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We bring you another product from the range of cosmetics designed for men. This time it is a softening beard balm that helps to nourish and soften the beard and chin. As this product does not contain any water-based ingredients, there is no need to use an emulsifier, so there is no need to worry about creating a stable emulsion and the product is all the easier to prepare.
For beard care, a combination of vegetable oils, shea butter, beeswax giving a thick consistency and Vegeline - a vegetable petroleum jelly providing a protective film on the beard - has been selectedand skin.
Below you will find some tips to help you make your beard balm.When heating phase A, it is a good idea not to exceed 70 °C to avoid the more sensitive substances in the oils decomposing or oxidising quickly. It is better to heat at a lower temperature and give the mixture enough time for the individual ingredients to melt and combine.It is important that the mixture is thoroughly cooled and hardened. Otherwise you will not be able to whip the mixture to a fluffy consistency. At the same time, a small amount of heat is generated when whisking, so the oils will combine well with the other ingredients. At the same time, always add the Phase B ingredients to the cooled mixture while whisking. Adding them while heating would cause thermal degradation - essential oils and vitamin E (tocopherol) together are sensitive to higher temperatures.When using, it is a good idea to avoid water penetration into the product. Water can lead to the development of microbial contamination as the beard balm does not contain a preservative. The preservative has not been added because the product consists of only non-aqueous ingredients, and so without the presence of water there is little chance of microorganisms causing significant spoilage of the product.It is also advisable to store the product in an opaque container away from sources of heat and sunlight, as it is the higher temperatures and UV rays that promote accelerated oxidation of the oils and fats in beard balm.
When making beard balm, you do not necessarily have to follow our instructions. By changing the ratio of some of the ingredients, you can adjust the consistency of the product to suit your needs. Or play around with essential oils to give the product just your favourite scent.
Vegeline vegetable petroleum jelly is an alternative to classic paraffin petroleum jelly. With a purely plant-based base consisting of oils and waxes, Vegeline will be a great addition to any balms or thicker creams. Plus, in a beard balm, it helps to form a protective layer on the skin and beard, protecting it from the elements while softening it.By changing the amount of Vegeline in the recipe, you can also affect the final consistency of the product. For example, increasing the proportion of Vegeline will give you a thicker consistency characteristic of highly nourishing balms. Conversely, if you want a more fluid and easier to spread product, replace some of the Vegeline with vegetable oils.
The blend of vegetable oils in the beard balm formula brings hydration to the skin and beard, as well as vitamins and nutrients. By increasing the proportion of oils in the recipe at the expense of butter, wax or Vegeline, you get a balm with a smoother consistency closer to a cream. Conversely, the fewer oils you use, the thicker the beard balm will be. You can also substitute the oils in the beard balm recipe with any other vegetable oil or blend of oils you prefer.Almond oil is a great base carrier oil for many types of cosmetics. It contains vitamin A and E and thus nourishes the skin. In addition, it is great for dry or sensitive and irritated skin as it is well tolerated by many skin types. Hemp oil is sought after for its quick absorption into the skin. This is why it does not leave behind a greasy film, and is also rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. It helps to moisturise both beard and skin well, and is especially useful if you have acne-prone or oily skin. Fractionated coconut oil is extracted from traditional coconut oil by selecting fractions which makes this oil liquid even in normal temperatures. Because it is colorless and odorless, it combineswonderfully with essential oils and other oil-based ingredients. Due to refining, it has an almost unlimited shelf life and does not easily undergo oxidation, therefore helping to improve the durability of products. Like hemp oil, coconut oil is quickly absorbed and does not leave behind a greasy film.
Shea butter gives the beard balm its pleasant creamy consistency. If you reach for the unrefined version, you can also smell the subtle nutty scent of this butter in the product. If you don't like this scent, choose the unrefined version. The advantage of shea butter is that it gradually melts on contact with the skin, so it gently and gradually re-oils, softens and nourishes the beard.If you want a product with a more gel-oily consistency, reduce the shea butter content and replace it with vegetable oils. If you like products with a thicker consistency and a higher proportion of this butter, add a few percent at the expense of oils to achieve the desired texture and viscosity.Substitution with other vegetable butters is possible, but will result in a change in consistency as each vegetable butter has a different melting point and hardness.
One of the most common thickeners, cetearyl alcohol, was used to firm and compact the product. The advantage of this fatty alcohol is that it dissolves in fats when heated and has wax-like properties, thus giving the product hardness and strength. Even a small change in the amount of cetearyl alcohol will affect the overall consistency of the product. At the same time, it is possible to replace this alcohol with cetyl alcohol. Alternatively, you can use cetearyl alcohol instead of beeswax if you are looking for a vegan alternative. However, count on a small change in viscosity.
Beeswax is what gives the beard balm its nourishing properties and characteristic consistency. The refined version is devoid of colour and the typical scent, but it is also possible to replace this wax with natural beeswax or vegetable waxes.If you want a product that will be thicker, and at the same time will partly help to shape and fix the beard, increase the proportion of beeswax in the recipe at the expense of oils. Conversely, if you feel the product is too oily, cut back on the amount of beeswax.
A blend of plant essential oils has been used to conjure up a pleasant men's fragrance that mimics wood and leather. A combination of vetiver and sandalwood forms the base of the fragrance, while patchouli, black pepper and thyme are great middle notes complemented by a subtle citrusy hint of lemongrass as a top note.However, this isn't the only combination of oils that can be used in a beard balm. You can combine your favourite essential oils and mix your own blend, either with regards to scent or the active ingredients of the essential oils for beard growth.Alternatively, it is also possible to substitute essential oils with fragrance oils, but these are synthetic and so do not contain plant extracts. Or prepare an unscented version.
Vitamin E, or tocopherol, not only nourishes the skin and beard, but helps to prolong the freshness of the oils and fats used in lip balm. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and so slows down the oxidation of the oils and fats present. Tocopherol is not a necessary part of the recipe, but it is a good one to use if you want to enjoy your productfor as long as possible. Alternatively, you can replace it with tocopheryl acetate with similar properties.
As mentioned, you can experiment with homemade recipes to achieve the desired properties. However, many factors such as humidity, temperature, quality of ingredients and storage can affect the final result. Before using any raw material to make a cosmetic product, familiarize yourself with its properties, recommended dosage, storage conditions or safe handling. Any raw material may have the potential to cause an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals, so before using a product, we recommend that you find out if you suffer from an allergy to any of the raw materials or the overall product, e.g. by a skin test. If you have very sensitive or very acne-prone skin, or other skin and health problems, we recommend that you consult a medical professional before applying a new product to your skin, whether it is a homemade cosmetic product, a pure raw material or a commercially available product.
Do you have a beardie at home who needs a little extra care for his beard? Try making him a beard balm according to our instructions. Have you made one? Write to us about it, tell us about your experience and if you have any advice from your own experience, be sure to drop us a line at marketing@handymade.skWe'll look forward to hearing from all of you.
Thank you to Ivana Yacalova for the great tutorial on making beard balm.
