Choosing The Right Beard Wash – An Experience-Based Guide

To complete the trio of guides, which includes beard oil and balms, now is the time to look at one of the items most guys neglect regarding beard health: the proper beard wash.

They say cleanliness is next to godliness. I don’t know all about that, but I do know that if you want a decent beard AT ALL then you need to start with finding the best way to keep your facial fuzz nice and clean.

However, as with many cosmetic and grooming items, there is nuance in choosing the right product for your personal use.

That is why we are here today!

Before We Begin

Before we get into the nitty gritty of looking at a good beard wash, it is important to bring up one point.

A great deal of guys are going to ask why they can’t just use shampoo when it comes to keeping their facial hair clean. 

The answer comes down to the difference between soap and shampoo. 

Soap is designed to clean off the dirt, grime, and oil off the skin while keeping in the moisture that it needs to stay healthy.

Shampoo, on the other hand, is more astringent and designed to lift away everything and pull the natural oils out. This will help the hair on your head grow stronger and more healthy.

Facial hair is more tied to the skin of the face than the hair on your scalp. Your scalp health matters for your luscious locks, but the skin on your face matters even more for a healthy beard.

Frankly put, the skin on your face needs something much less powerful than shampoo to get your beard healthy. I know it sounds like a marketing gimmick, but let me tell you that my beard always looks better after a week of beard wash vs a week of shampooing.

Note: I am not talking about beard shampoo above, I mean shampoo we use for our hair (regular shampoo). Beard Shampoos and Washes are the same thing and named one or the other depending on the brand or company making and selling it.

What to Look For

Like Choosing The Right Beard Balm and Choosing Beard Oil That Is Right For You, there are a few things we need to look at before we even buy the product. 

These steps range from making sure you know your skin, to making sure you’ve built enough wiggle room into your budget.

If you’ve read the other articles I have linked above, then some of them will be just a repeat of the points we hit before. However, there is a major difference in what you’re looking for, even if you are looking at some of the same attributes.

How’s your Skin?

Gentleman, know thyself!

What’s your skin like? Do you deal with acne or itchy skin on a regular basis?

Are you sensitive to harsh chemicals? Perhaps your beard is frizzy or has lots of curls?

Answering those questions is going to help you find something that works for you.

If you have sensitive skin, you will want to go for a beard wash that has more natural ingredients, less preservatives, and overwhelming scents.

Is your beard frizzy and curly? Then, you will most likely want something like Scotch Porter Moisturizing Beard Wash, which is specially formulated for more dense and curly beard hair.

If you know what you need, then you can eliminate options and narrow your list to maybe only one or two of the myriad products on the market.

What’s In it?

More than most other products, you need to watch the ingredients like a hawk when it comes to Beard Wash.

Soap and Shampoo of all types are always full of ingredients that are there to improve shelf life and stabilize the formula. Unfortunately, these ingredients often have 500-dollar names that you need a chemistry degree to break down.

So what to look for? Natural ingredients. Look for names you understand and know. Shea Butter, Argan Oil, Jojoba, Avocado Oil, Aloe Vera, Oatmeal, and Green Tea are universally great products because they are anti-inflammatory, anti-itch, and moisturizing.

Avoid parabens and sulfates, as they can dry out your skin or cause irritation. Maybe one or the other if you are enamored with a brand, but too many, and it will turn your beard into an arid wasteland.

If it has more than 4 syllables? AVOID.

How Does it Feel?

Yet again, Texture is always a major thing to look for.

We will get into the lathering part of the beard wash later, but make sure to pay attention to the kind of texture you get out of a good beard wash. 

For my part, I prefer something thicker and more gel-like. I find that sticks around longer and creates a better lather when I am getting it ready.

However, in my experience, I have also found guys who enjoy something lighter and more fluid and oily. That makes it rinse easier after you are done soaping it.

It is somewhat subjective, but I would almost always recommend a liquid soap over a beard wash bar. Professor Fuzzyworth’s Beard Shampoo Bar was just awkward to use, for me.

What’s it Smell Like?

When it comes to scents in beard washes, they are quite different from the aromas you normally get from other beard products.

Most often, rather than the rich and multi-layered scents you get in beard oils and beard balms, you get more refreshing, exciting, and floral aromas in Beard Wash.

I am a personal fan of this because I typically use the beard wash in the shower so I can wake up.

Also, the majority of these scents are going to disappear quickly so that they won’t clash with your other beard products. So, that isn’t as much of a worry when you want to find a beard wash you love.

Be careful though, because beard washes often will include synthetic aromas that irritate sensitive skin. Watch out for something labeled just “Fragrance” or “Parfum.” If you have sensitive skin, it might leave you with a rash.

How much are you willing to Spend?

Budget is the killer of us all, and unfortunately, when it comes to beard wash you are going to end up spending more money than you want to probably.

Most of the bespoke and smaller brand beard washes are going to run you at least 20 to 25 USD when it comes to 4 to 6 fl oz of product. For me, that is nothing. If I were buying those regularly, then I would be looking at buying a new bottle every 3 weeks.

If possible, when you find the beard wash of your dreams, buy it in bulk. Most brands will have larger sizes for a more economical option.

Unfortunately, when you are trying things out, things might get expensive.

If a brand catches your eye, look for discounts and deals. Amazon is not the one-stop shop for beard care, so Google around to see if you can find something on sale. 

How to Evaluate a Beard Wash Thoroughly

Alright, so you found a beard wash you may like, but how do you put it through the paces so you know it is the one for you?

Great question!

Here is how I evaluate a new beard wash, as well as how I use it to the greatest effect.

Remember to experiment. No one’s face is the same, so make sure you have some wiggle room.

Patience is Key

Much like with anything in this life, you are going to need to be patient when using any beard wash.

Once you start using a high-quality beard wash that is good for your skin, you will see a difference in both your beard health and the health of your skin in general.

However, that isn’t going to happen overnight. You need to take time to see a benefit. While with other beard products, you need to give it about a week to two weeks to see a change, you will probably start to see a change after about two to three days.

A clean face can make all the difference.

Look at Multiple Sources

I’ve belabored this point before, but it bears repeating even here. Mostly because I find it so repugnant.

When you look for beard washes online and hit your first few Google sites, you will find most of them are specifically trying to sell you their brands or partner brands.

They want you to get their product so they can get the cut.

Shaving Advisor pays for our own products, and our reviews are not sponsored at all. We are independent and proud to be so. The opinions expressed here are not pitched to get you to buy the items reviewed.

When looking for something like beard wash, beard oil, or beard balm, make sure to check multiple sources to make sure you are getting something that works for you and not something just to line someone else’s pockets.

Be cautious of reviewers on the websites selling the beard washes, especially if there are an astronomical amount of positive reviews because they are likely created by people who have been given free products and influencers in return for a review, and not honest reviewers.

Altogether Now

With this, plus our other two beard guides, you should be well on your way to getting something truly amazing when it comes to your facial hair.

I’m not saying you are going to look like Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, but you are going to give the Norse god a good run for his money.

If you take care of your beard, you most definitely WILL stand out from the other guys around you. 

Whether you are trying to pick up a hottie in your favorite bar, trying to ace an interview, or even just be more comfortable in your skin, getting the right beard wash, and then your right beard balm or beard oil is going to make all the difference in the world.