Facial hair requires its own particular care and maintenance. Without extra moisture, the skin underneath can become itchy, flaky, and dry. Beard oil and balms help promote healthy facial skin, as well as keeping beards soft and full.
This Whisky Beard Balm is incredibly easy to make. The majority of the balm is comprised of our Beard Oil Base, which contains luxurious hair-loving oils like jojoba oil, argan oil, and fractionated coconut oil. A dash of yellow beeswax is added to turn the liquid into a solid balm that also gives the beard a bit of structure. It’s a firmer beard balm compared to some. If you prefer a softer product, reduce the beeswax.
The balm is scented with new Scotch Whisky Fragrance Oil. It’s not a straight whisky scent, as it also has notes of vanilla, cedarwood, and musk. It’s a complex unisex fragrance oil that you won’t want to stop smelling.
Whisky Beard Balm DIY
What You Need:
5 Candle Tins
3.5 oz. Yellow Beeswax
16 oz. Beard Oil Base
0.3 oz. Scotch Whisky Fragrance Oil
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Find the supplies you need for this project below
ONE: In a medium heat-safe container, combine the yellow beeswax and Beard Oil Base. Place in the microwave and heat using 60 second bursts until the beeswax is completely melted. Be careful removing the container, as it will be quite hot.
TWO: Add the Scotch Whisky Fragrance Oil and stir to fully combine.
THREE: Carefully pour the mixture into the candle tins until completely full. In our tests this recipe makes five candle tins if filled to the very top. Allow the mixture to fully cool and harden for several hours.
To use, swirl your fingers in the balm to warm it and then work through the beard, starting at the roots and working to the end. A little goes a long way. Apply once a day, or when facial hair is feeling a little dry.
- Five Candle Tins
- 3.5 oz. Yellow Beeswax
- 16 oz. Beard Oil Base
- 0.3 oz. Scotch Whisky Fragrance Oil
- In a medium heat-safe container, combine the yellow beeswax and Beard Oil Base. Place in the microwave and heat using 60 second bursts until the beeswax is completely melted. Be careful when removing the container, as it will be quite hot.
- Add the Scotch Whisky Fragrance Oil and stir to fully combine.
- Carefully pour the mixture into the candle tins until completely full. In our tests this recipe makes five candle tins if filled to the very top. Allow the mixture to fully cool and harden for several hours.
- To use, swirl your fingers in the balm to warm it and then work through the beard, starting at the roots and working to the end. A little goes a long way. Apply once a day, or when facial hair is feeling a little dry.
I made the whiskey beard balm, according to the recipe, for my son. He LOVES the scent and how it makes his beard feel. He has one request… Could it be a little softer? Is it possible to remelt and add fractionated coconut oil?
Yes, you can make this balm softer by adding in more of a liquid oil like the Fractionated Coconut Oil you mentioned or more Beard Oil Base.
https://www.brambleberry.com/shop-by-product/ingredients/bases/beard-oil-base/V900039.html
You can try melting down the balm you made and add more of a liquid oil in to make your finished balm softer.
Thank you!
I tired this recipe. But, my son said it’s too oily for his taste. Can I use tapioca powder to moderate some of the oil?
You can definitely try using some Tapioca Powder or Arrowroot Powder to help cut the oily feel. Though we haven’t tried that in a beard balm so I’m not 100% sure how it would transfer to a beard.
Arrowroot Powder: https://www.brambleberry.com/Arrowroot-Powder-P3706.aspx
I followed your recipe for holiday gifts, but a friend asked me what type of hold is this beard balm? Do you know? Thank you
It’s a firmer beard balm compared to some. If your friend prefers a softer product, reduce the beeswax.
Hello there are very good recipes for the beard. Please personally I like to work more with Essential Oils. Please that Sinergia recommends me essential oils for the beard, either for the oil or for the balm.
You can use essential oils in this recipe instead of fragrance.
Essential Oils: https://www.brambleberry.com/Essential-Oils-C157.aspx
I bought the beard oil base…and it’s great! Now I want to use it for beard balm. If I don’t have beeswax, now much shea and cocoa butter could I use to harden it up a little?
I recommend starting with a small test batch and adding the butters slowly till you get the consistency you want. You can use the spoon trick to test how the balm is turning out. To do that, place a couple of spoons in the freezer and dip them into your balm. That way you can see what kind of texture your balm will have.
The spoon trick: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/spoon-trick/
I want to switch the beeswax for Shea butter and avocado butter , is that possible? If so how much should I use?
It is possible, but the beeswax makes the balm harder. So, if you replace it with shea butter and avocado butter, it will be softer and pretty similar to a body butter. I recommend making a small test batch to see how you like it.
What combination and ratio of oils, beeswax and butters would you suggest I use if I don’t have the beard oil base from brambleberry?
Thanks
You can use the same amount of beeswax this recipe calls for. The Beard Oil Base is made up of about 57% fractionated coconut oil, 19.5% sweet almond oil, 12% argan oil, 8.5% jojoba oil, 2% aloe extract, and 0.8% vitamin E oil.
You can use the same percentages or you can add any lightweight oils you like to the balm.
How do you calculate scent for these? They beard balms are not part of the fragrance calculator.
For Beard Oil we recommend using our Fragrance Calculator on the ‘Lotion’ setting starting with the Low recommendation.
Fragrance Calculator: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx
So, I made this last night. I put the lids on the tins about 4 hours later. My husband says it is too oily as it turns to oil almost immediately. Is is supposed to be oily? I wanted it to have some hold to it. Did I put the lids on too soon? Is there any way to get it harder?
I think I figured out my issue. I think I reduced the bees wax unintentionally by .5 Oz. He did say it was great when he used it and he really likes it. Can I remelt it and add the extra bees wax?
Yes, you can reheat the balm and add more beeswax, that works just fine.
This balm is designed to be softer. If you prefer a harder balm, you can remelt it and add more beeswax. Start with about .5 oz. Dip a cold spoon in the melted balm and test the consistency. If you want more, you can add from there.
Learn more about the spoon trick here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/spoon-trick/
If I wanted to add a bit of shea butter to this recipe how much would you recommend I add?
It depends on your personal preference – you can start with about 1 ounce. Dip a cold spoon in the melted balm and test the consistency. If you want more, you can add from there.
Learn more about the spoon trick here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/spoon-trick/
Shea butter: https://www.brambleberry.com/Shea-Butter-P3220.aspx
I was trying to use the fragrance calculator because I wanted to try a different scent but it doesn’t seem to be working and when I attempt to go directly to it, it keeps telling me that the page I want can not be found
I just checked and it’s working on my end. Does this link work for you: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx
Can I use the tobacco and bay leaf oil instead of the whiskey oil for this recipe?
Yes, that will smell really nice. You can use our Fragrance Calculator to find out how much to add: http://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx
Tobacco and Bay Leaf Fragrance Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Tobacco-Bay-Leaf-Fragrance-Oil-P5801.aspx
I am so glad I tryed this recipe my husband totally loving this and I am in love with the fragrance thanks again for another wonderful recipe.
So glad to hear you and your husband are enjoying this recipe Colleen, thanks for saying so.
Loved the recipe but all of them had large cracks the next morning. Just didn’t look all that great. Everything was weighed so the recipe was followed exactly. So did I get it too hot or what changes would you suggest?
Thanks!!!!
Cracks are usually temperature related. If there are temperature fluctuations or the beeswax cools too quickly, it can pull away from the side of the container or crack on top. To prevent that, you can heat your container before pouring the beeswax in. Pouring when the mixture is around 145-150F is ideal. It also helps to keep your candle in a warm room with a consistent temperature, like the kitchen.
If you still get that cracking, hit the top with a heat gun for a few seconds. That will even the top out, and will work for any bumps or divots too.
Thanks!!
Ahh – Ha! Using a heat gun will help fill in the divots when I make beeswax votives! Thank you so much for the information! There’s no telling what we might find when we read the comments!
What other Oil can you use in place of the beard oil if you want to use it for your skin as a balm?
You can use any oils you like in this balm. Argan, sweet almond, and avocado are good options because they’re lightweight and absorb quickly into the skin. If you want a heavier and more moisturizing option, olive oil works well.
Argan oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Argan-Oil-P5574.aspx
Sweet almond oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sweet-Almond-Oil-P3205.aspx
Avocado oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Avocado-Oil-P3198.aspx
Olive oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Olive-Oil-Pure-P5246.aspx
Could you use pure grapeseed oil that you cook with?
As long as that grapeseed oil is pure and doesn’t have any additives you should be able to use it in this recipe. You may want to contact the manufacturer just to be sure it’s skin safe.
The instructions call for .3 ounces of scent, but the cart add only gives you .2. Which is correct?
The cart adds 2 ounces of fragrance (not .2), so you’ll have leftovers to use for future products.
If I were to substitute candelilla wax to make this product vegan, how much would you suggest decreasing the measurement to in order to maintain a softer balm? I think the candelilla wax is slightly harder than beeswax; is that correct? Maybe 2.5 oz instead of 3.5? Or would you recommend using EcoSoya Advanced Soy Wax instead? Thank you!
The hardness of candelilla wax is similar to beeswax, personally I find it’s a bit softer (or just has more of a slip). Before you get started making this balm, place a few spoons in the freezer. Then, start with the 2.5 oz. of candelilla wax and dip the cold spoon in. It will harden instantly and you can check the consistency. If you want it more firm, add more candelilla wax from there.
Learn more about the spoon trick here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/spoon-trick/
Candelilla wax: https://www.brambleberry.com/Candelilla-Wax-P4207.aspx
I’m curious about whether this could work for women as a styling balm product? With a different scent of course!
Absolutely, this balm works well for hair too. You can use whatever scent you like, find out how much to use with our Fragrance Calculator: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx
If you like, you can also use it as a balm for the skin – I love it on my elbows.
Awesome, thanks!