Skincare is essential to your beard journey. The sad truth is that dry, flaky skin goes hand in hand with beard dandruff and that awful itchiness that drives people to despair. Dead skin cells, dust and other particles can get stuck on your face and cause issues like blocked pores and irritation. This extra layer of debris can also impede the absorption of active ingredients in your products and affect the lipid barrier of your skin.

But all is not lost. Luckily, you can overcome these issues by integrating an exfoliating routine into your care regimen. With a bit of patience and consistency, you can help your skin become radiant and healthy, while improving the overall look and feel of your beard. Read on to find out the benefits of committing to an exfoliation routine and learn how to exfoliate your beard with our step to step guide.

Can you Exfoliate your Beard?

Exfoliating your beard is one healthy habit that your skin and beard will appreciate. The cool thing is that you’ll see and feel the difference of a freshly scrubbed beard. The skin beneath your beard will get a deep clean and it will have an easier time absorbing the nutrients in your moisturizer and other skincare products.

Exfoliating your skin can also help you achieve an even complexion and keep your beard happy. You’ll also enjoy the refreshing sensation of a truly clean face.

What Are The Benefits of Exfoliating Your Beard?

Exfoliating your beard is a healthy habit that helps remove dead skin cells, product buildup, and any other stubborn grime that gets trapped in the depths of your hair. This process can help improve local blood circulation, prevent itchiness and encourage beard growth.

Giving your beard a deep clean with regular exfoliation can also help prevent irritation and breakouts. This works by removing particles that might clog your pores and cause inflammation around your hair follicles.

How to Properly Exfoliate Your Beard & Face (Expert Tips)

Although it may sound like a fancy procedure, the process of exfoliation is simple and easy to integrate into your care routine. It won't take up too much of your time and the many benefits of exfoliation highly outweigh the effort you’ll be putting in.

Exfoliating 101

Start by wetting your face with warm water. Using hot water can damage your skin by stripping away the beneficial oils that maintain its barrier function.
Use your favourite beard wash to create a lather.
Use a beard scrubber to help spread your shampoo and gently exfoliate the skin underneath your beard. Make sure to cover every inch of your bearded area.
Rinse your beard.
While your skin is damp, use a facial exfoliator on the beardless parts of your face. If you’re using The Skin Struggle Power clarifying powdered foam exfoliator, then you’ll have to rinse your face a second time after applying the product.
Pat your beard dry using a soft towel.

Aftercare

Use your favourite beard oil to help rehydrate your beard and the skin underneath it.
You can detangle your beard and spread your care products with a beard brush.
Keep your skin hydrated and strong with a moisturizing cream.

How Often Should You Exfoliate Your Beard?

While exfoliation should become a routine habit, you have to be careful not to overdo it. Keep in mind that you’re essentially removing the superficial cells on the surface of your skin. Too much exfoliating can harm your skin by scraping away your living, healthy cells and causing microlesions. This can lead to redness and irritation and it’s something that you’ll want to avoid.

You can exfoliate your beard and skin up to three times a week. If you’re a beginner, you can start using your exfoliating products once a week and slowly increase the frequency as you build up tolerance.

For those of us with sensitive skin, exfoliating just once a week will be enough. Because sensitive skin is prone to irritation, it will benefit from a more conservative approach.

Homemade Beard Scrub for Exfoliation

If you’re a fan of homemade products, or if you’re particularly sensitive to ingredients found in skincare products, then this is a great choice for you. You can whip up a beard scrub using ingredients that you might have in your home. What you’ll need is some type of nourishing oil and another ingredient that acts as a physical exfoliating factor. You can use ingredients like coconut oil, granulated sugar and even coffee grounds.

Exfoliating Beard With Honey Sugar Scrub

1 cup coconut oil
1 1/2 cups white granulated sugar
1/4 cup raw honey
Add a few drops of essential oil for an amazing scent
A mixing bowl
Spoon

Mix the ingredients to create your scrub then apply the product on your clean and damp face. Spread the concoction on your face and massage it in with gentle, circular motions. When you’re done, simply rinse it off and continue your skin and beard care routine.

As a quick word of warning, physical exfoliants like granulated sugar and coffee grounds can be irritating to sensitive skin. Make sure that you’re not applying any real pressure when massaging your face with this scrub.

What Happens if You Don't Exfoliate Your Beard?

When you’re not exfoliating your beard and skin, you’re inviting all sorts of problems. You might experience flaking skin, excessive oil production, beardruff, and itchiness. In some cases, you can also notice breakouts, especially in your bearded area.

These problems are often the reasons why so many people quit so early on their beard journey. Commit to a good skin and beard care routine, put in the work and you’ll be set on the path to achieving the beard of your dreams.