September is a good time to get your grooming routine back on track. The summer months can be hard on your beard and the skin underneath it, with sweat, SPF, seawater, heat, and styling products building up over time.
With World Beard Day on the 5th of September, it’s also a good excuse to give your beard a bit of attention. Whether you’ve kept the same beard all summer or let it grow out while you’ve been away, a few simple changes can make it look and feel much better.
You don’t need a complicated routine or a bathroom shelf full of products. These seven simple beard care steps will help you clean things up, look after the skin underneath and get back into a routine that’s easy to stick to.
1. Start with a proper clean
After a summer of sweat, sunscreen and product, your beard can collect more than you might realise. Simply rinsing it with water isn’t always enough to remove everything.
Start by washing your beard properly with a gentle beard wash. Work it through the hair and down to the skin underneath, then rinse thoroughly. No need to scrub aggressively, as this can leave your skin dry and irritated.
How often you wash your beard will depend on your skin and lifestyle. If you’ve been exercising, spending time outdoors or swimming regularly, you may need to wash it more often. The key is to remove buildup without stripping away the natural oils your beard and skin need.
2. Don't forget to condition
Beard hair can be quite different from the hair on your head. It tends to be coarser and can quickly feel dry or rough, particularly after plenty of sun and time outdoors. Using a beard conditioner after washing helps soften the hair and makes it easier to manage. It can also help with some of that scratchy feeling that often appears when a beard gets a little too dry.
Work the conditioner through the beard, leave it on for a short while, then rinse it out properly. You don't need loads of product - a little goes a long way. If your beard still feels dry after washing and conditioning, that's usually a sign it needs a bit more moisture as part of your everyday routine.
3. Give your beard and skin some moisture
It’s easy to focus on the beard itself and forget about the skin underneath. But dry, flaky or uncomfortable skin can quickly make even a well-grown beard look untidy. This is where beard oil comes in. A few drops worked through the beard can help soften the hair while adding some moisture to the skin underneath. Apply it after washing while your beard is clean and slightly damp. Start with a small amount and add more if you need it - using too much can leave your beard looking greasy rather than healthy.
If you prefer something with a little more hold, beard balm is another option. Balm is thicker than oil and can help keep stray hairs under control while conditioning the beard. There isn't really a right or wrong choice between the two. Oil is useful for keeping the beard and skin moisturised, while balm is a good option if you also want some shape and control.
4. Trim and reshape
After a few weeks of holidays and a more relaxed routine, your beard may need a bit of tidying up. You don't necessarily need to take much length off. Start by trimming away any obvious stray hairs and cleaning up the neckline and cheeks. If you already have a beard shape you like, try to follow the same lines rather than making big changes.
Take your time and trim a little at a time. It's much easier to take more hair off than it is to put it back. If you're unsure about changing the shape, a small tidy-up can be enough to make the beard look noticeably sharper without losing the length you've spent time growing.
5. Clean your tools
Your beard tools need cleaning too. A safety razor, shaving brush or comb collects loose hair, oil, skin and product every time you use it. Over time, that build-up can simply end up going straight back into a freshly washed beard.
Take a few minutes to clean your safety razor, double-edge blades, shaving brush or comb regularly. Remove trapped hair and wash or clean the tool according to the manufacturer's instructions. Make sure it is completely dry before using it again. It’s a small part of your routine, but keeping your tools clean makes sense if you're putting the effort into looking after your beard.
6. Get back into a shaving routine
A beard still needs a bit of shaving and maintenance around the edges. Keeping the cheeks, neck and any areas outside your beard shape tidy can make the whole beard look much more defined. If you've got out of the habit over summer, now is a good time to get back into it.
Take the same approach as you would with any wet shave. Prepare your skin with warm water, use a good shaving soap or shaving cream, and use a sharp double-edge blade rather than trying to get a close shave with an old one.
Don't forget the skin afterwards either. Rinse with cool water and apply a soothing aftershave or aftershave balm to help keep the skin comfortable.
7. Keep it consistent
The biggest difference usually comes from simply sticking with your routine. You don't need to spend an hour grooming your beard every morning. A few minutes of washing, brushing, moisturising and tidying it regularly will usually do more than an occasional big clean-up.
September is a good time to reset those habits. Get your beard washed properly, give the skin underneath some attention, clean your tools and tidy up the shape. From there, keeping on top of it becomes much easier.
A good beard doesn't need to look perfect. It just needs to look cared for. Whether you've been growing yours for years or you're still figuring out what style works for you, the basics stay the same: keep it clean, keep it moisturised, keep your tools clean and give it a regular trim.
And with World Beard Day just around the corner, there's no better time to give your beard a little love and start the new season looking sharp.