Stubbles Are In, But What About The Skin Beneath It? A Skincare Guide for Bearded Men

It's always important to remember that your beard is an extension of your skin. Neglecting your beard and skin beneath it's health can lead to a variety of issues, including:

1. Ingrown hairs: These painful bumps happen when hair curls back into the skin instead of growing out.
2. Dry, flaky skin: Dry skin can result in dandruff-like flakes in your beard, making it look unkempt and unruly.
3. Acne: Bacteria and oil can build up under your beard, leading to breakouts and acne.
4. Itchiness: Lastly, dry, irritated skin can cause constant discomfort.

Here's a simple, easy-to-incorporate skincare routine for bearded men:

1. Clean: Twice a day, use a gentle, sulphate-free cleanser such as the Dermalogica Precleanse Oil-Based Face Wash to get rid of dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. Don't use harsh soaps as they can strip your skin of its natural oils, resulting in dryness and irritation. Moreover, you could also use a special beard cleanser. These specialised cleansers are created to clean your beard without drying out the skin beneath it.
2. Condition: Apply a beard conditioner once or twice a week to soften your beard hair and moisturise your skin. Use beard conditioners with natural ingredients like argan oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter, which will nourish your beard and facial skin. If you haven't used a beard conditioner before, add them to your beard care kit instantly!
3. Moisturise: It is crucial to keep both your beard and the skin beneath it hydrated at all times. To moisturise your beard and facial skin, incorporate a good quality moisturiser in your beard grooming kit. Apply a lightweight, non-greasy moisturiser like the Tatcha The Water Cream to your face and beard daily. Additionally, protect your skin from sun damage, which accelerates ageing with sunscreen such as the AHC Natural Perfection Double Shield Sun Stick.
4. Exfoliate: Finally, once or twice a week, use a mild exfoliator to get rid of dead skin cells and prevent ingrown hairs. Be slow and gentle while exfoliating and avoid harsh scrubs that can irritate your skin. Finish with a skin serum like the Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum Brightening Vitamin C Serum Mini With Lactic Acid & Chia Seed Oil.

Beard care accessories are tools and products conceptualised to help you maintain, style, and take care of your facial hair and skin beneath it. By using the following accessories, you can keep your beard looking its best and maintain a well-groomed appearance. Here are some of the most common beard accessories:

1. Beard Combs: These come in several materials such as wood or metal, and are utilised to detangle, style, and define your beard. Consistently combing your beard stimulates the blood flow to the beard follicles and promotes healthy growth. Comb your beard after applying beard balm, serum or oil, which reduces friction, prevents pulling and reduces hair breakage.
2. Beard Brushes: These are usually boar bristle brushes that distribute natural oils, soften the hair, and remove dead skin cells.
3. Beard Scissors: These precision scissors are utilised to trim and shape your beard with accuracy.
4. Beard Trimmers: If you are confident enough to trim and maintain your beard at home, invest in the right equipment. Pick a trimmer that enables you to easily maintain your chosen length of stubble or a longer, full-length beard. If you're not confident to use a beard trimmer at home, make regular trips to your local barber (every four to six weeks).

1. Keep your beard trimmed: A well-groomed beard is less likely to accumulate dirt and bacteria.
2. Use styling products: Use styling products like beard oils and beard waxes. Beard oils moisturise your beard and skin, minimise frizz, and add shine. Furthermore, a beard wax is a strong-hold product, which is perfect for shaping and defining your beard, especially for styles such as moustaches.
3. Eat a balanced diet: A healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals promotes healthy skin and hair.
4. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. By following these easy tips, you can keep your beard looking its best and your skin healthy and supple. If you have specific skincare questions or concerns, it's advisable to consult a dermatologist or healthcare professional.