Just as nobody teaches you how to grow beard, nobody jumps in to give you a beard grooming lesson even though it’s the most important part of having a beard. I mean, growing beard? Most, if not all guys can do that. But it takes consistent, proper care to keep your beard healthy, manageable and looking it’s best.

From giving it the right nourishment to hydrating it at regular intervals, there are indeed a lot of beard care tips that most men might not be aware of. That’s why most of them are patient enough to wait for their beard to grow to a desired length, then end up shaving them because ‘they don’t look good’.

In this article we give you a few tips and tricks to help you properly care for and maintain the health of your beard. Let’s begin;

1. Wash your beard regularly

Most men will confirm that most of the time crumbs and other leftovers of the day can get stuck in beards especially if they are long and thick. This can therefore make them gross and cause itchiness if not washed regularly. Scrub your beard several times each week with a specialized cleanser or a medicated dandruff shampoo that contains salicylic acid then gently pat it dry since overzealous toweling can lead to frizz and split ends.

2. Keep your beard hydrated

Beard oils can be tricky since some are too heavy, some are too shiny and some feel dry. Therefore you will need to try as many as possible until you find the right one. Hydrating your beard regularly helps keep them soft and shiny. This also helps moisturize the skin underneath your beard to prevent itchiness, control flakes and maintain follicle health.

Something else to note is, if you have acne-prone skin, use a beard conditioner, if you have normal or dry skin, use a beard oil and if you have a sensitive skin, use a fragrance free, non-comedogenic moisturizer.

3. Trim your beard

Trimming helps keep your beard healthy and well kept. Every few weeks, grab a pair of scissors or beard trimmer to even out any uneven patches as well as remove damaged hair. Scissors are more precise and cause less damage whereas beard trimmers are easier to use but can cause split ends and may damage your hair. Therefore chose wisely on what works for you.

As you’re trimming your beard make sure you follow the natural contour of your face. Remember that less is more when it comes to trimming otherwise you will have to take the length down everywhere just to maintain a balanced look.

4. Remember the mustache

Growing an epic beard also means growing a mustache unless you’ve chosen a chinstrap which again I don’t recommend. You can keep your mustache looking neat with a few trims every three to four days to keep stray hairs at bay. Focus on the area under your nose with a pair of facial hair scissors and keep it naturally sculpted with a medium hold wax. You could also use a small comb to brush all your mustache hairs straight down to properly assess its length and bulk. Remember to be careful because if you get it wrong it will throw off your facial expressions and give you an unbalanced, unflattering look.

5. Health first

If you want a thick healthy beard, make it part of your overall healthy lifestyle. This includes getting enough rest each night, exercising and eating a balanced diet. Your beard is made from protein and fat but its’s also heavily reliant on Vitamin B5, B3 and B9.  This means you need to it more of lean meats, nuts, egg yolks, milk and lots of leafy greens. You could also include supplements like hims in your diet and watch your beard grow longer and healthier.