Understanding Beard Skin & Exfoliation Basics
The skin in a beard is a body part that often goes imperfectly cared for, whether you are in the midst of a pandemic or any other time. To nourish the skin underneath your beloved facial hair, exfoliation is key. Taking the time and effort to peel away dead skin-cells – while keeping the follicles clear – not only helps keep the beard healthy, but also makes it look more attractive. Exfoliation also helps avoid additional ingrown hairs in areas that have already been affected. Here, we break down the basics of how to exfoliate beard skin.
It all depends on what you’re looking for – there are soft exfoliators (gentle cleansers and scrubs) and there are hard ones (manual scrubbers and raw washes). Soft exfoliators are the better choice for everyday use, as they are primarily used to remove surface dirt and bacteria.
Before embarking on any exfoliating adventure, it’s important to ensure skin is as clean as you can make it. The best way to do this is to use a mild facial cleanser specifically formulated for facial hair. Don’t use harsh soaps and detergents as they can strip skin of essential oils, causing dryness and irritation.
Scalp exfoliants are great for beard skin, too, but it’s important to use something formulated specifically for facial hair – not just hair on the head. This is because the purpose of facial exfoliants is to create a cleaning action that is both gentle and effective on the fragile facial skin.
If you want to take the soft exfoliation one step further, you can use a natural facial scrub. A natural facial scrub is composed of a mixture of softened oils, that helps create a lubricated surface for a gentle yet effective scrub experience. Naturopaths recommend herbal scrubs for general grooming and health of the facial skin, making them an ideal choice for a stronger exfoliating session.
Alternatively, a mechanical scrubber can be used for those times when you need to go a little deeper. Mechanical scrubbers are most often formulated with a combination of chemicals and abrasives, to create a scrubbing action that penetrates deeper into the skin. The action of the scrub also helps to promote circulation in the skin, while helping to reduce any excess oils buildup in the pores.
For those with ingrown hairs or excessive oil buildup in the beard, a raw wash is the best option. Raw washes help to remove oil, bacteria and dead skin-cells from the pores – leaving the skin feeling refreshed and ready to grow beard hair again. They’re also great for sensitive skin types, as they are usually composed of natural ingredients that won’t strip away essential oils.
Beard Masks & Natural Options
For those looking for a more natural approach to using exfoliates, a beard mask is the way to go. These masks are the ideal way to help remove dead skin-cells, while also nourishing the skin underneath the follicles. Natural masks are available in both powder form and paste form, to create an individualized experience that is tailored to your own skin type.
The masks work to lock in moisture and nourish beard hair, while providing a gentle yet effective scrub. Natural ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter, almond oil and olive oil are usually found in beard masks, creating a nourishing experience for dry or dehydrated skin. They can also help to make the skin look more supple and vibrant, helping to improve your beard’s overall appearance.
It’s also important to keep in mind, that exfoliation should be done slowly and gently. Even if you’re using a harsher exfoliate, remember to take your time and use small, circular motions when scrubbing. This helps to create an even exfoliation, while protecting the skin from any potential damage.
Finally, it’s important to remember that exfoliating should be done only once or twice a week – anything more could cause your skin to become too dry. Avoid scrubbing too harshly, and always use a gentle moisturizer after exfoliating to ensure your beard skin stays healthy and hydrated.
The Benefits of Exfoliating Beard Skin
Exfoliating beard skin keep the facial skin healthy, while getting rid of those pesky ingrown hairs. The process helps to remove dead hair and skin cells, so that newer and healthier cells can arrive, helping the facial hair to look stronger and much cleaner. The exfoliates action can also help to lift dirt, oil, and bacteria from deep inside the pores, making sure that the skin underneath your beard remains healthy.
Exfoliating can also help with the health of your facial hair, as the dead facial skin cells that may be blocking your hair follicles will be removed. This helps the beard to look more vibrant— and maybe even grow longer and thicker. Exfoliating will also help to reduce dryness of the beard and skin, since it gets rid of the dead layers of skin that can create a dry layer on top.
Finally, exfoliating services to lift the skin and add a bit of brightness and smoothness, giving the beard a more attractive look. Cleansing can also reduce itchiness and flakiness that may come from skin conditions or dryness, leaving your beard looking and feeling healthy.
Tips for Exfoliating Beard Skin
To make sure your exfoliating experience is as beneficial as it can be, here’s a few helpful tips:
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Exfoliation is important, but don’t forget to use a gentle facial moisturizer afterwards. This will ensure your skin remains hydrated, and that it replenishes the essential oils it needs to stay healthy and good-looking.
Choose the right exfoliant for you. Depending on your skin type, the type of exfoliant you use can vary. If you have sensitive skin, look for natural alternatives; if you have oily skin, opt for a stronger exfoliant.
Take your time scrubbing. Even if it’s a mechanical scrubbing that you’re doing, remember to take your time and use small, circular motions when scrubbing. This helps to create an even exfoliation, while preventing any potential damage.
The Dangers of Over Exfoliating
It’s important to remember that over-exfoliating can lead to problems too. Over-exfoliation can cause irritation to the skin by removing too many layers of skin and essential oils, resulting in redness, sensitivity, and dehydration. It can even lead to further breakouts, as it can disrupt the natural balance of the skin and lead to clogged pores.
Similarly, harsher exfoliators can actually cause more damage than good. Abrasive substances, acids and chemically derived ingredients can irritate the skin and cause further inflammation, leading to further breakouts, redness and discomfort.
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it’s best to reduce the frequency of exfoliating, or switch to a more natural, gentle scrub. Always do a patch test beforehand – applying a small amount of the product to the skin for a few minutes – to make sure your skin is not too sensitive for the product.
Choosing the Right Exfoliant for Your Skin Type
No matter what type of exfoliator you use, it’s important to choose the right one for your skin type. For those with sensitive skin, the best option is to use a soft scrub or a natural facial scrub. For those with oily skin, harsher exfoliants may be necessary.
If you have acne-prone skin, it’s best to stick to exfoliants that are formulated specifically to help treat breakouts. Exfoliants that contain antioxidant ingredients – such as green tea, pomegranate and vitamin C – can be beneficial, as they can help to reduce inflammation and hydrate the skin. Raw washes with essential oils can also be beneficial, providing both hydration and healing properties.
It is also important to remember that the type of exfoliant you choose should be specific for facial hair. Haircare products are formulated for head hair, and may not be suitable for use on facial skin and facial hair.
Final Thoughts On Exfoliating Beard Skin
Essentially, exfoliating is a crucial step in maintaining one’s facial hair, and should be done regularly. Not only will it help to remove dead skin-cells and bacteria, but it’ll also help to reduce dryness and irritation, revealing a healthier, fresher layer of skin. Choose the correct exfoliant for your skin type, and don’t over-exfoliate; within a matter of weeks, you should start to see results.
