Is it just us, or have dermatologists suddenly become the most popular doctors on the Internet? If you wear a beard, you need to give attention to skincare. Essentially, beard care is chin care! If your chin skin is dry, inflamed, or infected, that is certainly going to affect how well your beard grows.

Don’t just take our word for it. It’s time to call in the experts! We scoured the Internet to learn what dermatologists are saying about beard and skincare.

Are Beards Bad for Skin?

Dermatologists say that beards are a-ok…as long as you take care of them. Beards give the skin an added layer of protection from sunlight. The biggest risk of having a beard is a lack of good hygiene, which can harbor dirt and debris on the skin. As long as you keep it clean, having a beard can actually help your skin because you avoid the nicks (and potential exposure to bacteria_ that come along with shaving. What else do derms have to say about beards?

Develop a Routine

What’s the best beard care routine? Dermatologists recommend washing your beard daily. After each wash, you need to moisturize and condition both your beard and the skin underneath it.  

The name of the game is gentle. Article after article emphasizes the point that the face is already a sensitive area, and having a beard (especially if you want it to grow) means that you need to take even greater care. Reach for products made specifically for the face and beard.

Our all-natural Big Beard Soap is a gentle cleanser that doesn't skimp on cleaning power. Our beard oil provides moisture and conditioning. To pair hold with conditioning action, try our beard balm. 

Use Sunscreen

Everyone on Earth is exposed to harmful UV rays from the sun, and guys with beards are not immune. Without proper protection, you are more prone to skin cancer. Dermatologists recommend applying sunscreen to the entire face, including the skin under the beard. If your beard is thick enough, you may be able to safely skip the chin skin, but it will never hurt you or your beard to apply sunscreen. 

If you have a patchy beard, stubble, or a really thin beard, you still need to use sunscreen. 

There are plenty of high-quality moisturizers out there than include sunscreen. Dermatologists recommend an SPF factor of at least 30 to protect the sensitive skin of the face. 

Prevent Ingrown Hairs

Skincare is unique. We don’t all have the same needs. Some of us are more prone to ingrown hairs than others, but you don’t need to resign yourself to a life of pain and pulling. 

While excessive and overly abrasive exfoliation can harm the skin and beard, dermatologists recommend exfoliating the beard no more than twice a week if you get ingrown hairs often. Don’t go rubbing body scrub on your chin. Instead, use a gentle exfoliant specifically made for the face. 

Unless you have an underlying skin condition, you’re unlikely to find a dermatologist that tells you not to grow a beard. Keep your beard clean and conditioned. Stick to your healthy beard care regimen, and don’t forget to use sunscreen. Last but not least, build onto your basic routine of cleaning and conditioning with additional TLC, like exfoliating if you have unique skin problems.