Get to know the proper washing habits for a healthy and strong beard.

The secret to a soft, flexible and less breakable beard is to use natural oils. One part of that wall that protects your face falls down every time you wash your face too frequently or use a strong face wash. That's why it's not only about keeping a beard clean, but protecting the skin under the beard as well as the hair from unnecessary damage. The best way to care for a beard is to find the right washing schedule. The aim is to clean, eliminate sweats, and excess oil from the beard without disturbing the moisture it requires daily.

Why Washing Your Beard Too Often Can Cause Damage

A beard attracts not only visible particles of dirt. Throughout the day, dirt, sebum, food, sweat, and dead skin cells accumulate in facial hair. If left untreated for too long, it can lead to clogged pores, foul smell, beard dandruff and irritated skin.

Meanwhile, facial hair requires skin natural oils. These oils will cover each hair strand, softening and minimizing friction. If you wash too hard or often, you will strip away the oils without allowing the skin to replenish them. The outcome is frequently not a fresh beard, but a coarse beard.

This is the reason why the beard-specific cleansing product is more effective than regular shampoo. Shampoo for normal hair was formulated for the scalp, which is much more oily. The skin of the face is thinner and more sensitive, so beard shampoos that are formulated to cleanse, but not deplete moisture, make the perfect choice.

How Often Should You Wash Your Beard?

Since every beard grows in a different environment, there is no definitive answer on how often you should wash beard. But, the length of the beard is not the only thing that matters, the type of skin one has, the things he or she does everyday, and the place where he or she lives.

Short beards typically need less maintenance as they're less likely to collect particles and give breathing space to the skin. For most men, washing 2 to 3 times a week will suffice, unless there has been a lot of exercise or sweating.

Longer beards will contain more oil, dust and environmental debris. They should be washed every 2-3 days, which should keep them clean and moist. Men who work outdoors for long periods of time or for jobs that include lots of dust, or who exercise everyday, may require a few more washings.

But skin type also makes a difference. Oily skin will generate excess sebum which causes the beard to become greasy quickly. Facial hair will not be brittle if it is washed gently every other day, or even every day if a mild formula is used.

Dry or sensitive skin requires a different approach. Regularly washing your face can cause itching, redness and scales under the beard. Generally, twice or three times a week washing with beard oil or moisturizers gives a healthier balance.

Why the Skin Under Your Beard Matters

The majority of beard issues are not actually in the hair. They start in the skin.

A healthy skin barrier is essential to every hair follicle and the regulation of moisture and sebum production. The skin is left dry and irritated every time it's cleaned with these natural oils being stripped away.

The small flakes are formed, the itching gets worse and individual beard hairs lose their protective coating. As a result, they are stiffer and harder to handle and more prone to splitting.

The longer the beard the more apparent it will be. Because of friction from the dry strands rubbing against each other, the beard becomes rough and is often confused with poor beard growth. What really happens is that the growth phase is perfectly normal, but the hair doesn't have sufficient moisture to stay smooth.

However, there's one catch. If sweating the beard on a daily basis while working out or in the heat or particularly if you're working outdoors and physically demanding this could be suitable so it is okay to use a mild cleanser more often or water. The key word is "balance," not "schedule" no matter how our lifestyle is.

People often think that if they wash their beards every day they will get healthier. In reality, the reverse is often the case. Over-cleansing strips your skin of its natural conditioning system without giving it a dime's worth, and leaves the beard to rely on you and your products for that.

Choose the Right Beard Care Products

How often you wash is important, but what you use in between the washes will often determine if the beard remains soft or coarse.Few quality products and a simple routine will more often than not give superior results than will the various superfluous items placed on the bathroom shelf.

• Apply a shampoo made specifically for beards. Unlike a standard hair shampoo, beard cleaners are formulated with beard hair and the skin underneath in mind. Seek the help of ingredients like aloe vera, tea tree oil, or jojoba oil, which help to remove dirt, excess oil, and support the natural moisture balance of the beard.
  
• Afterwards use a beard conditioner. The conditioner post-wash helps to smooth the hair cuticle and minimize friction between beard hair. It also helps to keep it manageable, which makes grooming easier and helps to minimize dryness and frizz.
• Apply the beard oil when the beard is slightly moist. Beard oil helps replenish the moisture that is lost during the cleansing process and keeps your skin and facial hair moisturized for the rest of the day. Moreover, frequent application helps to decrease flaking, itching and the roughness that often occurs in dry beards.

One small habit is as important as the other – water temperature. Hot water is relaxing, but it is harsh stripping away protective oils. Sitting down to wash the beard with lukewarm water, is an effective way of performing the job without stripping the beard.

When Will You Notice the Results?

The consistency is more important than perfection.

Many men will notice itching to subside and the softness of the beard within the first week after switching to a milder washing regimen. The skin below is also less stretched, as it has more time to re-establish its natural barrier to moisture.

Dryness and frizz are typically reduced in the second week. Within a month or two of use, the texture of the beard becomes improved, and it becomes easier to comb. Beard oil and conditioner can give the beard a healthier look rather than the dull, brittle finish.

The cumulative effect begins to become noticeable about the fourth week. The beard can look thicker, but not necessarily faster growing; rather, it's because of the way hydrated hairs lie down, reflect light and are less prone to breaking. Dandruff is less frequent, itching is reduced and you don't have to spend as much time everyday looking after your beard.

A Simple Beard Washing Routine

The ideal care routine for your beard should be one that you can follow easily in everyday life and not constantly.

Unless lifestyle or skin type requires additional washing, most beards should be washed 2-3 times per week. Use a beard shampoo, follow with a conditioner to rehydrate the beard to make it soft and smooth, and end with the beard oil to keep the beard hydrated throughout the day. Lukewarm water is better for retaining the natural oils in facial hair that help keep them in good condition.

These habits are not separate and do not stand alone. While missing a step every now and then isn't a worry, over washing or using harsh products will cause the dryness and irritation many men are working to cure.

Healthy facial hair isn't the result of washing as often as possible. It's created in the process of washing with intent.

It is important to wash the beard as often as necessary, rather than a specific schedule, and depending on the needs of the skin and beard. With this equilibrium in place, a clean, soft and comfortable beard will be much easier to keep. The idea behind Xtilez is to focus primarily on the basics, which is where effective grooming begins. Any natural moisturized beard will perform better than one that is washed more frequently.

Conclusion

Both the frequency of washing and the way it is done are different for a healthy beard.

Washing hair too often will wash away the natural oils that help maintain healthy facial hair, as washing less often can lead to the accumulation of dirt, sweat, and excess oil under the hair. Using a beard shampoo, conditioner, and an appropriate beard oil will keep your beard clean and moisturized without losing its moisture.

It is not necessary to adhere to the same routine as everyone else in order to comprehend how often you should wash your beard. The optimal routine depends on beardless length, skin type, activity and environment. With these factors in mind, keeping your beard soft, healthy and easy to manage becomes much easier.

The philosophy behind Xtilez is that it is about establishing the right practices for beard care, not adding on products.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I have to wash my beard?

Most beards can be kept clean and healthy by bathing them 2-3 times per week. Men can wash their beards every other day, using a mild beard shave wash, if they have oily skin or are very active.

Can regular shampoo be applied to my beard?

Shampoos made for the scalp will strip out too much natural oil from facial hair. A special beard shampoo is designed to cleanse with a touch of softness, while also moisturizing the beard.

Should I give my beard a bath everyday?

Most men do not need to wash daily and washing can result in dryness or irritation. When using the beard wash everyday due to work or sweat, opt for a mild beard wash rather than a strong cleanser.

Do you need to put beard oil on after washing?

Yes. A slightly moistened beard that is cared for with beard oil will help keep it moist and help soften the facial hair, while eliminating any itchiness, flaking or dryness.

What is the best water temperature with which to wash a beard?

It's best to use lukewarm water. It works well for cleaning and keeps the oils in your beard and skin healthy.