Beards have been in fashion for a while now, and the beard-grooming industry is booming. There's no shortage of products to help you care for your facial hair, including shampoo and conditioner. But one question we hear pretty often from our customers is: "How often should I wash my beard?" It's a good question! You don't want to use too much shampoo or conditioner, but it also doesn't make sense to ignore your beard entirely just because it's made up almost entirely of hair follicles. Here are some helpful hints on how often you should be washing -- or at least conditioning -- your beard:
Questions about beard hygiene are extremely common
Beard hygiene is a topic that comes up often in conversation. Many people wonder how often they should be washing their beard and what products are best for keeping it clean and healthy.
This is understandable, as the human body is an amazing machine. It can adapt to almost any environment and situation, but at the same time it needs certain things in order to function properly — one of them being food. Another essential component of our daily routine is washing our bodies with soap or shampoo on a regular basis so that dirt doesn't build up around our pores and cause all sorts of problems down the road (e.g., acne).
Occasional beard shampooing is fine -- but you don't need to make it a daily thing.
There's no hard-and-fast rule about how often you should wash your beard. Some guys like to go every day, some 2-3 times a week, while others can go a week in-between washes (which is fine).
Don't feel like you've got to clean up every day if it doesn't feel necessary for you. Most regular shampoos won't harm the hair or skin on your face, but when it comes to beards specifically, frequent shampooing can strip out some of the natural oils that keep hair soft and healthy -- so don't overdo it!
Don't overdo it.
If you're going to wash your beard, don't overdo it. Many men make the mistake of washing their beards too frequently, which can strip away essential oils and cause irritation. A good rule is to wash no more than 4 times a week.
If you choose to wash it, use an all-natural soap or a shampoo designed specifically for beards—and only on the face itself (we'll get to that later). Soap tends to dry out your skin (especially if you exfoliate before), so avoid using it on your neck as well as your face if possible. Some oils and creams can also irritate sensitive skin, so avoid using any other products besides beard oil and beard balm.
It's not necessary to wash your beard daily.
It's not necessary to wash your beard daily.
Why? Because your skin produces natural oils that keep the hair in your beard from getting too dry. It’s those oils that give beards their healthy sheen and people smell good when they don’t shower for a while (the funk of fall).
That being said, if you do decide to wash it every day with a mild shampoo and conditioner, make sure you apply beard oil to it after washing to bring back those oils that are so important for beard health. We recommend beard oil and balm as part of everyday beard care but it is essential on the days that you wash.
While we'd love for you to keep in mind all the information above, in the end it's really up to you. If your beard smells great and looks good, then you don't need to wash it every day. But if your face starts itching or getting oily, then by all means go ahead and wash it!