I immediately started using this on my beard and mustache after getting out of the shower, since the hairs are more relaxed. While it has a noticeable eucalyptus scent, I didn’t find it too strong or unpleasant, and it was easy to apply onto my face. It has a creamy texture that is easy to scoop and incorporate throughout my beard. It also doesn’t leave any visible residue on my face after it dries. I loved this balm — aside from the great smell and texture, I didn’t have to use a lot of it to make the hairs on my face feel softer and less bristly. I also used it on my skin after shaving around my beard and it didn’t irritate it or sting at all — it actually felt calming.
Texture: creamy | Scent: eucalyptus | Main ingredients: shea butter, beeswax, coconut and almond oils
My fellow bearded co-worker and NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz tested this beard balm from Burt’s Bees and had several pros to report back. “Easy to apply, a nice texture that scoops well into the fingers and melts down quickly into something less chunky,” he says. “It does make my beard a little softer, and tames some of the sharper edges.” While it does have a noticeable woody scent, it has a smooth texture that incorporates into the beard without it looking or feeling greasy, similar to petroleum-based products.
Texture: solid balm | Scent: woody | Main ingredients: olive oil, beeswax, hemp seed oil
If you prefer a beard balm that doesn’t have a strong scent that you can smell for hours after putting it on, this one from Rocky Mountain Barber Company may be a fit. With a 4.1-star average rating from 507 reviews on Amazon, the balm has a mix of more than five types of oils to help moisturize and soften long beards, according to the brand. While labeled as unscented, some reviews mention that there is still a subtle smell that comes from the ingredients in balm.
Texture: solid balm | Scent: unscented | Main ingredients: shea butter, beeswax, coconut, argan and jojoba oils
While some people may be sensitive to smells, others enjoy a scented grooming product, like this one from Viking Revolution. Avid beard balm-wearer and NBC Select video producer Josh Rios tested this option and loved that the smell was detectable without being overpowering. “The vanilla scent wasn’t strong but was complimented multiple times by folks who caught a whiff,” he says. “I always check my beard to make sure there aren’t little pieces of wax left over. It falls perfectly in my morning routine without being a mess.”
Texture: solid balm | Scent: vanilla | Main ingredients: shea butter, beeswax, jojoba and argan oils
This is one of the first beard balms I started using when I got more serious about grooming, and one of my favorite aspects is the smell. Sometimes, sandalwood-scented products are way too potent, but this product gets it right. It doesn’t smell like a full-on tree but it also isn’t overly sweet. Plus, the creamy texture, which is sometimes cool when it goes on, is easy to work through my beard and mustache. My mustache in particular often gets fly-aways, or hairs that aren’t all going in the same direction — this helps me maintain a clean and professional look.
Texture: creamy | Scent: sandalwood | Main ingredients: shea and cocoa butters, coconut and sandalwood oils
I almost always love anything I get from Shea Moisture, whether a shampoo or conditioner, because the brand focuses a lot on products for textured hair. This beard balm from the brand, which has a 4.5-star average rating from 1,775 reviews on Amazon, works on beards of different textures and leaves a moisturized and healthy-looking sheen on beard hair, rather than a greasy appearance.
Texture: solid balm | Scented: woody | Main ingredients: castor oil and shea butter
I tried out this beard balm, making sure to put it on before I left for work or after a shower. It was easy to incorporate throughout my beard and mustache, without feeling uncomfortable or greasy. Since it’s a cream, it’s easy to scoop out a small amount on my fingers and distribute it on my face. The container it comes in is a small flat tin that’s easy to store upright or on its side if you have to lean it up against something.
Texture: cream | Scented: woody | Main ingredients: cacao butter, shea butter and argan oil
My brother is a fan of Cremo shaving products and always tries to convince me to try it out, too. This Cremo Styling beard balm has a 4.4-star average rating from 1,671 reviews on Amazon and is perfect for especially long beards since it’s ideal for softening long hairs and giving them a subtle shine. It comes in a small container that’s easy to store in a duffel bag or backpack ahead of a short trip or to the gym for grooming after a workout.
Texture: solid balm | Scented: yes | Main ingredients: beeswax, shea butter and essential oils
There are a few important details to keep in mind when shopping for a beard balm. I spoke with experts, including barbers and grooming experts, for their guidance on how to choose the best beard balm for you.
For people with an especially long beard (at least a couple inches), then a beard oil may be better for you than a beard balm, according to Stephen Wu, senior barber at Fellow Barber. “If you have wavy to straight texture with more than 1 inch in length, opt for a balm to keep your beard controlled and not sticking straight up,” he says. Additionally, you should use grooming scissors to help trim around your beard to make sure it’s even, in addition to using a beard balm, according to Wu.
Wu also recommends using a beard trimmer or asking your barber to help even out your beard while getting a haircut. “If your beard is not cut right, no matter how much balm you put on it, it won’t help,” he says. “Always start from the bottom and work your way up with final touches on your mustache.”
Aside from choosing the best beard balm for your preference, it’s important to also make sure you apply it correctly and at the right time, according to Alexia Donovan, director of client services at Barber Surgeons Guild. “In my opinion, the best way to apply a beard balm is after a warm shower or while the hair is still a bit damp and soft,” she says. “Use a small amount — less is more — and warm it up in your hands before applying.”
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I occasionally write about wellness, self-care and grooming. I’ve also written stories about the effects of hot showers, excessive use of wet wipes and my favorite exfoliator for whiteheads. I spoke with multiple grooming and skin care experts for this story.
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