Real Tips For Beard Growth (No Pills Or Potions)

One of the most frequent questions we get in our showroom is about how to promote beard growth. It's not surprising — nearly every beardsman from time to time wishes he could cheat genetics and time and grow an Incredibeard™ overnight.

It doesn't help that a simple Amazon search turns up thousands of pills and serums that promise amazing results.

In reality, there is no magic potion. Biotin and similar supplements have demonstrated no evidence of supercharging hair growth. As the experts will tell you, just because a certain vitamin can contribute to healthy hair doesn't mean loading up on it will suddenly sprout new hair.

Beard growth comes down to your genes, your overall health, and how well you take care of the beard you've got. Over time a healthy beard regimen will begin to totally reshape your face, but there's no shortcut to get there.

So what can you do? Well, a lot to be honest. Here our some of our best tips for promoting healthy beard growth over the long term.

1. Eat Healthy

Sorry to break it to you, but just like with your overall health, the health of your beard depends a lot on what you eat. A diet rich in nutrients and whole foods is more likely to promote heathy beard growth, while a diet high in sugar and processed foods is likely to hold you back.

Nutritionist Elissa Goodman recommends foods rich in magnesium (like kale, pumpkin seeds, wild salmon, almonds, and pumpkin seeds), copper (like prunes), silica (like bananas), iron (like spinach), nuts and seeds for healthy oils, and leafy greens for antioxidants.

2. Don't Over-wash It

The introduction of a lot of beard-specific soaps and shampoos on the market lately has got some guys thinking they need to scrub their beards all day long. Soap is actually the enemy of a healthy beard, and too much of it can set you back.

It's true, if you never wash your beard it can get dirty, greasy, and even a little smelly. But moderation is key. Soap is good at clearing away dirt and grime, but it also strips away the natural oils that protect your hair and skin.

We recommend using soap or beard wash on your beard only every few days. On the "off" days, just rinsing it with water in the shower will do the trick. Depending on your skin type, the actual number of days between washes may be more or less.

And if you don't want to fork over the cash for a specialty beard shampoo, a gentle face wash works too. We like Dr. Bronner's liquid soap diluted with water. It's inexpensive, it works great, and it's all-natural.

3. Buy A Good Brush

Combs are great for styling and detailing your beard and mustache, but if you comb too often you can accidentally pull out your facial hair. Not a good habit if you're aiming for long-term growth.

A beard brush is designed specifically for coarse hair so you can shape and train your facial hair without pulling any out. Over time you'll be able to shape your beard the way you like, requiring less trimming and less combing.

Our TBB Beard Brush ($15) has military styling and a mix of natural boar hair bristles and synthetic bristles. After a while of using the brush with your favorite TBB oil, the bristles begin to soften and the brush starts to smell amazing.

4. Use Beard Oil (Or Balm)

For the same reasons that soap is the enemy of a healthy beard, a well-made beard oil is its best friend. Wind, cold, dirt, and sun all deliver a beating to your beard throughout the day, and a good beard oil is designed to restore its natural health and shine.

The plant-based oils in The Bearded Bastard's beard oils are designed to replicate your body's chemistry, moisturizing your skin and hair without leaving it feeling greasy. Our beard balms do the same thing and contain a lot of the same oils, along with beeswax and shea butter for extra hold.

By keeping your facial hair healthy, it will be less likely to get dry, damaged, and fall out. And that's why beard oil is one of the most important tools for a longer, fuller-looking beard.

Sources: GQ and Elissa Goodman