Beard wash has been around in one form or another for decades, but for centuries, men did not use specific products to take care of their beards (or the skin underneath them). Sadly, this often resulted in lots of unnecessary itchiness and even hygiene issues. Today, beard wash is becoming increasingly popular among men with face fuzz, and for good reason. The fact is that beard wash (with conditioning properties) is one of the best ways to keep your beard clean, soft, and silky smooth.
But if you’ve never used beard wash and conditioner before, we understand if you have your reservations. You may not be eager to add another product to your beard care routine, and you might have questions about how it all works. For example, what is beard wash? How is it any different from face wash or shampoo? Is conditioner necessary for beards? And does beard wash automatically condition your beard? Finally, where can you find a high-quality beard wash that cleans, hydrates, and conditions?
In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more, so let’s get started!
What Is Beard Wash?
You might think that beard wash is just some fancy shampoo put in a different bottle, but this could not be further from the truth. If you have a beard, you know that the texture of your beard is very different from the hair on top of your head. Additionally, the skin under your beard has a different texture than the skin of your scalp. Beard wash is specifically designed to work with the rugged skin and follicles of a beard. A good beard wash is gentle, yet effective, ensuring that your beard and skin beneath stay clean, hydrated, and free of itchiness.
What Does Beard Wash Do?
While beard wash has a different formulation than traditional shampoo, it does most of the same things — just for your beard instead of the hair on the top of your head. Here are just a few of the primary functions of beard wash:
- Cleansing - Like any body hair, the beard is capable of capturing dirt and bacteria. Since your beard surrounds the mouth and is often very close to the nostrils, it can end up catching even more contaminants than the hair on other parts of your body. This is part of the reason why beard wash is so important. It can help wash away any impurities, leaving your beard much cleaner than before.
- Hydration - Many men struggle to properly moisturize the skin beneath their beards. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but it’s often because it’s not easy or practical to apply traditional moisturizing creams to the area. Beard hairs may block moisturizers from reaching certain parts of the skin. Fortunately, beard wash can be deeply massaged into the beard, moisturizing the skin underneath and reducing any dryness or itchiness.
- Exfoliation - Like moisturizing, exfoliating the skin underneath your beard can be a bit challenging. This is especially concerning if you struggle with acne or clogged pores that pop up under your beard. Thankfully, a good beard wash can also provide exfoliation to the skin on your face that’s not easy to reach with other products.
- Softening - As previously mentioned, beard hair tends to be naturally coarse and rough. However, this doesn’t mean that you just have to accept it that way. You can easily soften your beard hair to make it much silkier to the touch, particularly if your beard wash also has conditioning properties (more on that later).
- Oil Balance - Whenever you wash any hair on your body, you run the risk of stripping your hair follicles of their natural oils. A good beard wash will be capable of cleansing your hair while still leaving enough oil to maintain a natural balance for your beard and the skin underneath.
- Fragrance - While there are other beard products you can get that specifically provide nice fragrances to your face, beard wash can often save you time and money by leaving your beard smelling fresh and clean.
What Is Beard Conditioner?
There are separate beard conditioners that you can use in conjunction with a beard wash. However, a good beard wash will already come with conditioning properties. This means that, while you’re washing your beard, you’re also conditioning it and detangling beard hairs. Not only does this make it easier to comb and style your beard, but it also leaves it with a unique shine that you simply can’t get without conditioning ingredients like coconut oil.
How Often Should You Wash Your Beard?
How often you use your beard wash will depend on your personal preference and hygiene needs. That said, it’s important to remember that your beard attracts a lot more bacteria than you may realize. Even if you take showers every day and regularly brush your beard, your beard follicles can still trap dirt and bacteria that may not be removed without a quality beard wash.
Generally speaking, you should try to use beard wash every time that you shower. For example, if you shower once a day, you should use beard wash every time you shower. Similarly, if you shower once in the morning and once in the evening, you should wash your beard during these times. However, if you need to take more frequent showers for one reason or another, you may want to limit beard washing to no more than twice a day. But again, the frequency of use will depend on your personal preference and hygiene needs.
How To Use Beard Wash
Using beard wash is very similar to using shampoo, but it’s still good to know the best practices before you get started:
- Dampen your beard with lukewarm water
- Apply a small amount of beard wash to your fingers
- Massage the beard wash into your beard, making sure to work your fingers from the roots to the ends of the hair follicles; be sure to include parts of the face and neck that may have fine or light beard hairs
- Rinse out all of the beard wash, ensuring that no residue is left
- Pat your beard dry with a soft towel
- Detangle your beard with a brush or comb and style it to your preference
It’s also important to consider how beard wash factors into your beard care routine if you regularly trim or even shave your beard. While the steps outlined above would remain the same either way, it’s generally best to start the process out with a Pre-Shave Conditioning Beard Oil if you intend to do any shaving or trimming of your beard.
The Best Beard Wash and Conditioner
Are you looking for a beard wash that has the power to clean your beard without damaging your skin with harsh chemicals? Do you prefer a beard wash with natural ingredients that can cleanse and moisturize at the same time? Finally, do you want to get a beard wash that also conditions your beard to leave it looking shiny and soft? If so, Anthony’s Conditioning Beard Wash is the answer!
Want to learn even more about beard wash and conditioner for men? If so, be sure to check out the great products and solutions available at Anthony today!
