If you’re sporting a beard, you want to take the best care of it. This means using the most appropriate maintenance products.
This also means you must have come across the beard oil vs. beard butter debate.
Here’s a breakdown of that debate to help you settle for the most appropriate product of the two.
Table Of Contents
What Is Their Purpose
Both beard oil and butter serve as moisturizers for your beard and the skin underneath. Under harsh conditions, your beard is prone to being dry and breaking. By rubbing in either beard oil or butter, you allow your beard to grow healthy and well-moisturized.
Whether you choose oil or butter, ensure that it’s natural and doesn’t cause allergic reactions to your skin.
Differences
Texture
The main difference between these products is their texture. Oils are runny and stored in bottles with droppers. On the other hand, butter is creamy and is stirred in containers where you can scoop it with your fingers.
Application
There is also a difference in how and where you apply the products. With beard oils, you use them on the beard and the skin underneath. With butter, you apply it on the beard alone because its primary function is to condition your beard.
Ingredients
Beard oils and butter also vary in ingredients. Beard oil is the foundation for a great beard, and while the ingredients can vary, it is typically made up of two types of oils.
Carrier oils hydrate and moisturize your skin and beard, reducing itch and dandruff and creating a healthier, better beard overall. Some carrier oils contain vitamin E, improving skin circulation and promoting beard growth.
Essential oils such as pine, cedar, sandalwood, aloe vera, citrus, and vanilla are combined with carrier oils to create a delectable fragrance. Beard butter is typically made up of oils and different types of butter.
Shea butter combined with a carrier and essential oils for fragrance is the best base. Shea butter adds a light creamy texture as well as deep conditioning.
Why Do You Need Both
You can choose one of the products and use it to maintain your beard. However, here are some factors to convince you that you need both products for a healthy, voluminous beard. Beard butter conditions your beard deeply, keeping your hair soft and healthy.
Furthermore, it provides the ideal amount of style/hold to perfect your beard. Butter also gives your beard volume.
Beard oil is an excellent way to moisturize and maintain the health of your skin and beard while encouraging future growth. As your beard grows, it absorbs your skin’s natural sebum oils, resulting in dryness, redness, beard itch, and dandruff.
You can also use available beard oil substitutes or DIY beard oil for similar results. One of the best substitutes is baby oil for beards. Beard oil also eliminates beard itch and dandruff.
When Should You Use Them
Use beard oil and butter every morning or whenever you groom your beard. It’s imperative to moisturize your beard after every wash to reduce the occurrence of dandruff and beard hair loss.
If you like beard dreadlock styles or a hipster beard style, use beard butter to maintain them.
Which One to Use First
Rub your beard oil before using your beard butter for the best results. You need to make sure your skin is also well moisturized. However, there’s no rule about using the two products since both seep into your beard and skin.
How to Choose
While it’s better to use both products concurrently, you might not have them at all times. Other times, you want to use one product instead of the other. In such instances, choose the best product for your skin and beard.
Beard butter and oil have both carrier and essential oils, so they’ll serve you well, whichever option you prefer.
Quick Tips
- Once you use beard oil or butter on your beard, use it daily for the best results. Your beard is continuously exposed to harsh weather conditions and gets wet every time you clean your face. You need to seal in the moisture and keep the strands well moisturized.
- Insist on using natural beard oils and butter. You can pick from options such as jojoba, eucalyptus, argan or coconut oils. When choosing a beard oil or butter, always select a fragrance you love. It goes a long way in helping you enjoy your beard skincare routine.
FAQ
Is beard oil better than beard butter?
No. Beard oil and butter have the same benefits.
Does beard oil work?
Yes. Beard oil works, primarily if you use it consistently.
Do you need beard oil if you use beard butter?
Yes. Beard oil moisturizes your skin and the strands, while beard butter is more of a conditioner for your beard.
How to use beard butter and beard oil together without overdoing it?
Use in small quantities, and pick matching fragrances.
Conclusion
Applying beard oil or butter is part of the routine of taking care of your beard. While using both products is not mandatory, using them together will help you achieve a healthier and easier-to-manage beard.
Anthony Giannotti is a senior writer and editor for Beardoholic and a licensed barber for more than 13 years. He owns 3 barbershops and has his own hair care product line that is sold in barbershops worldwide. Known for his impeccable technique and skills, Anthony is an expert in hair and beard care and he knows the best products and tools to get rid of all beard problems and have an amazing beard.