Nautical Style: Maintaining Your Beard Over Open Waters
By Jack Shaw (Guest Post) | Last updated 31st July 2024
Holidays mean it’s time to feel the water and sand between your toes. While the warm temperatures are pleasant, the climate could negatively affect your beard.
Don’t stop yourself from riding jet skis or swimming in a pool to beat the heat. However, your beard should be a priority when going out on the water.
The last thing you want is a dried and damaged beard as a holiday souvenir. Here’s how to look good while having fun on the water.
How to Maintain Your Beard Over Open Waters
Bodies of water are terrific for swimming, relaxing and recreational sports. Use these five tips for maintaining your beard while at the ocean, on the lake or in the pool.
Braids
Imagine diving in the pool for the first time in the summer. While it feels great, the water can cause tangles. Your beard relies on keratin for hair regeneration and hydrogen bonds to stay intact. Unfortunately, water interrupts this process by breaking down the bonds.
Fortunately, there are ways to keep your beard organised in the water. Use beard braids to mitigate tangling, especially if your hair is long. This accessory is also helpful if you wear life vests or button-up shirts because it reduces the risk of your beard getting caught.
Beard Balm
You might be unable to use braids if your facial hair isn’t long enough. However, there are still products to help your hair in the water. Apply beard balm before you dip your toes in the ocean or jump off the pool’s diving board. This substance provides valuable protection for your beard in the water.
Applying beard balm creates a thin barrier between your facial hair and the water. While not foolproof, it’s a worthwhile guard by limiting the chlorine and chemical damage to your hair. Try a product that moisturises your beard and leaves a tangerine scent.
Helpful Hats
Water adventures aren’t for everybody. There’s nothing wrong with simply relaxing by the pool and enjoying the sunshine, playing badminton or throwing a Frisbee near the water. Regardless, you should protect your head and beard with adequate headgear.
The most immediate benefit for your beard is how it blocks the sun. How much water protection do you get from a wide-brimmed hat? This item partially protects your beard from sudden rain, splashes and the air’s salt content. Hats also mitigate the sweat dripping down your face into your beard.
Post-Swim Shower
When the swimming session is over, it’s time to hit the showers. Going from the water to the water might not make sense, but a shower is integral for your skin and beard. For instance, suppose you’ve spent time in the pool. You should cleanse your beard and body of chlorine to avoid dryness.
Showers also apply when you’ve been in saltwater, so rinse your beard and remove salt because it extracts moisture from your facial hair. Cleaning yourself after swimming knocks out multiple birds with one stone because it removes dirt and other contaminants that could clog your pores.
Vitamin C
Orange juice, strawberries and broccoli give you healthy doses of vitamin C. While you may associate the nutrient with your immune system, vitamin C is excellent for beard protection. First, it assists with collagen production and ensures your body grows healthy hair.
In the short term, vitamin C can be effective on your beach trips in spray form. The mist is helpful if your beard has naturally dry hair because it restores moisture. Some products combine vitamin C and squalane because the latter protects hair from damage and increases shine.
How Water Holidays Can Affect Your Beard
You likely look for places with warm water and plenty of cocktails when planning your holidays. Before booking your accommodations, you should know these five ways water affects your beard.
Chlorine Contact
First, it depends on what type of water you plan to enjoy. Swimming pools are fun venues for aquatic adventures, but they can damage your beard. Pool maintenance typically requires chemicals to maintain pH levels. Thus, the pool sets you up for chlorine contact.
Chlorine adversely affects your beard by drying it out and removing its natural components. Experts say the drying is worse if you dye your beard or it receives chemical treatment. If you’re a regular swimmer, the hair on your face and scalp could change colour due to chlorine’s oxidation.
Salty Air
Proximity to the ocean fills the air with salt and adds a memorable scent to the atmosphere. You can nearly taste the salty air even when you’re at your hotel. Unfortunately, the sodium chloride in the ocean can adversely affect your beard. The hair on your chin and scalp doesn’t particularly care for salt.
Compare hair to the food you cook in a pan. Adding salt to your hair or to onions extracts moisture and dries things out. While this may be suitable for vegetables, it isn’t as conducive to your beard. Salt can make your facial hair more brittle and dry if you’re at the beach or in the ocean for a long time.
Windy Weather
If you dislike the salty air, the wind may only worsen it. You can feel gusts nearly anywhere, but the effects are different at the beach. Nearby buildings and trees stop the wind from blowing directly onto your face. However, the beach is less likely to prevent the gusts from hitting your beard.
Like chlorine, wind attacks your beard’s natural oils and removes them from your hair. While they bring temporary heat relief, the gusts can dry out your beard. Avoid areas with strong winds if you have long facial hair because they can cause brittleness and skin irritation.
Sun Damage
Sunshine is integral to your health, as seen by the vitamin D benefits your skin absorbs. Health experts say this nutrient builds muscles and immune systems, emphasising the importance of outdoor activities. However, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can harm your beard without proper care.
Too much sunshine can be detrimental, especially when it dries your facial hair. The UV rays damage your beard’s cuticles by removing moisture, much like a blow dryer does. Split your time between sunny and shady areas to prevent sun damage.
Sweaty Adventures
It’s hard to avoid sweating when outdoors for long periods. Feeling the perspiration on your skin means you’ve worked hard in the pool or on the pitch. Sweat also cools your body down when it begins to overheat. However, the liquid works against your beard despite being a natural function.
One of perspiration’s primary downfalls is the smell. Your beard accumulates sweat and grows bacteria under your chin, thus causing unfortunate odours. Protect your face and beard from sweat while on the water by finding shade and cooling your body as much as possible.
What to Bring on Your Boating Expedition
Packing for holidays can be tricky because you don’t want to leave anything at home. What do you need for your beard before heading to the blue waters? Here are five things to stuff in your bags.
Beard Comb
First, keep it simple by packing a beard comb. This tool is valuable because swimming and wind gusts can tangle your beard and make it look messy. Straighten your facial hair with the comb after you’ve finished your swim session. It also removes unwanted sand and salt to mitigate the drying effects.
Looking your best is critical even when you’re out of town, whether you find a good beach or a local pub. Pack a comb that easily fits in your pocket. Give your beard a quick adjustment after swimming and hit the road.
Microfiber Towels
Towels are standard for time on the water because you need something to dry off with. However, not just any cloth will help your beard. You need a towel that will absorb as much moisture as possible while staying soft and gentle on your facial hair. Microfiber towels will get the job done.
These towels differ from standard versions because they have fine textures and synthetic yarns to absorb water. It won’t take long to dry your beard and eliminate the contaminants you don’t want. Microfiber towels are less prone to irritation and feel better on your hair and skin.
Hygienic Supplies
Some holidays include going on a boat for an extended time. Cruises or solo expeditions in the ocean mean you need the proper supplies. While food and beverages are obvious, you must keep your boat clean. If you don’t, you introduce the risk of mould growth and bad smells.
Your boat’s cleanliness goes a long way in determining your beard health. If the vessel is dirty, you risk dirt, dust and other contaminants getting into your facial hair and irritating it. You could also see a spike in sneezes if your allergies are bothersome. Keep the air and surfaces clean to promote good beard health.
Beard Oil
Chlorine, salt and sunshine can dry out your beard. Therefore, your routine before and after swimming should prioritise moisturisation. Beard oil is an excellent remedy for your facial hair because of its moisturising properties. The last thing you want when exiting the pool is a frizzy mess.
Apply beard oil before and after swimming to minimise the adverse effects. Like beard balm, the oil creates a protective layer on facial hair to reduce the potency of chlorine and sunshine. Try a scented beard oil that features pine needles and bergamot.
Leave-in Conditioner
Conditioner is critical for facial hair because it hydrates the beard and skin. Your routine likely includes applying this product and rinsing it out when done. What if you could apply conditioner and leave it in? Some products have unique designs for men who swim and want to maintain their moisturisation.
Leave-in conditioner can remain in your hair and beard while you’re in the water. The product locks in moisture and protects your hair from chlorine’s adverse effects. Therefore, your facial hair is more manageable to comb and untangle once you leave the pool. Softness is another crucial benefit of a leave-in conditioner, contrasting with hair’s normal reaction to water.
Maintaining Your Beard on Your Aquatic Travels
Jumping into the ocean or a small pond feels fantastic, and it's a great way to beat the summer heat. While the water is inviting, don’t let it ruin your beard health. Salt, chlorine and sunshine can negatively impact your holidays by ruining facial hair. Show up prepared with beard oil and other healthy products to keep you looking and feeling great on holiday.
Jack Shaw is a writer, editor and grooming enthusiast. His explorations of men’s health, fitness and fashion can all be found on Modded, a men’s lifestyle publication on which he serves as the senior writer. Reach out to him via LinkedIn.
