The Association of Bearded Men (ABM) knows that there is no one correct routine for taking care of your beard because of the different beard types. However, there are certain standards that must be met in grooming and they include beard oils, balms, a damn good brush, and of course beard shampoo and conditioner.
The latter is usually, for lack of a better word, overdone. Some use it right while most get it all wrong. You could be doing everything else right but using a beard shampoo and conditioner could ruin your whole routine.
Today we delve into how often you should use beard shampoo and conditioner. How effective it is and if it is a substitute for beard oils and balms.
Table of Contents
What is a Beard Shampoo and Conditioner (Beard Wash)?
Many of us already know what shampoo and conditioner are. Hair shampoo and conditioner are totally different from beard shampoo and conditioner (beard wash). Do not mistake them for performing the same function because they do not. Using regular shampoo or soap on your beard is a recipe for disaster. It washes off the natural oils of the beard leading to dryness and brittleness of the beard.
A beard wash is designed to wash facial hair. It eliminates excess sebum (natural oil) while moisturizing your beard. The beard shampoo does the washing while the conditioner moisturizes. Regular shampoos are designed to remove oil from your head while beard wash helps to keep as much oil as possible to prevent your beard looking dry.
A beard wash is however not a replacement for a quality beard oil or balm. A beard wash is supposed to enhance your beard care routine.
How Often Should You Use a Shampoo and Conditioner?
The most obvious course of action isn’t always the best way. Should you wash your beard every day? Of course, you have your bath every day, don’t you? So yeah! The biggest mistake most bearded men though is washing their mane too often with a shampoo and conditioner.
There is really no correct answer as to how often to use the beard shampoo and conditioner as most men have different types of beards. There are also different factors that would play a role in how often you would use both products.
Most experts suggest washing your beard once or twice a week and this is usually the standard followed by most men. Running warm water through it on the days in-between is advisable to keep it clean. Some of the factors that determine how often you wash your beard include:
- Skin type: You could have dry skin, oily skin or a combination of both. Your skin type plays an important role in knowing how often you should wash your beard. Oily skins produce excess oil so you would definitely need to wash your beard more often – probably on a daily basis if necessary. Dry skins could do with washing the beard once or twice weekly.
- Beard type: The thickness (or thinness) of your beard is also relevant. Short or patchy beards tend to be oilier so you can wash it every day. This could even make your beard appear fuller. It’s a different scenario if your beard is thicker as it takes more time for the oils to build up so washing every 2-3 days is optimum to prevent dryness and brittleness.
- Environment: Dry weather means less moisture. If you live in a desert (LOL), you would need to let the moisture build up in the beard before washing it off. It is also recommended you give this 2-3 days.
- Lifestyle/Job: Your job is dirty? Of course, you have to wash your beard daily as you don’t want your beard to turn to a house for lice leading to itchiness and beardruff. If you’re a gym rat too and sweat a lot, it’s advisable you wash your beard daily.
Shampoo or Co-wash
Co-washing is short for beard conditioner washing that means you don’t use a shampoo for washing your beard. Deciding to co-wash or use a shampoo and conditioner depends on you.
If work in a dirty environment, do a lot of exercise or have a really oily skin then washing your beard daily is recommended. You might want to consider beard co-washing in this case. Conditioners help you wash regularly without losing the beard’s natural sebum oils while also moisturizing it. So you do not have to deal with dryness or split-ends in your beard.
In contrast, if you work in a clean environment and do not sweat too often, washing your beard with shampoo 1-3 times per week works just fine.
Co-washing your beard does not mean you abandon your shampoo. You still use it at least once a week for a proper wash. Co-washing is particularly good for people with dry skin and hair as it helps moisturize the hair in-between shampoo washes.
A proper beard care routine keeps your beard healthy. Beard shampoo and conditioner is an important part of this routine but must be done right as everything in the world should be. How often you wash your beard depends on the work you do, your beard type, and several other factors.
The recommended standard for washing your beard is 1-3 times a week. Your beard wash routine could affect its fullness, softness, and appearance. Washing your beard every day might seem like the natural thing to do but it’s not healthy for your beard as it washes off the natural oils in your beard leaving it dry.
In conclusion, beard shampoo and conditioner are great for your beard routine if you use it right. Use a beard oil and balm alongside your shampoo to keep your beard healthy and get the most desired results.
A quick recap of today’s discussion
- Never use a generic shampoo to wash your beard
- It is best to wash your beard 1-2 times a week
- Co-washing is recommended if you have to wash your beard every day
- Beard oils and balms are important in your beard care routine and should be used to replenish lost oils after washing
Drop your questions in our comment box and we’ll be seeing soon. Adios!
