Naturalene : Is My Skin Safe During Movember?
We are nearly in the season of Fall, and for hundreds of thousands of men that means one big thing - Movember. For other men, Movember may have transformed into one of it’s fully bearded brothers. No-Shave-November and Novembeard are ways for men who are reluctant to sport a mustache to raise prostate cancer awareness. Either way, your skin - or the skin of a man you know - is about to require much more maintenance.
While many think that facial hair is perfect way to cover up acne and make your morning easier, the reality is quite the opposite. Facial hair can cover up acne and save you from having to spend time shaving, but it still requires as much maintenance as the hair on your head. Facial hair also requires its own set of products to maintain an attractive appearance. Overgrown and under-cared for facial hair, even with good intention, is problematic.
How much can facial hair affect your skin?
As stated earlier, facial hair is similar to the hair on your head. Every hair on your body, on your head or your face, has a ‘sebaceous gland’. These glands produce natural oil that makes your hair shiny and waterproof. This oil can build up and leave you feeling greasy and full of acne, even if it is hidden by facial hair.
The issue is that the skin and hair on your face is much more sensitive than the skin and hair on your head. Normal shampoos and conditioners tend to contain harsh detergents that leave your skin dried out and your beard feeling coarse. Shampoo also has a higher tendency to lead to the dreaded ‘beardruff’, or beard dandruff. Facial cleansers, even though they are much more mild than shampoos, tend to result in a similar issue. While they may work well on your face, many facial cleansers contain ingredients that could dry out your facial hair. This causes your sebaceous glands to produce extra oil, making your facial hair look greasy.
Another issue is the allure of touching your facial hair once you begin growing it. The average moustachioed man tends to touch his facial hair around 750 times a day. While this does not seem serious, your beard can hold on to the dirt and oils on your hands. All this extra dirt leads to acne development underneath your beard. The best cure for this is to make sure your hands are clean as much as possible. An easy way to ensure this is with Naturalene Cleansing Wipes. Continuously washing your hands, which can lead to dry, cracked skin. Naturalene’s Cleansing Wipes cut through grease and dirt while keeping your hands moisturized.
What ingredients should I look for in a product?
With the popularity of beards rising, there has been plenty of testing on what you should and should not use on a beard. The list is continually growing, but some of the most beneficial ingredients for your facial hair are;
- Essential oils - essential oils are produced naturally, rather than processed oils that come from petroleum. While petroleum products can clog your sebaceous glands, drying out your beard, essential oils work with your body. Lavender oil can promote hair growth, resulting in a more full beard, while lemongrass oil can act as a natural dandruff cure.
- Aloe vera - this wonder-plant is most commonly known as the best way to treat a sunburn, but it actually works wonders for hair growth. Aloe vera works as a natural conditioner that has a chemical makeup similar to keratin, the primary protein of hair. This in turn increases elasticity of hair, preventing possible breakage.
- Calendula Extract - also known as the ‘pot marigold’, the calendula plant is known for a variety of health benefits. For skin, calendula extract has the ability to reduce acne and signs of aging. When it comes to hair, calendula extract has regenerative properties that lead to the growth of thicker hair from the follicle.
- Jojoba oil - Different from essential oils, jojoba oil is one of the most commonly advertised beard products. Jojoba oil is known to soften beard hair, and due to how similar it is to natural skin oils, it does not cause skin to become too oily.
Am I the only one unkempt facial hair can affect?
While you may want to simply push through the dry skin and wiry facial hair for the month, your significant other may say otherwise. One of the biggest issues for men with facial hair in a relationship is the effect it has on their significant other’s face. Facial hair can cause issues when it comes to kissing, especially if the facial hair is unwashed.
This is due to more than just oil transfer to a significant other’s skin, though. Coarse facial hair creates friction against smooth skin, increasing the production of oil that can mix with dead skin cells. This can block pores, causing a breakout around the lips of that special someone. These issues are easily solved with proper beard care, though, making Movember a little easier for everyone.
Do I need to buy a bunch of new, special products?
There are hundreds of beard products on the market, all with their own appeal. Some are only available online, while others can be found in the ‘Men’s Care’ section of your local pharmacy. Many brands advertise special oils, waxes, washes, conditioners, and brushes all as a facial hair-centric routine. The reality is that you can have a simple routine, so long as you look for the proper products.
Some brands observe the idea of Occam’s razor; the best solution is the most simple solution. Rather than having an entire counter of products with a single intended use, most men would prefer one product that can do nearly everything. Shampoo and body wash can be combined into one product, so why can’t facewash and beard wash be combined? Some products advertise this, while many others are capable of this without blatantly saying it. Many naturally sourced products are free of beard and skin harming ingredients, opting for some of the natural ingredients that were mentioned earlier. Naturalene’s Daily Skin Care Cream, available by itself or as part of Naturalene’s Ultimate Bundle, can condition your beard in the shower and moisturize your skin afterwards.
