What Makes A Soft Beard?
Having a soft beard is important if you want to look groomed without it feeling harsh or bristly. Achieving a soft beard is easier said than done, as it comes down to a combination of factors, but with a little effort and knowledge you can get the soft beard of your dreams.
To start, you need to understand what makes a beard soft. The softness of a beard really comes down to two main components: genetics and care. While some people’s beard may naturally be softer than others, you can make sure you are taking the best care of your beard by following the steps below.
Daily Grooming Regimen
The first key step to achieving a soft beard is to ensure that you have a daily grooming routine in place. This should involve washing your beard with a gentle beard shampoo, applying a leave-in conditioner, and then brushing your beard with a boar bristle brush.
Your beard shampoo should be designed specifically for beards, as regular shampoos can irritate the skin underneath. It is also important to ensure you are rinsing the shampoo out properly to prevent any build up of residues.
Once your beard is wash and rinsed, you should apply a leave-in conditioner. This will help to nourish and soften your beard, as well as reduce any split ends or tangles. A boar bristle brush should then be used to help distribute natural oils and remove any dead hairs or product residue.
Style Your Beard
When it comes to styling your beard it is important to keep it looking neat and tidy. Make sure you use products such as beard wax or balm to help hold your style and to prevent the hairs from becoming unruly or scruffy looking.
Beard wax or balm provides hold, shines and nourishes your beard hair. This will help keep your beard looking soft, manageable and stylish throughout the day. It is important to remember that wax or balm should be applied sparingly to ensure you don’t make your beard hairs appear greasy or lank.
Regular Maintenance
Having a soft beard requires regular maintenance. This means trimming your beard regularly – usually every 4 to 6 weeks – and keeping it to a manageable length. Not only will this ensure your beard looks sharp, it will also help to prevent split ends, which can make your beard feel coarse.
It is also important to keep the skin under your beard looking and feeling healthy. Make sure you are exfoliating your skin regularly, using a face scrub or exfoliating cloth. This helps to keep the pores unclogged from any dirt, excess oils, or even product build up.
Protect Your Beard From Heat
Heat can be a real problem for those with a softer beard. Blow drying or using heating products such as curling irons or hair straighteners, can really damage and dry out your beard hairs. To protect your beard, you should avoid using these products, and also make sure you are using heat protectant products.
Heat protectant products help to form a shield around each individual hair strand, protecting them from the damaging effects of heat and preventing them from becoming brittle and more prone to damage. Additionally, you should also make sure you are using a light hold hairspray to give your look a finishing touch without weighing it down.
Stay Hydrated
Having a soft beard also comes down to being hydrated and taking care of your body from the inside out. Make sure you are drinking 6-8 glasses of water per day to ensure your body and skin is getting the hydration it needs. This helps to keep the skin underneath your beard looking healthy and glowing, while also keeping your beard feeling soft and nourished.
It is also important to ensure you are eating a balanced diet full of vitamins and minerals. Eating a healthy diet helps to ensure your body is getting the nutrients it needs and that your beard is benefiting too.
Beard Oil
Finally, the last step to achieving a soft beard is to use beard oil. Beard oil helps to coat the individual beard hairs and nourish them from the root up. It can also help to keep the hair follicles healthy and reduce the risk of any ingrown hairs. Additionally, it helps to reduce frizz and give your beard a natural-looking shine.
Beard oil should be applied to clean and damp beard in an upward motion, and you should use enough to evenly coat the entire beard. Make sure you are using a beard oil specifically designed for beards, as this will provide the best results.
No More Heat
When it comes to achieving a soft beard, you must do your best to stay away from the heat. This means avoiding blow drying your beard, as well as using heating products such as curling irons and hair straighteners. By avoiding heat, you will minimise damage to your beard and make sure it remains soft and healthy.
You should also endeavour to use a light hold hairspray when styling your beard, as this will provide added hold without making it look lank or greasy. Additionally, ensure you are applying a heat protectant product whenever you are near any heated styling tools. This will form a shield around each individual hair strand, protecting them from heat damage and reducing the risk of split ends.
Take Care Of Your Skin
When it comes to softening your beard, you may not realise how important it is to keep the skin underneath it healthy. Make sure you are exfoliating the area regularly with a face scrub or cloth, to ensure the pores stay unclogged and reduce the risk of blocked pores. Exfoliating also helps to keep the skin looking brighter and healthy.
You should also make sure you use a gentle, beard-specific shampoo when washing your beard, as regular shampoos can irritate the skins underneath. You should also ensure you are using enough product, but not too much, as excess shampoo residue can lead to build up. Finally, remember to rinse your beard thoroughly.
Daily Grooming
Having a daily grooming routine is key when it comes to having a soft beard. This involves washing your beard with beard shampoo, applying a leave-in conditioner, and then brushing it with a boar bristle brush. Leave-in conditioner helps to nourish and soften the beard, whilst brushing helps remove any dead hairs and product residue.
You should also make sure you are styling your beard with products such as beard wax or balm, as this will help to keep it looking neat and tidy. Additionally, try to keep your beard trimmed to a manageable length every 4 to 6 weeks, to ensure it remains looking sharp and to prevent split ends.
Beard Oil Is Your Friend
Lastly, beard oil. Beard oil is the best way to nourish your beard and ensure it remains looking soft and healthy. Applying a few drops of beard oil daily will help to keep the individual hairs moisturised and reduce the risk of any damaged or split ends.
Beard oil also helps to reduce frizz, keep the hair follicles healthy, and can even give your beard a natural looking shine. Make sure you are using a beard oil specifically designed for beards, as it will provide the best possible results.
Feed Your Beard From The Inside Out
Making sure you are eating a balanced diet full of the right vitamins and minerals is essential to keeping your beard looking soft. Eating healthily ensures your body is getting the nutrients it needs, whilst also providing benefits to your beard. Additionally, make sure you are drinking plenty of water as this helps to keep your body and skin hydrated.
Not only can a nutritious diet help to keep your skin and beard looking better, but it can also have a positive impact on your overall health and wellbeing. Eating the right foods can help boost energy levels, improve focus and concentration, and even help to reduce stress.
Treat Your Beard To Some TLC
Finally, make sure you are treating your beard to some TLC from time to time. This includes using a deep conditioning treatment, as well as indulging in an occasional hot oil treatment. These treatments help to nourish and strengthen the individual hairs, whilst also helping to protect them from damage.
With some care, consistent daily grooming, and a little bit of TLC, you’ll be able to have the soft beard of your dreams in no time. So next time you’re looking in the mirror, you can be sure that your beard will look as soft, manageable, and stylish as you wish.
