The process of growing a beard isn’t easy. Luckily, you can find many products that will make it a more pleasant experience for you.

Make sure that you have what you’ll need to grow a beard in your shaving cabinet ready in time, as you will need your favourite products handy. You have probably heard of beard oils and beard balms but aren’t sure on which one is the right pick.

We prepared a helpful guide for your beard growing journey. When you go through these tips, you will know which products you need to buy.

Do beard products work?

Bearded men have a whole range of products in their bathroom cabinet. If you think that they might be exaggerating, you would want to think twice after reading this.

During the beard-growing process, you will experience a lot of problems such as itching and irritation. But also, you will need a little help to tame the hairs.

This is when you get that those good beard products are a crucial part of the whole process.

Beard products such as oils and balms will soften the hairs when applied. This will reduce the discomfort and help you tame your beard.

Must-have products for a healthy and stylish beard

Lucky for you, some companies specialise in offering products meant to help healthy hair growth and beard grooming.

1. Beard oil

Beard oil will hydrate both the hair and the skin. This product will soften your beard and make it easier for you to style it. It will also relieve the itchiness and moisturize the dry skin underneath the beard.

This product is quite effective in dealing with the beard dandruff as well. Make sure that you pick a formula that hydrates the beard, but doesn’t leave it greasy.

When shopping, give advantage to the beard products with natural and organic ingredients.

2. Beard balm

A beard balm is a creamy product that works as a leave-in conditioner. Most of them contain moisturizing natural oils such as sweet almond oil or shea butter. This will give your beard some volume and make the styling easier. 

Take a small amount of your favourite beard balm and rub it between your hands. Apply on a dry beard after washing it with a mild product. Gently massage the skin underneath the beard and distribute the product evenly. You can use beard balm and beard oil together for the best results.

3. Beard wax

The beard wax works the same as your hair wax. The difference is that the formula is suitable for the delicate skin. If you want to style your beard in a fancy way, then you must get a good beard wax. Gentlemen with a moustache will find this product very helpful for maintaining their signature styling.

4. Beard shampoo

When it comes to washing your beard, you should avoid using a regular shampoo. These contain harsh surfactants that will strip away the natural oils. This means that your beard will be stiff and hard to style, but you can also experience split ends. Pick a good beard shampoo that will keep the facial hair healthy and shiny.

5. Beard brush

To complete your arsenal of beard products you should get a good beard brush. It will help you untangle the hairs and distribute the beard oil and balm evenly. But also, don’t forget that a good brush will gently exfoliate your skin and remove the dead skin cells.

6. Beard comb

Keep in mind that your hair comb won’t work for your beard. You will need a specially designed product for styling your beard. But, it doesn’t only help with styling. The comb will also prevent ingrown hairs and keep your beard healthy.

Are razors better than electric shavers?

Just because you plan to grow a beard, it doesn’t mean that you should quit using sharp objects. As the hairs grow, your beard will look messy. You will need to shave the cheeks and neck to create clean lines and make sure that your beard looks put together.

When it comes to shaving, you have two options: manual razor and an electric shaver. As a beginner, you might not know which one works better.

Many bearded men will agree that the razor works better than an electric shaver. But why? The razor goes closer to the skin, so the hairs won’t grow as quickly as they would if you used an electric shaver.

An electric shaver will do a very sharp cut. This can cause skin irritations and split hairs.

Are there any ingredients I should be looking for? Avoid?

When looking for the right product, don’t look at the brand or price. Many famous brands might not work simply because they don’t have good ingredients. They can cause acne and irritate your skin, so you need to be very picky. The ingredient list is what matters the most when shopping for beard products.

1. Ingredients to avoid when you try to grow a beard

The ingredients that you want to avoid are silicones, parabens, mineral oils, and perfumes.

Silicones can clog your pores and cause acne breakouts. Artificial perfumes can irritate your skin, so be sure to avoid them too. Especially if your skin is sensitive.

Mineral oil might sound like a natural ingredient. But, be sure that it isn’t. It can weigh your facial hair down and make it difficult for you to style the beard. Also, mineral oils can slow down the growth of your beard.

When you pick a good beard wash, avoid ones with sulfates. These will wash away the good oils and make your beard dry and stiff.

Isopropyl alcohol is another ingredient that you should stay away from. It has a similar drying effect as sulfates, so avoid it at all costs.

2. Ingredients to look for when you try to grow a beard

To avoid inconvenience, simply opt for natural and organic products.

Consider products made of natural oils such as jojoba oil, coconut oil, argan oil, grape seed oil, and other choices. They will moisturize and soften the beard while reducing the discomfort and thickness.

Another great option that you should consider is DIYing your natural beard products. This way, you will have control over the ingredients and can tailor the product to your needs.

There are so many recipes out there, so you don’t have to be skilled to make your own products. Usually, the process isn’t complicated and includes melting and mixing oils.