First things first, your skincare routine is not enough to care for your beard. If you like keeping a stubble or growing it long, it’s important to understand that following a proper beard care routine is imperative. While adding a couple of more products for beard care may sound like a few extra steps in your routine, it can help in maintaining healthy skin and beard without spending a few thousands at a salon every week. Here are a few easy steps and effective products to care for and maintain beard at home 

• Trim, groom, style the beard

It’s always growing so if you need it to look healthy, clean, and well-maintained, trim it. Now trimming a beard at home isn’t as difficult as it sounds. All you need is a trimmer and a beard comb that’s comfortable to use for you, has multiple settings, and is portable. If you like keeping it short and well-styled, you might need to trim it often while for long beard, once or twice a week is enough. Once your beard has surpassed the stubble phase, it’s important to untangle it regularly. It’s easy to do so when it’s wet and while trimming it.  

We recommend: Bombay Shaving Company Beard Shaper Tool with Comb and Alan Truman Atom 511 Home Grooming Trimmer 

• Use Right Grooming Products for the Beard

If you have heard people talking about beard washes, oils and balms, and laughed it off as a joke, you need to refresh your grooming knowledge. Yes, there are separate washes, oil and balms for beard. Beard hair is coarse and thick and requires a different set of product formula and type to care for it. This prevents clogging of pores and skin irritation. If you have sensitive skin, use hydrating products, people with oily skin should go for non-comedogenic products and for those who struggle with acne, check for salicylic acid in your products.  

We recommend: Beardo Godfather Beard Wash

• Don’t forget to Moisturise the Beard 

Does the concept of moisturising beard hair sound weird? But it’s as logical as moisturising and oiling your scalp. Without moisturising the beard, the skin under the beard can be itchy and flaky. Also, if you are prone to getting ingrown hair, exfoliate the skin once a week and follow it up with a moisturiser. If you are in a stubble phase, make sure to use SPF after moisturising. Switch to a beard conditioner if you have acne-prone skin, normal to dry skin people can use a beard oil and those with sensitive skin should stick to non-fragrant moisturiser. 

We recommend: Forest Essentials Grooming Beard Oil  

• Establish and Maintain a Grooming Routine for the Beard

Like a simple CTM (cleansing, toning, moisturising) routine for the face, establish a beard care routine too–cleansing, trimming, moisturising and styling. If you have a long beard, set it in place by using a beard wax or gel. This not only gives a clean look to the beard but also helps in understanding when your beard is due for trim. The idea is to maintain a routine that can be easily followed. As the beard grows, adjust or switch its care routine according to the length of the beard. 

We Recommend: Ustraa Beard & Mooch Wax - Strong Hold 

Beard Grooming Tips to Keep in Mind

• Do not wash the beard every day, it strips aways the natural oil and makes the skin dry. Stick to two-to-three times a week. 
• Use sulphate-free, mild cleanser and follow it up with a conditioner or beard oil. 
• If you have a long beard, pat dry rather than rubbing it. 
• Trim it regularly to prevent split ends; for this, invest in good quality tools like a pair of trimming scissors, an electric trimmer, and a beard comb.