Beard Conditioners 101
If you're growing a beard, you'll have to tend, trim and shape it. It takes effort, and the right tools, and there is a real art to it. If you have a significant other, there’s a good chance they will like (or maybe demand) that it be soft and well presented.
Facial hair can become dehydrated (depending on the environment or your diet), can become sharp from split ends, and prickly from a lack of moisture. Unlike your head or body hair—which will just take a cleanser or moisturizer to look its best—facial hair is the next level up. It's coarse, thick, itchy and can really look messy without proper upkeep.
To keep good care of our beards, we need to soften that fuzz. If you know how it’s easy and just takes a few seconds. Lets talk through the secret weapon in any mans grooming arsenal; beard conditioner.
Now, you might be asking yourself, is it really worth it? After all, if you don’t have any beard dandruff, dry skin, or brittle hair, then you may not see the point in conditioning. However, if you want facial hair to shine and remain strong, beard conditioners can improve the look of your beard. Here’s why.
Beard washing and conditioning go hand in hand.
There’s a lot of products out there for beards, but one of the secrets to a good beard is the 1:2 combo. Start with a beard wash, and end with conditioner.
Many men wash their beards just like their regular hair. It keeps the beard fresh and clean. However, there’s a hidden danger with washing beards regularly with water. Water is hard and completely alkalized—basically, it'll also make your hair coarse. To offset your wash, condition your beard immediately after.
The best conditioners are designed and tested to work specifically with facial hair. If you have sensitive skin, beard conditioners are specially formulated to moisturize and help with skincare just as much as cleansing your beard hair. In addition, if you style your beard hair every morning, conditioners especially suited for your beard are better for daily use.
Can You Condition Your Beard Every Day?
This is best answered by considering your own skin combination. Some facial hair conditioners have ingredients like paraphenylenediamine (PPD) or sulfates. These can irritate your skin with use every day. This may not be an issue with natural hair shampoos and conditioners, other conditioners use chemical ingredients that won’t moisturize your skin. Here’s a good rule of thumb; Harsh chemicals may cause harsh reactions. This can include causing dry, itchy skin
Beards with frizzy, damaged hair benefit from conditioners as the cleansing agents soothe their follicles and skin underneath. This leaves hair shiny and sleek and ready to be combed.
If you plan on washing your facial hair daily, stick to using all natural ingredients. If you notice your skin has become dry from daily use, switch to a conditioner that soothes your skin and hair. Just note; If you notice your skin is severely agitated after using a product, you could be allergic to the ingredients, which can happen with natural products. It’s best to consult your doctor if you find your skin is breaking out in response to any creams or oils.
