The Best Way To Use Beard Oil & Balm.
There are three main products when it comes to beard care, beard wash (shampoo), beard oil and beard balm/butter. The confusing part can be which order to use them in although it is obvious when to use beard wash... first if you are wondering. That leaves the question, do you use beard oil or balm first? Let me explain the use of each product which will help you understand the order in which to use them.
What is beard oil?
Beard oil is a leave-in conditioner and if it is 100% natural like Braw Beard's, it is made from the oils extracted from plants. The ingredients used are chosen for their beneficial properties, such as reducing inflammation, reducing dry skin, reducing dandruff, moisturising the skin and much more. It does leave the facial hair feeling super soft, clean and healthier looking too.
What are the ingredients?
Hempseed oil – contains omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids which may stimulate hair growth. The oil promotes blood circulation on the scalp too, it’s easily absorbed by the hair which is known to help strengthen the hair, reducing breakages.
Jojoba oil – it’s an oil from the seeds of the jojoba plant. It is rich in vitamins and minerals too. This oil is great as a moisturiser which is good for the scalp to reduce dandruff, itchiness and irritation.
Vitamin E – the antioxidants in vitamin E oil are good for repairing damaged hair follicles and hair shafts. It is a deep moisturiser for your hair and skin which therefore reduces dry skin and irritation. Vitamin E oil may protect your hair from the elements too.
Argan oil (not in Grafter, Lover or Wulver) – is produced from the kernel in the argan tree. Known as liquid gold, argan oil helps repair damaged hair and split ends. It is a great leave-in conditioner (which our beard oil is anyway) which can help reduce irritation, inflammation, sores and itchiness in the skin below under your facial hair.
In addition, the fragrances are made from essential oils which are extracted from plants too. More details on these can be found HERE.
What is beard balm?
Before we get started, our version of beard balm is called beard butter. The reason for this is, when we created our product back in 2014, the range of balms (and brands) on the market was small. All the beard balms were very waxy and left a tacky residue on the beard. We didn’t want to that in our product, so we developed a slightly softer option which felt like butter in comparison.
That’s where our beard butter name came from. Now there are soooooo many versions on the market from full wax to very soft butters. But Braw Beard Butter does the best of both worlds in one product. It keeps the beard in shape, holds wispy hairs, moisturises the skin below and still leaves your beard feeling soft with no waxy residue.
Unlike beard oil, this is a solid state product. You scrape a small amount out of the tin which will easily melt in the heat of your hands by rubbing them together. Once it has melted down to an oil, apply it to the beard just like you would with oil. However, the main difference here is, the beeswax will set slightly again providing hold and shape to your beard.
This is a styling product which holds wispy and stray hairs in place. But the bonus with Braw Beard butter is, it holds like a balm but still feels soft to touch! Rubbing it down to the roots and skin will help keep dry skin, dandruff and irritation at bay too.
What ingredients are in it?
Mango butter – packed full of antioxidants, vitamins, saturated and mono saturated fats, it’s perfect for those who suffer dry and irritated skin under their beard. The emollience of mango butter seals and protects the hair strand.
Coconut oil – moisturises dry hair, prevents breakage and split ends which can help maintain length. Coconut oil can also stimulate hair growth by penetrating the follicles.
Cocoa butter – again a great hair moisturiser. It has been known to strengthen hair and add volume while making hair more manageable.
Avocado butter – originally used by the Egyptians to promote hair growth and strengthen hair, we had to add this, they build the Pyramids, so they know what they are doing. Avocado butter controls frizz (and wispy hairs), it works very well to nourish dry and brittle hairs, preventing damaged and split ends. This butter is full of proteins, amino acids and vitamins which promote healthy hair growth.
Shea butter – is beneficial for reducing dandruff, redness and irritation underneath the beard without clogging the pores.
Beeswax – rich in antioxidants, beeswax is a great conditioner for the hair whilst providing hold and can be used to style the hair. This is great for holding wispy and unruly beard hairs in place.
As you can see from that list, we chose the Braw Beard Butter ingredients for a good reason. They work very well together!
Beard oil or balm first?
Now that you know the use of each product, we can work out the correct order to use them in. Beard oil keeps the skin under the beard in prime condition, so use that first. Rub beard oil right down to the roots as well as over the length of the hairs.
Next, apply the beard butter, this is good for the skin too but its main use is styling the beard hair but taming the strays and providing shape. If you apply beard oil after the balm/butter, it will likely sit on top of the waxy element of the balm and not perform on the skin to its best.
Have a good beard care routine.
Keeping up a good care routine with high quality products will help too.
• Washing your beard keeps it clean from dirt and grime which can block pores and prevent hair growth. Read more about beard wash HERE
• Using a good beard oil will keep the skin under your beard moisturised to prevent dry skin and irritation. It will also leave your beard feeling soft and smooth. Read more about beard oil HERE
• Combing will detangle any snags. This will reduce the chances of tugging hair which can damage or remove hairs. Read more about combs HERE
• Beard butter is also a moisturiser for the skin and hair. It is a styling product but has great skin benefits too. Read more about beard butter HERE
• Brushing daily will help reduce snags too but also exfoliate the skin below to keep pore clear. this will give them the best chance of growth. Read more about beard brushes HERE
If you’d like to read more about my daily beard care routine, check out THIS ARTICLE
I hope this has helped explain whether to use beard oil or balm first?
Thank you for reading.
JJ
Join the #Brawtherhood
Scottish beard care.
Born in Scotland, enjoyed Worldwide.
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