If you want the look of refined facial hair, then you’ll need a beard styling product like beard butter for your regimen. If you’re an avid groomer, then using the best beard butter will help you achieve that polished beard style.
Beard butter is a type of leave-in conditioner that not only hydrates and softens the hair but also provides hold for styling. It’s ideal for those with longer beards that need taming.
Unlike beard oils, beard balms, and waxes, beard butter is generally made from shea butter or cocoa butter with added essential oils for scent and shine. I’ve tested some of the best beard butter products and found which ones offered exceptional results and more shine than others. Keep reading.
Top Picks
When looking at butters, I chose beard products recommended to me by barbers, as well as those with the highest customer ratings. I wanted to find the best beard conditioning butters that would help with your beard and the skin.
The primary goal for my test was to see which beard care products tamed and shined my beard hair, but I also considered which products had a great scent or possibly felt too “goopy” due to too much oil or shea butter.
Here are the reviews of the top beard butter products right now:
1. Live Bearded The Legend Beard Butter w/ Sandalwood
I’m a fan of sandalwood beard grooming products, and Live Bearded The Legend with Sandalwood and Vanilla has one of the best scents in the game. While light, it’s just a very masculine, rustic fragrance that sets off the end of your morning routine so you’re ready to head out of the door.
The real beauty of this beard butter is the additional conditioning that goes into this formula. You’ll feel your beard lay flatter and see it shine up in a matter of seconds. If you have a dried beard, this product will soften your facial hair until it glows if you use enough product.
- Sandalwood and vanilla scent.
- Moisturize, style, and condition with one product.
- All-natural ingredients are good for your skin and beard.
- No questions asked – lifetime guarantee.
The Legend is a premium beard butter that’s made in the USA. Unlike some of the other beard butter, this one had a slight styling hold to it, indicating that it’s thicker than a balm but not as dry as wax. You’ll like how it tames your facial hair for the perfect look.
2. Grave Before Shave Cigar Blend Beard Butter
One product that people are raving about is the Grave Before Shave Cigar Blend Beard Butter. This is another moisturizing and conditioning product that uses shea butter and natural oils to add a little fragrance.
The cigar/vanilla scent can be a little strong, but I enjoyed the pure shea butter blend that doesn’t include any beeswax. There’s no drag on your hair when you brush through, so it’s easy to spread this product and keep your beard hair tamed.
- Proudly made in the USA.
- Deep penetration to soften beard and skin
- Made with the highest-quality butter and oils.
- NO beeswax, so it’s lightweight and easy to brush.
- Has a nice Cigar/Vanilla scent.
- Comes in a large 4 oz. container.
Grave Before Shave’s beard butter has an awesome formula. It’s also a much larger container than others, with 4 ounces of product. If you like very smoky, masculine scents, this beard butter is for you.
3. Wild Willie’s Beard Butter
Wild Willie’s Beard Butter has grown so popular that it’s hard to track down, but I was able to get my hands on a 2-ounce tin of this stuff. I have to say it’s one of the top beard butter and has such an amazing scent that you’ll probably want to use it every day.
There are 13 organic ingredients included with this butter product, including shea butter and argan oil. It’s very moisturizing and provides some wax content for additional shaping and styling needs.
- Moisturize and soften beard hair with a slight hold.
- Fights split ends and tame unruly hair. It also reduces irritation, dandruff, itchiness, and flaky skin.
- Natural Ingredients with no harsh chemicals, preservatives, or colorants.
- Proudly made in the USA.
- Get rid of the beard’s coarse texture.
- Comes in a 2 oz. tin.
I really liked Wild Willie’s Beard Butter because it tames flyaways and adds a light hold to a healthy beard. Not only did my beard feel soft and smooth after the first application, but the argan oil can help with skin irritation and beard itch. The finishing shine is just perfect if you have a wild beard that needs to be tamed.
4. Cremo Beard & Scruff Cream (Mint Blend)
The Cremo Beard & Scruff Cream is not marketed as a butter but has the same consistency. I personally like their line of products because they help moisturize and soothe my coarse facial hair, reducing beard itch.
It uses cocoa seed butter instead of shea butter and is really good for a light style on my short beard.
- Mint Blend Scent (New & Improved).
- Plant-based formula.
- Moisturizes and softens stubble, scruff & fuller beards.
- Provides light styling & shaping of longer beards.
- Lightweight and non-greasy blend.
Cremo Beard & Scruff Cream was made for men who want a fresh, minty scent. It does come in a forest blend if you like rustic, cedar scent. I used most of their scents. They’re subtle, so it won’t be overpowering if you use them too much.
Still, the texture and results are always amazing on my beard. It also gave my facial hair a light, natural shine.
5. Every Man Jack Beard Butter
For a very simple conditioner beard butter, Every Man Jack offers a subtle sandalwood scent. Rejuvenate your morning routine with naturally sourced cocoa butter and shea butter.
This beard butter hits a little differently. It felt very smooth after the initial application, but I liked the shine and smoothness that it brought to my beard after adding a little more.
- Natural plant-based ingredients: shea butter, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and wheat protein.
- Free of parabens, phthalates, harmful chemicals, and dyes.
- It has a nice sandalwood scent with hints of amber, vetiver, and vanilla.
- Rejuvenate a dry beard & Style your unruly beard.
- Quickly relieves beard itch and mild irritation.
- Certified Cruelty-free by PETA
- Made responsibly in the USA.
6. Beard Guyz Beard Butter (Updated Formula)
The one thing you want in a beard butter is moisture and a pleasant scent. However, Beard Guyz Beard Butter, with their updated formula a step further to moisturize dry beards.
Consumers slammed their previous formula! So, I like that the Beard Guyz listened to their customers and created a new product with all-natural ingredients.
- It helps dry, unruly beards while relieving beard itch.
- The exclusive formula uses Shea and Mango butter plus Coconut Oil.
- Reduces flakes while keeping your beard soft and shiny.
- Lightweight product with no greasy feeling.
- 100% satisfaction guarantee.
It’s not my top pick, but it does moisturize your skin and provide a barrier against irritation. You’ll like this beard butter if you have dry skin frequently or want a leave-in product that can help you shape your beard hair.
What is Beard Butter?
Beard butter is a men’s styling product made with shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter, and essential oils. Men use beard butter on their beards to moisturize hair and skin while adding shine to facial hair.
For men who have wiry beard hair, beard butter is a great facial hair tamer. Using this product 2 to 3 times a week can lead to healthier looking hair and may also help with dry skin under your beard.
Beard butter typically include some essential oils in addition to shea butter, such as coconut oil, peppermint oil, and jojoba oil.
How to Use
Beard butter typically comes in a tin or small tub. You can apply using your fingers to scoop out a small amount. With medium to large beards, you may want to go over your hair twice or use a beard brush to spread the butter throughout your facial hair.
Benefits
- Deep conditions facial hair
- Moisturizes skin
- Softens hair
- Adds light scent
- Natural ingredients
Shelf Life / Expiration
Shea butter, the main ingredient in beard butter, has a shelf life of 1-2 years when stored properly. Shea butter can be stored in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry or cupboard.
It’s hard to say what the expiration date is for each product, as it depends on the complete list of ingredients. However, one estimation is that beard butter lasts between six months and up to four years.
To be on the safe side, you should switch out any skincare or styling products after one year, as these ingredients will naturally lose their strength over time.
FAQ
What butter is best for beards?
Shea butter and cocoa butter are prime ingredients in beard butter, renowned for their natural qualities to soften beard hair, alleviate itchiness, encourage hair growth, and impart a glossy sheen, making them the top choices for beard care.
Is beard balm better than butter?
Beard balm provides stronger control and hold, which is ideal for managing flyaways. In contrast, beard butter offers deep conditioning with a lighter hold, promoting healthy beard growth and softness, making it preferable for styling and nourishment.
Is Beard Butter good for you?
Beard butter is beneficial for moisturizing the skin beneath the beard, preventing dryness, itchiness, and dandruff. Its ingredients can also help clear clogged pores, offer a low to medium hold, and maintain a pleasant scent throughout the day.
Do you comb beard butter in?
After warming a small amount of beard butter in your palms, massage it thoroughly into your beard and skin. For longer or thicker hair, use a beard comb to ensure even distribution and coat every hair strand effectively.
What is better beard oil or beard butter?
Beard oil and beard butter have their benefits. Beard oil is ideal for moisturizing the skin beneath the beard and promoting healthier hair growth, making it suitable for shorter beards. Beard butter offers deeper conditioning and styling control, which is better for longer beards needing shape and nourishment.
Should I use beard oil or beard butter first?
Start with beard oil to moisturize the skin underneath and soften the beard hair, promoting healthy growth. Follow with beard butter to further condition the beard, provide styling hold, and add a layer of nourishment for longer beards.
Should I use beard butter every day?
Using beard butter daily is beneficial for maintaining a soft, well-conditioned beard, especially for longer beards. It hydrates, provides light styling hold, and keeps the beard looking healthy and well-groomed throughout the day.
