Beard Cream: Your Complete Guide to Taming Your Mane

You've heard of beard oils and beard balms. What about beard creams? If you've got a dreaded case of the beard itch, it's the go-to solution. Designed to get deep down into your beard, it nourishes and softens not just the hair but the underlying skin. Haven't we all suffered from beard itch at one time or another? It seems inevitable if you ever transition from a short, trimmed beard to anything bigger. But moisturizing your hidden skin often causes it to become dry, itchy, and irritated. Beard cream might just offer the permanent answer. 

What is Beard Cream?

Beard creams are another product that offers to nourish and soften the beard and soothe the underlying skin. Instead of relying on pure oils, like beard oils, or beeswax, like beard balms, beard creams sit somewhere in the middle. It's the Goldilocks zone of beard products.

The fundamental ingredient is usually shea butter – or something similar. Known for its hydrating and moisturizing properties, it's more easily applied than a beard balm yet still penetrates deep into the beard like a beard oil. It's the best of both worlds, according to beard cream advocates. 

Remember, your beard growth isn't just about the hair – everything comes from the hair follicle. If you want to boost and support growth, your beard products have to support the skin itself, battling dreaded beardruff. 

What Does Beard Cream Do?

Becoming a little curious? Wondering if beard cream is actually worth adding to your grooming routine? Beard cream is a 4-in-1 power move for your beard, tackling hydration, softening, style, and scent in one go. Here's what beard cream can do for you:

• Hydrates Deeply: Beard cream isn't just for the hair; it penetrates down to the skin, banishing that dreaded itch and helping prevent dryness. No more scratching like a caveman in public—your beard will be as smooth as you.
• Softens and Smooths: By conditioning each strand, beard cream makes even the coarsest beards feel softer, smoother, and way more touchable. You'll be amazed at the difference.
• Adds Light Hold: If you've got a few wild hairs that never behave, beard cream offers a light hold, keeping everything in place without feeling heavy or greasy. It's the perfect balance for a groomed but natural look.
• Leaves a Subtle Scent: Most beard creams come with a refreshing, subtle fragrance, keeping your beard smelling great without overwhelming the senses.

With beard cream's lighter texture, it won't provide the same kind of hold as a beard balm. However, it's much easier to massage deep into your beard. Nor will it run down your hand – for people who prefer a slightly thicker consistency than beard oil. 

Does Beard Cream Support Growth?

Yes and no. Beard cream isn't some magical elixir that promises to sprout beard hair faster than you say "Merlin's beard!" (Although our own concoction is pretty magical!) You won't see more growth than you otherwise would – at least not at first.

The link between beard cream and growth is more indirect. Beards can become patchy and less thick if the underlying skin isn't supported. Endlessly itching and picking at your beard damages the hair follicles, increasing the risk of beard loss (the horror!). By supporting and nourishing the skin and hair follicles, it minimizes the potential loss of beard hair and ensures that you'll continue to grow thick, healthy hair for years to come.

Even the hairs themselves will be stronger. Imbued with more oil and moisture, these hairs are more flexible and elastic. You won't see broken and split ends. Instead, the hairs can withstand greater stretching and tension before breaking. So, if you are guilty of fiddling and twisting your beard hair, you won't cause as much damage as usual. 

Beard Cream vs Oil: Which One Should You Choose?

Dogs or cats? Fries with ketchup or fries with mayo? Folded socks or rolled socks? These are the great questions of our time. But now there's one more: beard cream vs beard oil? 

Beard oils are something of the default within the beard community (or the beard brigade, as we prefer to call it). Simple to use and with proven results, it's the standard solution to beard itch, flaky skin, and dry beard hair. Beard balms, on the other hand, contain a healthy dose of beeswax, letting you shape an unruly beard into your desired shape.

So, where do beard creams fit into the mix?

Well, as before, it's something of a Goldilocks product. If you hate the oiliness of beard oil and don't want the rigidity of a beard balm, then a beard cream is a balance of both. It's just as easy to work into the beard hair as any oil and delivers the same results. But you'll get a bit more structure to your style. Shea butter is relatively thick in consistency, yet it absorbs quickly into your skin.

Plus, most beard creams contain several nourishing carrier oils. For example, we include pure jojoba oil, virgin argan oil, and apricot kernel oil as part of our handmade beard creams. These ingredients provide the same benefits as regular beard oil, just with a slightly thicker texture. 

Picking the Best Beard Cream

Finding the best beard cream can feel like a quest for the Holy Grail. Search online or in-store, and you'll find so many products promising unbelievable results. But don't worry – we're here to make it simple.

1. What's your Goal?

First things first: what are you using beard cream for? What do you want to achieve? Most people turn to beard oils, for example, to soften and nourish their beard hair. The question is, why are you more interested in beard cream?

Maybe you want to tame unruly hair, soothe dry skin, or just add a touch of fragrance. Knowing what you're after makes it a lot easier to decide between the competition. 

2. Look at the Ingredients List

The list of ingredients is the most important part of any beard cream. If it's got more ingredients than a witch's cauldron, it's a recipe for disaster – especially if some of those ingredients are clearly synthetic. Your beard skin deserves the best – a beard cream that won't irritate your skin or cause more damage than it solves.

Look for natural oils like argan or jojoba and superstar moisturizers like shea butter. But it's not just about the ingredients, but where they come from. (We carefully select all our beard cream ingredients to ensure they're natural and chemical-free. Our shea butter is naturally refined.) The more processed the product, the more irritating it often is. 

Often, the biggest irritants are the fragrances. Once again, avoid products loaded with chemicals or synthetic fragrances. It might smell great, but it's not suitable for everyday usage. 

Texture matters, too! The best beard creams have a creamy, non-greasy consistency that absorbs easily without leaving residue. You want a product that's lightweight enough for daily wear but still provides hold and moisture throughout the day.

3. Think About the Scent

Picking the best beard cream is a little like shopping for aftershave (only for men with beards). It provides a delightful scent. You might not think a lot about your scent style – it matters. Consider your overall style – your scent should match and mirror what you enjoy. 

Maybe you prefer the aromatic aroma of sandalwood or hints of bergamot and oak. Or maybe you're about fresh, spring-like scents. 

Here at Beard Sorcery, we offer almost a dozen different scents, from the earthy scents of Dwarven Artificer to the fresh and refreshing aroma of Storm Warden. We only use beard-safe botanicals that aren't tested on animals. Oh, and every batch of beard cream was made by hand in Colorado. 

Of course, if you've got really sensitive skin, you might skip the scents altogether. Unscented beard creams offer all the benefits without the musk – perfect for the Silent Assassin. 

Become a Legend with our Beard Creams

Ready to take your beard from "just okay" to downright legendary? Our beard creams are crafted to keep every strand in check while deeply nourishing the skin underneath. Think of it as the ultimate beard care essential, packed with high-quality ingredients to combat dryness, soften coarse hair, and even add a subtle, fresh scent. Plus, no more beard itch—just a smooth, touchable texture you can feel good about.

Whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned beard grower, we've got a cream that'll fit your vibe. Beard Sorcery's collection offers options tailored for every beard length, style, and need. Find your go-to formula, and watch your beard go from scruffy to polished with just a few applications.