Great advice from Scarf Face was given. I am glad that you plan to follow that. I must admit that I have never used a beard balm. I have only used oils, so I can not comment on the balms. I like the oil to keep the beard hairs pliable and healthy. I commonly use a hair tie in the lower end of my beard, and for me, with a big beard, this keeps my beard nice and tidy, so I do not need balms to keep it in place.