So, you have committed to a beard life or are planning to grow one. A well-maintained beard makes you look good and keeps the skin underneath it healthy. Not taking proper care of your beard can lead to various issues, like acne and beard dandruff. 

However, it is important to understand that great beards don’t happen overnight, they take time, care, and patience. So, if you are wondering how to keep your beard clean and healthy this blog is for you. By following these few essential steps, you can keep your beard looking fresh, clean, and healthy

How to Keep Your Beard Clean and Healthy? 8 Essential Tips

Healthy habits are essential to keep your beard healthy, clean, and at its best. But why should you put so much effort into beard care? Here is why:

• It makes you look great.
• Prevents itchy, irritated, dry skin under the beard.
• Prevents skin conditions like beard dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
• Most of all it promotes healthy hair growth.

But how exactly can you take care of your beard? Your routine may vary depending on your #beardgoals. However, there are a few essential things that everyone with a beard should follow, such as:

1. Wash Your Beard Regularly

Washing your beard with this fragrance-free beard shampoo at least 2 to 3 times a week can help you remove excess dirt, dead skin, pollution, and oil buildup from both your beard and the skin underneath it. 

If your beard tends to become oily or dirty, greasy, or sticky more often, you can wash it daily. However, if you have dry skin, it’s best to wash it 2 to 3 times a week. Also, always use lukewarm or cool water instead of hot water to wash your beard, as hot water can lead to drying out the skin.

2. Choose the Right Beard Wash

Now you know that keeping the beard clean is essential for its health, but did you know choosing the right beard wash is also important? Yes, beard shampoo, cleansers, and washes often contain harsh chemicals that can strip away essential oils from the skin and leave it dry or cause irritation on the skin. 

This is why the best beard wash is the one that is fragrance-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, dye-free, and contains skin-soothing and hydrating ingredients such as licorice root extract. Some brands like Facial Fortress have specially formulated a beard wash and shampoo that is free from these harsh chemicals and is safe to be used as a face wash, beard wash, and shampoo on all skin types. 

3. Dry your Beard Properly

Most of us don’t pay much attention to drying out the beard after washing it, however, the longer water stays in your beard the more tension and stress it can cause on the hair follicles. 

This is why you must dry out your beard properly after washing it. 

Use a soft towel to gently pat dry your facial hair instead of rubbing it, as it can lead to skin damage and hair loss.

4. Moisturize Your Beard

Moisturizing is one of the important steps to maintain a healthy beard. Whether you have oily skin or a combination skin type, moisturizing is essential for everyone, especially after washing. 

Moisturize your beard with the help of a beard balm or a beard oil immediately after washing it, because the skin can absorb more moisture at that time. 

5. Brush and Comb Your Beard

Regularly brushing or combing out your comb is essential for its health. It has various benefits, such as

• It helps distribute the skin’s natural oil onto the hair strands.
• Adds softness, shine, and volume to the hair.
• Triggers blood circulation in the hair follicles that promote healthy hair growth. 

So, one thing that you must always do in the morning or after washing your beard is to comb or brush it out. 

6. Keep it Trimmed

We all have heard that trimming your scalp hair can help prevent split ends. The same goes for beard hair as well, regular trimming and pruning of your beard will help maintain the beard’s shape and length, prevent split ends, and promote hair growth. 

The duration for trimming the beard may vary from person to person however as a general rule of thumb trimming it every 4 weeks can help with hair growth.

7. Eat a Balanced Diet

We know that taking care of the beard on the outside is important but for a healthy beard taking of your body on the inside is also essential. Maintaining a healthy balanced diet that is rich in vitamins, proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids can help maintain a healthy skin and beard. 

8. Treat Beard Dandruff

If you are dealing with beard dandruff, you might be experiencing itchy, irritated skin along with tiny white flakes in your beard. And if it is seborrheic dermatitis, you may have also noticed redness and inflammation underneath the beard. 

These symptoms can often be bothersome and affect the health of your beard. This is why it is essential to treat these skin conditions as fast as possible. The best way to treat beard dandruff is to use a beard dandruff shampoo that contains parathion zinc as an active ingredient to wash your beard at least 2 to 3 times a week. 

How to Clean Your Beard?

We know that keeping your beard clean is essential for its health, but how do you do it properly? Here are a few essential things that you will need to wash your beard:

• Beard soap, shampoo, or wash
• Beard comb or brush
• Lukewarm or cool water
• Soft towel
• Beard balm, oil, or moisturizer

Here is your step-by-step guide to how to do it properly:

• Use lukewarm or cool water to dampen your beard.
• Apply a small amount of beard shampoo or wash it and gently massage it into your beard with your fingertips. 
• If you have dandruff then use the comb to gently remove the excess flakes.
• Thoroughly rinse your beard, and make sure not to leave any residue behind. 
• Pat dry your beard with a soft towel and always avoid rubbing it.
• Now brush or comb your hair to make it look smooth and shiny.
• Use a beard moisturizer or oil to moisturize the skin and prevent dryness. 

The Don’ts of Beard Care Routine

Now we have discussed all the things that you should do to keep your beard clean and healthy. It is equally important to know the things that you should not do. Here are a few things that you must avoid at all times as they can damage your skin and affect your beard’s health.

• Overwashing: Overwashing your beard can strip away natural oils, making your beard look dry, dull, and rough. 
• Using regular shampoo: Using regular shampoo to wash your beard can cause irritation and dryness as it may contain harsh chemicals. Instead, always use a mild beard shampoo or wash that is specially formulated for it. 
• Skipping moisturizer: Not moisturizing the beard, especially after washing it can leave it dry and lead to itching and irritation on the skin. 
• Using heat to dry: Blow drying the beard may sound like a good idea, but doing it quite often can dry out the skin damage the hair follicles, and lead to hair loss. 
• Not cleaning beard tools: Dirty combs, brushes, or trimmers can spread bacteria, lead to infection, or cause oil buildup. This is why you must regularly clean the tools and disinfect them. 

Conclusion

A great-looking beard does not happen on its own. It requires proper care, using the right products, and consistent grooming habits. From washing with a gentle beard shampoo to combing, moisturizing, and trimming, every step is essential in maintaining a healthy beard.

However, it is equally important to avoid some common mistakes we often make such as over-washing the beard, using harsh shampoos, skipping the moisturizer, or not cleaning the beard tools. 

If you are dealing with beard dandruff then using a dandruff shampoo for beards can help you get rid of the flakes, itching, and irritation. By following these essential tips and maintaining a proper beard care routine you can easily achieve a healthy, clean, well-groomed beard.