Beard care

Beard oil such as avril's Beard Oil nourishes both the beard hair and the skin underneath, makes the beard hair smoother, and helps prevent the annoying itching that often occurs especially in the first weeks of a growing beard. Beard wax, such as in dark brown or brown from NUR FÜR MÄNNER, has a noticeably firmer consistency and is primarily used for styling, for example to shape individual beard hairs or the mustache and hold them in place throughout the day. A beard balm combines both functions to a lesser degree, providing light care while also giving some hold, without fixing as strongly as pure wax. For a short to medium-length beard without special styling requirements, beard oil is generally completely sufficient. If you also want to shape individual hairs or a mustache, beard wax specifically rounds out the routine.

Wash your beard no more than two to three times a week with a mild shampoo, such as the All-in-One Shampoo for Hair, Beard & Body, since washing too often can dry out the natural oils of the skin underneath. After washing, while the beard is still slightly damp, apply a few drops of beard oil and distribute it evenly with your fingers or a beard comb down to the tips of the hair. On other days, a smaller amount of beard oil in the morning is usually enough to keep the beard hair smooth and prevent split ends. Comb your beard regularly with a special beard comb, which distributes the oil more evenly and at the same time trains the hair into the desired growth direction. If you also want hold for individual hairs or the mustache, round out the routine with a bit of beard wax as needed.

Aftershave balm, such as the Eros Comfort After Shave Balsam or the Men's Aftershave Balm, has a creamier, richer consistency and is especially well suited to dry or sensitive skin, since it also provides moisture. Aftershave lotion and spray, such as from TABAC ORIGINAL, are usually lighter and absorb faster, but more often contain a certain amount of alcohol, which can irritate freshly shaved skin more than an alcohol-free balm formula. For sensitive, redness-prone skin, we generally recommend a balm without or with little alcohol, since open pores after shaving are especially prone to irritation. Always apply aftershave to cleansed, dry skin, right after shaving, to soothe the skin and disinfect small micro-injuries. If you experience a burning or stinging sensation after application, you should switch to a milder, alcohol-free formula.

Yes: avril offers the Beard Oil and the Men's Aftershave Balm with certified organic ingredients, and cmd Naturkosmetik adds the Tea Tree Oil Aftershave Balm to the range, which also has an antibacterial effect and is well suited to blemish-prone skin. Puremetics rounds out the natural segment with the Ginger Tonic Shaving Soap, which relies on a gentle, traditional shave. These products generally avoid synthetic fragrances, alcohol, and animal-derived ingredients and are labeled accordingly as 'organic' or 'natural' in the product name or description.

For aftershave products, it's worth checking whether they contain alcohol, since it can further dry out and cause a burning sensation on freshly shaved, slightly irritated skin; alcohol-free balm formulas are generally the better-tolerated choice here. For beard oils, many people pay attention to the base oils; jojoba oil and argan oil are considered especially skin-friendly and absorb well without feeling heavy or clogging pores. Shaving foam and shaving soap such as the Ginger Tonic Shaving Soap should be formulated as mildly as possible and without aggressive surfactants, especially for sensitive skin or a tendency toward razor burn. You'll always find the complete composition in the INCI list on the relevant product page. If you have known fragrance allergies or very sensitive facial skin, you should generally check this list before buying.

Ideally shave after showering or washing, when the facial skin is still warm and the beard hairs are softened by moisture and therefore easier to cut. Apply a mild shaving foam such as the Shaving Foam for Sensitive Skin or a shaving soap generously and let it sit briefly before starting to shave, which additionally protects the skin from the blade. Always shave in the direction of hair growth rather than against it; this noticeably reduces the risk of ingrown hairs and razor burn, even though shaving against the grain often feels smoother. Rinse the blade thoroughly after each stroke to avoid clogging, which makes shaving more uncomfortable and less precise. Always finish shaving with a soothing aftershave, to care for small micro-injuries and prevent redness.

Take just a small, pea-sized amount of beard wax, such as from the dark brown or brown Beard Wax, and first warm it between your fingertips until it becomes soft and pliable before applying it. Distribute the wax from the hair roots to the tips and then shape it with your fingers or a small comb into the desired shape, for example for a twirled mustache or individual unruly hairs. Beard wax is especially suited to spot styling; for the entire beard area, beard oil is usually the more comfortable, less weighing-down choice. Wash beard wax out thoroughly with a mild shampoo at your next hair wash, since it can otherwise accumulate over time and weigh down the beard hair. With tinted waxes such as the brown variants, you can additionally subtly cover gray hairs, but this should be tested on an inconspicuous spot before the first visible application.

Natural cosmetics brands such as avril, cmd Naturkosmetik, and Puremetics rely on plant-based oils, certified organic formulas, and usually alcohol-free, mild formulas that are especially suited to sensitive skin. Classic men's grooming brands such as TABAC ORIGINAL and Williams offer traditional aftershave formulas with a characteristic scent that have proven themselves for decades, but more frequently contain alcohol. Brands such as Jeanne Piaubert combine modern care standards with anti-aging actives specifically for men's skin, while Versace and Lolita Lempicka are positioned more in the fragrance and lifestyle segment with eau de toilette and aftershave sets. Which direction suits you best depends on whether a mild, natural formulation, a traditional fragrance character, or targeted anti-aging actives for men's skin matter most to you.