The first rule of Beard Club? You take care of your beard. Period. From brushing and washing to balms and oils, there are many ways to keep your facial hair healthy and nourished. Your beard isn’t a pet rock or a cactus: you can’t just expect it to flourish on it’s own. Don’t know where to start? Here are 20 tips to help you grow, shape, and groom your beard into the best it can be. And everyone knows: if a beard is thriving, the man must be, too.
1. Take care of your skin.
You can’t have a healthy beard without healthy skin. That means keeping your skin moisturized and exfoliated to prevent ingrown hairs and razor burn. If you're prone to acne or have sensitive, oily, or dry skin, this is also essential for keeping your beard growing like a champ.
2. Keep it hydrated.
Is your beard looking dry or scraggly? It's parched, man! Keep it hydrated to reduce flaking and itchiness, two pesky things usually caused by shaving. Hydration also aids in faster hair growth and adds shine to your beard.
3. Shampoo, condition, and deep condition regularly
A clean beard is a happy beard. Regularly washing and conditioning your beard makes sure it's dandruff-free and nourished. Depending on your beard's texture, you may only need to wash it every other day or every few days. Either way, keep it regular.
4. Find the right brush.
It may not seem like it, but your beard goes through a lot every day. Brushes can help keep your beard clean, and regular brushing can even train your beard follicles to grow in a desired direction. So make sure you have a trusty beard brush in your shaving arsenal.
5. Keep it trimmed properly.
Even if you're growing your beard out, trimming is essential. Regular trimming takes care of flyaways, split ends, dryness, and anything else that gives your beard an untidy look. Invest in a good pair of scissors, and inspect your beard every day for any patch that needs a good trim.
6. Grow your beard to fit your face shape.
Sure, you've checked yourself out in the mirror, but do you know your face shape? This is crucial for knowing the best beard shape that suits you. Oval face? You can probably get away with a variety of styles, whereas rectangular faces work best with long beards and triangular faces can rock shorter beards. Study your face shape, and then get to work!
7. Don't over-trim your mustache.
Like we said, trimming is important, but too much trimming might be too much of a good thing, especially when it comes to your mustache. Keep it symmetrical, but other than that, don't go overboard, or you'll be left with a thin 'stache and a full beard. Not a good look.
8. Maintain even growth from both sides of your chin.
Having a consistent trimming and shaving routine will ensure that your facial hair grows evenly and avoids that awful patchy fate of so many doomed beards. Make sure you're working with premium shaving tools to ensure that each trim and shave gets it right every time.
9. Exfoliate regularly.
Exfoliating makes sure the skin supporting your beard is free of dry or dead skin, and it's also good for unclogging pores and preventing ingrown hairs. The catch? You don't want to exfoliate too much, as that can be harsh on the skin. Two to three times a week, tops, should be good enough.
10. Keep it clean with beard oil or wax.
Beard oils and waxes work wonders when it comes to keeping your beard nourished and frizz-free. They can also help restore dry, flaky, or irritated skin. Best of all? They usually come with amazing smells that will make your beard hard to resist.
11. Eat healthy.
Did you know a healthy diet can also stimulate beard growth? If you maintain a nutritious, balanced diet that includes zinc, healthy fats, vitamins, iron, healthy fats, and protein, you're on the right path to healthy hair growth.
12. Don't skip shaving.
If you're going to shave, keeping up a regular schedule is key for keeping away dead skin and maintaining hydration. Shaving with proper aftershave will also ensure you're free of razor bumps and razor burn -- a win, win for all.
13. Use a good face wash.
Having a daily skincare routine doesn't have to be complicated. If you have a cleansing, vitamin-rich face wash, you're already off to a good start. Daily face washing ensures the skin supporting your beard is purified and refreshed.
14. Don't shave against the grain.
You've heard it time and again, and that's because it's true! Shaving against the grain increases the risk of irritated skin and razor burn. Next time you're about to shave, run your fingers over your stubble to determine your hair growth direction and let that lead your razor for a smooth, healthy shave
15. Give your skin some air.
Face masks have become a regular part of our daily lives, and by constantly covering our faces, your skin may be irritated or dry. Make sure to give your skin some air after prolonged mask wearing and regularly change out disposable masks to ensure their quality.
16. Watch out for environmental factors.
Check the weather each morning not just for your wardrobe choices -- but for your beard too. Humid weather often leads to frizzy, tangled facial hair, while windy, cold weather can leave your beard dry and itchy. Prepare in advance by hydrating and moisturizing accordingly.
17. Take care of frizziness and flyaway hairs.
Don't let a frizzy or unruly beard get you down. If you're wrestling with flyaways and the like, a good beard balm will help you restore, mold, and shape your facial hair as needed. And an added bonus? It even helps prevent beard dandruff.
18. Rinse with cold water after shaving.
Post-shave, cold water is your best friend. Rinsing with cold water helps to constrict open pores, and it will also do double duty to relieve any minor nicks on your face. So next time you're done shaving, cut your skin some slack with a healthy splash of cold water.
19. Use quality products.
You can be blessed with amazing genes and luxurious facial hair, but if you're using subpar products, you're playing a dangerous game, brother. Treat your beard to the best with natural, vitamin-enriched products and barber-level shaving tools. Your beard will thank you.
20. Style and flaunt it.
Last but not least, show your beard off! Feeling fancy? Whip out the mustache wax and style your ‘stache and beard to the nines. Best of all, these handy products also do double duty to prevent drying, flaking, and itchiness.
