When you first start growing your beard, you can probably get away with rinsing it as you wash your face. As it grows longer, however, your beard may require some care to maintain a healthy, clean appearance.
At this point, you might be wondering, “should you only wash your beard with water?”
It is possible to wash beard with water only. Many people may find beard shampoos to be abrasive on their skin or an unnecessary extra expense. Luckily, properly washing your beard with water only is unlikely to cause any problems. That said, dirt and grime can only be removed with shampoo.
Keeping that in mind, let’s take a look at the benefits of washing your beard with water only as well as some tips to properly clean your beard with just water. Sit tight because we’ll also go over situations where you might need to shampoo your beard.
Should You Wash Beard With Water Only?
You can wash your beard with water only every day, without damaging or stripping your facial hair. Washing your beard with water is an effective method to remove any water-soluble grime from your facial hair and skin.
Some bearded men have even completely shunned beard shampoo, washing their beards only with water. They claim that after they stopped using shampoo, their beards became softer and thicker.
That said, it’s better to find a happy medium between washing your beard with water and shampooing it.
The world, unfortunately, isn’t immaculate, and you may find yourself in some dirty environments.
Dirt, odors, and a variety of pollutants can accumulate in your beard. Washing it with water may not always be enough to remove them.
Still, this doesn’t imply that you must shampoo your beard on a daily basis. You can wash your beard with water alone as long as it doesn’t come into contact with anything that could make it dirty. Then, shampoo it once to twice a week to remove any oil, sweat, dirt, or product build-up.
How to Maintain a Clean Beard With Water Only
Here’s a step-by-step beard-washing technique to do in the shower. It’ll ensure that the water washes away any dirt or grime while keeping your beard healthy and clean.
Step 1: Massage Your Beard
Start at the base of your beard and massage the roots. Then, rub the pads of your fingers in gentle circular motions for two minutes. This massage will help loosen the dirt, oil, and dead skin trapped at the beard’s roots.
Step 2: Brush Your Beard
Using a beard comb, gently brush from the roots outward to transfer your beard’s natural oils to the hair tips.
You should avoid using regular combs because they can cause hair-splitting and damage.
Step 3: Rinse Your Beard With Water
Lastly, soak your beard with lukewarm water and slowly sweep your fingers through the hair outwards. This motion should completely remove any build-up and keep your beard smooth.
Gently squeeze out the water from your beard with a microfiber towel. Then, dry it off with a hairdryer on medium to low heat.
Step 4: Shampoo Once a Week
You should shampoo your beard at least once a week to prevent any dirt and grime build-up. Instead of using regular shampoo, you can either use your facial cleanser or beard shampoo.
Both products are made for facial skin, so they should thoroughly clean your beard without irritating your skin.
In addition, beard shampoos are often infused with ingredients such as jojoba oil, which can moisturize and nourish both the beard and the skin.
Should You Wash Your Beard With Hot or Cold Water?
When it comes to washing your beard, the safest and most ideal water temperature for your beard is lukewarm. You should avoid washing your beard with either hot or cold water.
Hot water is the last thing you want near your beard and face. It can strip your skin and hair of their natural protective oils, making them more prone to damage and irritation.
What’s more, scalding hot water can gently burn the skin, causing dryness and flakiness. If the dryness continues, it can lead to beard dandruff.
Cold water isn’t any better. When you wash your beard with cold water, the pores tend to close up, which prevents the water from cleaning out the hair follicles and pores from any bacteria, oil, or dirt.
Lukewarm water, on the other hand, is gentle enough to open your pores and clean your beard without stripping it or your skin from any natural oils.
When Should You Wash Your Beard With Shampoo?
Aside from the fact that you’ll be missing out on some nutritious beard shampoos, there are some situations in which you must shampoo your beard to avoid any hygienic issues.
Tough Smells in Beard
Some odors linger longer than others, clinging to clothing, hair, and even beards. If you smoke, work in a factory, or eat at a restaurant, the various gasses and fumes may stick to your beard.
What’s more, messy eaters tend to leave food bits in their beards, which can cause a hygiene issue if the beard isn’t properly cleaned.
Some other factors can contribute to funky-smelling beards, including bacteria from sweat and bodily secretions.
In any of these situations, simply washing your beard with water won’t suffice. You must thoroughly clean your beard with shampoo or soap.
If you find that shampooing your beard makes it too dry, you can always add moisture with beard oil.
Having Oily Skin
If you have oily skin, it’s advisable to shampoo your beard every other day. Active sebaceous glands in the skin produce sebum oil, which can seep into your beard and make it appear greasy.
In addition, the more oil that accumulates in your beard, the more likely it is that your skin will become clogged and breakout. So, you should use a gentle beard shampoo as much as your beard needs.
Using Beard Grooming Products
Most beard grooming products can’t be washed out with water. If they’re left to accumulate in the beard, they can create a breeding ground for bacteria and dirt, which is bad for both your beard’s health.
People with dry or flaky skin often or who have brittle beards may use beard oils. While these oils are mostly natural and great for your skin, you can’t rinse them out with water only. They need a surfactant mixed in with water to break down.
Another tough to wash out product is beard wax. It’s made to have a strong hold and keep your beard in whatever style you want. If you use beard wax, make sure to wash it out with shampoo so that it doesn’t clog your pores and damage your beard.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining your beard hygiene is essential to preventing skin rashes, breakouts, or even unpleasant odors.
While you can wash your beard with water only, it’s advisable to achieve a balance between washing with water and shampooing. Your beard will thank you by looking healthy, shiny, and clean.
That said, taking care of your beard is more than just a matter of hygiene. Read on here to find out whether beard oil or beard conditioner is better for your beard.