The biggest grooming mistakes men with beards are making — and how to fix them

• Those with beards must also take care of the skin underneath.
• A daily skincare routine is an essential to keep your skin and beard fresh and healthy.
• A beard oil or beard cream is a must-have product.
• Having a solid routine will help prevent ingrown hairs or bumps.

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Growing a beard — or any facial hair, for that matter — requires much attention, detail, and upkeep. Whether you’re simply growing a little stubble or are going for the Greek God look, growing a beard can be a lengthy process. At the same time, it’s vital to treat the skin underneath in a just-as-attentive manner.

"It’s important to remember that, even with a beard, you need to care of your skin. Often times, men forget about the skin under their facial hair. That’s a big no-no!" lifestyle blogger Alex Nelson told INSIDER.

Celebrity stylist and creative consultant Preston Konrad reiterated this point when he told INSIDER, "In addition to your overall skin regimen, you'll want to make sure your beard gets the same love that the rest of your face does by adding products like beard washes into the mix and finishing with a great oil or cream to prevent and crazy flyaway hairs — it's all about a well kept, handsome beard for 2018."

Skincare can seem daunting, even more so for those growing a beard. However, by adding a few basic building blocks to your everyday routine, no part of the skin will feel neglected.

To start, Konrad suggested using a day moisturizer with SPF, a killer night cream, and an eye cream before bed. Nelson, along with his partner Mike Rubino who co-run their blog, Alex & Mike, echoed that sentiment, stating that their daily routine consists of a cleanser, toner, an eye cream, serum, and moisturizer.

"From Walgreens and Target to your local barber, [these places] are packed with great tools to ensure you keep your beard clean and healthy. Once your beard gets to a length it can be maintained (anything from a 1.5 / 2 or longer on the clipper scale), it's time to invest in some goods products to keep things in check," Konrad said.

One skincare essential that Konrad suggested for those with beards to invest in is a beard oil or beard cream.

"Once you are finished getting ready in the morning, apply a little bit of your desired oil or cream to the beard and comb it through the hairs with a small beard comb or brush. This will ensure all of the hairs are laying down neatly and give the beard an added bit of shine and polish," Konrad told INSIDER.

Nelson added, "[Make sure to use] a good oil every night. I always make sure to massage the oil into my beard. This helps keep my skin super hydrated and soft. It also keeps my facial hair feeling fresh."

Nelson suggested that men purchase the Kiehl’s Nourishing Beard Grooming Oil, which helps soften and smooth coarse facial hair. Konrad, on the other hand, uses a Jack Black beard oil. The most vital skincare tip for men with beards, however, is to exfoliate.

"Exfoliate!" Nelson told INSIDER. "I make sure to exfoliate twice a week. This really helps clean my skin, especially the skin under my facial hair. It’s also good at preventing ingrown hairs and bumps (the worst!)."

Nelson recommended the Yes To Natural Man Face Scrub.

Preston added, "Get a hold of a great men's exfoliating face wash and use it 2-3 times a week to make sure you're getting rid of any dead skin to allow the beard to grow evenly."

Aside from skincare products, it’s important to keep your beard trimmed and well-groomed to avoid ingrown hairs and ruining the polished, suave look.

"Make sure to keep things as clean as you can while waiting it out by visiting your local barber for a neck trim and beard lineup. Not only will this keep you looking polished while your rugged beard grows out, but frequent neck trims and beard line-ups can prevent ingrown hairs and keep the skin used to being maintained with a razor," Konrad told INSIDER.

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SEE ALSO: If you're going to let your beard grow out, here's the most important thing to remember

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