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

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.