The skin and hair care industry is saturated with beard products. From oils to balms and shampoos to scrubs, it can be difficult to pick which products are best for you beard. The biggest question about beard care is: What is the difference between beard oil and beard balm? Both moisturize the beard, but the answer to this question depends on personal preference.
Why Should You Use A Beard Balm?
If you want to look like Scruffy McScruffins with an unkempt wiry beard, don’t use beard balm. If you rock a medium-length or large bushy beard, beard balm is going to become your new best friend. Because balm is more viscous than oil, it sits on your beard and skin for a lot longer. Since your skin doesn’t absorb it right away, this creates for long-lasting moisture and extra shine. It also encourages a healthier beard.
Juniper Berries For Your Skin
The juniper tree produces berries that contain potent antioxidants and plant compounds. One ounce of juniper berries delivers 10% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin C, which helps protect cells from free radical damage. The natural antibacterial properties also help to moisturize skin and fight any irritations or dryness. Men with dry skin under their beards (commonly known as beardruff) can rejoice because juniper berries help to condition and soften the skin.
Cinnamon For Your Skin
Does the skin under your beard lack moisture? Time to use the beard balm in this article because it has the one-two moisturizing punch of juniper berries and cinnamon. Cinnamon works to moisturize the skin by improving blood flow to the skin’s surface. Additionally, it works to remove dead skin cells, which can accumulate under the beard and cause dryness.
Cloves For Your Skin
Cloves are commonly used in holiday recipes because they offer a rich, aromatic flavor. They also have a long history of medicinal use in various cultures. The antimicrobial properties of cloves may be effective at combatting the growth of several bacterial strains on the skin. According to several studies, clove oil helped inhibit the growth of Escherichia coil, which is a clinical bacterium that is resistant to many antibiotics.
Juniper Spice Beard Balm
Ingredients For Juniper Infused Oil:
- 2 tablespoons dried juniper berries
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- juniper twigs
- 1 cup carrier oil of choice (jojoba oil, olive oil, sweet almond oil, or coconut oil)
Ingredients For Beard Balm:
- ½ cup juniper infused oil
- ¾ ounce beeswax
- ½ ounce refined Shea butter
- 8 drops juniper berry essential oil
- 8 drops fir needle essential oil
- 4 drops cinnamon leaf essential oil
- 4 drops clove bud essential oil
Instructions For The Juniper Infused Oil:
- Add the juniper berries, cinnamon stick, cloves, and oil to a pint-sized glass jar with a lid.
- Before you screw on the lid, fill the jar with juniper or conifer twigs, but make sure to leave an inch of space at the top of the jar.
- Place the jar in a cool, dry place for 4-6 weeks to allow the infusion to happen. Once this time passes, stain the solids through a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve. Store the infused oil in a glass jar.
Instructions For The Beard Balm:
- Add the infused oil and beeswax to the top of a double boiler. Stir until the beeswax melts and then add the Shea butter. Mix gently until it melts and then remove from the heat.
- While the heated mixture is cooling, stir in the essential oils.
- Carefully pour the mixture into jars or tins. Allow the mixture to harden for several hours.
- Use once a day after washing your beard.
