HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR BEARD WHILE TRAVELING

It’s been said that travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. Should you be open to letting your guard down, it provides you with genuine experiences that transform you in ways no textbook ever could. And what better time to travel than the summer, when the weather cooperates and most of us are naturally inclined to take some time off? Unfortunately, an extended stay in a warm destination can spell doom for a beard; when faced with sun, sweat, and stickiness, it’s quite tempting to just do away with it all.

But don’t give up the ship just yet. We’re here to assure you that not only can you have your beard while traveling, but you can also stay comfortable (really). It all comes down to preparing well  and setting aside a little time to give your beard the TLC it needs. By grooming your beard and protecting it with the appropriate products, you’ll receive ample returns in the form of a soft, shiny beard that doesn’t itch.

With that being said, here’s how to take care of your beard when you travel:

Wash your beard more frequently, and seal in moisture with beard oil and beard balm

If you’re traveling this summer, one thing’s for sure: you’re going to sweat. A lot. Especially if you’re heading to more temperate regions like Brazil or Thailand.

To counter sweat and stickiness, increase the frequency with which you wash your beard. If you normally do 2 – 3 times a week, try every other day. But don’t be tempted to just wing it with the complimentary shampoos you’ll find at most hotels – these shampoos are formulated for the hair on top of your head, not for drier, thicker beard hair.

To ensure a thorough cleaning that doesn’t strip your beard of its protective natural oils, opt for a beard shampoo (we of course highly recommend the Zeus Beard Shampoo). Our Beard Shampoo is formulated with chamomile and green tea to hydrate and reduce irritation and inflammation while cleansing. When looking at ingredients, be sure to avoid sulfates, which dry out already coarse beard hair.

After shampooing, follow up with beard oil while your beard is still slightly damp to seal in moisture, and finish with beard balm for extra hold and shape (never a bad idea when you’re trying to make a good impression with the locals).

Bring a grooming kit

Just because you’re on vacay doesn’t mean you can skip out on keeping your beard in good form. A basic travel set (like the Zeus Natural Essential Beard Care Kit) is all you need to comb beard hair and make minor trims as necessary.

Use hair sunscreen

Many of us neglect the hair on our heads and faces when we’re applying sunscreen. But as you’ll be walking around outside – or partying by the pool, or kayaking on the ocean – the sun’s glaring rays will break down hair cuticles, leading to a brittle, dry beard.

Hair sunscreen isn’t the easiest thing to find, but the ones that are available do their job quite nicely.

Our recommendation? The next time your girlfriend drags you to Sephora, pick up Clarins Sunscreen Care Oil Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 30. It’s a water-resistant, non-greasy dry oil that can be used on both skin and hair.

Tip: To do extra repair after a day outside, massage beard oil and beard balm into your beard and skin (again, while your beard is still damp to seal in moisture) and leave the concoction on overnight.

The beard oil and balm will unite to form a deep conditioner and you’ll wake up with a dangerously caressable beard.

Traveling for an extended period of time? Bring a razor and/or trimmer

Is your summer looking more like a backpacking adventure across Europe than a one-week stay at Cabo? Then you’ll need to bring a razor. This will allow you to trim your cheeks and neckline and generally keep things under control. For travel, we cannot overstress the importance of keeping your neck clear – allowing hair to grow there will make you incredibly itchy and you’ll end up scratching at the area throughout your trip – not what you want when on vacation.

You can also consider getting a trim right before your trip – just remember that whether you have a beard or stubble, you still need to take care of your skin and hair. So keep shampooing the area, and massage a couple drops of beard oil into skin. This will soften your face and stubble as well as prevent dryness.

For long trips, bring a rechargeable electric razor for regular trims.

Keep hydrated

Drinking enough water will give you energy for your trek while keeping your skin and beard hydrated from the inside out – after all, skin is 80% water. While we have access to safe drinking water in the United States, water quality can vary depending on where you travel, so your best bet is bottled water, which is easily available – and cheap – anywhere you go.

Aim for 2 liters a day, and more than that if you’re in a hot climate and/or moving around a lot.