12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (2024)

12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (1)

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IF YOU think beards are best for guys who are just too lazy to shave, think again. Growing a beard is equally if not more high maintenance than keeping your face clean shaven.

Growing out your beard doesn't mean just leaving it be. Even shorter ones requires regular washing, trimming, moisturizing, and styling. Sure, you don’t have to shave, but a healthy beard requires its own kind of upkeep—and a big part of that upkeep is the shape.

That’s where beard balms come in. Don't confuse them with oils; both hydrate and maintain the hair, but balms go a step further and help you style it, too. A good balm will allow you to control an unwieldy, scraggly beard, while still keeping the hair shiny and healthy. You don't have to have a full beard to benefit from a beard balm, either. Guys with shorter beards use beard balm to "lay down" any beard hairs that might've settled funny after a good night's rest. It helps to reset and style your hair all in one.

Looking for the best beard balm to take your beard to the next level? Pick from any of the 14 beard balms from this list and you’re good to go.

Best Beard Products | Best Beard Styles | Best Beard Shampoos | Best Beard Conditioners | Best Beard Trimmers

Best Overall Beard Balm

BULLDOG Original Beard Balm Cream

12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (9)

12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (10)

Pros
  • 12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (11)Leaves your beard healthy and conditioned
  • 12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (12)Provides light hold
Cons

    While this balm is great at softening coarse beard hairs, where it really shines is conditioning the beard underneath. Ingredients like aloe vera and green tea soothe and protect skin prone to dryness.

    IngredientsAloe vera, camelina oil and green tea
    Size0.8 ounces

    Best Luxury Beard Balm

    Murdock London Beard Balm

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    This beard balm instantly blends into your beard, leaving behind zero residue while still giving you decent hold and low sheen finish. It's great for longer beards because of its ability to mould and shape without weighing the hair down.

    IngredientsArgan oil
    Size1.7 oz

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    Best Affordable Beard Balm

    King C. Gillette Soft Beard Balm

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    Pros
    • 12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (17)Deeply conditioning
    • 12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (18)Easy to spread, unlike most wax balms
    Cons

      The lightweight formula makes it easy to work into your beard, leaving it feeling soft and smooth. What's cool about this balm is that you can use a little bit of it as a styling product or use more to make a deep conditioning wash-off mask. When you wash your face, you'll immediately notice how soft and moisturized your bead hair is.

      IngredientsCocoa butter, argan oil, and shea butter
      Size3.38 ounces

      Best Smelling Beard Balm

      Every Man Jack Beard Balm

      12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (19)

      Pros
      • 12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (20)Relieve itchiness and dryness
      • 12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (21)Seals in moisture
      Cons

        Hydration comes thanks to the jojoba oil in this balm, but the addition of Vitamin E helps strengthen the beard hairs as well as smooth them. The subtle sandalwood scent is fresh without being too much.

        IngredientsTea tree oil, shea butter, vitamin E, jojoba oil, and rice bran extract
        Size2 ounces

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        Best Beard Balm For Shorter Beards

        House 99 by David Beckham Seriously Groomed Beard & Hair Balm

        12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (22)

        Pros
        • 12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (23)Weightless texture
        • 12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (24)Tames unruly beard hair
        Cons

          The only balm on this list to come in a tube, this lighter-weight version can be used on your beard or your head (like a grooming cream). It’s not as oily as a classic balm, so it's ideal for thinner or shorter beards.

          IngredientsSpirulina and quinoa
          Ounce2 ounces

          Best Beard Balm For Thick Beards

          Billy Jealousy Devil's Delight Beard Balm

          12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (25)

          Pros
          • 12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (26)Matte finish with "no product" look
          • 12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (27)Light hold
          Cons

            The blend of sunflower, coconut and castor oils in this easily-absorbing beard balm offer deep hydration and protection from breakage.

            IngredientsCoconut, sunflower and castor seed oils
            Size2 ounces

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            Best Beard Balm For Natural Texture Beards

            Scotch Porter Beard Balm

            Pros
            • 12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (29)Tames flyaways
            • 12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (30)Perfect for dry or coarse beards
            Cons

              More of a cream than a balm in terms of texture, this super-hydrating balm is ideal for men of color, or anyone whose beard tends to get dry or frizzy. Over time, it softens even the most unruly beard so it’s more manageable and supple.

              IngredientsBiotin, nettle leaf, white willow bark
              Size3 ounces

              Best Smoothing Beard Balm

              Shea Moisture Beard Balm

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              12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (32)

              Pros
              • 12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (33)Adds definition to rough, unmanageable beards
              • 12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (34)Makes the beard super soft
              Cons

                The combination of maracuja oil and shea butter means extra hydration without the weight of some other heavier balms. A little goes a long way in this formula.

                IngredientsCastor oil, shea butter, grape seed oil, coconut oil
                Size4 ounces

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                Beard Balm for Men

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                12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (36)

                Most beard balms contain wax, but this one stays pliable without being sticky, thanks to carnauba wax instead of the traditional beeswax. It’s also more matte than many of the other balms on this list, so if you’re wary of shine, consider this one.

                Maapillim Beard Balm

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                This balm is the equivalent to a fancy scented candle you burn around the holidays: cozy and spicy, without smelling artificial. This balm is heavy on natural ingredients (like sweet almond oil) that smell great and are hair healthy, too.

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                Styling Beard Balm

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                A little of this medium-weight balm goes a long way to style and shape longer beards, while still deeply moisturizing your scruff with shea butter. The woodsy scent isn’t overpowering, but will keep you feeling fresh all day.

                Jao Bomade Beardscent Balm

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                Now 71% Off

                This multi-purpose balm is really all about the beard. It’s the perfect weight for coarse facial hair and is thick enough to tame even the wiriest whiskers. You can theoretically use it on your hair, too, but we say leave it to the beard.

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                How We Selected

                12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (40)

                For the past two years, we consulted with Men's Health's Grooming editors and writers on the top beard balms for men. Experts, including our Grooming Editor Garrett Munce, put a number of beard balms to the test, evaluating their quality, scent, and effectiveness. We also considered top-reviewed beard balms that had high customer ratings on e-commerce websites we trust.

                12 Extremely Hydrating Balms to Rescue Your Flaky Beard (2024)
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