Men with beards or those who try growing them often face this dilemma—how to soften coarse, irritating hairs. If you’ve dealt with an itching, scratchy, or stabbing feeling and general discomfort, you may wonder how to soften your beard. There are many reasons your facial hair may be rough. If you know why, you can fix the problem and better maintain your beard.
Why Your Beard Isn’t Soft
By knowing the causes of your coarse beard, you can find a more direct solution. Here are some of the most common reasons your facial hair isn’t as soft as you’d like it to be:
- Facial hair easily becomes dehydrated: A lack of moisture can make your beard dry and brittle. Natural oils in your skin provide much needed hydration, but soaps and shampoos can wash them away. Limited fluid intake is also a contributor, so this is one more reason to stay hydrated.
- Minerals in hard water: Many homes deal with hard water or tap water that contains high concentrations of minerals, such as calcium or magnesium. Hard water can leave behind chalky residue. This can roughen beard hair and cause it to tangle up. If you use a beard shampoo, hard water minerals can make it less effective.
- Low temperatures: Cold weather can make your beard hair dry and brittle. Therefore, it’s important to know how to care for it if you live in a chilly climate. Facial hair can be brittle when first growing; at this stage, exposure to sun, wind, and harsh weather strips away the protective layer and split ends develop, leaving a ragged appearance.
How to Make Your Beard Softer
Fortunately, there are personal hygiene techniques to soften up your beard so it looks better and you’re more comfortable. Here are a few examples:
- Washing: A beard is an effective trap for food, dirt, and grime. Excess skin oil can get trapped, as well, and clog up pores, which can lead to a variety of problems. It’s important to wash your beard on a daily basis. To get your beard thoroughly clean:
- Use a hydrating beard cleanser that eliminates unwanted particles and moistens each strand of hair.
- Eliminate excess oil and exfoliate dead skin by cleaning your beard with a soft brush.
- Wash with a beard shampoo; beards are different from scalp and other hair, and washing with regular soap can dry it out.
- Combing/Brushing: This not only straightens hair and helps keep it clean, but also distributes natural oils that help hydrate beard hair. Combing also promotes hair growth in the desired direction, as beard growth patterns naturally vary. Combs can help stimulate growth as well as prevent ingrown hairs. If you use a comb or brush, make sure to use one designed for beard hair.
- Trimming: Regular trimming can smooth out sharp edges caused by shaving. Another advantage of trimming is it can prevent split ends. Most importantly, it helps keep your beard looking attractive and healthy.
- Hydration/Nutrition: If there’s not enough water in your body, there won’t be enough for your beard—beard care options that help here will be covered below. Remember to drink enough fluids every day, which is good for your overall health. A healthy, protein-rich diet is important too. It should include saturated fatty acids—these help produce natural protective oils, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin C, and Vitamin D.
- Beard Oil: This includes essential oils with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. These oils can help reduce dandruff and ingrown hairs and improve blood flow. Common types include eucalyptus oil, lavender, rosemary, rose, and ginger oils. Carrier oils help dilute essential oils to prevent skin irritation. They are also hydrating, while helping deliver the benefits of compounds they’re mixed with; carrier oils include coconut, and sunflower oils.
If you have greater styling needs, a beard balm offers a more heavy-duty solution. It is highly nourishing for both skin and facial hair. Beard balm is easy to use; here are a few simple steps:
- Dispense a small amount, about the size of a pea.
- Rub it in your hands to warm it up.
- Apply to your beard in an upward motion, starting below the chin.
- Smooth it out with your hands and a comb.
In addition to essential oils and carrier oils, beard balm contains some beeswax, which improves hold, and nut butters such as cocoa, shea, kokum, etc., which make it easier to spread and rub in the balm.
How to Make Your Beard Soft
If “how to soften my beard” has been nagging your mind, the above tips can help protect it from the elements and keep it smooth and stylish. Regular washing, trimming, and maintaining hydration and nutrition help. A softer, smoother beard can also be achieved with products from Blackship Grooming Co. We offer high-quality beard oils and beard balms to soften, moisten, and style your beard.
Additionally, we supply premium brushes and combs, as well as razors, razor blades, and other bath and body products. Place your order online. For assistance, call 724-201-6411 or contact us online.