DIY Beard Balm Recipe (2024)

DIY

January 9, 2014January 3, 2017 by Rachel74 Comments on DIY Gift: Beard Balm

12/1/15: I slightly updated this recipe, to add measurements by weight, ingredient and container sources, and a free label. The new post:How to Make DIY Beard Balm.

For Christmas this year I made my husband a batch of beard balm to help tame and condition his unruly facial hair. He has an aversion to the trendy naming convention of “blank & blank,” so as a joke I made a label for my fake brand of Whiskey & Woodsmoke. I guess I made a pretty convincing label, since when he opened up the package on Christmas morning he said, “Oh, I remember this from the shop we were in the other day.” I had to break it him that that couldn’t be true, since I’d made it myself.

I wanted this beard balm to smell like bourbon, so I bought a bourbon fragrance oil from an amazon seller, but I wasn’t totally happy with it. It mostly smells like vanilla, with just a hint of bourbon. Combined with the cedar and rosemary oils, though, it creates a nice woodsy, manly scent. If you don’t want to buy bourbon fragrance, you can definitely leave it out, or even experiment with adding vanilla or other scents.
DIY Beard Balm Recipe (1)

DIY Beard Balm

Beard Balm Base:
2 Tbsp beeswax, coarsely chopped
2 Tbsp shea butter
1 Tbsp cocoa butter
3 tsp jojoba oil
2 tsp sweet almond oil
Scent:
1/8 tsp bourbon oil
4-8 drops cedar essential oil
1 drop rosemary essential oil

Add the beeswax, shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, and sweet almond oil to a small jar or tin, and place in a saucepan. A tin can is a good choice, but you should avoid glass, since it can crack from direct heat. Add water to an inch or two below the top of the jar, and heat over a stovetop until everything melts and liquefies. Stir with a disposable popsicle stick or wooden chopstick.

Add essential oils just a few drops at a time to scent your balm, and stir to combine. When you’ve achieved the scent you want, pour your balm into a mini mason jar, and allow to cool.

To use, rub a small amount on your fingers and smooth onto your beard.

Christmas is over, but this would make a great DIY Valentine’s Day or birthday gift for the bearded man in your life.

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DIY Beard Balm Recipe (3)

Rachel
  1. This would make great gift for my sons both who now have beards! Thanks for sharing.

  2. Do you know how big your tin was? 8 oz? I would love to know as it would help me scale your recipe. Thanks so much for sharing!

  3. I am curious about the bourbon fragrance. Can you tell me a little more? This is the first I have heard of it.

      1. that bourbon fragrance is no longer available. Have you found an alternative source?

        Thanks for the write up. I look forward to trying this!

        1. Try the Sandlewood Bourban Fragrance Oil from Bulk Apothecary it smells great and not overpowering. I make beard & mustache balms with it. Its my my best seller. Most women say “Its A Man In A Jar” LOL! My website will be open by the end of January.

  4. I love the (what I perceive to be) double meaning in the name of the scent! Great job!

    1. Thanks Mary 🙂

  5. I love the story…and I bet this smells amazing!

    1. Thanks Tammy!

  6. What size jar did you use? 4 oz? I have some leftover 8oz canning jars and I’m wondering if I’d need to double the recipe to use them. Thanks!

    1. Nikki, it’s a 4 oz jar.

  7. I loved this. Made it today with different essential oils. This is a great beard balm…Thanks

    1. Tim, I’m so glad you like it!

  8. can you just add a few drops of real bourbon?

    1. Lisa, I was tempted to try that, but I’m not sure if it would work. You might have to experiment a bit. Let me know if you try it.

    2. no, Bourbon is water based, all other ingredients are oil based.

  9. 3 tsp = 1 Tbs

  10. Tammy great recipe, mine is similar but uses argan oil instead of cocobutter…and different scents

    1. What scents do you use? I want to mAke some for my husband but he hates rosemary.

  11. Made a half-batch of this for myself just as a tester (never made a balm before), replaced the sweet almond oil with coconut oil since I had one not the other. I only had cedarwood essential oil, ended up using about a 1/2tsp trying to mask the smell of the wax/cocoabutter.

    Do the ingredients you use have much smell to them? I tried the triple filtered white beeswax to limit the smell as much as I could but, may be better vendors to buy from that have products with less smell to them. The wax/cocoabutter especially.

    1. THRobinson, the cocoa butter I used didn’t have much of a scent, but my beeswax smells like honey. I think it’s nice, but if you don’t like the scents of the starting ingredients than you may not like the smell of the end product. More refined versions will definitely have less of a scent.

  12. Exactly how much does this recipe yield? Have you came across any improvements to this recipe? New scents? Thank you!

  13. It is important that your beard balm has all natural moisturizers and sealants. The best moisturizers for beard balm are jojoba and argan. The best sealants are shea and beeswax. 🙂 Always avoid fragrance oils as they are harmful. Go with 100% pure essential oils instead.

    1. Mod cabin, im having trouble with my beeswax, the honey scent over powers the essential oils.. Any reccomendations?

        1. Beeswax, shea, cocoa butter, argan, jojoba, vitamin e, and i tried a few drops of peppermint but the honey smell still overwhelms it, i also tried lemon too but same results

          1. Try Texas cedar and lime. Those essential oils are cheap and the lime can cut through beeswax pretty good. If that doesn’t work perhaps try cutting down on the beeswax and increasing the shea.

          2. Thanks! Appreciate the help!

          3. You’re welcome! Good luck! 🙂

          4. I ended up going with 1tsp beeswax, 2tsp shea, 1tsp argon, 1tsp jojoba, 2 vitamin e oil pills, 2 drops of lemon, 3 drops of lime and the citrus cut the honey smell way down. I am also gonna try the refined white wax, i also heard it has a little less smell.

          5. Careful with citrus essential oils. They are photosensitive and thus can cause your skin to darken. And not in a nice way. I learned the hard way.

  14. I just made my first batch using a blend of earthy/woody oils. Now my hubby looks like a well groomed lumberjack… and smells like one too (in a good way of course). Oh, and I found that empty pipe tobacco tins make FANTASTIC containers!

    1. Danielle, awesome, so glad you (and your husband) like the recipe. And that’s good to know about the pipe tobacco tins.

  15. Hi, this is a great recipe and I’ve enjoyed making it although I’ve found it to be a little greasy compared to shop bought ones and I wondered if you had any thoughts on adding arrowroot powder to cut down on the greasy texture

    1. Hmm, instead of adding arrowroot powder I would just cut down the oils a little bit. I’d start with a teaspoon less of the jojoba or sweet almond oil. Hope that helps!

    2. I’m having the same problem. Did you try the arrowroot?

      1. Hi Sam, I did try the arrowroot powder with mixed results, some batches were fine not greasy at all but some were very lumpy, very hit and miss so I’ve been looking at kaolin clay as an alternative but I haven’t had the chance to try it yet, hope this helps

  16. Awesome would the ingredients be expensive to come by?

    1. 56 dollars on amazon. and it enough to make balm for at least a year. and a commerical balm cost 18-25 dollars for a 2oz can

  17. What brand of oil did you use? Also, do you think it would be ok just to put in some actual liquor or does it need to be oil? I’ve never made anything like this and would love to try!

  18. I’m wondering if fragrance oils could be used in place of the essential oils.

  19. what form do you buy the beeswax in ?

    1. Keeks, my beeswax came in a big brick.

    2. keeks, my beeswax came in a big brick.

  20. where could i get a container for it?

    1. You can get 4oz Ball jars on amazon… or possibly at your local grocery store.

  21. I’ve tried this receipt except I substituted the rosemary with vanilla and both times the smell of honey was overbearing (the second time I even cut the amount of beeswax by 1/2). Could it be because of the type of beeswax I’m using? Everything I’m using is natural; beeswax, shea butter, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, Eden Garden essential oil, etc. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

  22. where can I find most of these ingredients?

    1. Amazon

  23. Hi. I live in Vancouver WA… Just over the river from Portland Or. Is there a way I can buy some of this from you??? If so how do I get in contact with you to do so?

  24. This is awesome 🙂 The consistency is great and so is the feel in my partners beard. I added a little vitamin e oil, and used cedar, cinnamon leaf and holy basil oils instead. Thanks for getting the recipe so dialed!

  25. Where did you find bourbon oil, please help. I’ve been scowering the internet for it.

    1. Amazon has it all… also known as geraniam oil…

  26. I look for bourbon oil but geranium oil keeps coming up with bourbon in parenthesis. Is this the same thing?

    1. yes

  27. I tried this, but the cocoa butter completely overpowered everything else in terms of scent. Did you use cocoa butter that was fragrance free?

  28. I would LOVE to make this! But I have a question … The scented oils … I found an Old Spice Swagger type Fragrance Oil — would that be suitable to use for this? Or will it be detrimental to his wondrous beard? (I can gladly share the link to the oil that I’d like to use)

  29. I have a Shea Butter, Cocoa butter, Mango butter blend with Beeswax and other natural oils. I left it in a cold car for an hour and the balm cracked. How can I ship these without it cracking?

  30. Curious, why not use a double boiler method to melt everything down?

  31. Love this idea. Does this have a fairly long shelf-life? (I would imagine it has due to the ingredients)

  32. Great info, I was looking for an alternative to buying the $20 for a 2 ounce tin. Being an African American and having different hair texture is a challenge. After finding your recipe and doing a bit of research I am excited to make a batch this coming week. Thanks for the good find

  33. Can This be used directly on the face?

    1. Lindsey, I don’t see why not, unless you have some kind of allergy or sensitivity. Testing on a small spot would be a good idea to make sure.

  34. I tried this last night. After letting it set overnight, the balm is extremely hard and tough to get any out to apply. What am I doing wrong?

    1. Hmm, I’m not sure why you had this happen, but I would suggest melting it back down and adding slightly more of the oils to soften it up. Let it set, and repeat if it’s still too hard.

    2. I actually had the same problem. Can you remelt and make adjustments? What should I add more of to soften it a bit? Thanks!

  35. Hi,

    I’ve tried to make balm, but once cooled, I can barely smell the essential oils. I melt the wax and oils on very low heat in a double boiler, then once melted, I add a high amount of essential oils. Once cooled, the scent is hardly there. Any help is greatly appreciated!

  36. Hi,

    I tried making beard balm, but when it cooled over night, I could barely smell the essential oils. I tried to double the amount of essential oils in the balm, but the next day I could barely smell anything. Is this because the essential oils are burning off?? I keep the double boiler on minimal heat.

    Thanks!

  37. Does the balm melt on your hand when you rub it in?

    1. Chet, it does melt into my hands.

  38. This is amazing! I have a weird request, do you have the file you used to print off the labels for this balm? If so, I would love to use it for mine that I make for my boyfriend! Please and thank you!

  39. thinking of trying this without the sweet almond oil
    anyone try that yet?

Comments are closed.

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DIY Beard Balm Recipe (7)

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DIY Beard Balm Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How can I make my own beard balm? ›

Basic Beard Balm Recipe
  1. 1 part beeswax.
  2. 1 and a half parts butter.
  3. 1 part carrier oil.
  4. 2 - 10 drops of essential oil.
May 21, 2023

What are the 4 ingredient beard balm? ›

Beard balm is made up of four core ingredients: beeswax, a type of butter, a type of carrier oil, and an essential oil. Each of these ingredients perform specific functions, and without one, your beard balm won't work.

What oil is best for beard balm? ›

Below are the most recommended oils (Carrier and Essential) for your beard: Jojoba Oil, Castor Oil, Avocado Oil, Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil, Fractionated Coconut Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Orange Oil, Lavender Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Peppermint Oil, Frankincense Oil, Sage Oil, Patchouli Oil and ...

How do you make homemade beard softener? ›

Warm two teaspoons of olive oil and massage it on your beard. You can choose to keep it on overnight as it won't have any side effects on you. Rinse it off with lukewarm water. You will notice how soft your beard feels after this.

Is oil or balm better for beards? ›

Beard oil is better for conditioning and moisturizing your facial hair, while balms are great for styling it. Beard oils are light in texture and easy to apply, whereas beard balms are thicker and have more hold that makes them ideal for shaping beards.

Is coconut oil good for beard balm? ›

The bottom line. Coconut oil has hydrating and protective properties that soothe irritated skin and improve hair's appearance. For these reasons, it may work for some people as a beard oil or balm. You can use coconut oil in its pure form or look for products that contain it as an ingredient.

How to make beard oil for men? ›

Cedarwood beard and shave oil
  1. 3/4 oz. grapeseed oil.
  2. 1/4 oz. avocado oil.
  3. 15 drops of Texas cedarwood essential oil.
  4. 2 drops of clove essential oil.
Oct 6, 2021

What can I use instead of beeswax for beard balm? ›

Allergies: If you are allergic to bee products, soy wax offers a viable, allergy-free alternative. Hold Strength: If you prefer a long-lasting hold and don't mind the weight, beeswax may be more suitable. However, if you value a lightweight feel and don't mind reapplying the balm, soy wax could be your go-to option.

Can you make beard balm without beeswax? ›

Yes, you can make a homemade beard balm without beeswax. However, it will not have the same holding power as a wax-based beard balm.

Do I apply beard oil or Balm first? ›

If you're using both products, beard oil should come first to condition the beard and skin. Then, apply beard balm to seal in the moisture and provide hold. Both beard oil and beard balm have their unique benefits. While beard oil provides hydration, beard balm offers hold and style.

What makes a good beard balm? ›

While checking out the ingredients of a beard balm, make sure that highly moisturizing ingredients are at the top of the list. Some high-quality, natural, and moisturizing ingredients you may find are vitamin E, olive oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, shea butter, and mango butter.

What softens beard hair? ›

Applying hydrating products like beard oil, balm, or shampoo may help your reduce prickliness and scratchiness. You can find many products in stores next to razors and shaving creams to help you soften your beard. You can also make your own beard oil using household ingredients like coconut or olive oil.

How do you make natural beard balm? ›

If you don't have shea butter at hand, you can make a beard balm with just beeswax and oil. Just use two parts beeswax and three parts oil for a simple recipe, or one part beeswax, one part solid coconut oil and two parts oil.

How can I make my beard soft and not prickly? ›

For a softer beard, it is vital to keep it well maintained. Wash and condition the beard properly and be sure to brush regularly. Keep trimming equipment in excellent condition and tackle split ends often. For a finishing touch, use beard oil to protect and hydrate.

What can I rub on my beard to make it grow? ›

By exploring these natural alternatives to grow a beard naturally such as a balanced diet, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and argan oil, you could enhance your beard's health and appearance. Not only do these natural remedies offer numerous benefits, but they could also contribute to a healthier environment.

Does Vaseline work as beard balm? ›

Vaseline is a petroleum based, thick gel, used for retaining moisture in skin and as a lubricant, among other things. Used in a very short beard, it would moisturize skin and leave behind a sheen. In a long beard, it would coat the hair strands with a sticky gel, causing the hair strands to clump together.

How do you make hair balm at home? ›

Method
  1. Measure out your heated phase ingredients: Mafura Oil, Ayurvedic Oil, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Candelilla Wax and Beeswax. ...
  2. Gently melt your ingredients over low heat using either a bain-marie or double boiler.
  3. Once liquid, leave to cool at room temperature until only slightly warm but still molten.
May 15, 2022

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