By Dandies Barber – Mountain View | Campbell | Sunnyvale, CA
Having a beard doesn’t mean you should skip skincare — in fact, it means your routine matters even more. The skin beneath your beard can dry out, become flaky, or feel itchy if it isn’t properly cared for. And when the skin suffers, your beard does too. A healthy beard always starts with healthy skin.
If you’ve ever wondered how to apply skincare products when you have a beard or whether beard oil replaces moisturizer, this guide will walk you through it all in a simple, practical way. Here’s how to take care of both your skin and your beard without overcomplicating your routine.
Why Beard Care and Skincare Go Hand in Hand
Bearded skin has different needs. Your beard traps sweat, dirt, and oils throughout the day. It also makes it harder for moisture to reach your skin, which can lead to dryness or irritation. Proper skincare ensures the skin under your beard stays calm, hydrated, and healthy — which results in a softer, well-groomed beard.
If your beard ever feels itchy, flaky, or rough, your skincare routine is almost always the solution.
Step 1: Cleanse the Skin and Beard Properly
The foundation of a good beard-friendly routine starts with cleansing.
Use a gentle face wash to remove dirt, oil, and impurities from your skin.
Massage the cleanser into the beard area so the skin underneath gets clean too.
Rinse thoroughly — leftover cleanser can dry out the skin.
You can also use a beard wash or beard shampoo 2–3 times a week if your beard is long or thick. This eliminates product buildup and keeps the beard fresh without stripping natural oils.
SEO Tip: Men who use beard wash regularly experience less beard dandruff and irritation.
Step 2: Exfoliate to Prevent Ingrown Hairs
Exfoliating is one of the most important steps for men with beards. Regular exfoliation:
Removes dead skin trapped under the beard
Prevents ingrown hairs
Reduces itchiness
Keeps the skin smooth and clear
Use a gentle exfoliator 1–2 times a week. Focus on areas where the beard grows thickest, such as the chin and jawline. You don’t need to scrub aggressively — let the product do the work.
Step 3: Apply Moisturizer (The Most Important Step)
Hydration is the secret to healthy skin — and a soft, manageable beard.
After cleansing (or exfoliating), apply your moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp. This helps lock in hydration.
Here’s how to do it with a beard:
Take a small amount of moisturizer.
Apply it all over your face, including the beard area.
Massage the product into the skin under your beard using your fingertips.
Smooth the remaining product over the beard hairs.
This keeps both your skin and beard moisturized without weighing anything down.
Step 4: Use Beard Oil or Beard Conditioner the Right Way
Moisturizer hydrates your skin, but beard oil and beard conditioner are designed to nourish your beard hair.
Use these products sparingly — especially beard oil. Too much can make your beard look greasy.
A clean, easy routine:
After moisturizing, apply a few drops of beard oil or a small amount of beard conditioner.
Warm it in your hands.
Lightly work it through your beard from the roots to the ends.
Beard oil softens the hair, reduces frizz, prevents itchiness, and adds a healthy shine. Beard conditioner makes longer beards smoother and easier to manage.
SEO Tip: Beard oil does not replace face moisturizer — they work best together.
Step 5: Brush or Comb Your Beard
Using a beard comb or boar-bristle brush has major benefits:
Distributes beard oil evenly
Prevents tangles
Trains the beard to grow in shape
Helps stimulate the skin beneath
A well-brushed beard always looks cleaner, fuller, and more intentional.
Step 6: Don’t Forget Sunscreen
Men often skip sunscreen, especially with beards — but UV rays can damage skin even under facial hair.
Use a lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen and apply it everywhere, including around and through the beard area. The skin under your beard still needs protection from sun exposure.
Common Beard Skincare Mistakes to Avoid
Using too much beard oil
Not moisturizing the skin underneath
Washing the beard with regular shampoo
Over-scrubbing or over-exfoliating
Ignoring beard dandruff (it’s a sign of dry skin)
Avoiding sunscreen
Good skincare helps avoid all these issues.
Final Thoughts: Healthy Skin = A Healthy Beard
Having a beard doesn’t complicate your skincare — it just shifts your focus. With the right routine, your skin stays hydrated, your beard stays soft, and you avoid the common issues like itchiness, dryness, and flakiness.
Cleanse daily, exfoliate weekly, moisturize generously, and finish with a little beard oil. Your skin will thank you — and your beard will look better than ever.
