Tips For Taming Your Lockdown Beard

Thinking about growing some hair on your face?

Great timing.

One silver lining of lockdown life is that there’s absolutely no reason to reach for a razor each morning – and plenty of men have embraced it. In fact, millions worldwide have grown a beard during lockdown, and for many, it’s been a one‑way trip.

Whether you’re new to the beard game or already nurturing a solid, full‑face effort – while juggling face masks when you head out – keeping things presentable (and your skin healthy) takes a bit of know‑how.

Here’s how to tame your lockdown beard properly.

Give It Time

First things first: growing a beard takes patience.

You might know someone who can grow a thick beard in a matter of days – but for most of us, it’s a long‑term commitment. Expect around 4–6 weeks before your beard really starts to take shape.

Resist the urge to shave, trim, or over‑groom in the early stages. The first week is often the toughest, with patchy stubble, itchiness, and the occasional hint of beardruff.

Stick with it. As the saying goes – this too shall pass.

Manage the Itch

Let’s be honest – the early stages can get seriously itchy.

That’s because freshly shaved beard hairs have sharp edges, which irritate the skin as they grow out. The good news? The itch doesn’t last forever – and a quality beard oil makes a huge difference.

Beard oil helps by:

Softening the hair so it’s less scratchy
Moisturising the skin beneath the beard
Reducing friction that causes irritation

As your beard gets longer, use a comb to help distribute the oil evenly through the beard and down to the skin. This also helps prevent beardruff – which, yes, is very real.

Wash It (Seriously)

Beards are magnets for… well, everything. Food, dust, coffee, crumbs – especially if you’ve got kids.

Washing your beard with a quality beard wash is an essential part of beard care. But balance is key. Both under‑washing and over‑washing can dry out your beard and skin – even when using quality products.

As a general rule, wash your beard once or twice a week, then adjust as needed.

Beard wash is especially useful if you:

Have a longer beard
Work in dusty or dirty environments
Have dry or sensitive skin

Comb or Brush Daily

When a beard grows out for the first time, hairs tend to go rogue – growing in all directions and sometimes back into the skin. This can lead to irritation, ingrown hairs, and even beard pimples.

Daily brushing or combing helps:

Train hairs to grow in the right direction
Reduce ingrown hairs
Evenly distribute natural oils
Exfoliate the skin beneath the beard

Combing after applying grooming products is especially effective – it helps your beard look tidy without needing constant trimming.

As grooming experts like to say: you don’t need a wild Santa‑style beard to look impressive – just one that’s well cared for.

Trim With Purpose

Even a lockdown beard needs boundaries.

Left unchecked, neckbeards and stray cheek lines can turn a solid beard into a bit of a mess. Keep things intentional by:

Trimming your neckline just above the Adam’s apple
Cleaning up cheek lines for definition
Using scissors to snip stray hairs that grow faster than the rest

Even if you’re going for a full, bushy beard, there’s a difference between rugged and neglected. A clean neckline makes all the difference.

Diet & Exercise Matter

A healthy beard starts from the inside.

A balanced diet, regular exercise, quality sleep, and time outdoors all support healthy hair growth. Key factors include vitamin D, zinc, vitamin C, and good overall wellbeing – all of which play a role in testosterone levels and beard health.

While some products claim to magically boost beard growth, many are packed with unnecessary chemicals and empty promises. Focus on your health first – the beard will follow.