Beard Care Guide · From the Founder

Taking Care of Your Beard Is Hard Work

I'm not here to tell you this is going to be an easy journey. If you want easy, go and buy a razor.

Your beard is like bamboo.

Eh?!

I know, odd analogy, but stay with me. I once watched a short motivational video that described chasing your dreams like growing bamboo. Did you know it can take years to go from seed to a fully grown plant, and that most of that time is spent under the soil, where you can't see any progress at all? Growing a beard is a bit like that. Maybe not years, but it does take patience, and there will be times you just want to give up and shave it all off. STOP THAT THINKING.

The early-stage itchiness will drive you nuts, I'm not going to lie. But you will get past that phase, land on an initial style you like, and build from there. (If the itch is really getting to you, I've written a whole guide on it: how to get rid of beard dandruff and itch without shaving.)

Disclaimer: not every man can grow a proper beard.

Sadly, genetics has a large part to play in how your facial hair grows. Which leads me to assume I get my beard from my mum, because my dad can't grow one for love nor money, and my mum, well, has no beard. Come to think of it, I've never seen a photo of any of my relatives with a beard. Hmmm. Anyway, back to the point.

People often say to me "I'd love to grow a beard but can't get past the itching stage," or "I just end up looking like a tramp." My usual response is that it was the itching after shaving that made me grow mine out in the first place, and that regular trimming during growth keeps a smart appearance while you get there.

Others reckon having a beard is just laziness. OK, yes, there are some beards out there that are a touch Robinson Crusoe, but that's their choice. You can just as easily keep an impeccable face rug and maintain it. Let's be honest, if you don't trim that Zoidberg lip then yes, it's going to look unsightly, so keep it neat as you go. And if an epic moustache is the goal, a good strong stache wax will keep it out of your mouth.

If you've got a naturally curly beard, you can use heat tools to get that ancient dwarven look. But if you're going to apply heat with a hairdryer or heated brush, you must oil it first. No ifs or buts. High-temperature tools dry out facial hair, fact. It's the same as straightening the hair on your head: any hairdresser will tell you to use something like argan oil to help replace the moisture you lose.

Check the ingredients

Before you rush to the pound shop and grab the cheapest beard oil on the shelf, know this: I'm a firm believer that you get what you pay for. Stay away from silicone-based oils and anything containing mineral oil. It's your face, after all, not a new car.

Obviously, as a craft beard care artisan, I'm going to suggest you buy from independent beard brands. Why? Because we care more about the products we make than a corporation that hops on the bandwagon, churns out tonnes of machine-made product and stuffs it in your face, literally. It's also just nicer to support smaller companies than to fill the vault of the already filthy rich.

Take our RUNESILK beard oils. They're built around genuinely nourishing ingredients like Argan, chosen for their moisture-rich properties, not just for the hair but to condition the skin underneath too. That skin underneath is the bit most people forget, and it's usually the real cause of itch and flaking. (More on that in my routine for itchy, flaky beards.)

Do your research

Everyone's different, and beard scents vary a lot between brands, so it's worth finding what suits you. There are some brilliant beard communities out there to help, like Guardians of the Beard, Home of the Beardos and Bearded Banter (formerly Private Beards) on Facebook. A lot of their members do independent beard reviews, so they're well worth a look. YouTube is a great place for beard content too.

However you wear it, and however long it takes to get there, looking after your beard properly is worth the work. Be patient through the itch, use decent products, look after the skin underneath, and support the small brands and communities that actually care. Your face will thank you for it.

From the RUNESILK workshop. Growing one out? Start with a good beard oil, and here's how often to wash it.