Bearded men can be forgiven for thinking facial hair would expedite their skincare routine. After all, a face half covered only requires half the maintenance, right? Nice try.

While a beard is synonymous with a rugged appearance, that isn’t licence for neglect. The key to a well-groomed man-mane is daily upkeep, which extends further than the odd bit of shampoo and into these seven essential additions to your bathroom cabinet.

(Related: How To Pick The Right Beard Length For You)

Prep It

If you’re just growing out your bum-fluff with hopes of developing a thick, lustrous beard, you’ve got to get past the itching stage and the ingrown hairs that come with it. Exfoliating to encourage natural skin cell turnover is the best way to keep both at bay.

Packed with a powerful 10 per cent glycolic acid, Peter Thomas Roth’s Max Complexion Correction Pads work to gently remove dead skin and minimise excess sebum. This prevents breakouts so you avoid the teenage dirtbag look while the beard is growing.

Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads, available at Amazon.

Clean It

Shampooing your beard is as important as washing your hair. Neglect to wash and moisturise, and your face fuzz will not only smell bad, it will desposit beardruff (which is a thing) all over your shirt and quite possibly your lunch.

Don’t assume soap or body wash will suffice; these will strip your beard of the glossy natural oils you want to maintain. Use something like Bulldog’s Original 2in1 Beard Shampoo and Conditioner two to three times a week; it’s a mild formula fortified with essential oils for full lumbersexual sheen.

Bulldog Original 2in1 Beard Shampoo and Conditioner, available at Superdrug.

Tame It

Bedhead may give a fuss-free appearance to your hair, but an oddly shaped beard can distort the shape of your face. A comb is a necessity for taming any mane longer than stubble.