Every gripe about growing a beard—too itchy, too prickly, too “ouch” for your partner—has a fix: the best beard balm. Think of it as a mix between a leave-in conditioner and a lotion for your beard, softening scruff and soothing the skin beneath. Balms are great for taming flyaways and adding some shape, and they'll leave your beard softer, smoother, and more cooperative all day long.
“[While] beard oils act [as a] moisturizing agent attempting to mimic the natural oils that your skin produces, beard balms act more as a styling agent—but also have moisturizing properties,” Rob McMillen, barber and founder of Mildred in New York City, explains. Beard balms tend to be more dense and work best for anyone who’s got longer facial hair. Guys can also use both a balm and beard oil together “to help with beard and skin health, as well as styling longer types of facial hair," McMillen says. Not sure where to start? Here are a few of our tried-and-tested favorite beard balms for every type of scruff and scraggle.
The Best Beard Balm, According to GQ
Best Overall: Seven Potions Beard Balm Woodland Harmony
This beard balm is an award-winner in the making: best texture, best indie product, coolest tin—the list goes on. With a soft, smooth texture that melts effortlessly in your hands, it’s neither too oily nor too waxy, delivering a healthy, subtle sheen without a hint of residue. I kept reaching for it long after testing wrapped up, and with its quality at this price, it’s the one I’ll be repurchasing when this tin is empty.
| Texture | Perfect—not too hard, not too soft |
| Scent | Deep and woody |
Best for Sheen: Billy Jealousy Gnarly Sheen Beard Balm
A true sign of a healthy beard is a subtle, natural shine, and this balm delivers just that. Melting effortlessly on contact, it smooths on easily thanks to a blend of coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter—all nourishing ingredients that keep your whiskers looking their best. You’ll feel the difference after just a few days.
| Texture | Smooth and creamy |
| Scent | Lavender, tropical fruit, and oak moss |
The Best-Smelling Balm: Beardbrand Utility Balm
Credit where it’s due: this brand nailed the scent. With oak, leather, amber, ylang-ylang, and a hint of lime, it’s a rich, layered blend that absolutely earns its name. The balm’s texture is softer than most, and you get serious value—the tin is nearly double the size of others on this list. Bonus: It works wonders in your hair too—ideal for taming post-shower frizz.
| Texture | Soft and a bit grainy at first |
| Scent | Rich, layered |
Best Double-Duty Beard Balm: Jack Black Leave It In Hair & Beard Balm
This game-changer is the opposite of the harder balms on this list. With a soft, airy consistency, it works equally as well for hair as it does for beard. It has a clean, leave-in feel that softens as it dries and doesn’t leave a tacky texture on your hands. For those who seek serious hydration or run on the oily side, try this more water-rich formula, which hydrates a bit differently than the essential oil-heavy versions.
| Texture | Soft like whipped ricotta |
| Scent | Fresh rosemary |
Best MVP-Approved Beard Balm: Blind Barber Bryce Harper Beard Balm
No matter which team you’re cheering for—or playing on—you can’t deny that Bryce Harper sports one legendary beard. It’s so epic that he’s partnered with the badass barbers at Blind Barber in NYC to launch a collection that delivers amazing control without the goop or gunk. Whether you’re sporting a bit of scruff or going full-on Bryce with a majestic mane, this balm will work wonders for you.
| Texture | Like cold butter |
| Scent | Sweet and woody |
Best Classic Beard Balm: Pete & Pedro Fresh Beard Balm
If you’re looking for a classic, reliable choice, this is your go-to. It strikes the perfect balance—not too hard, not too soft. The scent is refreshingly light amidst a sea of heavier fragrances; it’s subtle and natural, never artificial or overpowering. The only quirk is the texture—it may come out in clumps, but don’t worry! Just warm it up in your hands before applying, as you should with all these products.
| Texture | Like room-temp butter |
| Scent | Musky and woody |
Best Lightweight Beard Balm: King C. Gillette Beard Softener
Got an oily beard or just aiming for that luxurious softness? This thin, non-greasy softener is your best bet. With a wet, salve-like texture, it’s like a leave-in conditioner for your beard—only better. It boasts a pleasant old-school scent and delivers instant hydration without the heavy residue. Just keep in mind, it won’t linger as long as those oilier or wax-based formulas.
| Texture | A light cream |
| Scent | Locker-room fresh |
Best Travel Beard Balm: Reuzel Beard Balm
This compact, twist-off tin—weighing in at just 1.3 ounces—is the ultimate travel companion. A little goes a long way with this medium-hard balm, featuring a subtle scent that’s just right. While it leans toward the waxier side, it melts effortlessly in your hands and applies smoothly without any odd residue. It’s particularly great for guys sporting longer beards, as the waxy texture provides extra hold for that polished look.
| Texture | Medium hard with a dry tack |
| Scent | Fresh orange and ming |
Best Value: Every Man Jack Beard Butter
If a wallet-friendly, unscented beard styler is what you’re after, you can’t go wrong with Every Man Jack’s beard butter. The 4-ounce container is packed with paraben-free ingredients, including grooming stars like shea and coconut butter–all of which made our beard feel softer and nourished but not weighed down by product. Along with being all-around affordable, we also like that it’s readily available to find online and at department stores.
| Texture | Like literal butter |
| Scent | Unscented |
The Non-Balm Pick: Le Labo Beard Oil
Le Labo’s oil might not be classified as a balm, but it still achieves the same grooming goal: styling and moisturizing your beard while smelling incredible at the same time. It’s packed with vegan, paraben-free ingredients like grapeseed and jojoba and smells like a subtle version of the brand’s signature Santal 33 fragrance. My partner loved how fresh it smelled, and said that it got better hours after I first applied it.
| Texture | Standard oil |
| Scent | Subtle bergamot |
Best for On-the-Go Use: Harry’s Beard Conditioning Spray
Harry’s has all the grooming product bases covered, especially your facial hair. The brand has already made a name for itself with its line of ready-to-ship razors, along with its stellar body washes and styling products, but its beard conditioner is just as noteworthy for guys who want to maintain their beard or mustache. We loved the fresh, forest-like scent, and were impressed by its lightweight hold. It comes in a travel-sized package, and it’s easy to apply without the product sticking to your fingers.
| Texture | Lotion |
| Scent | Fresh cedar |
The Luxe Pick: Oak Essentials Moisture Rich Balm
Jenni Kayne is known for making chic, luxurious apparel, furniture, and accessories, and the designer’s grooming products evoke that same spa-like feeling. The Oak Essentials balm gives your face a much-needed hydration boost, and even though it’s not technically marketed for facial hair, that didn’t stop us from trying. It left our beard styled, while our skin felt soothed and refreshed all at once. Put another way, it felt like booking our beard into California’s most luxe spa–rejuvenated, sophisticated, and smelling great.
| Texture | Coconut butter-esque |
| Scent | Like the nicest spa you’ve ever visited |
More We Love
Dr. Bronner
Unscented Organic Magic Balm
Dr. Bronner’s offers straightforward, fresh-smelling grooming products without any questionable ingredients–and the brand’s beard balm has found its way into McMillen’s own shop in New York. “We tend to love their hair and skincare range,” McMillen says. “[Dr. Bronner’s lineup] tends to go a long way with beard styling.”
Burt's Bees
Men's Conditioning Beard Balm
Burt’s Bees is known for its lip balms, but the brand also has your beard covered, too. “[It has] a bit more shine [than Dr. Bronner’s],” McMillen says. He calls it a “great, accessible product.” In other words, you can usually find it at pharmacies or stores like Target or Walmart in a pinch.
How to Use Beard Balm
If you want to get the most of using a beard balm, here’s the trick: After you shower and towel-dry, start with a nickel-sized amount, rubbing it downward for a groomed look. “Balm should be reserved to tame flyalways or achieve shape and density, especially with beards over a few inches long,” McMillen says. “A beard oil should [be used] for shorter looks.” Even though your new beard balm can help you tame your facial hair and take your grooming up a notch, it doesn’t mean you can skip your regular morning and nightly skincare routine. “Keep in mind oils and balms should only be applied to a beard post grooming and washing, which should be done frequently if you’re using styling products.” The bottom line, according to McMillen, is that “your facial hair should be treated differently than the hair on your head.”
What to Look For in Beard Balm
Whether you have a short beard, long beard, or anything in-between, finding the perfect beard balm can be a bit of a journey—full of trial and error—but once you discover the right one, you’ll be hooked for life. If you’re unsure where to begin and don’t want to buy a dozen products, start with your barber. They often have a selection to try out. Pay attention to every detail! For me, texture is key, but for others, price or the level of sheen might be more important. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Just be sure to check in with your beard a few hours or even the next day. If it feels softer and looks healthier, you’re on the right track. Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for the right beard balm for you.
Texture
Like a good beard brush and other facial hair products, texture plays a crucial role in your beard balm experience, and it’s entirely subjective. Don’t shy away from hard balms; they’ll warm up nicely with some friction, and you can even use the back of your fingernail to scoop some out. Just remember to work it into your hands before applying to your beard hair. On the flip side, lightweight balms can do wonders too, though they might lack the long-lasting hydration found in more oil- or wax-heavy formulas.
Scent
This aspect is (almost) entirely a matter of personal preference—choose what you love! But here’s a tip: Your beard balm scent shouldn’t be the first thing people notice when you walk into a room. It should be more of a personal fragrance for your enjoyment. Personally, I lean toward unscented products, as I like to curate my fragrance separately. Regardless of the scent you choose, it should be subtle, just like the ones on this list.
Ingredients
If you're serious about beard care and beard growth, always take a moment to scan the ingredient list on any beard product, from natural beard balm and beard wash to beard butter and beard conditioner. While it's become standard for quality products to be free of parabens, phthalates, and sulfates, watch out for alcohol too, as it can dry out your beard or cause beard itch, dandruff, flaking, and dry skin. Most reputable mainstream and indie brands are aware of these concerns, so budget products are often where you’ll find the red flags. When in doubt, opt for higher-quality options with hair-friendly ingredients—after all, a single jar of beard balm should last you a good while! McMillen explains that many beard balms will include ingredients like beeswax and essential oils, but you should always pay close to attention to the fine print. “Some brands can use synthetics or other additives to increase shelf life and reduce cost, which could lead to irritation, however every individual reacts differently. A good rule of thumb is to go with a few ingredients that are sourced properly.”
How We Tested
To come up with our picks for the best beard balms, we consulted grooming experts and barbers on how to pick the right product, along with their go-to recommendations. We tested many balms (and a few oils with them) on our own beards for weeks to style and soothe our facial hair before choosing our favorites based on scent and texture. We also paid close attention to how they made our skin feel and, ultimately, how good they made our beard look. We also considered a range of products based on availability and price, including balms and balm-adjacent products that you can find at drugstores and DTC brands alike. Spoiler: Your face is going to smell really damn good.