The cold bite of winter is harsh on the environment as well as your beard. Beard maintenance is often over looked during the winter months. Extra care and proper grooming habits are essential to maintaining not only a healthy beard, but a healthy face. Here are some tips to keep a healthy beard during the cold months.
Carefully choose your beard wash
Commercial soaps are full of synthetic ingredients that have damaging effects on the skin. Soaps like Dove and shampoos like Redken contain ingredients like sodium cocoyl isethionate (synthetic detergent), sodium tallowate (sodium salt of cow fat) and other emulsifiers and detergents. These ingredients counteract the natural oils produced by the skin and hair and will also cause skin irritation. Stripping your hair and face of these natural oils will leave your skin and beard dry and brittle. Even while using a good beard oil, you may still experience a dry and brittle beard along with dandruff. Find a natural soap with natural and organic ingredients.
Application: Use natural and milder beard wash or soap. Choose soaps designed specifically for beard use. These soaps lack the synthetic ingredients of popular brands but have tremendous benefits for your hair and skin. If possible, wash your beard only a few times a week.
Use a conditioner
Beard Oil, Beard Balms, and Beard Butters are key to help your beard battle dandruff, dryness, hair loss, split ends, and brittleness. The skin underneath is just as important as your epic beard that covers it. Keeping the skin and your beard conditioned and moisturized should be a main focus during the winter months. Butters make a great deep conditioner. Natural butters are a great skin conditioner and hair moisturizer as well.
Application: Find a good beard butter and beard oil. If using one, use more often during the winter. Good tip is to use butters 3 times a week and oils can be used daily. During the winter, change it up so you use the conditioner 3-4 times a week or can be used daily if needed. Longer and thicker beards may need oils and butters applied more often.
Hydrate!
Hydration is often overlooked by many people. Water is the cornerstone to your body's health. Staying hydrated will promote cardiovascular health, keep your body balanced by flushing out toxins, keep your muscles and joints working, promote healthier skin, promote healthier and shinier hair, and even promote weight loss. Give your skin and hair every advantage by staying hydrated.
Application: Drink more water!