Let’s face it — not all of us are blessed with a thick, bountiful beard. No matter! In a testament to quality over quantity, healthy skin along with well-groomed and neatly trimmed facial hair can certainly elevate your appearance.

Personally, the most facial hair I can grow after weeks is other men’s five-o’clock shadow. On top of that, I have a baby face, so a rugged, lumberjack-style beard is simply an unattainable illusion.

I operate in the world of stubble. What works best for me is shaving two days before whatever event I want to look my best in. My goal is letting the world see that I can grow facial hair without them knowing how limited the growth is.

All that to say: work with what you have. Let’s optimize what we’ve been given so we can look and feel our best. Skin/facial care is an aspect of self-care. Self care is sexy!

What’s Your Skin Type?

Caring for your facial hair begins with caring for your skin. Knowing your skin type will help you approach a proper skin care routine. Here are the most common skin types —

• Oily Skin: Prone to greasy-feeling shine, especially within your face’s T-zone. 
• Dry Skin: Your skin may feel tight, flaky or rough.
• Combination Skin: Your T-zone is oily but your cheeks are dry.
• Normal Skin: There’s a balance — your face is neither too oily or too dry.
• Sensitive Skin: More easily reacts to products or environmental factors, such as pollen.

How to Care for Your Skin

After identifying your skin type, choose the right products that work best for your skin. The process may involve some trial and error, but remind yourself that proper care is a lifelong journey that’s worth the effort.

The world of skin care can rise to complex levels — with serums, face masks, light therapy, etc. Those steps could help, but here are the three basic steps that will help:

• Cleansing: Use a cleanser appropriate for your skin to wash your face every day.
• Moisturizing: Apply a moisturizer you enjoy to keep your skin hydrated. Some moisturizers can feel thick and creamy while others may feel light and crisp. Find your preference!
• Sun Protection: Protect your skin from harmful UV rays by wearing sunscreen.

Another step worth mentioning that’s part of the cleansing routine is exfoliation, which can help prevent ingrown hairs and skin irritation. However, it’s harsher on the skin so — depending on your skin type — exfoliate sparingly and perhaps consult a dermatologist.

Caring for Your Facial Hair

Whether you rock a full beard or trimmed stubble, let’s make sure it looks good.

• Cleanse: As facial hair can trap dirt, oil, dead skin cells, food and more, wash your facial hair with a gentle hair cleanser (face cleansing products are not designed with hair in mind).
• Condition: A hair or beard condition will soften and help detangle your facial hair, which is especially important for longer beards.
• Trim: Regularly trim your facial hair. Buy the right tools for the job. The right razor, beard trimmer or scissors will keep the lawn that is your face wonderfully landscaped.
• Moisturize: To prevent dryness, itchiness, and split ends, use a beard oil or balm to moisturize your facial hair and skin.
• Comb/Brush: Use a comb or brush to style your facial hair and distribute natural oils. This helps keep your facial hair looking healthy and shiny!

If you want to look sharp because you have a date, keep these tips in mind.