BEARDUCATION

It’s come to our attention that far too many people, even regular beard care consumers, don’t really know why beard grooming products work, or all the benefits they should be getting out of them. Honestly, that’s kinda wild when there’s just so much a good beard oil or butter can do. It’s not just about smelling nice or making your beard feel a little softer, though those are nice perks. These products are doing heavy-duty work on your hair and skin, and they should be providing long-term benefits that you can see and feel. So let’s break it all down and talk about the science behind beard care and why it works when it’s done right. Like, buckle up though…. this might get a little nerdy, but it’s worth it. I’m going to try to keep this fairly simply to understand without using too many of the longform science words. Here we go!

The Hair Shaft: Cuticle, Cortex, and Medulla

Alright, so to get started, your beard hair is made up of three main parts: the cuticle, the cortex, and the medulla. Each one plays a role in how your beard looks, feels, and grows.

• Cuticle: The cuticle is like the armor of your hair. It’s the outermost layer made up of overlapping scales, kinda like shingles on a roof. These scales protect the inner layers from damage and keep moisture locked in. When the cuticle is smooth and coated properly your beard shines, feels softer, and is less prone to tangling or breaking. It helps the hair to lay flatter and straighter in a very healthy way. If the cuticle gets damaged, like from harsh products or neglect, those scales lift up and your hair gets dull, rough, knotty, and brittle.
• Cortex: This is the epicenter of your hair. Where all the magic happens. The cortex is the thick middle layer of the hair strand that gives your beard its strength, texture, and color. It’s packed with keratin, which forms strong bonds that make your hair durable and elastic. Beard oils with proper formulation deliver fatty acids directly to the cortex, where they bind to keratin structures, hydrating and strengthening them. This is where a lot of the benefit happens—softer hair, less breakage, better flexibility, and even enhanced pigment retention. Yes, pigment. All the defining factors of your beard coloring and luster lives here.
• Medulla: The medulla is the innermost layer of the hair shaft. Not all hair has one, but beard hairs usually do because they’re coarser. The medulla is made up of loosely packed cells and air pockets, which help insulate your hair and add thickness. Oils that can penetrate all the way to the medulla improve elasticity and hydration at the core level, making your beard hair stronger, thicker, and less breakable. Word.

Lipids and Fatty Acids: The Building Blocks of Beard Care

Every bit of the science of beard care formulation lies here, in a blend’s fatty acids content. Fatty acids are the main event in beard care. Acids like oleic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid are small enough to penetrate the cuticle and get into the cortex and medulla. Once they’re inside, they bind to keratin structures, repairing damage, hydrating the hair, and making it less prone to breaking. They also coat the hair shaft, sealing in moisture and creating a smooth, touchable surface. Basically, fatty acids are like the Swiss Army knife of beard care. They do everything: soften your beard, reduce itch, eliminate inflammation, and even enhance shine.

Triglycerides and Absorption Efficiency

This is where a lot of products fall short. A good beard oil needs to have the right molecular structure to actually get where it needs to go. Triglycerides are key here—they’re the compounds that carry fatty acids deep into the hair shaft and skin. Oils with high bioavailability of fatty acids and triglycerides do this easily. On the flip side, oils mostly sit on the surface. They feel nice but don’t really do the heavy lifting. If your product isn’t penetrating, it’s not performing. Period.

The Epidermis: Taking Care of Your Skin

Alright, let’s not forget about your skin, because healthy skin is the foundation of a good beard. When you grow a beard, your skin has to produce enough sebum (your natural oil) to moisturize both the hair and the skin underneath. A lot of the time, it just can’t keep up, which leads to dryness, flakes, and inflammation. Beard oils and butters step in to fill the gap. The fatty acids and triglycerides that can’t penetrate the hair shaft will make their way to the skin beneath and absorb there. They work their way into the epidermis, where they calm inflammation, lock in moisture, and even help wake up dormant follicles. This is why beard oils can help with patchiness, reduce inflammation, and create a healthier environment for growth. They give your follicles the best shot at firing on all cylinders, to the extent of your genetics.

You Deserve Better

If your beard care products aren’t delivering on all these levels, they’re not worth your money. Like, why would you pay for something that just sits there when you could have a product that actually gets in there and works? Some products just coat the surface without doing anything to improve the health of your beard or skin. That’s why it’s so important to choose a product made by people who understand the science.

At the end of the day, beard oils and butters aren’t just about making your beard look good. They’re about making it healthier, stronger, and easier to manage. And honestly? That’s life-changing. Let us know if you need help getting there.

Here’s just a partial list of what you can expect a well-formulated beard product to do:

• Softer beard
• Shinier appearance
• Eliminates itch
• Reduces inflammation
• Hydrates skin beneath the beard
• Prevents dandruff (beardruff)
• Encourages faster growth
• Promotes thicker growth
• Enhances natural pigment
• Heals and prevents ingrown hairs
• Reduces breakage
• Strengthens hair strands
• Smooths frizz
• Naturally relaxes and straightens hair
• Improves manageability
• Protects from environmental damage
• Makes beard feel more touchable
• Smells great
• Balances oil production in skin
• Reduces sensitivity and irritation

If your product isn’t delivering most of these benefits, well…. it’s time for a new product.

In a world where every beard care product promises miraculous transformations, the journey to finding the right solution can be overwhelming. For men who prioritize personal grooming and have a keen eye for authenticity, the frustration of dealing with ineffectual products is all too real. The market is flooded with flashy advertisements, buzzwords, and exaggerated claims, making it challenging to separate fact from fiction. But fear not, fellow grooming enthusiasts, for in this blog post, we embark on a mission to demystify the realm of beard care products. Let’s navigate the sea of misinformation and empower you to make informed decisions.

The Pitfalls of Products That Don’t Work.

Before diving into the art of discerning truth from marketing gimmicks, let’s acknowledge the collective frustration many of us have experienced:

1. Disappointment with Empty Promises: You’ve probably encountered products that claim to work wonders but leave you with lackluster results. The disappointment is real, and it’s disheartening to invest time and money in products that fail to deliver on their promises.

2. Wasted Time and Effort: Researching and trying various grooming solutions can feel like a never-ending cycle. Hours spent deciphering conflicting information, attempting products that don’t live up to their hype, and hoping for a breakthrough can be exhausting.

3. Deceptive Companies and Misinformation: The beard care industry is rife with companies that overstate their expertise. It’s common to encounter businesses making claims that sound too good to be true. In this sea of misinformation, finding trustworthy guidance becomes paramount.

Now, let’s get ourselves back on the road…

The Road to Enlightenment: Navigating Fact from Fiction

1. Research Wisely: Seek Knowledge, Not Hype

In the digital age, information is readily available at our fingertips. However, not all sources are created equal. To sift through the noise and find reliable information about beard care, focus on verifiable information:

a. Real User Reviews: Authentic experiences from individuals facing similar grooming challenges provide invaluable insights. Seek out reviews from genuine users who have tested products over time. Look for detailed accounts of their journeys, highlighting both successes and challenges.

b. Community Engagement: Engage with online communities and forums dedicated to grooming. These platforms are treasure troves of authentic conversations. Fellow grooming enthusiasts share their experiences, product recommendations, and pitfalls to avoid. Engaging with these communities can broaden your knowledge and help you make informed choices, but be sure to fact-check any claims!

2. Beware of Gimmicks: Authenticity OverHype

The beard care industry, like any other, has its fair share of buzzwords and exaggerated claims. Don’t be swayed by flashy marketing tactics; instead, focus on authenticity:

a. Scientific Backing: Look for products backed by scientific research. Ingredients like argan oil, and jojoba oil, for example, have long been touted as good for for hair and skin but lack real benefit when looking a bit closer. Seek products that incorporate scientifically proven components rather than mysterious, untested concoctions and outdated research. Science is ever-changing, so follow a company that changes with the times.

b. Avoid Overcomplicated Formulas: Simplicity often leads to effectiveness. Products with a few well-chosen, natural ingredients can be remarkably powerful. Avoid those with unnecessarily complex formulas, as they might contain fillers that dilute the product’s potency while lowering the bottom-line for the company behind it.

3. Trust User Testimonials: Peer Experiences Matter

Peer experiences wield immense power in the world of grooming. When evaluating a product, consider the following:

a. Diverse Testimonials: Look for testimonials from individuals with diverse beard types and grooming challenges. A product that works across a range of beard textures and lengths is a strong indicator of its effectiveness. The idea that “a product may work for some, but not others” is misinformation. A good product works for all.

b. Long-Term Results: Focus on testimonials that discuss long-term results. Grooming is a journey, not a sprint. Products that consistently provide positive results over an extended period are more likely to be reliable.

c. Authenticity in Testimonials: Authentic testimonials often come with specific details about the user’s journey. Look for testimonials that share challenges similar to yours and describe how the product addressed those issues specifically.

In conclusion, the key to navigating the sea of misinformation in the beard care industry lies in your ability to discern between fact and fiction. Embrace the wisdom of real users, engage with knowledgeable communities, fact-check claims or ask for sources, and prioritize authenticity over hype. By arming yourself with knowledge and a discerning eye, you can confidently make grooming choices that align with your unique needs and preferences. Remember, your grooming journey is a personal and evolving experience – one that deserves the best, most authentic guidance available. Happy grooming!

So, you’ve decided to purchase the best in beard care! Thank you, and congrats on the benefits you’ll be bringing to your beard and skin!

Now you might be wondering: “How do I use this stuff?” We got you covered. Read on!

FIRST AND FOREMOST

We ALWAYS suggest applying any beard product to a slightly damp beard. Hair has an aqueous layer that can prevent proper absorption unless you work within those parameters. So, either spray on a little Genesis (covered later) or splash some water on your face. Just enough to get everything *slightly* damp. You’ll know right away how wet is too wet.

With your beard slightly damp, we’re ready to cover the rest. It’s worth noting that use is ultimately defined by user preference. It’s also important to note that the benefits of our products stack, and the scents are designed to work together, so you can mix everything together to find the consistency that suits you. Now, onward.

GENESIS

Genesis is our maximizer. Our primer. Our nutrient rich moisture. Aside from the inherent benefits in aloe vera, biotin, b12, MSM, and natural glycerin, this product actually INCREASES the bioavailability of the fatty acids in our other products, and INCREASES absorption efficiency. Spray this product in BEFORE applying anything else.

BEARD OIL

This is the easiest part. Throw 5-8 drops in your palm, rub the palms together and massage into hair and the skin underneath. Comb or brush to ensure even distribution. Boom. Easy. Adds 5 seconds to your daily routine.

BEARD BATTER

Beard Batter has a nice, whipped consistency, so just a fingertip full goes a long way. Similar to the Beard Oil, just grab a fingertip full, put it on your palm and rub together to melt it down. Then, just massage into hair and the skin underneath. Can be combined with any other product to stack benefit and adjust consistency. Add a few drops of Beard Oil before melting down between palms. Find your blend.

BEARDSTRONG BALM

Every tin of our Beardstrong Balm comes with a branded wooden coin. Use this coin to scrape out whichever amount you need to evenly cover your beard (varies by size, obviously) and put in palm. Rub palms together to melt down, then massage into the hair. Brush to cover evenly and style as desired. Add Beard Oil and/or Beard Batter to find the consistency you like best.

EXTRA NOTES

You CAN combine any of our products however you see fit. My go-to is the B.O.B. combo, or Balm, Oil, and Batter. I have a very average beard, mid-length (right about 6-inches). I scrape out about a nickel size worth of Beardstrong Balm, a fingertip full of Beard Batter, then mix it together in my palms with 3-4 drops of whichever Beard Oil I’m in the mood for. When all is mixed and melted I apply and comb through. The whole thing takes about 30 seconds and my beard is soft and healthy. Find what mixtures work best for you, or ask in our social media club which mixes folks prefer!

Thanks again for checking us out! We know you’ll find out right away what makes our blends the best on the market. Beard Strong!