As a man, you may like letting that beard grow long and wild. After all, a big beard is a really manly thing, something that every man wants to grow. While a thick and luscious beard is about as manly as it gets, an unruly, dry, and scraggly beard just doesn’t look right. If anything, a beard that is not well cared for looks worse than not having any beard at all.
Moreover, as a man, you may be averse to using any sort of beauty product, because after all, you are a man, and men don’t use beauty products, or at least that used to be the creed of the manly man. Men don’t moisturize, right? Wrong! If you can grow out that manly beard while also maintaining it with some simple products, there’s nothing wrong with that at all. We’d rather be well moisturized, put together, and well-kempt men, rather than looking like unwashed cavemen or lumberjacks.
That said, even if you want to use some beard oil or balm to keep everything looking neat and tidy, plus well-moisturized and healthy, you might have noticed that beard balms, oils, and everything in between can be expensive.
Also, many low-end products contain chemicals and fillers which might actually do your beard and the skin underneath more harm than good.
That said, it is possible to make your own DIY beard balm, particularly with coconut oil. You can make it at home with a few healthy ingredients, limited cost, and no time wasted.
Today you’re going to learn exactly why coconut oil is so healthy for your beard and the underlying skin, and you’re also going to learn how to make a number of DIY beard balms with that very same coconut oil.
What is Beard Balm?
Simply put, beard balm is a form of leave-in conditioner which is designed to hydrate, nourish, and strengthen beard hairs, while also healing, hydrating, and nourishing the skin underneath.
Beard balm can lead to much healthier skin, and therefore healthier and more productive hair follicles, thus increasing the rate of beard growth, as well as the health of the beard itself.
Beard balm is also beneficial for reducing split ends, for creating smoother and softer beards, and for allowing you to easily comb and manage that unruly facial hair.
Why Coconut Oil for Your Beard and Skin?
You might be wondering why we are choosing to focus on coconut oil for your DIY beard balm. There are actually many reasons why coconut oil makes for such a great base for any beard balm. It’s loaded with hydrating properties and much more. What is so great about coconut oil?
Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids which possess antimicrobial properties, thus helping to protect skin from harmful bacteria and inflammation, and it can help reduce or eliminate acne as well. This leaves the skin and the hair follicles underneath to be healthier and more productive. Coconut is antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal in nature, all of which lead to healthier skin and beard hair follicles.
Coconut oil also contains other fatty acids, as well as lauric acid, both of which can help tighten, smoothen, and nourish skin. Healthier skin usually always leads to healthier hair follicles, which translates to a thicker beard.
The healthy fats and vitamin E contained in coconut oil are also great for the beard itself. These compounds can help to moisturize your beard hair to make it softer and smoother, better nourished, and stronger, which not only feels better, but also allows you to comb and control it much easier. This nourishment and hydration can also help to get rid of split ends for a much cleaner appearance.
All of the nourishment and moisture which coconut oil can provide your skin with may also help speed up beard growth. Healthy and productive hair follicles start with healthy skin, something which coconut oil can provide you.
3 DIY Beard Balms with Coconut Oil
Here we have a selection of homemade DIY beard balms for you to take a look at. Each contains specific ingredients which can help provide your beard and the underlying skin with all of the benefits discussed in the above section and more. Let’s take a look at the 3 most popular DIY beard balms with coconut oil.
1. Beeswax and Coconut Oil Combo
Here is one of the most popular DIY beard balm recipes. Be aware that you will need quite a few ingredients, so it’s not going to be particularly cheap to make.
However, you get what you pay for, and spending extra on a plethora of high-quality ingredients for your DIY beard balm is well worth it when you consider the fantastic results.
The combination of ingredients used will provide you with all of the beard balm benefits you could ever hope for.
Ingredients
Here is a list of ingredients you will need for this particular beard balm, as well as a quick explanation of why they are included and what their benefits are.
Beeswax
Although beeswax is considered a secondary ingredient behind the carrier and essential oils, it does serve one very important purpose, which is to provide hold. Beeswax is more or less solid when cool, and therefore acts as a holding agent so you can style your beard and have it hold its shape all day long. It’s important not to go too heavy on the beeswax, as you will end up with super stiff beard hair.
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is an essential addition to this beard balm. For one, cocoa butter is extremely hydrating and nourishing for the skin. It helps create smoother, suppler, and overall healthier skin. It can also reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, thus creating healthier and more productive hair follicles. On the beard front, cocoa butter helps to hydrate and nourish beard hairs, make them stronger, and reduce split ends.
Coconut Oil
As discussed above, coconut oil provides a plethora of benefits to help create and maintain healthy skin, hair follicles, and an overall healthy beard. Keep in mind that you need to add a carrier oil such as this to all beard oils, as you cannot add essential oils on their own.
Pine and Cedar Essential Oils
The other ingredients are pine and cedar essential oils. You can choose one or the other, or if you really want to smell like a forest of manliness, go for both pine and cedar. Keep in mind to use essential oils sparingly, as too much can be overwhelming. This is all about adding a good scent.
How to Make it
Making this beeswax, cocoa butter, and beeswax beard balm is quick and simple. Follow the steps as outline below.
- Mix together 1 ounce of beeswax, 3 ounces of cocoa butter, and 3 ounces of coconut oil in a small pan and place on very low heat.
- Allow the various ingredients to melt into liquid and mix them together. Make sure to use a low heat setting and never let the ingredients boil.
- Once the solution is liquid, remove it from the heat, and add a few drops of the essential oils before it cools down.
- Pour the finished beard balm into a tin or container for storage before it solidifies
2. A Simple Coconut Oil Beard Balm
While the above beard balm required quite a few ingredients, this one is much simpler and more cost-effective. The one and only main ingredient is coconut oil, as well as a couple drops of the essential oil of your choosing. It’s a much simpler and faster beard balm to make at home, although be aware that it does not come with any of the added benefits of butters, such as shea or cocoa butter.
Ingredients
Let’s quickly take a look at the two ingredients you will need to make this particular beard balm.
Coconut Oil
The main ingredient in this beard balm is coconut oil. Always go for the solid coconut oil that is hard when cold, not the liquid coconut oil. Coconut oil has many skin healing and health benefits; it helps follicles heal and be more productive, and it will help nourish your beard, while also making it more controllable and easier to style.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea Tree essential oil is usually a fan favorite, as it has a very strong yet subtle smell that most seem to enjoy. Of course, if you wish, you can substitute any other essential oil for this, as long as you do not use so much that it totally overpowers the senses. Some people choose to mix tea tree essential oil with frankincense essential oil for a very interesting scent combination.
How to Make it
This particular coconut oil beard balm is about as easy as it gets. Follow the steps as outlined below.
- Measure out as much coconut oil as you need. You start with a half a cup or a full cup if you just want to experiment and make a small batch.
- Heat up the coconut oil over low heat, just hot enough so it melts and becomes liquid, but without bringing it to a boil.
- Once the coconut oil is liquid, remove it from the heat and mix in a few drops of the essential oil of choice.
- Pour the finished and still liquid beard balm into a container of choice before it cools down and solidifies.
3. A Super Beard Balm
Here we have what is the most ingredient-heavy beard balm on our list. Because it contains so many different ingredients, it also comes with a plethora of benefits for both your beard and skin. It may take a little more work to make than the others, and will cost a bit more too, but the benefits are worth it.
Ingredients
Let’s take a look at the list of ingredients you will need for this super beard balm and why they are included.
Beeswax
To provide you with some hold, so your beard stays in place once styled, beeswax is added to this beard balm. Beeswax also helps provide some hydration for beards and skin.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is another essential addition to this super beard balm. For one, shea butter is great for moisturizing both the skin and hair. It smoothens hair, makes it more manageable, and helps reduce split ends too. Shea butter also contains ingredients that help to nourish and heal the skin, for more productive beard hair follicles.
Cocoa Butter
With the ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, to create healthier and more productive hair follicles, and to provide hydration for the skin and hair, cocoa butter is another essential addition to this beard balm.
Coconut Oil
Yes, today is all about using the ever-so-awesome coconut oil for beard balms. It has plenty of great skin and beard benefits, and it’s something that should always be included.
Olive Oil
This beard balm also contains olive oil, another ingredient often used in DIY beard balms. Olive oil will moisturize both skin and hair, to reduce inflammation, acne, dandruff, and redness, and to nourish the skin overall. It will make your skin healthier, therefore also improving hair follicle health and productivity.
Essential Oil
For a good smell, choose your favorite essential oil. Personally, we would go for something like a sweet orange essential oil, as it smells great.
How to Make it
Although there are more ingredients in this DIY beard balm than any of the others we have looked at, the process for making it is still exactly the same.
- Melt 1.5 ounces of beeswax, 2 ounces of coconut oil, 1 ounce of olive oil, 1.5 ounces of shea butter, and 1.5 ounces of cocoa butter in a small pot.
- Keep the ingredients on low heat until everything is melted and homogenous, then remove it from the heat.
- Add a few drops of the essential oil of your choosing and mix it in.
- Pour the completed beard balm into a container of your choosing before it solidifies.
Conclusion
With your own homemade DIY beard balm, you can be sure that your beard balm contains only healthy and beneficial ingredients, and all at a great cost. It’s all about keeping that beard moisturized and looking great.
