Beard Butter vs. Beard Balm: What's the Difference?

Beard butter vs. beard balm: the short answer

Beard butter is a leave-in conditioner it softens the hair and hydrates the skin, with little to no hold. Beard balm adds light-to-medium hold and shape because it contains wax (usually beeswax). If your goal is a soft, healthy, itch-free beard, use butter. If your goal is taming and styling a longer beard, balm adds control. Many men use butter for conditioning and reach for balm only when they need hold. We went crazy and removed the wax from beard butter and created something that nourishes and hydrates even the dryest beard creating a healthy environment to become soft again. We don't just cover it up. Balm is for styling and butter is for hydration. 

What beard butter does

Conditions and hydrates. A good beard butter is wax-free and absorbs into the skin and hair, so it fixes dryness and itch without stiffness or buildup.

What beard balm does

Conditions and holds. The wax in balm coats the hair to tame flyaways and shape a longer beard, but it sits more on the surface and can feel heavier or waxy.

Which should you use?

Short-to-medium beard, or you mainly want softness and no itch: butter. Longer beard you need to tame and shape: balm, or butter plus a bit of balm on the days you need control. For softness plus a natural finish without wax, pair butter with beard oil instead.