Beard Wax, Beard Balm, Beard Oil or Pomade: What Is the Difference?

Beard wax, beard balm, beard oil or pomade? If you want to care for your beard and keep it in shape, you'll quickly face four products that look alike at first glance. The difference lies mainly in the ratio of oil to wax. The more oil, the more care and the less hold. The more wax, the more hold. Here's what each product does, which one suits your beard and why you don't necessarily need two different tins for hair and beard.

The four products at a glance

Product	Texture	Hold	Shine	Best for
Beard oil	liquid	none	light	care, soft beard hair
Beard balm	creamy, soft	light	light to medium	care and taming
Pomade	firm, softens with warmth	medium to strong	silky	shaping, contours, hair and beard
Beard wax	very firm	strong to very strong	matte to light	twirling a moustache, firm shapes

Beard oil: care without hold

Beard oil consists mostly of oils. It makes beard hair softer, gives it a groomed look and also reaches the skin underneath. It provides no hold. Beard oil is especially suitable for short beards and for the first weeks while the beard grows and still feels rough.

How to use: rub a few drops between your palms and work them into your beard, ideally after showering while beard and skin are still slightly damp.

Beard balm: care with a little hold

Besides oils, beard balm contains butters and a little wax. It cares for your beard like an oil, but also lightly lays down stray hairs. For medium-length beards that should look tidy without looking styled, beard balm is a good choice.

How to use: warm a small amount between your fingers until it melts and spread it with your fingers or a brush in the direction of growth.

Pomade: hold and shine for hair and beard

Oil-based pomade sits between balm and wax. It is firm at room temperature, becomes supple between your fingers and gives a pliable hold with a silky shine. In the beard it lays down unruly hairs, defines contours on the cheeks and chin and shapes the moustache. Because it stays pliable all day, you can rework it with a comb at any time.

The big advantage: a good pomade works for both hair and beard. In the morning you style your hair and then your beard from the same tin. One product less in the bathroom and a consistent look with the same shine and the same scent.

How to use in the beard: warm a very small amount, about half a grain of rice, between your fingertips. Apply it first to the areas you want to shape, for example the moustache and cheek line. Then shape with a fine beard comb. For the whole beard a pea-sized amount is usually enough. Detailed techniques are in beard styling with pomade.

Beard wax: maximum hold for firm shapes

Beard wax has the highest wax content. It is very firm and needs to be warmed well. In return it holds shapes that would otherwise not hold, such as a twirled moustache or very precise tips. For the whole beard, pure beard wax is often too firm and quickly looks stiff.

How to use: scrape off a small amount with your fingernail, rub it soft between your fingertips and work it specifically into the tips of the moustache.

Which product suits your beard?

• Short beard or stubble: beard oil is usually enough. For clean contours, a touch of pomade on cheeks and neck.
• Medium-length beard: beard balm for everyday use, or pomade if the beard should look more groomed and defined.
• Long full beard: beard oil for care and pomade for shaping. Pomade tames stray hairs without making the beard look stiff.
• Moustache: pomade for a groomed, natural shape. Beard wax only if you want to twirl the tips.
• Hair and beard with one product: pomade. It is the only one of the four made for both.

Combining products: the right order

Care and styling are not mutually exclusive. If you want both, proceed like this:

1. Wash your beard and gently pat it dry with a towel.
2. Beard oil for care: work it in and let it absorb briefly.
3. Comb or brush your beard so all hairs lie in the direction of growth.
4. Pomade for shape and hold, applied where needed.
5. Beard wax only if needed, at the very end for the moustache tips.

It's important to start with little product. Too much quickly looks greasy or clumps the beard hairs. You can always add more.

Common mistakes

• Too much product: the beard looks wet and heavy. Start with a very small amount.
• Not warmed up: firm pomade and wax only spread evenly once they've softened between your fingers.
• Product on the skin instead of the hair: pomade and wax belong in the beard hair. Don't apply them extensively to the skin, especially not directly on the lips.
• Against the direction of growth: always comb in the direction your beard grows, or hairs will stick out.
• Not washing it out: oil-based pomade and wax only come out with shampoo or beard shampoo. Water alone is not enough. More in how to wash out oil-based pomade.

If you have sensitive skin, test a new product on a small area first. If skin problems persist, see a dermatologist.

The right pomade for hair and beard

NO STYLIST Pomade Pure Lemongrass is oil-based and combines petrolatum, beeswax and lanolin. You can use it for both hair and beard. Beeswax provides grip and hold, lanolin gives a supple texture, and petrolatum lets the pomade glide evenly and adds a silky shine. Read more about the ingredients in beeswax in pomade and lanolin for hair. The scent comes only from lemongrass oil, patchouli oil and lavender extract. Handmade in small batches in Germany, free shipping to Germany and Austria. To try it, there is a 10 g size with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use hair pomade on my beard?

Yes. An oil-based pomade works well in the beard, especially for contours and the moustache. You can use NO STYLIST pomade for both hair and beard. Use much less in your beard than in your hair.

Which is better: beard wax or pomade?

It depends on the shape. For twirled moustache tips, beard wax is firmer. For a groomed, defined beard with a natural shine, pomade is usually the better choice because it stays pliable and doesn't look stiff.

What is the difference between beard balm and pomade?

Beard balm is softer and mainly for care, with a light hold. Pomade is firmer, gives more hold and shine and is made for shaping.

Do I need beard oil if I use pomade?

Not necessarily. For longer or dry beards, though, beard oil is a good addition for care before the pomade.