Bald, Blind & Bearded
by Conor Johnston
Saturday, 01 April 2023
BEARD BALM:
INTRODUCTION
As a bearded man, I have researched the benefits of the use of beard care products such as beard oil, beard balm, beard shampoo and moustache wax. In this article, I am going to be discussing why beard balm is important in a bearded man’s daily grooming routine and what makes a good beard balm.
WHAT IS BEARD BALM?
Beard balm is a blend of carrier oils such as jojoba oil, almond oil, argan oil, avocado oil, castor oil and grapeseed oil, wax such as beeswax or soy wax, a source of fat/butter such as shea butter, avocado butter or coconut oil which can be incorporated with essential oils or fragrance oils such as sandle wood, tobacco, cedar wood, vanilla and eucalyptus.
Beard balm is recommended to be applied daily, usually once in the morning after showering, once beard oil has been applied. Beard balm can be applied again later on in the day/evening if required.
BENEFITS OF USING BEARD BALM:
Using beard balm daily in your daily grooming routine can have many benefits to your beard health. I am now going to explain some of the main benefits that beard balm can have on the overall health and appearance of a beard.
Due to the combination of carrier oils, wax, fat/butter and essential oils, the potential benefits of using beard balm are:
· Combats beard dandruff
· Reduces beard itch
· Creates a fuller looking beard
· Moisturises the skin
· Protects the beard from the elements
· Easier beard styling
WHAT MAKES A GOOD BEARD BALM?
It is advised to choose a beard balm which uses a combination of several carrier oils, uses natural wax such as beeswax or soywax and includes natural fats/butters such as coconut oil, shea butter or avocado butter as this will improve the potential benefits. Choosing a beard oil which contains natural ingredients will have a better impact on the beard’s overall health due to the reduction in harsh chemicals or processed ingredients.
I have already mentioned the importance of choosing a beard balm which uses several carrier oils, natural waxes and natural fats/butters. I am now going to choose a few carrier oils, waxes and fats/butters which I find to be the most beneficial and describe what benefits they provide.
JOJOBA OIL:
· Conditions Hair: Jojoba oil helps keep the hair soft and shiny
· Prevents Beard Dandruff: Due to the moisturising properties, jojoba oil helps eliminate dandruff and dry flaky skin.
· Protects Hair: Jojoba oil contains Vitamin E and fatty acids which helps protect the beard from the elements.
ALMOND OIL:
· Reduces Inflammation: Due to almond oils high level of fatty acid, this promotes circulation which can help reduce inflammation.
· Promotes Beard Growth: Almond oil has a high level of magnesium, which has been proven to promote healthy beard growth.
· Reduces Dryness and Itching: Due to almond oils moisturising properties, it can reduce dryness, which in turn will reduce itching and irritation.
ARGAN OIL:
· Reduces Acne: Argan oil can help reduce beard acne due to its moisturising and anti inflammatory properties which help keep the skin underneath the beard clear and clean.
· Reduces Razor Burn/Rashes: Argan oil is great for sensitive skin. It can also help prevent and soothe razor burn from shaping or trimming the beard due to the anti inflammation properties.
· Tames Hair for Easy Styling: Argan oil is great for tamin frizz and flyaways and enables beard combs and brushes to easily glide through the beard for styling.
AVACADO BUTTER:
· Rich in Vitamin E: The high levels of Vitamin E in avocado butter, it acts as a natural conditioner which aids in softening the beard making it feel smooth.
· Helps repair damage caused by environmental factors such as air pollution or the weathers elements.
· High in Omega3 fatty acids: Avacado butter contains omega3 fatty acids which promotes beard growth and reduces breakages and hair loss.
SHEA BUTTER:
· Anti inflammatory properties: Shea butter is a natural anti inflammatory which in turn reduces swelling, redness, rashes and beard itch.
· Anti-aging properties: Shea butter is known to have anti aging properties due to its ability to lock in moisture.
COCONUT OIL:
· Anti viral, anti fungal, anti microbial and anti septic purposes: Due to coconut oil being high in lactic acid, this makes it a great addition to beard balm as it has healing properties which can aid in the prevention of infection.
BEESWAX:
· Styling: Beeswax provides a moderate hold which is essential when styling the beard as it helps the beard stay in shape.
SOYWAX:
· Vegan alternative to beeswax: Soywax provides similar properties to beeswax, however is a great alternative to beeswax for those who are vegetarian or vegan.
As you can see, the ingredients in beard balm work together to maximise their benefits which makes for a healthier looking beard.
