How To Maintain Clear Skin Under Your Beard. HANDSOME BLACK MAN WITH LUSCIOUS BEARD

How To Maintain Clear Skin Under Your Beard

Sandra Scott

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An awesome beard is a wonderful thing. But what about the skin underneath?


Keeping your facial hair looking sharp might be the easy part - it’s the skin beneath that often suffers. Dryness, irritation, and breakouts are all too common, thanks to trapped dirt, sweat, and oil under the hair. Left unchecked, these issues can lead to discomfort and, even worse, an unkempt beard appearance!


The good news? Maintaining clear, healthy skin under your beard is totally doable—and we’ll show you exactly how. 


With the right skincare routine and a few simple adjustments, you can ensure that both your beard and the skin beneath it are in top shape.


Why Clear Skin Under Your Beard Matters


The skin under your beard has a lot going on. It’s not only dealing with the usual culprits like sweat and oil but also the added challenges of hair growth. This creates the perfect environment for clogged pores, dryness, and irritation if you don’t properly care for it.


And let’s be real: no one wants flaky skin, redness or breakouts peeking through their beard—or affecting their confidence. By prioritizing skincare for your beard area, you’re not only keeping your skin clear but also giving your beard a healthier, fuller appearance. Win-win.


How To Maintain Clear Skin Under Your Beard. Hansome man looking at his beard in mirror with hand on face

ACTION PLAN: How to Keep the Skin Under Your Beard Clear


Ready to tackle this head-on?

Here’s a simple yet effective plan to keep the skin under your beard clean, hydrated, and irritation-free.


Step 1: Cleanse with a Gentle, Exfoliating Face Wash


Washing your face—and beard—daily is your first line of defense. A high-quality face wash, like Otis Skincare’s DAILY FACE WASH, works double-duty by gently exfoliating and deeply cleansing your skin without causing dryness.


Why it works: The alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) in the formula dissolves dead skin cells and clears away dirt and oil trapped beneath your beard. This prevents clogged pores, breakouts, and flaky skin.


How to do it:

    1. Wet your face and beard with lukewarm water to open up your pores.
    2. Dispense a small amount of the face wash (nickel-sized is enough).
    3. Massage it into your face and beard, using your fingertips to dig deep into all directions of the beard. This stimulates hair follicles and lifts trapped dirt.
    4. Rinse thoroughly, ensuring no residue is left in your beard.

Pro Tip: Skip gritty exfoliators that can irritate sensitive skin and leave particles stuck in your beard. Stick to a gentle, exfoliating cleanser instead.

Step 2: Hydrate with a Lightweight Moisturizer


After cleansing, it’s essential to rehydrate your skin. Our exceptional HYDRATING DAILY MOISTURIZER ensures your skin stays nourished and protected all day.


Why it works: This lightweight formula penetrates through your beard, delivering moisture directly to your skin. It contains hyaluronic acid, which locks in hydration, smooths fine lines, and reduces irritation.


How to do it:

    1. Squeeze a small amount of moisturizer onto your fingertips.
    2. Rub it into your beard, making sure to reach the skin beneath. Focus on areas prone to dryness or irritation.

Pro Tip: Don’t skimp on this step. Your beard can act as a barrier, making it harder for products to reach your skin. Use your fingers to work the moisturizer in thoroughly.

Step 3: Keep Your Beard Groomed


Brushing your beard isn’t just for styling—it’s also a key step in keeping your skin healthy.

Why it works: A beard brush removes dead skin cells, dirt, and flakes while evenly distributing natural oils and skincare products throughout your beard. This prevents dryness and keeps your beard looking sharp.

How to do it: Use a high-quality beard brush to gently brush your beard daily, ideally after moisturizing.



Step 4: Maintain Healthy Habits


Your skin’s health is influenced by more than just your skincare routine. Keep these tips in mind to support clear skin under your beard:

  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin moisturized from the inside out.
  • Eat a skin-friendly diet: Foods rich in zinc and magnesium (like almonds, shellfish, and whole grains) help maintain healthy skin.
  • Trim regularly: Keep your beard trimmed to prevent stray hairs from irritating your skin.

How To Maintain Clear Skin Under Your Beard. Close up of man moisturizing his beard

FAQs: Keeping Your Skin Under Your Beard Clear

 

Can I use regular shampoo on my beard?
No. Shampoo is too harsh for your beard and the delicate skin underneath. Stick to a gentle face wash that’s designed for facial skin.

 

How often should I wash my beard?
Aim for once a day. If you work out or sweat a lot, you may need to cleanse your beard more frequently to prevent buildup.

 

What causes breakouts under my beard?
Breakouts can result from clogged pores, dirt, and excess oil trapped beneath your beard. Using a good exfoliating face wash and hydrating moisturizer can help prevent them.

 

Can beard care products cause irritation?
Yes, if they contain harsh chemicals or fragrances. Look for gentle, fragrance-free products like Otis Skincare’s lineup to avoid irritation.

 

How long does it take to see results?
You should notice improvements in a few days, especially with consistent cleansing and moisturizing.

The Takeaway


Clear skin under your beard is entirely achievable. By following this simple routine - cleansing daily with an exfoliating face wash, moisturizing thoroughly, and keeping your beard well-groomed - you’ll enjoy healthier skin and a better-looking beard in no time.


Otis Skincare’s DAILY FACE WASH and HYDRATING DAILY MOISTURIZER are your go-to products for maintaining clear, fresh skin under your beard.


So don’t wait—take action today. Your skin (and your beard) will thank you.

elevate your skincare routine

RESPECT FOR YOUR SKIN



RELATED READING

This article is for informational purposes only and does not contain medical advice. As always, please contact your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.

References 


N. Kluger, M.-H. Jegou, P. Assouly . Dermatoses et alopécie de la barbe et de la moustache . Annales de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie, Volume 141, Issue 10, 2014, Pages 624-632, ISSN 0151-9638,


Maurer M, Rietzler M, Burghardt R, Siebenhaar F. The male beard hair and facial skin - challenges for shaving . Int J Cosmet Sci. 2016 Jun;38 Suppl 1:3-9. doi: 10.1111/ics.12328. PMID: 27212465.

 

Elgash M, Dlova N, Ogunleye T, Taylor SC. Seborrheic Dermatitis in Skin of Color: Clinical Considerations . J Drugs Dermatol. 2019 Jan 1;18(1):24-27. PMID: 30681789.

 

Dunn JF Jr. Pseudofolliculitis barbae . Am Fam Physician. 1988 Sep;38(3):169-74. PMID: 3046269.


Ludmann P. (n.d.) Seborrheic Dermatitis: Overview, American Academy of Dermatology https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/seborrheic-dermatitis-overview


Scenario: Seborrhoeic dermatitis - scalp and beard (revised 2024 Nov)

NICE https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/seborrhoeic-dermatitis/management/seborrhoeic-dermatitis-scalp-beard/ 


Moriarty C. (2021 sept 1) Itchiness, Acne, and Skin Irritation: How to Solve Your Facial Hair Problems, Yale Medecine https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/beard-mustache-skin-problems