Why Does My Beard Smell? How to Keep It Fresh

A beard is basically a sponge on your face. It catches food, sweat, smoke and dust all day long. If it's not looked after, it'll let you know, and so will everyone standing near you.

What makes a beard smell

• Food and drink. Crumbs, coffee, beer and grease get trapped in the hair.
• Sweat and dead skin. They build up near the skin, especially in hot weather.
• Smoke. Campfires, barbecues and cigarettes cling to beard hair.
• Product build-up. Old oil and balm that never gets washed out turns stale.
• Not drying properly. A beard left damp for hours can start to smell musty.

How to keep it fresh

1. Wash it properly

Wash 3 to 4 times a week with a proper beard wash, more if you work in heat, dust or grease. Eleven Mile Beard & Face Wash uses activated charcoal to pull out oil, grit and the day without stripping your beard dry.

2. Get down to the skin

Most of the smell sits at the base, not the tips. A Beard & Scalp Scrubber gets the wash right down there and lifts out the build-up your fingers miss.

3. Rinse after meals

A quick rinse with water after a big feed stops food sitting in your beard all day.

4. Dry it properly

Towel dry, then let it air dry or use a hairdryer on a cool setting. Don't leave it soaking wet.

5. Finish with a scent you like

A good beard oil conditions the hair and leaves a scent that sits close and lasts. Iron Beard Oil comes in three signature scents:

• Hoodlum: leather, smoke and rare Oud
• Larrikin: whiskey, Aussie bush and Sandalwood
• Gunfire: fireside smoke, leather and Black Pepper

Not sure which is you? Read the Scent Guide.

The easy fix

The Starter Kit has the wash, the scrubber and a full-size oil in your choice of scent. Everything you need to keep your beard clean and smelling right. Free shipping Australia-wide.