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Beard Brush vs Comb: Which is Good for Your Beard?

by  Kin Liu -  Last updated on January 20, 2022

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While it is common to compare your beard to others’ beards, remember, having a good-looking beard is not a coincidence at all.

Having a well-styled and maintained beard requires a good grooming routine and the right tools. Brushes and combs are essential for keeping your beard clean, maintained and free yourself from tangled hair.

We’ll take a deep look at the topic of beard brush vs. beard comb in this article while covering everything from the basics to when and how to best use each tool.

Without the proper grooming tools, your beard may accumulate dirt, become dry and coarse, develop ingrown hairs and knot to the point of needing a chop.

Basically, when you compare beard brush vs beard comb, they both are crucial for anybody with a beard and having the right tools for your specific beard will make all of the difference.

Beard Brush vs Beard Comb- The Difference.

Generally, combs are made to detangle while brushes are meant to help release natural oils and relax your beard.

That being said, when you compare beard brush vs beard comb, they come in many different shapes and sizes. To truly understand the differences between the two that is beard brush vs beard comb, you need to understand what they are made of and all the options available.

What is a Beard Brush?

A beard brush, quite simply, is a beard grooming tool that is made up of a handle, a body and bristles.

To the untrained eye, every beard brush can look exactly the same. However, the slightest change in materials or shape can make a huge difference to your grooming game.

A beard brush body and handle are generally made of the same material, usually a wood or plastic.

An important thing to consider when investing in a beard brush is the shape of the handle. A brush’s bristles have the ability to reach the skin beneath facial hair and pull away dead skin cells.

Beard Brush by ZilberHaar - Stiff Boar Bristles for Men's Grooming - Straightens and Promotes Growth - Works with Beard Oil and Balm - For Beard Kits - 6 inches long
  • Quality craftsmanship engineered in Germany. 100% natural boar bristles and pear wood.
  • Relieve Beard-Itch. Designed to exfoliate skin, promote growth and help remedy beard itch.
  • Straightens and softens beards naturally. Ideal for men with short to medium length beards.

Types of Beard Brushes

Brushes are generally offered in two shapes, oval ones which you hold in the palm of your hands or rectangular brushes which have extended handles. Which one is better really comes down to your preference.

High-quality brushes are generally made from wood or bamboo as these materials are durable, eco-friendly and expensive-looking.

While wood brushes are built to last, they are not made to interact with too much water, as water will slowly deteriorate the wood.

To clean out a wooden beard brush, you will need to ensure that only the bristles touch the water. Many people opt to dry clean their wooden brushes by using a smaller brush to clean out the gunk in the bristles.

Synthetic plastic beard brushes are usually significantly less expensive than wooden brushes on the market and can be washed under running water.

That being said, plastic products are not built to last as long as wooden ones, so you may need to replace your brush more often.

Though your beard brush handle and body is pretty important, the most necessary factor to consider with brushes is their bristles.

Beard brushes come with two types of bristles, either natural hair or synthetic materials.

Within the beard brush and facial hair grooming community, many debate which natural facial hair fiber is better between boar or horsehair.

Boar bristles tend to be stiffer, but still flexible enough that brushing your facial hair isn’t painful or aggressive.

Horse hairs are quite a bit gentler than boar and are made to evenly distribute sebum, which helps to tame your beard. Generally, a safe rule of thumb to follow is the longer and thicker your beard is, the longer your brush bristles need to be.

However, some believe that boar hair is better suited to those with thick, prone-to-tangling beards. Which one is better for your beard really comes down to personal preference.

Synthetic bristles are available at a variety of price points, though they generally tend to be less expensive than natural hair bristles.

The advantages of synthetic bristles are that they are animal-friendly and that they can be specifically created for those with different beard hairs, lengths, and thicknesses.

On the other hand, synthetic bristles tend to be more aggressive than natural hair bristles which can cause more breakage. Some people do prefer a more aggressive brush though.

Beard Brush by ZilberHaar - Stiff Boar Bristles for Men's Grooming - Straightens and Promotes Growth - Works with Beard Oil and Balm - For Beard Kits - 6 inches long
Beard Brush by ZilberHaar - Stiff Boar Bristles for Men's Grooming - Straightens and Promotes Growth - Works with Beard Oil and Balm - For Beard Kits - 6 inches long
Quality craftsmanship engineered in Germany. 100% natural boar bristles and pear wood.; Relieve Beard-Itch. Designed to exfoliate skin, promote growth and help remedy beard itch.

What is a Beard Comb?

Beard combs made of a thin body, one side is covered in teeth and the other serves as a form of a handle. Generally, both the body and teeth will be made from the same material.

Likely the most raved-about material for combs, much like beard brushes is wood. While you can find wood combs at a variety of price points, the less expensive ones are more likely to develop splinters and snags which can damage your beard.

A high-quality wood comb will be durable, well crafted, sleek, and is beloved since it doesn’t cause any hair static.

Wooden Beard Comb & Case, Dual Action Fine & Coarse Teeth, Perfect for use with Balms and Oils, Top Pocket Comb for Beards & Mustaches by Viking Revolution
  • Find Out What You’re Missing – Find out for yourself, why others are saying this is the best comb they’ve ever come across! This dual sided comb gives the best grooming experience with both its fine and coarse teeth. No static or pulls and great for taking out knots
  • Make Her Fall In Love All Over Again – Look and feel your best with a well-groomed beard. She’ll be sure to notice who the king of the jungle is. Works great for any type of beard, long, short, thick or thin.
  • Command Attention When You Walk Into The Room – Look and feel like a million bucks! A well-groomed beard will give you the confidence to conquer the world. Comes with a case that makes it easy to carry around without the risk of damaging.

Types of Beard Combs

Combs come in two synthetic materials; cellulose acetate and plastic. While there are some good plastic combs available, most are poorly-made, cheap, and produce a lot of static.

Your beard comb is not something you want to skimp out on as a bad beard comb can actually damage your beard, more than most may realize.

Cellulose acetate on the other hand, is a rubber-like, durable material that is held in a very high regard in the beard comb community. Cellulose acetate combs are loved as they won’t produce static or snag your hairs and function quite similarly to wood.

Combs come in two other materials, ox horns and metal. Most beard experts would advise you to avoid metal beard combs at all costs as they can often be more harm than good on your beard.

Ox horn combs tend to be quite expensive and for good reason, they do not produce static and are built to last.

The material you choose for your combs mostly comes down to your price range and preferences. That being said, combs are usually made quite durable and will make a world of a difference on your beard, so they are usually a worthy investment.

The other factor to consider with combs is the beard comb teeth’s width. The width of the teeth refers to the space between each tooth.  combs come in two general widths, narrow and wide, and the one that is best suited to you really comes down to your hair thickness and texture.

If your beard is thick and coarse, wider teeth may be the best option as they are made to let through thick areas of hair without pulling or pain.

Use Both: When to Use a Comb and a Brush

For the most part, a beard comb and brush isn’t an either or situation. These two products are meant to be used together.

A beard comb is most effective when your beard is wet, so the best time is right after a shower. Usually, a beard comb is only necessary once you have at least three months of beard growth as this is when you will first need detangling.

That being said, a beard comb is useful for all when it comes time to trim your beard. If you use any beard oil or other products, it is best for you beard if you apply it to just before you begin combing. Brushing your beard or Combing it with a beard balm or a beard oil can actually help the brush slide smoothly throughout the beard or you can also use a beard comb which will evenly spread over the beard. Beard oil or a beard balm is best for your beard.

If you have a shorter beard, you may actually only need a beard brush, though having both on hand doesn’t hurt. As a beard brush is made to help distribute the natural oil in your beard, many choose to use it when their beard is coarse or dry-feeling, though others will use their brush following combing.

Benefits of Using a Comb or a Brush

The advantages of a beard brush is that they are quite a bit gentler than using a beard comb. As brushes help distribute natural oil, they help to encourage your beard’s growth, uniformity and overall health. Continuous use of a beard brush will help to train your beard and give you some control in how it grows.

A beard comb is basically essential for detangling your beard. Every medium-length or long beard will naturally tangle and to avoid having to chop knotted sections, a comb needs to be a regular practice.

Combs are beneficial as they help you keep your beard clean by allowing a thorough wash of hairs that may not get reached otherwise. The other advantages of a beard comb is that they will help remove ingrown hairs and remove frizz and static.

Conclusion

Your beard requires just as much, if not more, care than the hair on your head. While it may seem easier to skip out on beard care, the long term ramifications will most likely make keeping your beard impossible. A brush or comb might help in styling your beard perfectly, giving you a quality beard look.

We hope we have mentioned all the necessary differences and hope we have given the right information to help you choose between a beard brush vs beard comb.

A lack of beard grooming will not allow for your beard’s natural oils to distribute throughout, which is what prevents breakage, split ends and dry hair. Skipping your grooming will also promote knotting, ingrown hair growth, tangling and dirtiness.

Overall, beard care is essential and the only way to properly care for your beard is with the right equipment. A beard brush or comb is a crucial tool for anybody who is bearded.

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Last update on 2024-11-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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