A Dermatologist’s Tips for Caring for Your Beard.
This information was taken from an article at the American Academy of Dermatology Association, https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/face/healthy-beard, with information provided by Dr. Anthony Rossi, MD, FAAD.
The following is just a summary of the key points listed therein. Here I will point out information for those that already have a mature grown-in beard. The referenced article also contains information for those that are just starting to grow a beard, but I did not include that information here. So, if you need information regarding growing a beard, please refer back to that article.
Objective – Maintain Good Underlying Skin Health: A healthy beard starts with healthy skin. When the skin is healthy, you prevent secondary problems such as dandruff, itchiness (rashes associated with scratching), in-grown hairs and acne. To prevent these skin issues associated with a poor beard hygiene, follow these simple but effective tips:
- Wash your face and beard daily. I prefer at least twice per day, once before bedtime. This removes dirt, bacteria, excess oils, germs, pollutants, and dead skin cells. If you don’t wash these critters away, they will clog your pores and create a host of skin problems, such as skin irritation.
How: Find a gentle facial cleanser that suits your skin type. Try to avoid soap because it is very drying.
Here is a suggestion based on skin type:
- Oily/Acne Skin: Use a cleanser with salicylic acid or glycolic acid and states that it is “non-comedogenic” (it won’t clog pores)
- Normal Skin: Choose a non-comedogenic cleanser
- Dry Skin: Try a hydrating, non-fragrance cleanser
- Sensitive Skin, use a creamy face cleanser made for sensitive skin, which states that it is soap-free.
Whichever cleanser you choose, be sure to gently massage it into your bearded face in a circular motion and rinse well in luke-warm water. Use a clean towel to pat dry your face. Leave your skin a little damp.
- Moisturize. This helps soften the underlying skin and beard hairs. You may be tempted to skip this step if you have oily/acne skin. Don’t. If you don’t moisturize the underlying skin, it can become dry, flaky, and itchy. Also, your beard will feel dry and prickly.
For grown-in beards, here are some suggestions of moisturizer types based on skin type:
Acne Skin: Use a Beard Conditioner
Normal to Dry Skin: Use a Beard Oil such as a Beard Oil Serum
Sensitive Skin: Fragrance Free, Non-comedogenic moisturizer
For Best Results, Apply the moisturizer right after facial cleansing, applying it to beard and skin. Massage it thoroughly throughout your beard. Use the conditioner of beard oil sparingly to prevent a greasy look or feel. You can always add more if needed. Moisturizing makes the next step easier:
- After the first two steps of cleaning and moisturizing, pass a beard comb through your beard slowly and gently. This will help to spread the product thoroughly and evenly throughout your beard. It also helps to detangle your beard hair. Doing it gently helps to prevent hairs from being torn or plucked from your face. You can also brush your hair. I prefer a quality bristle brush; it’s gentler than a comb, but you can use either or both.
So, with a little knowledge, care, and attention, by applying this daily routine, you can have and maintain a healthy beard and face. If you would like information about trimming your beard, please refer back to the link at the top of this article for that information.
