As you might already know, your beard is not just a close companion but also quite a reminder. Whether you had a bagel and cheese for breakfast, or simply took the train to work, your beard will make sure you won’t easily forget about it. This is why, along with obvious hygienic reasons, is why washing your beard is such an essential part of your beard maintenance. Washing your beard properly also keeps your pores clean and clear, which promotes hair growth. Here are some things you to know, if you want to do it right.
Frequency
As men, we have naturally oily skin, so washing your face every day is a good idea. But as for your beard, unless you work outdoors, or exercise often, 2-3 times a week is enough. You shouldn’t wash your beard on a daily basis, since it will strip the natural oils that keep your hair shiny and happy. At the rest of the week, wash your beard with plain water.
Water Temperature
Don’t use hot water. It will dry your hair follicles and may interrupt hair growth. Lukewarm water is the best option. It opens up the pores and stimulates blood circulation, without drying your hair. Cold water will close your pores, so you can use it only as a final step.
Soap or shampoo
Both your beard and facial skin need care. A simple bar soap is too aggressive and will strip the oils from your beard, and a store brand shampoo might be good for your hair but not for your facial skin, which is much more delicate than your sculp. The best option is a wash that is designed both for beard and skin.
Technique
Make sure you clean more than beard hair edges. Use your fingertips and deeply massage the soap into your beard. If you are still growing your beard, better scrub harder. It stimulates the hair follicles and encourages hair growth.
Drying
Dry your beard gently by dabbing it with a towel. Leaving water on your skin and hair can dry it out, because most tap water contains hard minerals. If you want to use a dryer, avoid damaging your beard and skin by keeping the heat on a cold-medium setting and the fan at a low or medium strength.
No matter how long your beard is, it shouldn’t be fuzzy or scruffy. And for a good looking and shiny beard, you need good beard oil. Beard oil is not just a trend, as men used oil to nourish their beards since ancient history. But how does it affect your beard? Here is a list of the benefits:
Hydration
Hydration is the basic need of both your skin and hair. Without hydration they will get dry and look dull. Drinking water is a great start to hydrate your skin and hair from within. However, a hot or a cold weather also dry and damage your beard and facial skin. Beard oil hydrates and protects them from the outside conditions, ensuring your beard looks healthy and shiny.
Softening
Beard hair, like all body hair, has a much coarser texture and is thicker than the hair on your sculp. These coarse hairs can lead to irritating itching, especially at the early stages of growing beard. Another problem is the uncomfortable feeling your partner might have, if your beard is prickly. Beard oil is the ultimate conditioning agent for your beard. It softens the hair and skin and since it stays on your beard, it enables a long lasting effect.
Styling
Beard oil helps to tame your beard and keep it under control. It doesn’t style or shape it like beard cream, but softens and make your beard easier to brush and handle.
Flake free
Beard dandruff, which is the flaking of the skin, is quite common. Dry or cold weather, tension and yeast that live in the skin are the main reasons for that uncomfortable phenomenon. Beard oil nourishes both beard and skin with hydration and calms itching skin, therefore helps to get rid of the flakes and keep the beard healthy.
Smell
Your beard can be quite smelly after eating, exercising, smoking, taking a train – basically living. Beard oil is a life changer in that sense. It comes in various scents and ensures you smell great at all times and situations.
So you’ve waited so patiently for your beard to grow and now you realize that there are some not very sexy/uninvited companions that tend to come along with it: Dry skin, itching, dandruff, tangles and of course the smell… Sounds terrifying? Actually it’s just nature’s smart way to remind you that your beard and skin needs some care and attention.
Don’t worry, we are not going to recommend a hard or demanding beard care routine, but there are some ground rules you should follow if you want to avoid nasty side effect and keep your beard happy and beautiful:
Hydration:
Well this, my friend, is more like basic survival. Your body needs to be hydrated so you must drink enough water, all year long. And if you stay hydrated, your skin and hair will be hydrated, and that’s a really good start. However, in the heat, hair tends to get dry easily, so you can use beard oil or beard cream to keep it moisturized.
Washing:
Keep in mind that your beard is essentially hair, and as such, you better wash it regularly to keep it clean, and nice smelling. 3-4 times a week is enough, as you want to keep its natural oils. Washing your beard keeps the pores clean and clear, which promotes hair growth. Pay attention that regular shampoo contains chemicals that harm your hair and may irritate your skin, so we recommend natural and delicate beard wash.
Drying:
This is something most men don’t do, but drying your beard is actually very important. Tap water usually consist of hard minerals that dry and hardens your hair. Leaving your hair wet means leaving those minerals on your hair. So unless you are used to wash your beard with mineral water, just dab it dry with a towel or hair dryer and you’re done.
Combing:
Doesn’t matter how long is your beard, you’ll need to comb it to avoid tangles and keeping it clean. Combing also helps you style your beard or at least keep it under control.
Oiling:
You might think it’s just a trend, but actually men used oil to nourish their beards since ancient history. Nowadays we have less time to master the making of our own oils and formulas. It hydrates and softens the beard, helping you to keep it clean and healthy. Beard oil will make all the difference between a beard and a great looking one.
Brushing your beard might sound unnecessary, or just too much of a hustle. But if
you don’t want to look too shabby, you’ll realize sooner than later, that combing is an
essential part of your grooming routine. WHY?
Combing Benefits
- Using a comb or brush on a daily basis eliminates tangles and knots
- Combing your beard removes loose hair and stimulates follicles, which
encourages healthier beard growth
- The comb helps applying oil or cream to the entire beard
- During the winter, combing your beard is especially important to calm stray
hairs and keep you from looking too scruffy
Combing Tools
- Wide teeth Comb – For longer beards, to help clearing out those tangles and
knots, without tearing lots of hair
- Fine teeth Comb – For fine hair beards, to help shape and maintain facial hair
- Small standard comb- For mustaches and shorter fine hair beards
- Natural hair bristle brush – a fine brush, cut in different lengths, to reach every
level of your beard. Some men find brushing a much more pleasant
experience
When to Comb?
- Don’t comb straight after showering. Combing a wet beard can cause serious
hair loss and breakage
- Don’t comb your beard after using a dryer. It can cause hair loss because the
heat weakens the hair roots
- The ideal time to comb your beard is when you apply beard oil or beard balm.
It’s easier to comb your beard with a moisturizer, since it insures all the hairs
will be covered and nourished, and your hands will stay clean
Tips
- Take your time and brush your beard slowly and gently. That way you’ll be
able to untangle knots with minimum hair loss and tear
- Brush your beard with the grain. Start from the tips and slowly go higher
towards your face. If you don’t like your natural growth, comb it from side to
center, so your beard will adjust its growth to your desired direction
