Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How To Take Care Of Your Beard In The Winter

winter beard header
As we have mentioned previously, we are big fans of beards at The Manual. We have advised you in the past on how to properly shape your beard, which beard oils to apply in order to tame the beast, and the best trimmers on the market to help you keep things tight. You’re a beard pro by now. But wintertime adds a whole new challenge to keeping your facial hair in check. Winter beard is real, and nobody wants that.

Biting cold, fierce wind, and a dip in humidity are not your beard’s friend. Your whiskers can become unwieldy, itchy, dull and flaky. While you can get away with applying beard oil every once in a while in weather where your skin doesn’t dry out like a corn husk, winter calls for daily attention and products that are a little more heavy-duty. A season-specific regimen is crucial if you want to avoid looking like Hagrid from Harry Potter.

The Manual suggests upping your game: wash your beard no more than twice a week, paying careful attention to how dry your skin is. You want to continue washing it like you do in the summertime, but without drying it out, which will lead to flaking and itchiness. Avoid shampoos with sodium lauryl sulfate. It’s a very commonly used foaming agent, and it irritates sensitive skin. 

After washing, apply a conditioner or softener for a few minutes, and then rinse. (It’s kind of like deep conditioning for your beard.) Apply beard oil at least once a day. For lighter formulas, you can apply in the morning and at night.  

And never fear if you don’t know where to start when it comes to what you should be applying to your face. We’ve gathered a list of some extra-hydrating beard products that will help you keep your beard touchably soft through the dark days of winter.


Mi-Me’s Ultimo Beard Oilmi-me ultimo beard oil

This beard oil by up-and-comer Mi-Me is made from a combination of gentle but potent oils that will help prevent flaking and coarseness without breaking the budget. Made from all-natural ingredients like argan oil and grapeseed oil, you’ll get an insanely soft, well-hydrated beard. You know: the kind that you can’t help but run your hands through. All of Mi-Me’s products are handmade and tested by the co-founders, Gil and Liz. While their scalp and hair oils are great too, the Ultimo beard oil formula is specifically made for wiry beard hair and dry skin. It also prevents dandruff. After all, you want snowflakes on the ground, not on your face.

$25 for 10 oz.

beardbrand beard washBeardbrand Beard Wash & Softener

This duo wash and softener was formulated specifically for beards. It’s like shampoo and conditioner for your face. Both the wash and the softener are silicone-free and incredibly gentle so as to prevent itchiness that would crop up if you used regular shampoo. The softener is creamy and makes even the most wiry beards manageable. Beardbrand recommends using it twice a week—though if you get particularly dirty,  it’s gentle enough to use daily. Hey, no judgment here. It’s strong enough to work on extra-coarse beards, and all three scents are amazing. At turns woodsy, spicy, or minty, you’ll look forward to washing your beard for once.

$49.99 for 8.45 fl. oz. each

Mayron’s Goods Man Oilmayron's goods man oil

This roll-on beard oil soothes irritation that comes from a long day of being out in the cold. You can use it as a pre-shave oil or, you know, just because you feel like massaging your face. It hydrates without leaving a greasy film. If you decide to apply it before work, you won’t walk into work looking like the office greaseball. This one is pricier, but a little goes a very long way. Bonus? It smells like black pepper and vanilla. You’ll have a hard time not sniffing your beard all day.

$55 for 1.6 oz.


Regardless of which products you choose to apply to your face, don’t forget to comb your beard to avoid mats, and trim that puppy every once in a while. In no time flat, your beard will be lovely and your skin well-moisturized. Take that, winter!

Editors' Recommendations

Lisa Dunn
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Lisa Dunn is a writer with a background in investigative journalism and a love of tailored suits. Born and raised in New…
13 foods for hair growth: Eat your way to more enviable locks
Eat your way to better hair with the 13 best foods for hair growth in 2023
man looking at hair loss

Hair loss may seem somewhat inevitable as we age, but many young men also struggle with premature hair thinning and loss. While we can’t stop time or biological aging, and we can’t change other significant factors such as our genetics, we can improve the health of our hair and prevent hair loss by ensuring we are eating a well-rounded, balanced, nutrient-dense diet full of foods for hair growth.
Related Guides

Best Hair Loss Products
Best Foods for Healthy Skin
What to Eat After a Workout

Read more
Avoid awkward encounters: Your guide to nixing bad breath ASAP
What is halitosis? Your guide to the causes, treatment, and prevention of bad breath
two people brushing their teeth in a bathroom

Remember 2020, when life went virtual and everything from morning huddle-ups to happy hours shifted to Zoom? It's been a while (thankfully). It certainly had its drawbacks — mainly, many humans crave in-person interactions and socialization by nature. However, there was a hidden bonus: You didn’t have to deal with anyone’s bad breath or worry that someone else was dealing with yours.

Bad breath, also called halitosis, is an annoying condition. It happens to the best of us. Common causes of bad breath include eating certain foods, such as fish or something seasoned with garlic. More than pesky, it can also be embarrassing and lower self-esteem, according to one study. Sometimes, bad breath can even be a sign of something more concerning.

Read more
How to treat acne scars at home, according to a dermatologist
A complete, definitive guide to acne scars, including how to get rid of the pesky problem once and for all
Man Treating Acne Scars

Ugh, acne. Is there anything more annoying than having clear skin one second, then breaking out with pimples overnight? As a pre-teen who regularly broke out with bumps, zits, and sores, I feel as though I’m only just now getting over the traumatic toll these blemishes caused me. And while my breakouts are few and far between these days, I’m left struggling with something that’s possibly even more frustrating than acne itself: How to get rid of acne scars.

Yep, although I’ve finally figured out how to treat and take care of my skin, I’m left with the ghosts of pimples' past. Though I wish I could say I’m not bothered by them, I have to admit that I am. Like, really, really am. There are a lot of acne spot treatments for men, but it's better to consult an expert. So, I thought it’d be beneficial for me, and everyone who comes across this, to do a little digging to find out how to get rid of acne scars once and for all. To do this, I spoke with Vichy Medical Consultant, Dr. Erin Gilbert, who provided me with a ton of helpful tips and insights.
Atrophic scars

Read more