy, and read the full ingredient list first.
- Cedarwood Scent – Our Cedarwood beard balm features real cedarwood essential oil for its signature cedarwood scent.
- Convenient 2 oz tin – Our Cedarwood beard balm comes to you in a rugged 2 oz tin and fits anywhere for on the go groomin…
- Simple Ingredients – Our Cedarwood beard balm features simple ingredients so you can feel good about what you’re using o…
How to Choose the Right Beard Balm for Your Beard Type
- Length: short beards need little. Longer beards benefit most from balm, and uneven trimming undermines any product, as a barber told NBC Select.
- Texture: coarse or curly hair usually wants richer butters and oils; fine hair can look weighed down by them.
- Skin: a board-certified dermatologist’s plan from the American Academy of Dermatology pairs beard oil with normal to dry skin, a beard conditioner with acne-prone skin, and a fragrance-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer with sensitive skin.
- Fragrance: the FDA says fragrance is a common source of allergic reactions, and that some products labeled “unscented” still contain fragrance ingredients to mask smells. Health Canada says the same of “fragrance-free” claims. For readers in Canada, Health Canada’s guide to cosmetic labels also notes that “hypoallergenic” has no legal or scientific meaning and that natural and synthetic ingredients are equally suitable in cosmetics.
- Styling goal: if you want your beard straighter than a balm can manage, see our guide to beard straighteners for thick beards.
The FDA explains how fragrance is labeled, including why a label may say only “Fragrance.”
Beard Balm vs. Beard Oil vs. Beard Butter vs. Beard Wax
| Product | What it does | Hold | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beard balm | Conditions and adds light control | Light to medium | Medium to long beards |
| Beard oil | Conditions hair and skin | None | Stubble, short beards, dry skin |
| Beard butter | Rich, creamy conditioning | Usually little | Dry, coarse hair |
| Beard wax | Shapes and holds | Firmer | Styled or patchy beards |
Labels overlap: some products sold as butters are also called balms, so check the format. If dryness is your main issue, our guide to the best beard oils for dry and itchy beards is the better starting point, and you can layer a balm over oil. Choosing between two popular oils? Our Honest Amish vs. Viking Revolution beard oil comparison can help.
None of these treats a skin condition or grows a beard. AAD says patchy growth mostly comes down to genetics, and that beard wax can help hold longer hairs in place once the beard has filled out.
How to Apply Beard Balm Correctly
Here is how to use beard balm for the best result:
- Wash your face and beard with a gentle cleanser and pat dry, leaving skin slightly damp. AAD suggests this makes moisturizer work better.
- Take a small amount. A barber told NBC Select that less is more.
- Warm it between your palms until it melts.
- Work it through the beard from the skin outward, then comb it through to spread it evenly.
- Add a little more only if the beard still feels dry.
Common Beard Balm Mistakes
- Using too much, which leaves a greasy look.
- Skipping the wash, so product sits on dirt and oil.
- Treating balm as a wax and expecting firm hold.
- Ignoring fragrance and essential oils when your skin is reactive.
- Touching and stroking your beard, which AAD says spreads germs and dirt.
- Using a product for itching that needs a dermatologist. AAD’s page on common beard problems covers when to see one: a rash that persists, pain, broken skin, or a lump that grows or bleeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best beard balm for men with dry beards? Honest Amish is the most conditioning-focused option here. Pair it with a gentle wash.
What is the best beard balm for a coarse beard? Richer butters and oils usually help. Honest Amish and SheaMoisture are the two to compare.
Is beard balm better than beard oil? They do different jobs. Oil conditions with no hold, and balm adds light control.
Can beard balm cause breakouts? It can on acne-prone skin. AAD advises a small amount of non-comedogenic beard conditioner and no beard oil for beard acne.
Does beard balm help beard growth? No. Balm conditions what has already grown.
Is “unscented” the same as fragrance-free? No. The FDA says some unscented products contain masking fragrance.
What is the best beard balm for a long beard? Cremo for control, Burt’s Bees for softness.
Final Verdict
Pick by the job. Manscaped is our best overall for a balance of shape and softness. Cremo wins for styling and control. Honest Amish suits dry, coarse hair. SheaMoisture is the cheap way to start, and Burt’s Bees gives a natural finish. If scent is the problem, read the full label on Rocky Mountain Barber Company’s balm before you rely on “unscented.” If irritation lasts, see a dermatologist.
Prices and formulas change. Check the current listing before you buy.