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How is Beard Oil Different from a Regular Hair Oil?

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When it comes down to it, there is not much of a difference between hair oil and beard oil. Hair oils provide nourishment for your hair and scalp just like beard oil does for your facial hair and skin. Hair oils can contain such essential oils as coconut oil, avocado oil, and castor oil. It improves dryness, eliminates dandruff and minimizes protein loss. So, is there really a difference between them?

What’s the difference between beard oil and regular hair oil?

Many people think that the two oils are the same thing, but the truth is, there a few important differences between regular hair oil and beard oil. Let me share this with you:

  • The way they smell. A great beard oil offers awesome fragrance which keeps your beard smelling nice. You must remember, that most of your beard will be directly under your nose, so you’d want to use an oil that smells nice, but also not too sharp. So make sure that if you want to use hair oil instead of beard oil that you are ready to live with the odor.
  • Most beard oil producers are committed to using only natural oils, whereas many hair products, especially those that are mass produced, contain chemicals and synthetic ingredients.
  • Beard oils are generally more concentrated than regular hair oils. Where you would use a handful of hair oil, you’d only have to use a few drops when it comes to beard oil.
  • Beard oils use specific ingredients that you won’t find in normal hair oils. These ingredients are specifically targeted towards beard-related problems such as itchiness and beardruff. They might contain argan, grapeseeds and jojoba oils, which are very close to our body’s natural oil. This oil is used to combat skin irritation.

So there you go some of their differences. The beard and hair compositions are different. Beard is thicker than the hair and requires a different treatment. Even the skin under the beard it is more sensitive that it is necessary to use an oil that is specially formulated for the beard and the skin underneath it.

Fall and Winter Skincare for Men

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Skincare for men in any season is simply tedious. As fall and winter seasons come yearly, our skin is one of the first things to suffer. I don’t have a choice but to keep my skin healthy and hydrated. Having a very sensitive skin is not easy for me so it feels like an uphill battle at any time of the year, most especially brutal during winter.

How should men deal with this?

The cold, dry air or harsh wind makes our skin more susceptible to being dry, tight and flaky during that time. So as we are endeavoring to make ourselves comfortable this fall and winter, be sure to spare some attention for the sake of your skin. Here are some of the tips on how to keep skin fall/winter-ready.

  • While your skin may suffer in winter regardless; moisturizing daily will help to counteract the negative effects. A good moisturizer is essential, but one that locks in moisture is even better. Best applied after a shower.
  • Staying hydrated is vital in general, and it will make your skin have a healthy appearance. Water is the hidden product in any grooming guide and by keeping hydrated you will be providing your skin with the essential moisture needed to look healthy and happy this winter.
  • Exfoliating a couple of times a week will keep your skin looking smooth by removing dead skin cells.
  • Using an SPF will protect the skin from damage from the sun, which can certainly still happen during the winter. Sunscreen is a year-round necessity, so it’s essential to remain diligent about SPF. Apply 15 minutes before you leave the house or office.
  • Caring for your facial hair may not directly benefit your skin, but it will contribute to the overall appearance of your skin.
  • Keeping your lips nourished should keep things looking far better than if you opt to forego such care.

Save yourself from the changing seasons by following some of my tips above. Having a grooming routine can be a hassle but it’ll surely pay off especially when the weather is at its harshest as it is during winter. Also, taking care of our hands and lips with the appropriate products is also important since they are more delicate and will suffer the most from the harsh weather – nobody likes an unsightly hand rash in winter, after all.

Scalp Care: Dandruff Solutions for Men

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Dandruff is a common hair condition that could affect your scalp to become flaky and creates irritation. It is very annoying and so embarrassing when it falls through your hair onto your shoulders and make it impossible to wear dark colors and maintain your confidence. This is what I feel when I’ve got dandruff in my early 20’s. I was so alarmed and I wanted to treat it right away, so I’ve searched the net for some tips for scalp care.
Dandruff can be cured easily but if it goes untreated, it can cause skin irritation that can lead to severe skin problems and can become one of the primary reasons for hair fall and hair thinning.

man holding shampoo and conditioner scalp care

How to treat dandruff

Use anti-dandruff grooming products

Using an anti-dandruff shampoo that contains selenium sulfide could help you control dandruff and excessive shedding of skin. Also, use an exfoliating shampoo for dry scalp which will not only fight dandruff but also soothe your scalp. Another ginger-scalp shampoo can also help fight dandruff. Shampoos containing coal tar can also help reduce dandruff and stop scalp itching. For men diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis condition, you should use a Ketoconazole shampoo.

Avoid excessive use of men’s hair products

Using too much of men’s hair care products such as styling gel and hairspray might have a serious drying effect on the scalp and can become a reason for dandruff, especially if the hair product contains alcohol.

Maintain the best hair hygiene

Wash your hair daily so that dead skin buildup remains to a minimum and your dandruff remains under control. In addition to that, make sure that your hair brushes, hair towel, and even pillow towel are well cleaned. Never share the towels or the hair brushes with anyone. Also, do not touch your hair with dirty hands.

Consume foods high in zinc, B vitamins and healthy fats

A diet high in zinc, vitamin B, and healthy fats can help to prevent the fungi that cause dandruff. Taking some omega-3 supplement in your diet could also help a lot.

Stay away from stress

Avoid too much stress or anxiety as this can trigger dandruff in some people.

Resort to some home remedies

Try natural shampoo containing tea tree extracts. You can simply rub some baking soda on your wet hair for instant relief from dandruff and itching due to dryness. Apple cider vinegar can also prove extremely helpful in your fight against dandruff.

man holding hair scalp care

That’s all I did and my dandruff went away. Those tips were very effective for me. I also recommend this to anyone who has got the same problem on their scalp. Maybe this is also effective to you.

Do Men Really Need Skin Care Routine?

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I’m just a regular guy that showers daily and that’s the only time I wash my face and body. It’s time-consuming enough to groom my hair and beard that I couldn’t care less what my skin looks like. Guess what I gained by not taking extra care? I had a breakout worse than when I was in my teens. Like most adults, I’m confident I already got past that stage and left it all in my teenage years. At first, my pimples weren’t really an issue but over time I became self-conscious especially when I go out and meet people. It feels like they’re not staring at you “You” but at the zits proudly sitting on your face. What I really hate most about my pimples is they’re  itchy and painful at the same time. Do I really need a skin care routine? Well, what option do I have to solve my dilemma? So it’s definitely a yes! After doing some research and consultation, I tried a skin care routine that works for me.

Skincare for men should be easy and straightforward. There is no need for five-step peels or multiple layers of creams. However, not all skin care products are created equal and could probably be harmful to your skin. The simpler approach to skincare the better.

Face and Body Cleansing

Men are prone to blackheads and clogged pores mostly on the nose and forehead area. Splash warm water on your face or even take a shower to open up your pores to allow the dirt out before applying a facial cleanser to your face for 30 seconds in a circular motion. Remember, wash your face not more than twice a day and do not use soap that contains chemicals that are too rough for the face to prevent dryness.

Like with face care, men’s body care starts with a hot shower too, which opens up pores, allowing dirt and bad oils to be easily eliminated either using soap or a body wash. But for dry skin, the use of body wash is recommended as they usually have more moisturizing ingredients than a regular soap.

Moisturizing

No matter what season, dry skin can affect anyone. Using a moisturizer after showering helps your skin look good, prevents aging, and reduces oil production.  So, it’s time for you to select a product that matches your skin type, to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.

Sun Protection

It’s time to include a little sun protection into your routine. Too much sun exposure can lead to fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and even cancer. It is important to keep skin protected by using sunscreen with  SPF 30 is recommended to protect the skin from sun damage.

Manscaping: My Rules for Body Grooming

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Manscaping or body grooming is a vital part of a man’s routine. If you don’t want people to call you something like you’re a barbaric warrior on the eighteenth century or a cave man, you have to do what most men are doing right now. Controlling your body hair can sharpen your look and also a proven confidence booster.

Here are some of my do’s and dont’s to manscaping:

DO’s

Do use the right tools – Do not multitask your grooming tools. Buy an electric trimmer with different guard lengths. Some brands offer these gadgets specifically for manscaping activities, but they’re really just their tried-and-true best beard trimmers with a different image on the box. Use a body razor when shaving your body and not a face razor. A body razor is specially designed with a comfort guard and lubra strips so it’s more comfortable on skin that’s new to shaving.

Do trimming before shaving – Trim your hair first before shaving to help prevent clogging of blades. Use that electric trimmer to thin things down to a fairly uniform density. How low you go is a personal preference, but avoid pruning yourself into massive five o’clock shadow.

Do it in a shower – For best result do it during your shower time. The water will help soften your body hair and make it easier for the razor to glide over your skin. You’re getting rid of all the dirt and oils that can prevent the trimmers or the shaver from maximizing its performance.

Do use shaving gel – A good lather helps to hydrate hairs, enhance razor glide, and protect your skin while you shave your body.

Do clean your armpits – There should be some hair there that you want to be sorted. Tidy things up with clippers or scissors, trimming to around a half-inch length. Your hygiene will improve instantly since your body odor lingers in longer pit hair.

Do Rinse, Dry, and Moisturize – After manscaping your body, rinse it well, make it dry and apply moisturizers. You can prevent that prickly feeling with a good dose of post-shave moisturizer. Look for a soothing lotion that contains aloe or camphor—this will help reduce the itching and ease irritation

DON’Ts

Don’t clean shave or totally bare– It is a bad idea to clean shave your legs, chest or arms and even down there. Remember that you’re a man. If you are blessed with body hair, be thankful and don’t turn yourself into a prepubescent boy.

Don’t forget about your backside – If you have a back hair, trimming is tedious for the first time. It tests your patience and coordination but using the right tools can make a lot easier. Go for a body shaver or trimmer with an extendable arm. Face away from your bathroom mirror, hold a second-hand mirror so you can see your back’s reflection, and shave in the direction of hair growth.

Don’t shave in any direction –  shaving the right way will help you avoid the dreaded after-shave stubble and trapped ingrown hairs. You’ll need to shave in the direction of hair growth, not against the grain.

So that’s it! Following these rules makes your manscaping or body grooming experience runs smoothly and efficiently.