Beard Oil vs. Beard Balm: What's the Difference and Which Do You Need?

Walk into any beard care aisle and you'll see two staples: beard oil and beard balm. Both condition your beard, both smell good, and they're often sold side by side. So do you need one, the other, or both? Here's the short answer, then the details.

Short answer: Beard oil is for the skin and the hair. Beard balm does the same job and adds light hold for shaping. If you can only buy one, start with oil. If your beard is longer or unruly, add balm.

What beard oil does

Beard oil is a blend of carrier oils, such as jojoba, argan, sweet almond and avocado, plus essential oils for scent. It's light and soaks in fast. Its main job is to moisturize the skin under your beard, which helps with itch and beard dandruff, and to soften the hair.

Best for: every beard, especially short beards, new growth and anyone dealing with itch or flakes.

What beard balm does

Beard balm starts with the same kind of oils and adds butters and wax, which makes it a soft solid you warm in your hands. It conditions like oil but stays on the hair longer and gives light hold, so it tames flyaways and helps you shape your beard.

Best for: medium to long beards, coarse or curly hair, and anyone who wants a neater, styled look.

Side by side

Texture: oil is a liquid; balm is a soft solid you melt in your palms.

Hold: oil has none; balm has light hold.

Skin care: oil gets down to the skin more easily; balm sits more on the hair.

Beard length: oil works for any length; balm shines on medium and long beards.

How to use them together

Many guys use both. After a shower, work 3–5 drops of beard oil into the skin and hair. Then scrape a pea-size amount of beard balm with your thumbnail, warm it in your palms and work it through from the roots out. Finish with a beard brush to shape it.

Which should you buy?

If you're new to beard care or your beard is short, start with oil. If your beard is getting longer, harder to control or you want it to look sharp all day, add balm. Not sure? Our Starter Pack pairs a 1 oz organic beard oil with a beard balm so you can try both. Every Papa Bear Original oil and balm is organic and alcohol-free. Respect the beard.