Nowadays, as much as men take care of their hair they take just as much care of their beards. Beards are currently in style, you will see 95% of men rocking beards these days whether it is stubble, trimmed or a full manly beard.

In this post I will run through five beard essential items I believe every man should have in their bathroom. Remember guys, "With great beard comes great responsibility". If you had the patience to grow a beard you should make sure you maintain it the right way too!

Number One - Beard Shampoo

A must have essential when taking care of your beard is beard shampoo. It is designed specifically to treat coarse beards and the skin beneath. Some say, why not just use hair shampoo? Well, the skin underneath your beard is a lot more sensitive than the scalp so this is why beard shampoos have been developed.

How it works

The shampoo helps relieve the discomfort and irritation of the beard so that you can continue to grow it or maintain it without feeling the need of shaving it all off. It provides you with a smoother and softer beard and removes dry skin and dandruff flakes below the facial hairs.

Regular shampoo strips away natural oils leaving the hairs brittle and dry. However, beard shampoo moisturises the hairs and reduces any dry skin developing. Although, the shampoos seem to be costly, a little goes a long way. You only need a small amount to cleanse the entire area of facial hair.

Any one with a beard can relate to having itchy skin once in their lifetime of growing a beard. This is where the beard shampoo will help you as it will help soften the hairs on your face!

Applying beard shampoo

Every morning whilst showering, make it a priority to apply beard shampoo. You only need a small amount on the palm of your hand. Rub it between your hands and massage thoroughly through your beard. Using it regularly will help you in the long run when using a beard comb for example or applying beard balm to style your beard.

Number Two - Beard Balm

When growing a beard it is essential to purchase a good quality beard balm. Beard balm helps maintain the look and feel of the beard, keeping it smooth throughout the day.

Just as you have to hydrate your body with water, using beard balm will help nourish the facial hair so that it continues to grow healthy and remains soft whilst reducing the itchiness that can affect the skin under the beard.

Applying the Beard Balm

There isn't a specific time to apply the balm however, you will see a whole lot of difference if you apply it straight after your shower.

Whilst applying the balm, make sure you start with a small amount and massage throughout your beard making sure you cover each strand of hair. Once applied the balm will last throughout the day, leaving your beard looking shiny and moisturised. 

If you have thick, coarse hair then it is essential to purchase organic beard balm with ingredients of Shea butter or Beeswax. It will help to ensure the moisture stays trapped in the beard hairs and protect it from damage from the sun.

Overall, the beard balm helps keep your beard looking shiny and feeling smooth throughout the day. It also helps keep the flyaway hair down, so it does not look 'wild' between trims.

Number Three - Beard Oil

One of my favourite items for bears has to be beard oil. The beard oil is seen as a conditioner at the same time and rightly so as it keeps your beard moisturised and soothes the skin beneath whilst giving it the shiny look and smooth feel throughout the day.

How it works

As the oil is spread evenly with a beard comb, it works its way down each hair, down to the skin helping it reduce itchiness. If your beard is looking flaky or you have dry skin forming then beard oil is a must have for you! It also helps with irritation that may occur during the growing stages.

Applying the Beard Oil

There is no specific time for using the beard oil; it can be used right after you shower or right before you go to bed on the night. By using it on the night you will wake up each morning with a soft and smoother beard.

Beard oils also have a nice scent. It is worth considering this when choosing the beard oil for you! Make sure to choose organic beard oil with a fragrance that you enjoy.

Number Four - Beard Comb

Every beard comb is specific to the type of facial hair, so it is very important you make sure you use the right one for your beard. If you have more of a longer beard then you should choose a comb with wider teeth and guys with shorter beards should consider using the comb with fine teeth to maintain the facial hair.

You can buy beard combs that are made out of metal, plastic or wood. The better quality comb the steeper the price. However, if you're looking for a comb to simply maintain the beard, a small plastic comb will suffice.

How it works

The beard comb helps distribute the beard oils or balm into the hairs on your face. It is a useful piece of kit as it ensures you hit every area of the beard that may not be possible if only using your fingers.

Whilst it helps to spread the product, it also assists in combing the hair at the angle you want it to grow making sure the future hairs also grow in the required direction. The comb helps in removing any dead skin or flakiness from your beard too!

Number Five - Beard Scissors

Many men turn to their beard trimmers when styling the beard. I believe in doing things the old fashioned way so why not invest in some beard scissors!

Beard scissors help you blend and trim the areas of your beard more quickly and precisely than a beard trimmer. This is particularly important for trimming your moustache where using a trimmer is almost impossible. It is also worth noting that beard scissors are not the same as regular scissors.