The Definitive Guide to Beard Washing

Why it's Crucial to Properly Wash Your Beard

Properly washing your beard is crucial for maintaining its health and appearance. A clean beard not only looks better, but it also helps prevent skin irritation, beard dandruff, and other problems that can arise from a dirty beard. Regular washing removes dirt, oil, and dead skin cells that can accumulate in your beard, preventing clogged pores and promoting healthy hair growth. So, if you want a show-stopping, healthy and well-groomed beard,  don't neglect washing your beard the right way - it's an essential part of proper beard care.

Beard Washing 101

Step 1: Choosing the Right Products to Cleanse Your Beard

Types of beard shampoos and conditioners
There are plenty of different types of beard shampoos, washes, and conditioners out there.. So how do you know which ones you should use? In general, there are two types of beard washes that you should use in your routine: non-stripping and stripping.

Identifying Stripping vs Non-Stripping Products
When it comes to washing your beard, it's important to choose the right product for your needs. Some shampoos and washes can be stripping, meaning in addition to removing dirt and built up dead skin cells, they can also remove the natural oils from your beard. Non-stripping shampoos and washes, on the other hand, are designed to gently cleanse your beard without removing its natural oils. 

To identify whether a product is stripping or non-stripping, you can check the list of ingredients or the pH level. Typically, ingredients such as lye, sodium hydroxide, or other “saponified” ingredients indicate that the PH level will likely be higher and more in the “stripping” range due to it being a soap. Ingredients can be tricky to dissect, as many ingredients are seen as controversial and you might find differing opinions on them. Therefore, we recommend using the pH method.

Many companies do not disclose the pH level of their product to their label. However, a reputable company should know their products through and through and be able to provide the pH level when asked. A non-stripping product will have a pH level between 4.5-6.5. Anything outside of this range shouldn’t be used as an everyday wash product. In certain cases, alternate wash products outside this range can be used as a stripping agent to deep cleanse your beard of excess oil, dirt, grime and product. Read on for tips on how and when to use stripping versus non-stripping products.

Cleansing products you should use:

• Solid Wash Bars - Personally, the Johnnie Ray Wash Bar is one of our favorites for everyday washing. Wash bars should have a non-stripping gentle pH between 4.5-6.5. 

• Liquid Beard Wash - These are really great for non-stripping daily use. Liquid beard wash will help wash away dirt and grime and leave behind all the good. 

• Beard Soap - We love a nice stripping soap, but use it sparingly. A good stripping soap can and should be used, at most, once per week. This is a great way to rid your beard of any built-up product, specifically if you use beard products with wax as an ingredient. 

• Beard Conditioner - This one is all about personal preference. Some men love using a beard conditioner a few times a week, and other men prefer to go without. We believe that the longer the beard, the more necessary it becomes as it greatly reduces tangles, helps prevent breakage, and allows for your comb to pass through with great ease!

Products to avoid using:

• General hair shampoo - Simply put, your head hair and facial hair are drastically different and have different needs. 
• Facial cleansers - Most facial cleansers, or face washes, are formulated with acids, alcohols and ceramides that are really great for fighting acne and oil, but unfortunately, they’re not so great on your facial hair. Try to stick to skin-only areas of your face when cleansing. PRO TIP: Many dedicated beard washes are great as a daily gentle facial cleanser! 
• Body wash - Most off-the-shelf body washes are made with harsh chemicals that are definitely a no-go for your beard.
• Dish soap - We know this one might seem odd, but trust us, we’ve seen it all. Dish soap, even brands marketed as gentle, can strip your beard of its natural oils, leaving it feeling dry and brittle.

Step 2: Preparing your beard for washing

Before you wash your beard, it's important to prepare it properly to ensure that the cleansing process is effective and gentle.

• Comb out any tangles or knots in your beard with a wide-toothed comb or beard brush. This will help to remove any dirt or debris that has accumulated in your beard and make it easier to apply the shampoo evenly.

• Wet your beard thoroughly with warm water, being careful not to use water that is too hot.

Step 3: Cleansing your beard

Here, we’ll take you step by step of using a beard shampoo. Alternative use products, like solid wash bars, may have different instructions and you should follow the directions on the product packaging.

• Apply a small amount of beard wash to your hands.

• Work the wash into your beard, focusing on areas where dirt and oil tend to accumulate. Look for a great lather as you work the shampoo into the beard and mustache.

• Massage the wash into your beard for a few minutes.

• Rinse your beard thoroughly with warm water first, then cool water to seal the hair cuticle.

Step 4: Drying and styling your beard

• Patting Your Beard Dry 
  Pat your beard dry with a microfiber towel. They are made from a soft, non-abrasive material that is less likely to cause friction or breakage. Do not scrub abrasively to avoid unwanted shedding. 

• Using Heat to Dry and Style
  If you are choosing to use a blow dryer or heated brush in your styling routine, you’ll want to apply beard oil to a damp beard and wait 5 minutes before applying heat. Beard oil has protective properties that prevent harmful damage to the hair shaft. There is no need to use beard-specific heat protectants - everything you need to protect your beard and mustache is in your beard oil.

• Apply Beard Oil or Beard Butter 
  If you’re washing your facial hair in the morning, you’ll want to follow up with beard oil to protect and style regardless of the type of cleansing type. However, if you are stripping your beard using a bar soap or stripping wash (pH of 7 or higher!), it’s extremely important to replenish the beard of the oils that have been stripped away using a high quality beard oil. Always apply beard oil and beard butter to a slightly damp beard.
  
  If washing is part of your evening routine, you may want to consider using beard butter in addition to beard oil. Beard butter acts as a leave-in conditioning treatment, leaving the beard feeling silky soft, touchable, and detangled. Beard butter can be rinsed out in the morning if there is any residual butter left from the prior night’s application.

• Styling Your Beard with a Brush or Comb
  Once you’ve added your styling products, use a beard comb or brush to style and distribute the product evenly. However, don’t overdo it! Over-combing your beard can cause damage to the hair follicles and result in split ends, breakage, and reduced beard growth. It is recommended to comb a beard gently, avoiding excessive combing or tugging, to maintain its health and appearance. 

Proper beard washing is an essential part of EVERY beard care routine. It helps maintain the health and appearance of your beard by removing dirt, oil, and dead skin cells, preventing skin irritation, beard dandruff, and by promoting healthy hair growth. To wash your beard properly, choose the right products, prepare your beard, and cleanse it thoroughly. Remember to also dry and style your beard with care. With the steps contained in this guide, you'll be on your way to a healthy, well-groomed beard that turns heads in no time!