Beards are all the hype lately. They have become fashion accessories and personal statements, coming in all sorts of different lengths, shapes, colours and styles. There is one slight problem with growing out your beard, and that is that it often itches, and feels prickly, rough and dry. Especially if you wish to maintain a short-trimmed, 3-day beard, this problem can be made worse, since the hair will be shorter and stiffer. If you are tired of your beard being stiff and rough, or if your girlfriend is, at oneHOWTO, we offer some tips on how to soften your beard and put an end to the prickly beard feeling.
Homemade shea butter to soften your beard
Sure, there are plenty of store-bought beard softeners out there, but why pay all that money when you can make one yourself? To make this, you'll need 50g of shea butter, 25ml of avocado oil and 5 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil. This cream contains different oils that will hydrate and soften your beard, while nourishing it to get rid of that wiry texture. Whip all the ingredients in a bowl to get a creamy consistency and store in a glass jar for up to 6 months in the fridge.
Apply generously as a mask for 30 to 40 minutes then rinse with warm water.
Soften a beard with coconut oil
Coconut oil is known for its hair healing and softening effects, which also work great on beards. To use it, heat up the oil in the microwave for just a few seconds. Then, dip a comb in the oil and run it through your facial hair. Afterwards, apply cold water to close the pores. You can apply a generous amount to leave on overnight for intense softening or a smaller amount for daytime softening.
Another more elaborate recipe to soften your beard with coconut oil is to also mix in other moisturizing agents such as milk cream and honey.
- Warm up the coconut oil with the same amount of olive and almond oil as well as a teaspoonful honey and milk cream.
- Make sure it doesn't burn. Once it's warm remove from heat and let it cool down.
- Apply on your beard and leave this mask on for around half an hour.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
- Use a cold compress in order to close down the open pores and brush your beard.
Jojoba oil can also have a similar function to coconut oil if you don't have any in hand.
Orange peel to soften your beard
Orange peel is a very efficient remedy to avoid prickly beards if you have an electric blender or processor, as the orange peel must become a fine powder. To do so, you must dry the peels of oranges to get rid of the moisture, then blend them to get a powder. Mix this powder with half a cup of milk, until you get a paste. Apply on your face for 40 minutes then rinse off with warm water. You'll also be left with a fresh orange scent for the rest of the day!
Olive oil, almond oil and honey mixture to soften the beard
This mixture combines the hydrating properties of olive oil, the nourishing properties of honey and the repairing benefits of almond oil. Create a mixture with equal parts of the 3 ingredients, apply to your face for 30 minutes then rinse with warm water. Afterwards, run cold water on your face to close your pores.
Oils and shampoos to soften your beard
If you do not feel like making a homemade remedy to soften your beard, you can find multiple products like oils and shampoos, specifically designed for your beard. They all contain the necessary nutrients to ensure a proper hydration. The same way you wash your hair, remember to shampoo your beard every time you're in the shower.
For maximum efficacy, apply two drops of beard shampoo and spread them on your beard using circular movements and massaging deeply. Rinse it directly.
When it comes to conditioner, which is the element which will actually make your beard soft and moist you must also use a specific product for your hair. Apply on with a light massage, leave on for around 3 minutes and rinse with water. Make sure you wash off all of the conditioner, as the remnants may irritate your facial skin.
This is why it's equally important to dry your beard as soon as you've come out of the shower, by patting the beard with a towel gently.
Once it's perfectly dry, you can apply the oils and butters mentioned above in order to nourish your soft beard.
Moreover, when you want to shape make sure you add some drops of coconut oil before you do so, although it's better to trim a beard than to shave it if you want it soft. Trimming your beard when it is still wet is the best idea so the hair on the beard doesn't become dry.
Comb your beard to soften it
Apart from these useful ways to soften your beard with home remedies, there are also some habits you can get used to in order to soften your beard. Choose a good brush or comb for your beard. Avoid plastic brushes as they will create static electricity and go for soft bristle brushes instead,as it will also have a massaging effect on your skin and will help comb and distribute hairs across the beard, not only softening your beard but making it look nice. Brush your beard every morning, as brushing passes the natural oils from your skin throughout the hair strands, creating a natural moisturizing and nourishing effect.
Now that your beard is soft to touch, find out how to groom it.
How to soften a beard stubble
Do you feel like your stubble feels like sandpaper? If this is your case and want to grow a nice and soft beard, it's normal for you to also start with a softer stubble.
The first tip is to refrain from shaving or trimming your stubble so often. Make sure you also exfoliate your face and beard with an adequate face scrub for beards that will get rid of any dead cells and promote healthy hair growth for a softer beard.
Always use skin conditioner every day to improve your skin's quality and moisturize the area.
Again, like with the soft beard, before shaving you can apply some drops of coconut oil in order to nourish the area and make sure your hair grows soft and moist.
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- Staying hydrated throughout the day and drinking plenty of water will help your skin stay moist and will promote overall healthy hair growth.