When it comes to styling facial hair, many men find beard balm to be the perfect tool for getting that impeccable, neat look. Thankfully, making beard balm from scratch isn’t as hard as it may sound, and it has the advantage of allowing for customization. If you’re looking for a DIY solution to styling and grooming facial hair, here’s how to make a good beard balm at home.
Ingredients
The right ingredients are key to a good beard balm. Generally speaking, it should comprise of beeswax, carrier oils, butter and sometimes – though not always – essential oils. Carrier oils, such as jojoba, argan, sweet almond, avocado and coconut oils help keep the beard soft, while butters add more nourishment and beeswax provides hold. As for essential oils, it’s best to go with those that have antiseptic properties such as tea tree or peppermint oils, as well as calming fragrances such as sandalwood, lavender or chamomile.
Making the Wax Base
The first step to making a beard balm is to create the wax base. All you need is beeswax, which acts as a base ingredient in the balm. Place approximately 2 tablespoons of grated beeswax in a heatproof container and melt it using a bain-marie or a double-boiler. The idea is to bring the beeswax to a melted state without overheating – it should not reach the boiling point.
Mix in the Carrier and Butters
Once the melted wax is ready, add the carrier and butter oils. Start with a carrier oil, such as jojoba, almond or argan oils, and add 1 tablespoon per each pound of beeswax. Then, combine 1/4 cup of butter, preferably shea butter to the beeswax and blend until uniform. Once all the ingredients have been distributed evenly and the mixture looks smooth, take the container off the heat and let it cool. At this point, if desired, a few drops of essential oils can be added to scent the balm and provide additional nourishment to the beard.
Allow to Set
Once you have all the ingredients blended together and you’ve taken the container off the heat, pour the balm into storage tins or other containers. Ensure that you fill all the containers to the top – this will make it easier to stir the balm and make it melt faster when applying it. Allow the balm to solidify, which usually takes between three to five hours. Don’t worry if the balm isn’t entirely solidified – it will eventually set, and the texture can be tested by pressing a finger into it.
Using Beard Balm
Now that your balm has been made, let’s talk about the proper way to use it. When applying the balm to the beard, the idea is to use just enough to keep it soft and conditioned without making it greasy. To do this, apply a pea-sized amount in the palm of your hands and warm it up a bit with friction. Then, apply the balm with all 10 fingers and brush it through, against the direction of the facial hair. This will ensure even and natural-looking results.
Variations
It’s worth keeping in mind that the beard balm recipe can be modified in countless ways. For instance, some ingredients, such as cocoa butter, mango butter, and hazelnut oil can be added to the carrier oil, while the essential oil can be replaced with fragrant, non-toxic products such as vanilla extract or any other natural flavorings.
Risks of Making DIY Beard Balm
Although making beard balm from scratch is a perfectly feasible approach and improves the chances of getting just the right texture and scent, it’s worth keeping in mind that there are risks associated with DIY products. This is because essential oils, regardless of their antiseptic properties, are not always safe for everyone – using too much can lead to irritations and excessive dryness. Additionally, carrier oils used in high concentrations can clog the pores so make sure to do a patch test on a small area of the skin prior to full application.
Shop-Bought Alternatives
For those who don’t have the time or resources to get the ingredients needed to make a beard balm at home, there are shop-bought alternatives available. Most typically, these are made out of jojoba, argan, and sweet almond oil, as well as beeswax, and they come in various scents and with a range of other beneficial ingredients such as lanolin and shea butter. Furthermore, shop-bought balms may have higher concentrations of essential oils, so those sensitive to scent should opt for an unscented version. Last but not least, many shop-bought balms now come in convenient packaging, optimized for an effortless application.
Homemade vs Shop-Bought
When it comes to beard balms, the age-old dilemma is whether to make one at home or get a shop-bought product. Ultimately, both approaches have their own pros and cons and it often comes down to individual preferences. For instance, making beard balm at home may save money and be more sustainable, but it comes with the risk of not being able to get the texture or scent right. On the other hand, shop-bought beard balms provide convenience, variety, and optimally calibrated ingredients so that the risk of irritations is minimized.
Storage
Finally, some attention needs to be given to beard balm storage. It’s best to keep a beard balm away from direct sunlight in a cool, dry space, preferably at room temperature. If kept in this environment, a balm should last for up to a year before it begins to lose its original properties. To make sure the balm lasts as long as possible, avoid opening the container repeatedly, as this can make it go bad faster.
