Post date: October 8, 2024 | Blog

Best Hair Care Products for Men with Beards (And What To Avoid)

We often write blogs for people with hair and we write blogs for people with beards, but now it’s time to combine them! Here’s a blog for you guys out there concerned with optimizing both your beard care and hair care.

Using products that compliment both your hair and your beard is a great way to keep the health of both in tact, and doing so is more important than you might think.

Neglecting one or the other can result in an imbalance and PH differences that affect your appearance, beard and hair quality, and even your confidence as a result. But, today we’re going to be giving you some tips, tricks, and products for men with beards, as well as show you what to avoid in your grooming journey.

Why Hair and Beard Health Go Hand-in-Hand

It’s no surprise that grooming routines for men with beards place a heavy focus on the facial hair itself, but your scalp requires equal attention. Both your hair and beard are exposed to damaging environmental factors, after all. Yet, the skin underneath each type of hair, scalp or beard, differs.

The skin on your scalp has a different texture and oil balance when compared to the skin on your face, especially the skin underneath your beard. Which is why choosing the right products for both types of skin is crucial for maintaining balance and ensuring healthy hair growth.

Top Hair Care Products for Men with Beards

1. Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Why It’s Important: Sulfates suck. They can strip your hair and beard of its natural oils, leaving them dry and irritating. A sulfate-free shampoo can clean your hair without harsh chemicals, and maintain the moisture balance.

Best Use: Use a sulfate-free shampoo 2-3 times a week to prevent over-stripping away those necessary oils. While applying it to the hair on your scalp, gently massage any excess into your beard unless you wanted to use a dedicated face and beard wash. This will help remove excess unneeded oils as well as dirt and impurities.

2. Bio-Based Conditioner

Why It’s Important: Just like your hair, your beard needs regular conditioning to stay soft and manageable. A moisturizing conditioner helps detangle hair, reduce frizz, and smooth out the hair shaft, reducing breakage as well. Use a bio-based conditioner that is free of synthetic cleaners, dyes, or greases.

Best Use: After shampooing, apply a generous amount of bio-based conditioner to both your scalp and beard. Bio-based conditioners work exceptionally well for both types of hair, because it is non-greasy and doesn’t weigh hair down. Massage the product thoroughly and rinse to avoid buildup.

3. Beard Oil

Why It’s Important: Beard oil is fantastic. It’s one of those magical beard products almost everyone likes, because it works. Beard oils are essential for maintaining hydration in your skin and beard as well as preventing itchiness, redness, flakiness, and even split ends and damage.

Best Use: After washing and drying your beard, apply just a few drops of beard oil, usually 3-5. Rub the oil throughout with your hands, and then use a boar bristle brush to spread it evenly throughout, reaching the skin underneath. Choose mid-lightweight beard oils with natural ingredients for the most comfortable and softest beard.

4. Beard Balm

Why It’s Important: For those guys out there with thicker or longer beards, beard balm provides a combination of benefits from beard oil and beard/mustache wax. It helps moisturize and condition the beard while simultaneously providing styling hold and keeping flyaway hair in check.

Best Use: Scrape out a small amount of beard balm with your fingernail and warm it by rubbing it between your hands. Apply it thoroughly with your hands and fingers and use a beard brush or comb to shape and style. Opt for natural beard balms with beeswax or shea butter that maximize the health of your beard without the harmful chemicals.

Tips for Hair and Beard Care

To maintain the health of both your beard and hair requires some careful consideration. Here’s are a few tips to maximize the health and cleansing of both your beard, hair, and skin.

1. Choose Multi-Use, Natural Products

• The ingredients in natural and multi-use products are generally gentle and safe enough to use on a variety of hair and skin types. Main ingredients like bio-based conditioners, argan oil, aloe vera, and more are perfect for use just about everywhere on your body and are gentle enough to nourish without the harsh chemicals.

2. Maintain a Consistent Washing Routine

• Hair: Wash your scalp hair 3-4 times a week with a mild sulfate-free shampoo to avoid stripping away natural oils.
• Beard: Cleanse your beard slightly less (2-3 times/week) with a face and beard wash to remove dirt and buildup, but don’t over-wash to prevent dryness.

3. Hydrate Both Hair and Beard

• Use a moisturizing conditioner on both your hair and beard after shampooing. Conditioners help detangle and soften hair while maintaining moisture. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to avoid buildup.

4. Apply Oil After Showering

• After towel-drying, apply a light hair oil or beard oil to both your hair and beard. Oils not only hydrate but also create a protective layer against environmental factors. Massage the oil into your scalp and the skin beneath your beard to promote growth and prevent dryness.

5. Exfoliate Regularly

• Use a gentle exfoliating scrub on your scalp and beard at least once a week. This will unclog pores, remove dead skin cells, and stimulate hair follicles, leading to healthier growth for both hair and beard.

6. Use a Wide-Tooth Comb for Detangling

• Whether for your hair or beard, using a wide-tooth comb helps reduce breakage, especially when detangling after applying conditioner or oil. Be gentle to avoid tugging on the hair, which can cause damage and split ends, and use a static-free beard comb like Volt’s wooden twin comb for wide-toothed detangling and fine-toothed styling options.

7. Trim Regularly to Prevent Split Ends

• Regular trims are essential for both your scalp hair and beard to prevent split ends and promote even growth. Split ends can get worse over time, leading to tangles and premature hair loss. Trim your beard every few weeks, and get a haircut or trim for your scalp hair as needed to maintain its shape and health.

Final Thoughts

Maintaining the health and happiness of both your hair and beard will require some good thinking, products, and tips. A well-groomed appearance isn’t just about looking good on the surface, but also taking care of the roots and skin underneath your beard and hair.

Incorporating the products we mentioned is going to help you combine uses for certain products like bio-based conditioner, which can be used in both your hair and beard. by selecting these complementary hair care and beard products, you can craft a cohesive and effortless grooming routine that enhances your style and provides healthier beard and hair growth.