How to Avoid Facial Acne When Growing a Beard

For many men, growing a healthy, full and thick beard is enough of a struggle in its own right, so dealing with facial acne on top of that can cause a lot of distress.  Acne, as we know, is extremely common, and in some cases, growing out a beard can exacerbate the problem.  Luckily, however, this certainly doesn’t need to be the case.  The truth is that acne is manageable, and almost always curable.  It’s simply a matter of figuring out the cause behind it and treating it in a way that fixes the root of the problem.

Today, we’ll be talking about how to avoid acne while growing out a beard.  As you’ll see, there are many steps that you can take in order to get a handle on this pesky problem so that people can start noticing your beautiful beard rather than those unsightly zits.

What is Acne?

Acne is a condition in which the pores of the skin become infected and inflamed.  Most of us get pimples from time to time, but for a person to have acne, these pimples must recur and must be numerous.  For acne sufferers, once the pimples begin to heal, more develop, meaning that the skin is never actually clear.

Acne can vary in severity, and there are, in fact, different kinds of acne.  Cystic acne causes very large pimples to develop that eventually develop a whitehead.  Fungal acne can appear in the form of smaller red bumps that never achieve a head.

Things That Can Cause Acne

There are lots of factors that can contribute to acne, and here are the most common ones.

• Stress: Can indeed cause or exacerbate acne.  When excess cortisol is released into the bloodstream, the hormones produce excessive amounts of sebum, which is an oil created by the pores.  This excessive amount of sebum can clog pores, causing them to become infected.
• Poor Diet: Certain nutritional deficiencies can create hormonal imbalances that interfere with proper sebum production.  And, certain food allergies can cause acne to develop as an immune response that produces inflammation.
• Hormonal Changes: Are one of the biggest culprits behind acne, which is why so many people develop acne during puberty.  However, hormonal changes can occur at any age.  Hormones directly affect the amount of sebum that is secreted from the pores. 
• Poor Hygiene: If you expose your skin to certain bacteria or fungi on a regular basis, this can lead to acne.  Additionally, failing to wash your face can cause acne as bacteria and fungus are able to thrive on the skin.
• Bad Products: Using products that clog the pores is another common acne culprit. 

How Having a Beard Could Potentially Exacerbate Acne

Having a beard might cause acne to worsen or develop.  For one thing, a beard attracts dirt, oil and bacteria, three things that can cause the pores to develop zits.  Additionally, the products that you use to maintain your beard can clog your pores.  Finally, a beard can cause pimples due to excessive sweat that changes the pH balance of the skin.

How to Combat Acne While Rocking a Beard

For men that don’t wanna shave off their beards, here what you can do.

Maintain Good Health

First of all, it’s important that you maintain good health by eating a balanced diet, exercising and minimizing stress.  All three of these things can benefit the skin in a way that reduces acne.

Have a Consistent, High-Quality Skincare and Beard Care Routine

The products that you apply to your skin and beard can have a lot to do with whether or not you have acne.  Invest in natural products that contain gentle, plant-based ingredients that won’t clog pores.  And, make sure that you wash your face and beard daily to get rid of dirt, oil and bacteria that can cause pimples.

Start Using Products Specifically Formulated to Target Acne

There are lots of products on the market that are designed to specifically combat acne.  Look for products containing ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, niacinamide and retinol.  All of these ingredients have been clinically proven to fight acne effectively.

See a Dermatologist

If all else fails, make an appointment with a dermatologist.  There are plenty of prescription acne medications out there that can reduce breakouts dramatically without damaging your skin or your beard. 

Keep That Beard Looking Nice on Your Face

Acne affects a large number of men and growing a beard can indeed make existing acne worse or can cause pimples to develop during the growing stages.  Fortunately, there are solutions for acne sufferers who are embarrassed about their appearance.