Beard Care Routine for Beginners: The 3-Step Routine That Actually Works
Growing a beard is easy. Keeping it looking good is where most blokes come unstuck. The good news is a proper routine takes about two minutes a day and only needs three things: a decent wash, a good oil and a brush or comb.
Step 1: Wash it properly, 3 to 4 times a week
Your beard catches everything: food, sweat, dust, grease and dead skin. Regular shampoo strips it dry, so use a wash built for beards and the skin underneath.
Wet your beard, work in a small amount of Eleven Mile Beard & Face Wash, and use a Beard & Scalp Scrubber to get it right down to the skin. Leave it for up to 60 seconds, then rinse with cool water. On the days in between, a plain water rinse is enough.
Step 2: Oil it every day
Beard oil is the one product every beard needs. It softens the hair, stops it going wiry and keeps the skin underneath from drying out, which is where itch and flakes start.
After your shower, towel your beard until it's damp, not dripping. Put 3 to 5 drops of Iron Beard Oil in your palms, rub them together and work it into the skin first, then through the hair to the ends. Longer beard, more drops.
Step 3: Brush or comb it into shape
Brushing spreads the oil evenly, lifts out loose hairs and trains your beard to grow in one direction instead of every direction. Use a boar bristle brush for short to medium beards, and a comb once it's long enough to tangle.
Optional: balm or butter
Once you've got some length, you can add a balm for hold and shape, or a butter for deep conditioning if your beard runs dry or coarse. Not sure which? Read oil vs balm vs butter.
Common beginner mistakes
- Washing with regular shampoo every day. It strips the natural oils and leaves you itchy.
- Only oiling the hair. The skin underneath needs it most.
- Using too much oil. A greasy, shiny beard means you've overdone it. Start small.
- Giving up in the itchy stage. See our guide to beard itch.
The easy way to start
The Starter Kit has the whole routine in one box: Eleven Mile wash, a full-size Iron Beard Oil in your choice of scent, and the Beard & Scalp Scrubber. Add a brush and you're set. Free shipping Australia-wide on every order.