Keeping a Healthy Beard Starts With Great Skincare

Many people think that having facial hair is low maintenance, but growing a beard presents its own unique skincare concerns. Acne, dry skin, and ingrown hairs are the most common concerns held among beard owners. Do these skin irritations mean you shouldn’t have a beard? Not necessarily! Many of these issues can be solved with the right skincare.

Wondering how to prevent dry skin under your beard? Unsure about how often you should wash your beard or what to wash your beard with? We’re here to answer these questions and help you learn how to care for a beard properly to avoid common skin problems.

Dermatologist’s Tips for a Healthy Beard

Every dermatologist’s number one tip for a healthy beard is to wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Besides your daily face wash, dermatologists also recommend the following tips to keep your beard looking and feeling its best.

Properly Trimming Your Beard

Dermatologists suggest applying shaving cream or gel before trimming your beard to avoid irritation. You should also shave immediately after showering as the heat will soften your hair. Apply moisturizer or beard oil right after you shave to prevent dry skin.

Stop Touching Your Face and Stroking Your Beard

When you touch your face, you spread oil, dirt, and germs from one part of your face to another. Touching your face can lead to clogged pores and acne outbreaks. The same can happen when you stroke your beard. [DIY treatment for 5 common beard problems (aad.org)]

How to Take Care of the Skin Under the Beard

Proper skincare under your beard requires washing, moisturizing, and exfoliating, as well as regular trimming and treatment for recurring skin issues. Here’s how to do these things correctly.

Washing Daily

The first step in a good skincare routine is to wash your face. Washing your face will remove dead skin and extra oil from your pores. It’s important to wash your face twice daily with a facial cleanser rather than with soap or shampoo as this can irritate your skin causing acne. [DIY treatment for 5 common beard problems (aad.org)] But how do you wash your face with a beard? Try steaming the skin in a warm shower or with a hot washcloth to loosen the beard hairs and soften the skin underneath. [How to Take Care of Your Face Under That Majestic Beard (dollarshaveclub.com)] Use a gentle facial cleanser like our 1-Step Multi-Cleanse which helps support the skin’s barrier.

Moisturizing

The next step in a good skincare routine is to moisturize your beard and face. The skin beneath the beard can become itchy and dry if moisturizer isn’t applied. [A dermatologist's top tips for a healthy beard (aad.org)] Our 24/7 Barrier Balance Cream is the perfect moisturizer for the skin under your beard. After washing your face, lightly massage two pumps of cream onto your face. Use the Barrier Balance Cream twice daily for the best results.

Trimming and Shaving

If you want to grow out your beard, shaving isn’t an option for several weeks. However, even when growing your beard, it’s still important to trim it regularly. Trimming helps keep your beard clean and avoid split ends.

Preventing Bacterial Infection

When trimming your beard, be sure to use clean tools to prevent bacterial infection. Wash your razor guards and store them in a dry area after you shave. Make sure to also change your razor blade every five to seven shaves to reduce the risk of cuts that can lead to infection.

Preventing Ingrown Hairs

Shave in the direction of hair growth to prevent ingrown hairs, and don’t pull the skin while shaving. Using shaving cream and a sharp razor will also help you avoid ingrown hairs. [A dermatologist's top tips for a healthy beard (aad.org)

Exfoliate

Use a beard scrub to exfoliate the skin under your beard. Exfoliating removes dirt, dead skin, and other build-up in your pores. Make sure to be gentle while exfoliating, as using too much pressure can damage your beard’s hair follicles. You should aim to exfoliate your skin on a weekly basis.

Treat Ongoing Issues

If you have dandruff or dry skin under your beard, dermatologists recommend using a dandruff shampoo to wash your beard. Use a benzoyl peroxide wash and a gentle salicylic or glycolic acid scrub to treat acne.

Is Growing a Beard Good for the Skin?

Many men grow beards to amplify their facial features, but several experts believe there are more than just aesthetic benefits to growing a beard. These benefits include the following.

Protects Against UV Rays

Research shows that thick beards can offer up to 95% protection against harmful UV rays. If you have a beard, you can avoid sunburn and reduce your skin cancer risk. [Scientific Effects That Happen When A Man Grows A Beard (grunge.com)]

Prevents Acne

Beards can protect your face from bacteria and germs. With a well-maintained beard, your skin stays clean and keeps germs at bay.

Reduces Wrinkles

Because beards protect the skin from UV rays, they naturally prevent facial wrinkles.

Prevents Infection

Thick beards prevent unwanted bacteria from entering your skin. However, this only applies to beads that are well-maintained. Having a dirty beard increases your chance of infection.

Additional Skincare Tips for Men With Beards

Here are some additional tips for the best beard grooming practices.

What to Wash Your Beard With

Use a beard shampoo or mild cleanser to clean your beard. Avoid bar soap as it often contains harsh chemicals that can dry out the skin.

Make Sure to Moisturize

Moisturizing your beard should be a daily occurrence, even if you have oily skin. Make sure to apply a moisturizer after washing your beard. Using a moisturizer hydrates and protects your hair and the skin beneath it. [A dermatologist's top tips for a healthy beard (aad.org)]

Use Beard Oil

Beard oil encourages healthy beard growth. However, be sure to use beard oil sparingly, as using too much can make your beard look greasy.

Keep Your Tools Clean

Clean your trimming tools after each shave, and regularly clean your towel. Avoid sharing your tools with others to prevent infection.

Trim Your Beard

If you’re growing a full beard, be sure to still trim it every six to eight weeks. Trimming will prevent dry skin under your beard and split ends.

Don’t Use Alcohol-Based Aftershave

Avoid using alcohol-based aftershaves if you plan to shave your beard, as they can dry out your skin. Using an alcohol-based aftershave is especially bad skincare for sensitive skin.

Skincare for Beards Wrap-Up

Skincare under your beard may sound like a lot of work, but it can be easier with the help of the right routine. With DefenAge, you can create a quick and simple skincare routine that will keep the hair under your beard healthy. Try using the 150K Hair Follicle Scalp and Beard Serum which promotes sustainable health and wellness of the scalp and skin under the hair and beard. Learn more about how all of DefenAge’s rejuvenating products can help you achieve happier, healthier skin.