When you are trying to grow a thick and strong beard, you will experience some degree of discomfort along the way.

When the hair reaches a certain length, itchiness is prone to happen and using the wrong types of soap when you wash your face can actually worsen those conditions.

Top 5 Beard Soaps (Summary)

For more detailed and complete product reviews on benefits and features, keep reading.

While many soaps that you are using on your face say they are moisturizing bars, they contain harmful detergents that are drying the skin and causing the skin to become irritated.

1. Beardoholic

Beardoholic Soap is made from natural, bamboo activated black charcoal powder and other completely organic ingredients and moistorizing oils. It’s infused with two powerful essential oils, sandalwood and lambing grass.

The soap is approximately two inches square by one inch thick. It has a woodsy scent that smells delightful all day long because of the pine tar in its formula.

Since it’s a completely organic soap, it contains no harmful chemicals or alcohols that can damage your beard or cause dryness to your skin. Unlike most regular soaps, this one doesn’t strip any natural oils from your beard.

This soap doesn’t only work perfectly well for washing your beards; it’s also great for showering and washing hands. It will help you in ensuring that your skin is clean without it getting all dry.

2. Honest Amish Beard & Body Soap

Unlike regular supermarket products, Honest Amish Beard Soap is carefully crafted with all-natural and organic ingredients.

The formula is mild and suitable not only for your face and beard, it also works great for washing your body too.

Eucalyptus, cinnamon, and clove essential oils nourish and hydrate your facial hair and skin without drying them out.

There is also a French yellow clay that provides a mild pull to help cleanse your beard, but don’t worry as this will not strip your face from its natural oils as regular soaps do.

A little amount is needed to cover the entire beard. Although this soap is of large dimensions, it is also relatively soft so you can cut it in smaller pieces to extend its duration.

3. Grandpa’s Brands Pine Tar Soap

Most beard soaps are not meant to be used on sensitive or irritated skin, but Grandpa’s Brands Pine Tar Soap is just not one of them.

This 3-in-1 facial hair soap profoundly cleanses, deodorizes and moisturizes beard and face, while doing a fantastic job in removing oil and dirt build-ups too.

Providing that it’s helpful in dealing with different types of irritations, you are safe to use it even if your skin is sensitive or dry.

The formula is vegetable-based, with no added artificial colors, fragrances, sulfates, parabens, and glutens. You can choose from five available sizes, depending on your needs.

Finally, this soap is also environmentally friendly and stored in recyclable packaging.

Soaps that are also worth mentioning:

4. Maple Hill Naturals Honest for Men Beard Wash

A selection of finest all-natural ingredients in Maple Hill Naturals Soap makes it work like a charm in preventing flyaway hairs and promoting a healthy, great-looking beard.

One bar of this product equals 24 oz of liquid soap. You know this means that it will last you for quite a bit.

Rich lather and effectiveness in eliminating beardruff and itchiness are just two of the things you get with this soap, along with conditioning both your skin and facial hair.

Harsh chemicals in some soaps tend to strip your skin from its natural oils, causing a lot of beard problems. However, in this product, you won’t find any artificial ingredients that will damage your beard.

Lavender, sweet orange and a base note of patchouli create a specific scent that is very strong. The paper in which this soap comes is made from recycled paper and makes a great place where you can store it.

5. Professor Fuzzworthy’s Beard Shampoo

Besides cleaning and moisturizing a beard, Professor Fuzzworthy’s Soap Bar and Shampoo are known for promoting healthy beard growth and relieving beard itch after only a few uses.

The reason why it’s so effective lies in the ingredients that are entirely natural and organic.

Some of them, such as Kunzea oil and Leatherwood Beeswax, can be found only in Tasmania in Australia. There are no synthetic chemicals and preservatives included.

The masculine, woody scent is rather pleasant and not too strong, which most of the men who use it will find as a plus. The product is safe to be used on your head hair and body too.

One bar of it equals approximately 2 liquid shampoo bottles, but for a soap bar, this is a small package as it will melt away quickly.

What Is Beard Soap

A beard soap refers to a product created specifically for use on your beard. It has safe and non-harmful ingredients and moisturizers. It is different from other beard products with harmful ingredients that can only dry out the area, especially the skin beneath your beard.

You can see the beard soap coming in solid or liquid form. However, the most popularly used one is the solid soap, which resembles the standard soap bar you are using at home. Get to know more about beard soap, its benefits and components and what makes it so important in the beard grooming industry through this article.

Benefits of Using One

What are the positive benefits that you can expect from the regular use of a beard soap? Here are just a few of them:

Hydrates and Moisturizes Your Beard

One incredible advantage of using a beard soap is that it prevents the beard from getting too dry and dehydrated, which often happens in many of those who decided to grow a beard. Just make sure to go for soaps that are not too strong nor harmful for your facial hair.

As much as possible, stick to using a natural beard soap. With that, you can expect this product to secure the oils that can help hydrate your beard. The fact that it stays hydrated is also a good thing as your beard will surely look healthy and smooth. It can also lower its risk of flaking and drying out.

Helps in Preserving Your Natural Oils

A good beard soap is also a big help in preserving the natural oils of your skin and beard. The preserved natural oils can contribute a lot to the strength and health of your beard. It prevents you from losing your natural oils that might only lead to your facial hair breaking or splitting.

Prevents Itchiness

Keep in mind that a good beard soap does not contain harsh and unsafe chemicals. It is, therefore, made in a way that it can maintain the clarity and good health of your skin. With that, expect to avoid some issues that might affect your beard and the skin beneath and surrounding it, including itchiness, bumps, and redness. It can fight itchiness, thereby ensuring that you will not end up getting too uncomfortable with your decision to grow a beard.

How Does It Work

Your chosen beard soap can be expected to work based on the ingredients used in it. All the ingredients combined in creating the soap can help soften your beard. The components of the soap also work in cleansing it. After the application, expect the soap to work its magic in leaving your beard and the skin beneath it clean.

You can even find organic beard soaps designed in a way that they let your skin heal and become healthier—furthermore, the soap functions by exfoliating your skin and preventing the beard itch and dryness.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Cheaper compared to beard shampoos
• Long-lasting since its effects tend to stay on your beard and skin for quite a long time
• Prevents common issues with growing a beard, including beard itch, dryness, flaking, and beardruff
• Easy to use and rub on the beard
• Moisturizes your beard and the skin near it

Cons

• Some beard soaps are created with low-quality and harsh ingredients – With that in mind, it is advisable to research the contents of the product thoroughly and stick to a beard soap with all-natural or organic ingredients.

Ingredients to Look For

Just like what has been pointed out earlier, there are certain beard soaps made with harsh and low-quality ingredients. It is the main reason why you have to spend time checking out its label and studying its ingredients. Some of the ingredients that you should look for in a beard soap, indicating that it is a really good one, are the following:

Essential Oils

It will greatly benefit you if you choose beard soap with natural essential oils. You need to find a soap with these ingredients as these are vital for moisturizing your beard and skin. Among the best essential oils that should be present in a beard soap are geranium, chamomile, lavender, and bergamot.

Carrier Oils

Carrier oils should also be included in a beard soap’s list of ingredients as their presence can maximize the effects of essential oils. The combination of carrier oils and essential oils can ensure that your beard and skin won’t get dry. It is because they can hydrate the area properly and moisturize it.

Coconut Oils

If you see coconut oil in a beard soap’s ingredient’s list, then you should be delighted because it performs a major function – that is, improving the lather. Note that lathering is vital if you want to maximize the effects of your chosen beard soap.

You need one that lathers quickly and conveniently to prevent spending a lot of time forming a lather using your fingers. If it lathers by itself with the aid of the coconut oil present in it, then you no longer need additional tools, such as a washcloth, making the process of using the soap more convenient.

Beeswax

Another great ingredient that should be present in a beard soap is the beeswax. With the presence of beeswax, you have a guarantee that your chosen beard soap will be able to work well and maintain its form.

Ingredients to Avoid

Make sure that your chosen beard soap does not contain harmful ingredients, too. Stay away from products containing the following harsh ingredients as these are damaging to your facial hair and may cause flaking and other issues:

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

It is advisable to stay away from a beard soap that contains this ingredient as it can lead to skin allergies and irritation.

Parabens

This is also a harmful ingredient as it is a preservative, which tends to disrupt your body’s hormonal function.

Ureas

Another ingredient to avoid is ureas. It is not good in beard soaps as it releases chemicals that can also be damaging to your beard and the skin around it.

How to Choose the Best Beard Soap

Picking a beard soap is not rocket science, but there are a couple of things you should pay attention to when selecting the cleanser that will suit all your needs.

Cleaning Properties

The primary goal of a facial hair soap is to clean your beard; thus you should choose a product that does precisely that. Look for the one that is made with exfoliating, natural ingredients.

Make sure to check the label for ingredients like clay or oats as they work as a natural scrub.

Only after that pay attention that the soap is efficient in hydrating your beard and eliminating beardruff, but if it’s made of all organic ingredients, that won’t be a problem.

Moisturizing Ability

Some soaps tend to leave your beard dry because they don’t have what it takes to lock in the moisture and prevent dryness.

So, when seeking for the best soap, look for the one that includes good carrier oil blend or Shea butter in the mix.

Facial hair soap without them will clean your beard, but it will also dry it out and you don’t want that to happen.

Ingredients

Never let the soap with synthetic and artificial ingredients get near your beard. What your facial hair and skin need are a product based exclusively on natural ingredients.

For maximum benefits, you can even go a step further and purchase the product that is made of the ingredients that are the best for your skin and beard type.

Lather

A good soap is the one that lathers quickly and with little to no efforts.

Nobody wants to spend hours rubbing the soap between the fingers trying to form the lather.

Scent

Facial hair is under your nose and you will smell it the whole day, so you want to ensure that the smell of your soap is pleasant and not too strong.

Luckily, there is a wide variety of natural fragrances to choose from according to your preference.

Size of the Bar

An optimal amount of time a soap bar should last is two weeks longer than your beard shampoo, which is why you should go for a soap that is bigger.

How to Use One

If you know how to use regular bar soap, you will know how to apply beard soap too. The application process itself is very easy and straightforward.

The only thing you should avoid doing is over applying it. The little can go a long way since the ingredients are drastically different than those in your regular soap.

Here are easy-to-follow steps on how to properly use beard soap for the maximum results:

Step 1 – Massage soap until it forms lather

Take the beard soap in your hand and, using circular motions, massage it into both of the cheeks. Do this until you notice that some lather has started to form.

You can leave the soap bar aside at this point and work the product into the beard by massaging it with both of your hands.

Step 2 – Leave it for a few minutes

Once there is a bigger lather, leave it on your facial hair a few minutes to penetrate deep into the skin underneath.

This technique has a lot of benefits. It will help you eliminate the excess oil and dirt that might have accumulated on your beard.

Most importantly, it will nourish and moisturize both your facial hair and skin.

Step 3 – Rinse thoroughly

After a few minutes pass, make sure to rinse your beard thoroughly with water.

Step 4 – Pat dry

Pat dry your facial hair and face. Never scrub it too aggressively or you will damage and break your beard hairs.

Beard Soap vs Beard Shampoo

Beard soap and beard shampoo do not actually have major differences considering the fact that they usually have similar components and serve the same purpose. Both the soap and the shampoo specifically designed for the beard can clean and moisturize your facial hair as well as the skin beneath it.

The only difference is their form. The fact that beard soaps are in solid and compact form is one reason why many prefer it, especially travelers. Whenever you travel, you will have peace of mind since you know that it won’t spill out inside your bag.

Do’s and Don’ts

• Use a beard soap that has exfoliating ingredients. Aside from ensuring that the ingredients in the beard soap are all-natural and moisturizing, you also have to make sure that it has exfoliating ingredients. Check the label of the product and find out if it has clay or any other ingredients similar to oats that function like a natural scrub.
• Check its moisturizing properties. Before investing in a beard soap, you have to assess its moisturizing properties. It is even more important, especially if you have flaky skin and your facial hair is dry. One way to find out if it is truly moisturizing is to check if it has essential oils.
• Make sure that the beard soap does not hurt your beard. Note that even if you are using a delicate and natural soap, it still has the tendency of washing out the natural oils that your sebaceous glands produce. This can have a negative impact on your hair quality. With that in mind, make sure to use the soap only as instructed or when necessary.
• Do not leave it soaked in water. Doing so might only reduce the lifespan of your beard soap.
• Do not use a hand soap as a substitute for beard soap. It is because its ingredients may be too harsh for your beard. If you no longer have a beard soap on hand, apply a bit of your hair shampoo, instead.
• Do not put the beard soap in its container or package when wet. Allow it to dry first.

FAQ

How often should I wash my beard with a beard soap?

This depends on your need. In most cases, you can use a beard soap based on how fast your beard or facial hair accumulates dirt. Stick to washing it once every other day. Avoid going over the recommendation if you can delay the time of washing or cleaning your hair, then the better since it can make your facial hair feel better. You can just teach your beard to remain clean for a longer time, so you do not have to use the soap too often.

Is beard soap different from shaving soap?

Yes, the two are different products for different purposes. The main function of the beard soap is to keep your beard and skin beneath it clean and well-moisturized. Shaving soap, on the other hand, aims to lubricate the skin beneath your beard. This function is important in preventing irritation and cuts every time you shave.

Can I replace a beard soap with a beard shampoo?

Yes. If you don’t have a beard soap, then a beard shampoo can be used as a substitute. Both have similar functions, so you can use the shampoo for cleansing and moisturizing your beard, too.

My beard soap does not lather. What is wrong with it?

It might be because it does not have ingredients that are supposed to make it lather. Go for a high-quality beard soap that can lather well through its ingredients. Coconut oil is one of the key components in this product that can help it lather.

What is so harmful about regular soaps?

One of the problems with using regular soap on your beard is that the stripping of the glycerin from the soaps is causing your skin to dry out.

Soap manufacturers replace that moisturizing glycerine with synthetic leather agents that are comprised of a number of harsh toxic chemicals.

Because your skin quickly absorbs whatever it comes in contact with, it is important to pay close attention to the soaps you are using on your skin because they will, in turn, affect beard growth.

Why choose natural beard soap?

Consider an all-natural beard soap like that manufactured by Honest Amish.

Organic soap has many benefits to the skin and the growth of your beard, giving you a more healthy skin tone and a fuller, softer and healthier beard.

The process in which these natural soap bars are produced is much different than that of the commercial soaps.

First, specific natural oils and fats are mixed to create soaps that lather much richer than soaps with detergents.

By using organic fats and oils and eliminating fragrances, the lather you produce when washing your face also has a natural detoxifier, basically removing any toxins from the surface of the skin and reducing the itchiness during different growth phases of the beard.

What results you can expect with beard soap?

Once you begin to incorporate a natural beard soap, like Dr. Squatch Pine Tar Soap into your cleaning routine, your face and beard will have a fresh look and feel to it.

The oils in the soap tend to leave the facial hair clean and slick, allowing you to easily run your favorite comb or brush through it without getting tangled.

This will help eliminate any tugging that can lead to irritation too. The beard soaps will leave your facial hair so clean that you would be able to apply some jojoba oil after the washing to help condition and strengthen the hairs.

One added benefit of using an all-natural beard soap is that it helps reduce rashes and that incessant skin itching that occurs at certain periods during the growth of your beard.

Once you incorporate the beard soap into your daily washing routine, you will notice an improvement in many areas very quickly.

Eliminating those harsh detergents from coming in contact with your skin will allow your beard to grow faster, longer and stronger than you could have imagined.

Organic beard soaps will allow the skin to heal and healthier skin results in a healthier and more luxurious manly beard.

Conclusion

The best beard soap is a great inclusion in your beard grooming kit as it helps in cleansing your facial hair and make it as fresh-looking as possible. It has natural oils that can cleanse and smoothen your beard. Furthermore, the beard soap makes it possible for you to comb or brush your beard comfortably with minimal risk of tangling. With that, it is surely a vital product to invest in if you want to grow your beard.

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