When it comes to facial hair, there is one thing every man should have: beard butter. It’s a must-have for any fella who wants to keep his beard looking and feeling its best. Whether you’re just starting out with your new fuzzy friend or have been on the beard train for years, beard grooming is just as important, if not more so, than a good haircut or a snazzy suit.
But what about beard balms? Aren’t they basically the same thing? Glad you asked. Beard balm is thicker and waxier, usually providing a stronger hold. Beard butter, on the other hand, is much softer, easier to spread, and tends to be more soothing for the drier-skinned fellas out there. Though, unlike actual butter, you won’t be left with a beard full of grease.
Yes, there are abundant options on the market, but don’t let that freak you out. We’ve rounded up the best beard butters to keep your mane looking lush, soft, and healthy. From all-natural shea butter to almond oil-based butters, there’s a little something for every guy. So grab a tub and get ready to break out that comb—it’s time to start grooming.
Keep scrolling to give your beard confidence a boost. But be warned, your morning toast might be envious.
Key Takeaways
Products like beard balm, beard combs, and beard oil are all vital parts of a regular beard grooming regimen. So why do you need to spend more money on another beard product? The thing is, beard butter could be the missing piece in your beard care routine.
The best beard butters work like deep conditioning treatments for your facial fur. The repeated use of beard butter will make your beard softer, easier to detangle, and leaves behind a sexy matte finish. If you’re looking for an overall butter, Grave Before Shave won our top spot. If you’re trying to tame a coarse mane, go for Kave Butter. Maybe you need a little growth help from Wild Willies, there’s a little something for every guy.
Key Ingredients: Coconut, Apricot, Tea Tree, Almond, & Jojoba oils, Mango & Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera | Size: 4oz | Hold: Light | Best For: Dry, All
And I quote: “I may have to start carrying some sort of self-defense to keep the barrages of babes at bay.” If that’s not a testament to how good this beard butter smells, I don’t know what is. Not only do you get an intoxicating scent of leather and cedarwood, but you can also rest assured you’re putting high-quality ingredients on your face. Plus, the complete lack of beeswax makes applying it a dream.
Leather and cedarwood not your thing? No problem. Grave Before Shave has a collection of four other nose-tingling scents. Not mad about the cool packaging art, either.
Key Ingredients: Coconut & Grapeseed Oils, Keratin & Soy Proteins, Shea, Cocoa & Mango Butters, Pea Sprout & Oakmoss Extract | Size: 3oz / 4oz | Hold: Light | Best For: Dry, All Beards
This natural leave-in conditioner quickly turns a dry, rebellious beard into a soft, manageable one. And it does all that without leaving behind any greasy residue. Beard Guyz have you covered if you’re looking for a great all-rounder, but they didn’t forget about the flakey fellas out there. If your skin turns into an itchy snowstorm, this buttery goodness may be just the ticket.
Plus, according to the raving fans, it smells like a non-overpowering pina colada (in the most masculine way, of course). Bonus.
Key Ingredients: Coconut & Castor Oils, Shea & Cocoa Butters, Keratin | Size: 2oz / 4oz / 8oz | Hold: Medium | Best For: Dry, Itchy, Added Shine
Maestro’s has one of the best beard butters for adding some extra shine to your beard when you want to stand out a bit more than usual. And by shine, I don’t mean greasy residue. The soluble hydrating cream creates ultimate beard moisturization, and the environmentally-friendly ingredients mean you don’t have to feel guilty.
Let’s not forget the scent. Notes of Bergamot, Grapefruit, and Black pepper make for a super unique and refreshing smell. It makes you feel like James Bond but with a beard.
Key Ingredients: Coconut, Grape Seed, Avocado, Almond, & Jojoba oils, Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera | Size: 3oz | Hold: Light/Medium | Best For: All
You may have noticed, but all of the best beard butters on this list are from Amazon. So let’s move past that and focus on three factors: function, scents, and reviews. Checking off function first, with all-natural ingredients, lightweight hold, and a grease-free finish. Moving onto scent. Who can complain about six delicious scents? Oh, and one is even unscented for the sensitive smellers out there.
And topping out at damn near 3,000 reviews (68% being 5-star), I think it’s safe to say this beard butter doesn’t suck. Voila—best all-rounder on Amazon.
Ingredients: Slippery Elm Bark, Marshmallow Root, Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, Argan, Jojoba,& Castor Oil | Size: 2oz | Hold: Light | Best for: Coarse
I don’t have a coarser beard of my own, but my brother-in-law has a massive, lumberjack-esque beard, and this is his favorite beard butter. He claims it gives a decent hold, even for his sometimes unruly beard. Plus, the aloe and coconut oil keep his dandruff at bay.
The all-natural ingredients will give long and short beards great results, according to my brother-in-law and many reviews on Amazon. With its subtle yet manly scent, you’ll be sure to turn heads wherever you go. Your beard will thank you.
Ingredients: Grape Seed & Jojoba Oils / Coconut, Grape Seed, Avocado, Almond, & Jojoba oils, Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera | Size: 1oz / 3oz | Hold: Light/Medium | Best For: Growth, All
Does this brand look familiar? Just making sure you’re paying attention. Maybe beard butter alone isn’t cutting it, and you’re tired of a dull, scraggly beard. This is the time to step up your grooming game with Live Bearded’s kit. It’s a one-two punch if you will.
This bad boy comes with both top-notch beard oil and butter to keep your beard soft, shiny, and smelling irresistible. The double whammy of products should be enough to calm the forest that is your beard, and the choice of scents will leave everyone in your vicinity swooning. Ah, look at you remembering—yes, there’s an unscented option too.
Ingredients: Mango & Shea Butter, Almond, Safflower, Hemp, Rosehip, & Blackseed Oils | Size: 2oz | Hold: Medium | Best For: Medium, All
Beard-bearers looking to give your medium-length beard the TLC it deserves, look no further. BAHAWAT’s beard butter not only strengthens and softens your beard but also relieves that pesky itch. Plus, the tobacco and vanilla scent will have people wanting to get close to your face (hopefully, the right people).
Perhaps you’re in the process of moving beyond the medium length. Or maybe you just want a tamable mane on the daily. Whatever your game plan is, don’t settle for a mediocre medium-length beard. The word “confidence” is literally on the packaging. What have you got to lose?
Ingredients: Cocoa & Shea Butter, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Tea tree, Avocado, Grape Seed, & Jojoba Oils | Size: 2oz | Hold: Light | Best For: Growth, All
Gents, here’s the not-so-secret secret—beard growth starts with healthy, clean skin. Well, and genetics, but that’s not the current topic. Wild Willes combines three hard-hitting ingredients to ensure your follicles are happy. Eucalyptus soothes inflammation, peppermint cools itchy skin, and tea tree oil is basically like the Superman of essential oils. It will help fight off dandruff like the badass it is.
Now that the power trio is in effect, the rest of the all-natural ingredients can transform your bear from blah to brilliant. The downside is if you aren’t a cool mint fan, that brilliance might not be for you.
Key Ingredients: Cocoa & Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Wheat Protein | Size: 4oz | Hold: Light | Best For: Growth, All
You may be thinking, don’t most beard butters contain shea butter? You would be correct. But not all beard butters shine a light on shea quite like Every Man Jack. Paired with coconut oil and wheat protein (cocoa butter can’t miss the party either), this delightfully simple concoction leaves all types of beards stylishly hydrated.
I have to say, the subtle sea salt scent really makes this butter stand out. Not every guy wants to smell like a bottle of vanilla rum or a swarthy cedarwood-scented lumberjack, and thats okay. For the moisture-obsessed fella with a passion for light oceanic vibes, this might be your new favorite way to start the day.
Ingredients: Shea Butter, Argan, Jojoba, Vitamin E, Almond, Avocado, Pumpkin Seed, & Hemp Seed Oils | Size: 2oz | Hold: Light | Best For: Dry, All
Gentlemen, Whipped Beard Butter may just be the new ultimate weapon in your grooming arsenal. This rich, luxurious butter will tame even the wildest of beards, leaving it soft, manageable, and oh-so-touchable. I had never tried whipped beard butter until recently, and I have to say I’m a believer now.
This may be obvious, but the consistency of whipped beard butter is lighter and creamier than its regular counterparts, which also makes it ultra-hydrating. Gladiator even claims to “deliver a death blow” to stubborn dry patches. Well said.
Keep in mind this is on the heavier side of whipped beard butters, but it still may take more product than your used to if your beard is on the Gandalf side.
What To Look For When Buying The Best Beard Butter
Ingredients
Most beard butters will have four main ingredients: shea butter, cocoa butter, carrier oils, and essential oils. Usually, you’ll also find natural ingredients like Jojoba oil, Argos Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Aloe Vera, and Vitamin E, among others.
You won’t find many in the products on this list, but there are some ingredients you should look out for that you don’t want in your beard butter. Sulfates, parabens, aluminum, synthetic fragrances, propylene glycol, phthalates, and silicones, to name a few.
Natural or synthetic, it’s important to note any ingredient has the potential to cause a reaction in your skin. Be cautious of any additives you may not agree with before hitting the buy button.
Scent
When it comes to different scents, some brands will opt for exclusively natural ingredients with a commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing, while others may choose synthetic fragrances crafted in a
Since most butters use carrier oils, those aromas will disperse at different levels throughout the scent profile. But it’s not a one-size fits all approach. Ultimately, as long as companies are upfront about which ingredients they use, you can make an informed decision about which scent profile is right for you.
Size
Sizes can vary from about 1 to 4 ounces, depending on the brand. Since beard butter is usually applied daily, that can seem relatively small. Luckily, a little beard butter goes a long way. Quite a few brands recommend a dime-sized amount to cover a full beard, and most beard butter containers are about 2 oz or so.
Based on what reviewers say, your average container of beard butter is usually enough to last about two months, which proves big things come in small packages. And that reviews are worth their weight in gold… or in this case, butter.
Beard Type
Beard butter is an amazing product for men with beards of any size or shape. If your goal is to reduce itching and dandruff, go with a butter loaded up with soothing oils like tea tree. Those with long or coarse beards should opt for beard butters boasting ingredients like aloe and vitamin E.
For those lucky men with fuss-free facial fur, beard butter is a solid option to give your beard a good hold without leaving it stiff or crunchy. The base ingredients of shea and cocoa butter are generally a safe bet for any beard.
Hold
If you want a product that keeps your beard styled like you’re a marble statue, beard butter might not pack the punch you’re looking for. Unlike styling balms or pomades, butters provide a light to medium hold.
You can find some beard butters that hold up better than others, but in general, they aren’t the end-all-be-all of beard styling products. Think of beard butters as the golden ticket to an “I just woke up like this” kind of vibe.
Final Verdict
Grave Before Shave is the butter on top of the pancakes for a few reasons. Overall likability on Amazon. Check. Soothes dry skin without being greasy. Check. Light, manly, but non-overwhelming scent. Check. Despite not winning the best overall trophy, every other beard butter in this guide is a winner in my book. Beards are a very personal thing, and your grooming products should be too.
FAQ
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Step one: Clean your beard and decide if you’d rather apply your beard butter while it’s damp or dry. Either one is fine.
Step two: Scoop some out, rub it between your hands so it melts a bit, and apply it directly to your beard. A dime-sized amount will usually do the trick, but it all depends on your beard length.
Step three: Comb your beard to make sure each follicle is coated with beard butter and to achieve the desired style. Pro tip: sandalwood combs are said to promote healthier beard growth.
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Both beard butter and oil are effective grooming products for men’s beards, but they serve different purposes. Beard oil is mainly used to moisturize and condition the beard and the skin underneath, containing (you guessed it) oils that provide nourishment and hydration to the beard and skin. Beard butter is a cream-like product that also provides moisture, but it has the added benefit of styling hold.
Men with dry or coarse beards may benefit more from using beard butter, while men with shorter, straighter beards may find that beard oil is more up their alley. For a win-win, try using both products together.
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Beard butter is typically applied after washing or showering when the beard is still damp (although dry is fine, too) to allow the butter to absorb easier and moisturize the beard and skin underneath. It’s also beneficial to apply beard butter after showering because the heat and steam from the shower will open up the pores, so the beard butter can work its magic even faster.
The frequency of using beard butter will depend on the individual’s specific needs, but it’s generally recommended to apply it daily or every other day to keep the beard well-moisturized and looking its best.
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Beard butter can help to keep the beard looking healthy and well-groomed, but it is not specifically guaranteed to promote the growth of a thicker beard. Hair growth is determined by a variety of factors, including genetics, hormone levels, and overall health. While keeping the beard and the skin underneath moisturized can help to prevent breakage, dryness, and irritation, it can’t promise to directly affect the rate of hair growth.
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