As a woman, I always thought growing a beard is as simple as putting your shaving session on hold. You know, a man decided to grow a beard so he put down the razor for an extended time until it grew gracefully—truth is, it goes beyond that. For some men, having a good-looking beard symbolises masculinity. Just as much as us women wouldn’t let our hairs go untamed, beards are no different. 

I know a man who spends hundreds of dollars to invest in some good beard-care products. Whether a quick beard scrub or a full set of grooming tools, there’s no doubt that facial hairs often require even more specific necessities. For ‘’beard beginners’’, a simple product like beard balms and oils can be staggering. Do they actually help to soften your whiskers? What’s the difference between balms and oils? Don’t oils make my beard look more greasy? Etc, etc. 

Related article: Asian Gentleman Skincare: 5 Easy Steps To Follow, For You Clueless Fellas 

A simple explanation would be that beard balm and oils serves as an extension care for your facial hair surfacing. Think of a bushy beard on the outside, but full of dandruff and dry skin on the inside. And anyone who is faced with frizzy facial hairs and rough beards would benefit from using beard balms and oils. Now, onto the next question, when is the best time to apply beard oils? Which beard balm would make a backer? 

Read on to learn about Beauty Insider’s favourite beard products.

What Exactly Is Beard Balms? 

Just as much as the hair on your head needs extra protection, it applies to your beards as well. So the easy way to explain is that beard-care products like balms and oils are mainly made to conditionize your beard. Most beard balm is packed with hair nutrients to promote healthy strands, make them stronger and softer depending on the length. But that’s not all though, some products even go skin-deep to help moisturise your skin underneath—since it could be a little difficult to clean and look after the area, (because they’re hidden). 

According to International beard expert, Alex Torrecillas, when you over scrub or over wash your beard with hot water, it can somehow lead to stripping away your beard natural oils. This is when beard-care like balms and oils comes to play. They help to restore hydration, and tame each strand—making them appear softer and smoother. Alex also highlighted that having a slick finish is very essential for beard novices. 

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When Exactly To Use Beard Care?

Alex recommends using beard oil largely in the morning or whenever you won’t be tempted to touch your hairs, especially if you’re using it to cure dry skin, itchiness, rough hairs or any other sensitive issues. He also advises against combing beard oil into your hair, instead allowing the skin and hair to absorb it through the warmth of your finger. If you’re pressed for time, simply run your finger which is already coated with oils all over your beard to spread the products evenly. 

According to Alex, ‘’Massaging the oils through the hairs is a much more efficient approach to utilise beard oil as a moderate styler and tamer, especially if you’re using it in the morning and need to get out the door quickly.’’ 

How Much Beard Oil / Balms Should You Use?

To be honest, less is more. Because oil is frequently administered directly to your skin, you must keep track of any responses. If you start to see any side reactions, stop immediately. Be patient and be consistent when incorporating beard oil into your routine. Once or twice a week should be enough. We suggest you apply it over at night, so that it can repair your strand as you sleep. You can gradually increase the number of applications each week once your skin begins to adjust to the new product. 

Related article: 19 Best Barbershops In Singapore For A Gentleman To Get The Grooming They Needs

Best Beard Care Products

1. KING C. GILLETTE Soft Beard Balm

There’s a reason Gillette’s was chosen our favourite beard balm of the year: The brand’s recipe, which contains components like cocoa and shea butter, keeps scraggly whiskers in place while without making your facial hair feel greasy in the least.

Why We Love It

  •  Exfoliates the skin and clean the pores
  • Contains refreshing and cooling properties for facial hairs
  • Suitable for all skin types

Price: $ 23.50

Where To Buy: Care To Beauty

2. Beardbrand Utility Balm

This all-in-one product (which available in six products), combines the hydrating characteristics of an oil with the control of a moisturiser, making it the go-to solution for no-fuss males. It may be used to control bothersome beard flyaways and nourish the dry skin below the beard. 

Why We Love It

  • Lightweight product with medium hold
  • Provides a flexible, natural look for both your hair and beard
  • Formulated without parabens, sulphates, silicones, or dyes

Price: Starting from $ 46.00

Where To Buy: The Panic Room SG

3. Scotch Porter Beard Balm

Dry, abrasive, and tenacious scruff meets its counterpart in Scotch Porter’s delectable cream. It uses castor seed oil and shea butter to treat and soften the hair, as well as biotin to smooth everything into place.

Why We Love It

  • Rich in Vitamins A, E and other essential fatty acids that provide long term hair health
  • No Sulphates, Silicones, Petrolatum, Parabens
  • A nutrient rich oil

Price: $ 11.99

Where To Buy: Scotch Porter

4. Uppercut Beard Balm

This one is more akin to a mild hair cream. It emulsifies and spreads substantially more smoothly (particularly when used with a comb; there will be no pulling or knotting). The best part is that it wears softly in longer beards and produces exceptionally soft, touchable results.

Why We Love It

  • Contains a vitamin infused blend of ingredients
  • Designed to be easily spread throughout the beard, no matter how thick or dense the hair may be
  • Add moisture and control to beards

Price: $ 25.00

Where To Buy: The Panic Room SG

5. HONEST AMISH Beard Balm Leave-In Conditioner

Honest Amish’s organic beard balm serves as a leave-in conditioner for males with fragile hair, or, really, anyone with any facial hair at all during the dry season. It also relieves itching and eliminates the dreaded “beardruff.”

Why We Love It

  • Softens coarse and rogue hairs
  • Stops the itch and eliminates beardruff
  • Botanicals infused in a base of virgin argan, avocado, almond, virgin pumpkin seed

Price: $ 56.00

Where To Buy: Shopee SG

6. PROPHET AND TOOLS Beard Balm Butter

For those with less mane to tame, Prophet’s organic beard balm has a softer grip. It also encourages growth and cures split ends not only for your beard but for hair as well. So once you’ve finished spreading it over the lower part of your face, feel free to push the extra cream into your hair on your head.

Why We Love It

  • Formulated to control, hydrate and add shine to your beard
  • Translucent colour & no beard staining
  • Mouth watering scent

Price: $ 17.99

Where To Buy: Prophet & Tools

7. Maapilim Beard Oil

Composed of mild, skin-friendly oils such as jojoba oil, which cleans and hydrates hair and skin while also helping to manage sebum production, and sweet almond oil, which provides necessary nutrients to keep hair and skin moisturised without feeling heavy. The mix of pine and cedarwood is our favourite of the four only-aromatic-enough smells.

Why We Love It

  • Nourish the skin without clogging it or feeling heavy.
  • Crafted from natural ingredients, these stylish products both smell and feel gre
  • Promoting hair strength, thickness and growth

Price: $ 15.00

Where To Buy: Maapilim

8. Percy Nobleman Signature Scented Beard Oil

Percy Nobleman Signature Beard Oil 100ml

Avocado, jojoba, and sweet almond oil are among the nutritious nutrients used. According to loyal users, this cream is ideal for softening your beard. The impact also lasted the entire day. If you’re facing an itchy beard problem, 79% claimed it helped, and all said it made it simpler to manage and style facial hair.

Why We Love It

  • Leaves a nice smell 
  • Gentle to the skin
  • A light, easily absorbed formula

Price: Starting from $ 20.00

Where To Buy: Percy Nobleman

9. L’Oreal Men Expert Barber Club Long Beard & Skin Oil

For men with lengthy beards, try L’Oreal for a little help getting a brush through them. All of the testers reported that after applying this beard oil, their beards were simpler to comb through and that it helped to tame any unruly hairs.

Why We Love It

  • Rich in natural essential oils
  • Gentle formula soothes itchiness
  • Free of silicone parabens or colourants 

Price: $ 27.95

Where To Buy: Shopee SG

10. Lab Series The Grooming Oil 3-in-1 Shave and Beard Oil

This one ticks a lot of boxes, providing a reasonable quantity of product for the price; it provides a slide to razors, protects skin, and smooths facial hair – about as multifunctional as it gets. How did it fare in our tests? Most reviews stated their hair felt smoother, controlled, and moisturised.

Why We Love It

  • Cushions the skin and heightens glide. 
  • Guarantees precision for clear cut shaving 
  • Improves manageability, smoothness and shine 

Price: $ 37.00

Where To Buy: Amazon

11. Redken Men’s Beard Oil

Whether you have short stubble or a full beard, caring after the skin underneath is essential. Although the package resembles a little bottle of scotch, the product itself, left 86 percent of testers saying their beards tend to look and feel a lot softer and leave a woody smell.

Why We Love It

  • Grooms and softens facial hair so it looks and feels great
  • Hydrates the skin underneath the beard
  • Must have for facial hair upkeep

Price: $ 39.00

Where To Buy: Care To Beauty
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