Sweet Almond oil has a light texture and it can easily penetrate through the skin cells, therefore it is able to dislodge debris and dirt that has accumulated on (and under) the hair follicles and skin pores. Sweet Almond Oil is reasonably priced, and has a steady shelf life, thus a great choice for a carrier oil for any and all beard products
Argan Oil
Argan oil is most commonly used as a moisturizer to hydrate and soften skin and hair. With its high vitamin E and fatty acid content, Argan oil is the ideal product to beard follicles a natural boost. It absorbs easily and is non-greasy and non-irritating, which makes it a great choice for beard balm. The less greasy your beard balm is, the better. Nobody likes a greasy, oily cell phone after taking a call. Argan is expensive, but worth it. Even when used in small quantities, Argan adds an immense benefit to beard balm.
Apricot Kernel Oil
Apricot Kernel oil is rich in plant antioxidants as it is a good source of vitamins A and C but also have vitamins E, K, and even niacin. They have a huge mineral content including copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous and potassium. It has excellent softening and moisturizing properties that aid skin, scalp, and hair as it helps skin retain its elasticity and suppleness. This is a good choice for beard balm, however the price and shelf life might factor in.
Avocado Oil
The health benefits of avocado oil come from the presence of high quantity monounsaturated fats. Because of its lubricating nature, the oil coats all the strings of beard follicles, thus making it shinier and stronger. This is a great choice for beard balm, as it is priced affordably and has a steady shelf life.
Castor Oil
When used in small quantities, castor oil makes for a [very] shiny beard. Most of the glimmer you see from a beard that has just been doused in a quality beard balm will most likely come from castor. For me, Castor is a must. And, much like Argan oil, it doesn’t take much at all to make a lasting difference. Even as little as 5% in the overall carrier oil blend will add great benefit. Plus, it is inexpensive and has a very long shelf life.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is very effective in beard balm, as when cooled (generally), it will revert back into a solid or semi-solid state. This is perfectly suitable to balms. It melts in your hands for ease of application, and then can stiffen back up in the beard follicles, depending on the season.
Jojoba Oil
The crown jewel of all carrier oils for beards. Yes, it is incredibly expensive, but profoundly worth it in my opinion. Much like Castor and Argan, the benefits are through the roof, and it is non-greasy.
NATURAL SEALANTS
Shea Butter
Shea butter is a wonderful natural sealant. Reasonably priced considering the benefits, shea butter is an absolute must for beard balm (in my opinion). Though you are welcome to utilize refined shea butter, I actually prefer a more natural, unrefined Shea butter
Beeswax
Much like shea butter, I believe an essential ingredient in beard balm is beeswax. This wax is what is going to give your balm the hold it will need, and it supplies much needed vitamin A. It doesn’t take much beeswax to create a nice sealant for beard balm. I prefer the natural golden color that hasn’t been overly processed. I personally love the smell of natural beeswax and find it to be a compliment to any essential oil blend. If you plan on making a lot of balm, I would definitely recommend getting the pastilles as opposed to the blocks, as it will save you an immense amount of time.