From grooming gear and conditioning products to clever clean up tools, these are the best products for the job.
Best for storage
Herschel Chapter Travel Bag
If you’re planning any sort of travel, you’re going to want to take your new beard products along for the ride and Herschel’s travel bag is a convenient way to do just that.
Beards. Many of you will want one, but not all of you can have one.
Follicularly-blessed friends are lucky — the presence of a good beard has the potential to add an air of brooding mystery to your aesthetic, making you all the more interesting compared to the others. So go ahead, grow one! Just do it right.
Yes, there is a correct way to grow a beard. It goes beyond just neglecting to shave — sure, that’s an option, but just you wait until that awkward phase of hair growth kicks in and you’re all scraggly and stuff. Then you’ll get it.
If you’re wondering to yourself what the correct method of embarking on your beard growth journey is, we’re here to answer that question for you. Frankly, it’s pretty simple — you just have to keep up with some relatively light maintenance while your follicles flourish, like trimming, exfoliating, cleansing, conditioning, and just a few other steps.
We’ll show you all the essentials you need to grow the most impressive and healthy-looking beard that you possibly can. We’ve done hours of research to come up with some essentials that will help you achieve your sought-after beard goals.
We’ll get to all of that in a moment, right after we warn you about the one product you probably shouldn’t go near: Ingestible hair growth supplements. You’d be wasting your time and money by choosing to partake, and there are an almost endless amount of reasons why.
Supplement companies like SugarBearHair — the blue, teddy-bear-shaped gummies that you might have seen the Kardashians touting regularly on their Instagram pages — claim to support healthier hair growth, but there’s no viable proof that those promises are based in fact.
Most of these prominent social media brands aren’t backed by health professionals. Instead, they opt to use beauty gurus and online personalities to shell out their dubious vitamins. This is a shame, because there are obvious health concerns with these types of supplements. In an investigation conducted by BuzzFeed News in 2016, it found that “the listed quantities of 7 of the 11 nutrients listed on the SugarBearHair [label] were inaccurate by 20% or more. It also found the vitamins had ‘relatively high’ levels of lead compared with other hair supplements tested by the lab.”
At the risk of stating the obvious: That is bad.
Probably the most beneficial vitamin contained within hair supplements is biotin, but most of you already get your recommended daily biotin intake from a normal diets (eggs, leafy greens, nuts, whole grains, and more). The only reason you’d need an extra boost is if you were in a deficit, and even then, you’d be better off sticking to plain biotin pills over a trendy Insta-brand.
So don’t buy those. Instead, these are the 14 products you do need that will aid you in your quest to grow an envy-worthy beard.
High-quality construction • Sharp blades eliminate tugging and pulling • Comfortable for most hand sizes
You’ll still have to learn how to shape your beard accurately with scissors • Could pose a challenge for left-handed people
Using scissors is the best way to shape longer beards, and this affordable pair has the comfort and accuracy that’s needed to get you looking sharp.
Sanguine Beard Trimmers
This pair is perfect for getting rid of scraggly hairs thanks to its high-quality blades and enhanced comfort.
The most accurate way to keep your beard free of scraggly flyaways is a good old fashioned pair of hairdressing scissors. It takes more time and patience (and skill, too) than other methods, but it’ll have you looking your best, especially if you pair it with a good comb (which we’ll get to later).
This pair from Sanguine uses sharp and precise blades made from finest Japanese steel, which cuts individual hairs instantly rather than pulling and tugging. This high-quality material also eliminates the worry of dulling, rusting, or staining over time.
Another important characteristic for beard scissors is comfortability — in other words, are they going to give you wrist pain after each use? Some might, but not these.
This pair from Sanguine uses sharp and precise blades made from finest Japanese steel, which cuts individual hairs instantly rather than pulling and tugging. This high-quality material also eliminates the worry of dulling, rusting, or staining over time.
Another important characteristic for beard scissors is comfortability — in other words, are they going to give you wrist pain after each use? Some might, but not these.
Hand-made from cellulose acetate • Stimulates natural oil production in hair follicles
Acetate combs can break easier than the also popular wooden combs
This beard comb from Kent will help keep your beard looking healthy, and is ideal for wet and thick hair.
Kent Beard Comb
Stimulate natural oil production in your hair follicles with this beard comb set from Kent.
In addition to being a helpful guide while scissor-trimming your beard, combing your facial hair is also important for stimulating natural oils inside the hair cuticles, thus keeping the whole thing from drying out.
Kent’s combs come recommend by beauty professional all throughout the industry. Each saw-cut, hand-polished piece has soft, rounded teeth that will keep your hair from getting damaged, keeping your face looking pristine as ever.
This top quality handmade fine toothed beard moustache comb provides gentle and non-scratch treatment of your hair and scalp, and is perfectly suited to wet and thick hair.
Kent’s combs come recommend by beauty professional all throughout the industry. Each saw-cut, hand-polished piece has soft, rounded teeth that will keep your hair from getting damaged, keeping your face looking pristine as ever.
This top quality handmade fine toothed beard moustache comb provides gentle and non-scratch treatment of your hair and scalp, and is perfectly suited to wet and thick hair.
Keeps hair trimmings contained for less cleanup • Simple disposal • Portable
Hanging hooks can break easily • Suction cups aren’t always reliable
Whether it looks silly or not, the Beard Bib will keep your facial hair trimmings out of your sink drain and in the bin where they belong.
Mobi Lock Beard Bib
If you find yourself making a mess every time you trim your facial hair, this product is a great time-saver that’ll keep your sink drain clog-free.
The worst part of being follicly gifted: Your hair gets everywhere. On your floors, your shower, your sofa — you name it.
While we don’t have a catch-all solution to that issue, the Beard Bib will at least keep your bathroom sink clean when you get busy trimming away. At first glance, it looks a bit silly (maybe at second glance, too), but the Beard Bib is actually a huge time-saver that’s essential for anyone who does their facial hair upkeep at home rather than at the barber.
The hair-catching apron goes around your neck as one would expect, but the other end suctions onto your bathroom mirror, creating a collection basin for all of the loose trimmings (and also a handy tray table to hold all of your grooming tools). There are also convenient hooks placed on each suction cup, making it possible to hang up the bib while in the process, and holding the hair in place if you need to step away for a moment.
Once you’re done, the leftovers are really easy to dispose of, basically creating a slide straight into your bin and keeping your sink free of clogs.
While we don’t have a catch-all solution to that issue, the Beard Bib will at least keep your bathroom sink clean when you get busy trimming away. At first glance, it looks a bit silly (maybe at second glance, too), but the Beard Bib is actually a huge time-saver that’s essential for anyone who does their facial hair upkeep at home rather than at the barber.
The hair-catching apron goes around your neck as one would expect, but the other end suctions onto your bathroom mirror, creating a collection basin for all of the loose trimmings (and also a handy tray table to hold all of your grooming tools). There are also convenient hooks placed on each suction cup, making it possible to hang up the bib while in the process, and holding the hair in place if you need to step away for a moment.
Once you’re done, the leftovers are really easy to dispose of, basically creating a slide straight into your bin and keeping your sink free of clogs.
Vacuum feature • Comb length dial • Can be used while plugged in • Long battery life
Usually requires more than one pass if you’re going over your full beard
This Philips shaver is one of the best electric trimmers on the market, and a helpful tool for touching up your facial hair on-the-fly.
While guys with larger beards would benefit more from just using a comb and scissor technique to shape their facial hair, those rocking a tighter look can get away with using a normal electric trimmer.
This Philips model has two life-changing features included: The radial dial for switching comb lengths on-the-fly (as opposed to a cumbersome assortment of attachments), and the built-in vacuum that sucks up all the little hair bits that would normally end up on and around your bathroom sink. The device can last for up to 75 minutes without a cord, but can also be used while plugged in if needed.
It gets a pretty accurate trim on the first pass, but going over it again isn’t too much of a hassle, considering all of the positives — plus, it’s a great backup tool to have for quick beard touch-ups, especially during travel.
This Philips model has two life-changing features included: The radial dial for switching comb lengths on-the-fly (as opposed to a cumbersome assortment of attachments), and the built-in vacuum that sucks up all the little hair bits that would normally end up on and around your bathroom sink. The device can last for up to 75 minutes without a cord, but can also be used while plugged in if needed.
It gets a pretty accurate trim on the first pass, but going over it again isn’t too much of a hassle, considering all of the positives — plus, it’s a great backup tool to have for quick beard touch-ups, especially during travel.
Perfect for nailing the finer details • Attachments for nose hair and lining up edges • Pocket-size
It’s cheap, so don’t expect it to last forever • Easy to lose if you’re not careful
The Wahl Micro Groomsman is perfect for touching up after a trim, and makes for a great companion piece to your other beard-shaping tools.
Wahl Micro Groomsman
The Wahl Micro Groomsman makes finer detail work on your facial hair a way less stressful experience.
Not a full-on beard trimmer per se, but it’s the perfect accompaniment to a beard trimmer.
Once you’re done shaping up your beard, you’re going to want something you can use to go back and in fine-tune it all — whether you have a lot of hair on your face or not, you should always make sure it has a consistent shape.
The Wahl Micro Groomsman is just the mini detailer for the job, and can even be used for anything from trimming pesky nose hairs, to cleaning up your eyebrows, to getting rid of unsightly ear fuzz. For those who aren’t as confident using a regular trimmer or razor, the Micro Groomsman is great for an after-trim pass on the neckline, cheeks, jaw, and moustache.
For the days that you don’t need a fully-formed beard upkeep routine, this Wahl device comes in handy for a quick spruce-up, and its small size makes it simple to travel around with. The two included attachments that come with the detailer provide endless possibilities for keeping you looking like you actually have it together (even when you might not).
Once you’re done shaping up your beard, you’re going to want something you can use to go back and in fine-tune it all — whether you have a lot of hair on your face or not, you should always make sure it has a consistent shape.
The Wahl Micro Groomsman is just the mini detailer for the job, and can even be used for anything from trimming pesky nose hairs, to cleaning up your eyebrows, to getting rid of unsightly ear fuzz. For those who aren’t as confident using a regular trimmer or razor, the Micro Groomsman is great for an after-trim pass on the neckline, cheeks, jaw, and moustache.
For the days that you don’t need a fully-formed beard upkeep routine, this Wahl device comes in handy for a quick spruce-up, and its small size makes it simple to travel around with. The two included attachments that come with the detailer provide endless possibilities for keeping you looking like you actually have it together (even when you might not).
Well-balanced and highly protective • Great for beginners • Good for cleaning neck and cheek lines • Long-lasting
Slight learning curve
Essential for cleaning up neck and cheek lines, this great safety razor will also do wonders for your skin (and produce less waste than a disposable razor).
Merkur Safety Razor
It may take some time to get the hang of it, but this Merkur safety razor is essential to keeping you out of neck beard territory.
Having a safety razor in your beard care repertoire is always a good idea — they’re relatively easy to use (though there is a slight learning curve) and they provide a much more accurate shave than your regular old disposable razor. This one from Merkur is highly rated, affordable, and will last you a long time.
The Merkur razor has a short handle, wide shaving area, and great balance, making it a perfect option for safety razor newbies thanks to its maneuverability and protection.
Now, you may be thinking: “Why do I need a razor when I’m trying to grow a beard? I don’t want to sacrifice any of my little hairs!” We see your point, but if you truly want a nice beard, you have to make sure your neck and cheek lines are sharp and clean. Don’t even think about letting the neck beard stay. Do not.
If you’re prone to razor irritation and bumps, a safety razor will really benefit your skin — less razor contact means less chance for problem spots, unlike disposables with multiple blades.
The Merkur razor has a short handle, wide shaving area, and great balance, making it a perfect option for safety razor newbies thanks to its maneuverability and protection.
Now, you may be thinking: “Why do I need a razor when I’m trying to grow a beard? I don’t want to sacrifice any of my little hairs!” We see your point, but if you truly want a nice beard, you have to make sure your neck and cheek lines are sharp and clean. Don’t even think about letting the neck beard stay. Do not.
If you’re prone to razor irritation and bumps, a safety razor will really benefit your skin — less razor contact means less chance for problem spots, unlike disposables with multiple blades.
Won’t pull your hair while detangling • Removes debris • Redistributes natural oils for healthy growth and appearance • Portable
Not as convenient as a comb • It’s on you to keep it clean
It detangles, it cleans, it redistributes healthy oils, and keeps you looking your best — this boar bristle brush is the whole package.
If you’re walking around with an unkempt, scraggly beard, you’re definitely doing it wrong.
A key step in beard upkeep is brushing, and you should only be using a boar bristle brush to do so. Why boar bristles? For starters, boar bristles are soft and packed together tightly, making it easy to remove debris and detangle your facial hair without tugging at your follicles. Also, they’re great for redistributing natural oils throughout your beard, keeping it look as healthy as possible (and promoting more growth).
This one from Seven Potions will sit perfectly in your daily beard routine — it’s constructed with pear wood, and is small enough to travel with at all times if you need a quick touch up.
A key step in beard upkeep is brushing, and you should only be using a boar bristle brush to do so. Why boar bristles? For starters, boar bristles are soft and packed together tightly, making it easy to remove debris and detangle your facial hair without tugging at your follicles. Also, they’re great for redistributing natural oils throughout your beard, keeping it look as healthy as possible (and promoting more growth).
This one from Seven Potions will sit perfectly in your daily beard routine — it’s constructed with pear wood, and is small enough to travel with at all times if you need a quick touch up.
Cleans both your beard and the skin underneath without stripping essential natural moisture • Smells great • Affordable • Conditions as well as cleans
Works better if you buy the whole beard care set, which is more expensive
Take care of both your beard and the skin underneath it with this handy facial wash from Jack Black.
Jack Black Beard Wash
Preserve your beard and the actual face that lives underneath it with this conditioning facial hair cleanser from Jack Black.
Washing your face on the daily is a no-brainer, but when you have a beard, you probably shouldn’t be using just any face wash — you wouldn’t want to strip your facial hair of all those healthy natural oils now, would you? No, you wouldn’t.
You need to buy a cleanser that’s specifically made for beard-clad faces, like this one from Jack Black skincare.
This multifunctional wash helps cleanse, condition, and soften facial hair by removing dirt and oil while conditioning the hairs and skin underneath. It contains key ingredients such as jojoba protein for moisture preservation, panthenol to provide strength to each beard hair, aloe leaf to ease skin irritation, and organic sea kelp to balance everything out. It’s super affordable, too.
You need to buy a cleanser that’s specifically made for beard-clad faces, like this one from Jack Black skincare.
This multifunctional wash helps cleanse, condition, and soften facial hair by removing dirt and oil while conditioning the hairs and skin underneath. It contains key ingredients such as jojoba protein for moisture preservation, panthenol to provide strength to each beard hair, aloe leaf to ease skin irritation, and organic sea kelp to balance everything out. It’s super affordable, too.
Not super abrasive • Helps prevent ingrown hairs by cleaning out your pores • Energising scent
Can cause some irritation if you’re not careful • Particles can get stuck in your beard
ManCave’s exfoliating facial scrub partners really nicely with your daily cleanser.
ManCave Olivestone Face Scrub
This exfoliating facial scrub is great for removing dead skin cells and grime that could cause ingrown hairs without being overly rough.
Exfoliation is just as important as cleansing. You have to keep those pores clear, you know?
This facial scrub from ManCave will help brighten up your complexion and keep your bearded mug safer from ingrown hairs by removing accumulated dead skin cells (without being too abrasive, like other exfoliators).
It’ll also unclog your pores, freeing them of dirt and grime, and break down facial hair in the areas you shave for more accurate and comfortable maintenance.
Oh, it’s also vegan and free of animal testing.
This facial scrub from ManCave will help brighten up your complexion and keep your bearded mug safer from ingrown hairs by removing accumulated dead skin cells (without being too abrasive, like other exfoliators).
It’ll also unclog your pores, freeing them of dirt and grime, and break down facial hair in the areas you shave for more accurate and comfortable maintenance.
Oh, it’s also vegan and free of animal testing.
Keeps beards shiny and soft • Energising scent • Lightweight to prevent grease buildup
May do more harm than good for people with already oily skin
Beard oil is essential for beard-growers — this one from Hundred Beard Co is held in high regard.
Hundred Beard Co Beard Oil
Beards need beard oil and this lightweight formula will condition your facial hair without making it a greasy mess.
If you’re not using a beard oil, you really need to change that. However, when it comes to beard oil, you need to be careful — buy one that’s too heavy or low in quality, and you’ll be saying hello to clogged pore city.
Hundred Beard Co’s beard oil is lauded by beard-growers as one of the best on the market. This natural blend of oils is lightweight and keeps your facial hair both conditioned and shiny without promoting grease buildup. The blend contains a delicious concoction of three distinct essential oils reminiscent of a forest, and will have you and your beard ready to take on the day — every day.
It’s super simple to use: After cleaning your beard with your chosen wash, tap a few drops of beard oil into your hand and spread evenly throughout that face fuzz (making sure you also get some into the skin underneath for a more conditioning effect). Just don’t put in too much if you don’t want to end up with a greasy mop — a little goes a long way with this stuff.
Hundred Beard Co’s beard oil is lauded by beard-growers as one of the best on the market. This natural blend of oils is lightweight and keeps your facial hair both conditioned and shiny without promoting grease buildup. The blend contains a delicious concoction of three distinct essential oils reminiscent of a forest, and will have you and your beard ready to take on the day — every day.
It’s super simple to use: After cleaning your beard with your chosen wash, tap a few drops of beard oil into your hand and spread evenly throughout that face fuzz (making sure you also get some into the skin underneath for a more conditioning effect). Just don’t put in too much if you don’t want to end up with a greasy mop — a little goes a long way with this stuff.
Same effect as beard oil • Easy application • Better than an oil for people with already oily skin • Conditioning and repairing
Overuse could lead to clogged pores
Beard oil may not work for everyone — and we say those people should try this beard balm instead, which features many of the same benefits.
Honest Amish Beard Balm
Get that conditioned, healthy beard oil effect with less grease buildup when you use Honest Amish’s beard balm.
If beard oil isn’t really your jam, try using a balm instead. Honest Amish’s formula is top-rated pretty much everywhere we found it, and features many of the same benefits as a good beard oil would.
Designed to help soften and condition your beard as well as repair dry, splitting hairs and nourish new, healthy facial hair growth, Honest Amish balm is a must-have for bearded dudes in need of a hair health boost. It’s also conditioning for your skin underneath your beard hair, stopping any itching and dandruff that can result from desert-dry face locks. Just try not to get too much on your bare face — it could lead to clogged pores.
Using it is a breeze: Just take a bit of the product on your finger, warm it thoroughly in your hands by rubbing them together, then work it through your beard for an instant refresh. Brush it through right after application for even better distribution. Voilà!
Designed to help soften and condition your beard as well as repair dry, splitting hairs and nourish new, healthy facial hair growth, Honest Amish balm is a must-have for bearded dudes in need of a hair health boost. It’s also conditioning for your skin underneath your beard hair, stopping any itching and dandruff that can result from desert-dry face locks. Just try not to get too much on your bare face — it could lead to clogged pores.
Using it is a breeze: Just take a bit of the product on your finger, warm it thoroughly in your hands by rubbing them together, then work it through your beard for an instant refresh. Brush it through right after application for even better distribution. Voilà!
Firm and pliable hold • Won’t dry out your hair • Easy to apply
Fragrance may be overpowering to some
Those with longer beards shouldn’t leave the house without first taming their moustache — Proraso’s wax will do just that without turning it into a dry, crusty patch of hair.
Proraso Moustache Wax
A mustache routine cannot be ignored — tame it, shape it, and keep it looking neat with this handy mustache wax from Proraso.
If you have a longer beard, you’re going to need to do a little extra maintenance to keep it in shape. In addition to trimming, cleaning, and conditioning, one thing you really shouldn’t ignore is your moustache, specifically when it comes to styling. If it’s long like your beard, you can’t just let it hang there and be all wispy.
A good moustache wax will do wonders, and this one from Proraso is one that we came across often in our research. It starts out like a cream, but quickly morphs into a wax-like substance once you manipulate it in your hands a bit. After that, you can run it through your moustache to tame any loose hairs, or even try to achieve an impressive handlebar shape.
Derived from beeswax and shea butter, Proraso’s wax will help you style your moustache without drying it out — and the addition of eucalyptus oil and Mediterranean citrus gives it a secondary boost of freshness.
A good moustache wax will do wonders, and this one from Proraso is one that we came across often in our research. It starts out like a cream, but quickly morphs into a wax-like substance once you manipulate it in your hands a bit. After that, you can run it through your moustache to tame any loose hairs, or even try to achieve an impressive handlebar shape.
Derived from beeswax and shea butter, Proraso’s wax will help you style your moustache without drying it out — and the addition of eucalyptus oil and Mediterranean citrus gives it a secondary boost of freshness.
Easy to bring along with you throughout the day • Soothes irritation and fights painful ingrown hairs • Can be used anywhere on your body
Can sting if you massage too roughly — be mindful
Sufferers of constant ingrown hairs should have Berber’s exfoliating glove by their side at all times.
Some of us — no matter what we do — just cannot escape ingrown hairs. Even though we cleanse, condition, and exfoliate regularly, those pesky ingrowns just keep popping up without warning or permission. They suck, they hurt, and they always seem to appear at the most inconvenient times.
Berber’s Treat Kessa Exfoliating Glove is your on-the-go solution to those problem spots. Just pop one out of the package, and massage the serum-soaked surface wherever you start to feel a nasty ingrown outbreak coming on. It should soothe the area, eradicating irritation, bumps, and leave behind a blemish-free zone. They can also be used on, you know, other areas — anywhere you get ingrown hairs.
Berber’s Treat Kessa Exfoliating Glove is your on-the-go solution to those problem spots. Just pop one out of the package, and massage the serum-soaked surface wherever you start to feel a nasty ingrown outbreak coming on. It should soothe the area, eradicating irritation, bumps, and leave behind a blemish-free zone. They can also be used on, you know, other areas — anywhere you get ingrown hairs.
Sleek look • Additional storage compartments • Durable, waterproof zippers
Some colours are different from pictures
Take your new beard products on the go with Herschel’s convenient travel kit — complete with extra compartments and a sleek finish.
Herschel Chapter Travel Bag
If you’re planning any sort of travel, you’re going to want to take your new beard products along for the ride and Herschel’s travel bag is a convenient way to do just that.
You’ll need something to take all of your newly bought beard products on your travels with you. Your best option is going to be the Herschel Chapter Travel Bag.
Not only is it sleek and stylish, but it also contains an internal mesh storage sleeve for your smaller items, as well as an extra front pocket to compliment the main compartment – both with durable, waterproof zippers. And to top it all off, it has a nifty carrying loop on the end.
You can even customise it with a slew of different colour options.
Not only is it sleek and stylish, but it also contains an internal mesh storage sleeve for your smaller items, as well as an extra front pocket to compliment the main compartment – both with durable, waterproof zippers. And to top it all off, it has a nifty carrying loop on the end.
You can even customise it with a slew of different colour options.