How to Care for Your Beard

You’ve grown a beard, so what’s next? How men care for their beard— “beard grooming”—is a key factor in whether it adds to or detracts from their appearance. We, at Paula’s Choice Skincare, have got the lowdown on beard maintenance, plus tips on how to get great results from beard products.

Beard Care Step 1: Cleansing

The first step in maintaining your beard is to cleanse it regularly. But don’t bother with a special beard shampoo! That’s because most beard shampoos for men are nearly identical to the shampoo you use to wash your hair! That means each time you lather up the hair on your head, simply lather up your beard, too!

To avoid irritating the skin beneath your beard, use a minimally fragranced or fragrance-free product and be sure to rinse thoroughly.

Beard Care Step 2: Conditioning

Unlike the hair on your head, beard hair tends to have a coarser, often thicker texture, which requires more upkeep than just a quick shampoo and rinse. Even if you don’t use conditioner in your hair, your beard will benefit from the routine application of a moisturizing conditioner—either one you rinse out in the shower or a leave-in formula (the latter tends to be lighter-weight).

You can use a regular hair conditioner (drugstore brands are fine) or check out the beard conditioners offered by various men’s grooming brands. Before you buy, be aware that finding the right conditioner can take some experimentation; you might need to try a few before you hit the sweet spot.

Tip: It’s OK to apply a small amount of a regular conditioner to your beard for extra smoothing, softness, and even a bit of shine—no need to rinse.

Beard Care Step 3: Beard Trimming

We wish beard maintenance were as carefree as just relaxing in the pool, but if you want to keep it looking good, you need to trim it regularly. How often men need to trim their beards depends on the shape, how fast their whiskers grow, and how dense their beards are. Of course, a full beard or faded beard requires more upkeep than, say, a goatee.

What to use? Most bearded men will need the following tools:

• Beard combs or brushes are essential—always brush out your beard before trimming for the most accurate results. Ask your barber for recommendations.
• Battery-powered, rechargeable clippers to shape and thin your beard as needed, and to remove whisker “stragglers” that grow just outside the lines of your beard’s shape. Philips, Panasonic, and Wahl make good ones that get high ratings from the facially hirsute.
• Hair-trimming scissors are necessary for detailed work that clippers can’t handle. (You can try to use clippers, but you’ll likely remove more hair than you intended!)
• Beard conditioner or beard oil to groom your trimmed beard, enhance its softness (anyone you routinely kiss will thank you for this), and make it look healthier. Avoid highly fragrant beard oils; the fragrance won’t harm the beard itself, but if it reaches the skin beneath, it can trigger redness, bumps, and itchiness. A few drops of Paula’s Choice’s BOOST Moisture Renewal Oil Booster will do the job without adding any fragrance.

Always trim your beard when it’s dry—wet trimming, even if your clippers can be used with water, doesn’t allow for as much precision or control.

Tip: When you first use beard oil or conditioner, apply sparingly. You can always add more if needed, but overdoing it can make your beard look greasy or matted.

Beard Care Step 4: Problem Solvers

While enjoying and maintaining their beard, it is common for some men to experience a few issues that affect how the skin beneath it looks and feels. For instance, pores can become clogged, red bumps (or even acne) can develop beneath the beard, and ingrown hairs can occur.

The solution to these concerns is refreshingly simple: Daily use of a well-formulated beta hydroxy acid (BHA) exfoliant. A liquid exfoliant you can splash onto the bearded area and rub into the skin beneath,  plus apply to the rest of your face, is ideal. It’s easy to use and feels weightless.

The BHA ingredient—salicylic acid—calms redness, exfoliates to diminish bumps, and helps alleviate ingrown hairs, and our SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is a great (and gentle) option. If you’re dealing with acne beneath your beard, look to our products for acne-prone skin. Shop these oils and exfoliants today at Paula’s Choice Singapore.

You can also learn more about skincare for men and common skin problems on our skincare advice page.

References for this information

• International Journal of Cosmetic Science, June 2016 Supplement, pages 3–9
• Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology, August 2015, pages 455–461
• British Journal of Dermatology, March 2012 Supplement, pages 6–12
• Dermatologic Therapy, May 2007, pages 133–136