What Is the Difference Between Beard Butter and Beard Oil?

The beard grooming industry is booming. To give you an idea of just how popular beard grooming products are, the market size is expected to surpass $43 billion by 2026. That’s a whole lot of beard shampoo, balm, and other concoctions designed to keep whiskers clean, shiny, and in place.

And if you’re new to the world of beard grooming, there are two products that may confuse you: beard oil and beard butter. Although they sound like they serve the same purpose, only one is actually used on beards. 

Let there be no more confusion, our bearded friend. Here’s everything you need to know about both products and how to use them.

First Up: Beard Oil

Beard oil has been around a bit longer than beard butter and is comprised of exactly what its name implies: oil. Its name is also a bit misleading because it was really designed to be used on your face, not the beard itself.

Because it’s an oil, its primarily use is to reach in between your beard hairs to moisturize the face while beard butter helps coat and condition the beard itself.

Depending upon the brand, beard oil may contain jojoba, coconut, or grape seed oil that can specifically address dryness, irritation, and sensitive skin. The ingredients may also include an essential oil that can deposit a pleasing aroma such as sandalwood, cedar, citrus, or pine onto your face.

Beard oil’s slippery liquid consistency can more easily reach your skin and follicles to help moisturize the area. As your beard grows, the hairs are going to take your skin’s natural oils away, leaving your face dry. Beard oil helps replace those oils to keep your facial skin soft and nourished.

The product also helps eliminate that uncomfortable side effect of growing a new beard known as beard itch. Some men find this temporary growing pain so annoying that they shave off their beard before giving it a chance to reach its potential. Beard oil, when massaged into the skin, can help soothe the itchiness and irritation.

In-grown hairs can also be an uncomfortable nuisance when you’re in the early stages of growing a beard. Massaging beard oil into your face can help prevent in-grown hairs as it controls the waxy build-up of your skin’s natural oil, known as sebum.

Another problem beard oil can address is beard dandruff, also known as beardruff. Look for a beard oil that contains an antimicrobial oil such as argan that can ward off bacteria, which is believed to contribute to dandruff.

Your Beard’s Second Best Friend: Beard Butter

So what’s the importance of beard butter? As you might guess from its name, beard butter is a more solid product. Its thicker, creamy consistency was designed to sit on your whiskers and moisturize them throughout the day.

If you like, you can still try to massage beard butter into your face when your beard is still fairly short, but as it grows you’re going to find it tougher to do so. That’s what beard oil is for.

Beard butter is usually made with shea butter (and some oils as well) to help prevent your beard from feeling dry and brittle as it grows out. It can help restore shine to the hairs and even help your hairs retain their color. You’re also not imagining things if your beard appears fuller and thicker after applying it; the consistency of the product can give your beard a little heft.

Some beard butter products have been designed to help you shape and style your facial hair. It’s important to read the product label to make sure, as beard balm is usually used for that purpose. However, some beard butters do double-duty to condition your beard and make it easier to style, particularly if they contain more wax.

Can I Use Beard Oil and Beard Butter Together?

If you’re wondering by now whether you should use beard oil and beard butter at the same time, the answer is a resounding yes! The products really weren’t designed to be used interchangeably, but together for the healthiest looking beard.

How to Use The Products: Step-By-Step

Using the products is easy and should be part of your everyday grooming routine so your beard always looks its best. However, before using the products there is another important one you’ll need to use first: beard wash or beard shampoo.

If you think you can get away with using any old body wash or shampoo in the shower on your beard, you may be drying it out. Most soaps and shampoos can be rather harsh on beard hairs. Your best bet is to look for a product formulated for cleaning beards that won’t strip away all of the natural oils.

Here’s your three-step routine to caring for your beard using beard oil and beard butter.

Step 1: Apply beard wash in the shower or over the bathroom sink after wetting your beard with warm (not hot) water. Gently scrub and massage the beard wash into your beard hairs, making sure to massage your skin with your fingertips. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and then gently towel dry your beard.

Step 2: When your beard is dry, massage beard oil into your skin using your fingertips to reach in between beard hairs.

Step 3: Warm a dollop of beard butter in between your palms and smooth the product evenly throughout your beard. Use a beard comb or brush to evenly distribute the butter and to style your beard and hold it in place. If your beard butter wasn’t designed for styling, you’ll need to add a beard balm to this routine.

And that’s all there is to it to have a beard that looks well-kept and healthy.

Beard Oil and Beard Butter: A Knockout Combination

If you have a beard or are planning on growing one, you definitely want to add beard oil and beard butter to your grooming products supply. A little of each goes a long way towards maintaining the best-looking beard in town.

Looking for more grooming tips? Check out our Beauty section for more advice on how to always look and feel your best.