How Often Should You Wash a Beard, and With What?
Every day, or is every other day enough?
Wash a beard every day. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) tells people with beards to wash the face and beard daily, because dirt, oils, germs, pollution and dead skin cells build up on the hair and the skin underneath, and left there they can clog pores and irritate the skin. Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Alok Vij sets the bar lower: bathe at least once a day or every other day, and on the days you skip, wash the beard with warm water. That makes a daily rinse in warm water the minimum and a proper wash with a cleanser the aim. The skin under the hair is the reason. A beard holds on to oil and flakes, and Dr Vij explains that dead skin cells and oil, mixed with moisture, give bacteria and yeast a place to grow. The AAD adds that without moisturiser the skin beneath a beard becomes dry, flaky and itchy, and that itch has an article of its own on this site. A short beard still needs care. Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Jennifer Lucas advises moisturising the skin under a growing beard and not touching it, so the first weeks of growth are no reason to skip the routine.
Cleanser, shampoo or bar soap: what goes on the beard
The product matters as much as the schedule. The AAD advises a gentle cleanser rather than soap, because a cleanser removes dirt and debris without drying the skin, and it matches the cleanser to the skin. Oily or acne-prone skin gets a gel cleanser with salicylic or glycolic acid, labelled non-comedogenic, which means it will not clog pores. Normal skin gets a plain non-comedogenic one, dry skin a hydrating, fragrance-free one, and skin that often burns after skincare a creamy, soap-free, fragrance-free one. Shampoo divides the doctors. Cleveland Clinic lists certain shampoos and soaps among the causes of dry skin, yet Dr Vij recommends a good shampoo, worked well into the skin to clear bacteria and dead cells. The one shampoo the AAD names is a dandruff shampoo, used on beard and scalp at least once a week when flakes show. For beard acne the AAD goes up to twice a day, and it says soaps and shampoos can irritate the skin and make acne worse. Work the product in with circular motions, down to the skin, and rinse thoroughly in lukewarm water. Then blot dry with a clean towel and leave the skin slightly damp. For acne-prone skin the AAD warns that a washcloth can irritate the skin, so use your hands.
Rinse, pat dry, then moisturise while the skin is damp
What you do in the next minute counts too. The AAD says to moisturise immediately after washing, while the skin is damp, and to work the product through the beard to the skin. Its dermatologist suggests beard oil for normal or dry skin, a beard conditioner for acne-prone skin and a fragrance-free, non-comedogenic moisturiser for sensitive skin, always sparingly, since you can add more. Then comb with a beard comb: the AAD notes that detangling is easier when the beard is wet and that the comb spreads the product evenly. Keep your hands away from the beard during the day, because touching it moves germs and dirt from your fingers to the skin. Cleveland Clinic also advises cleaning clippers and razors at least every five to seven days. If you get ingrown hairs, the AAD suggests a gentle exfoliating scrub once or twice a week, followed by moisturiser. At 044 Barbershop in Kyiv a beard trim means modelling plus a dry or hot-towel shave. Come in for a beard trim, and the barber can look at your cheeks, jaw and neck from the side and from behind, which a bathroom mirror cannot do, and tell you where the beard needs more attention at the sink.