Beards, Breakouts & Besties: Grooming Myths Men Need to Break Up With

It’s 2025.
Male grooming is no longer just opening a bottle of Old Spice and spraying on some perfume. From Pinteresty cuts to DIY face oils, from balms to homemade scrubs, beard grooming has officially entered the chat.

People are no longer intimidated by men who use makeup, Instagram is filled with men who review skincare products, and nothing is oh-so-controversial anymore! It’s a new world and a whole new vibe out there, baby!

In an era where anything is possible, are you still bogged down by myths like self-care is not for men? *GASP* 

In that case, treat this blog as your myth-busting guide to beard acne, beard care and all those things you have been too shy to ask your bestie from kindergarten.

Myth #1: “Shaving Makes Your Beard Grow Back Thicker.”

Ah yes, the OG of all shaving myths. Probably something your chacha told you back in school while you were trying to grow out those whiskers.

Here’s the fact: Shaving cuts your hair at the surface. It doesn’t reach the follicle underneath which is responsible for the growth rate and thickness of hair. However, we agree, when it regrows, it may feel coarse to touch, but that’s just an illusion that fades away with time.

Pop culture check: This myth is like thinking Tony Stark came back after Endgame just because you saw him in a flashback scene. Sorry bro, science says otherwise.

What to do instead:

• Focus on a consistent beard care routine - exfoliation, hydration, and gentle cleansing. Yep, cleansing. A good face wash and face scrub to clean up under all that hair.
• Use non-comedogenic beard care products for men that won’t clog your pores.
  
  

Myth #2: “Beard Oil Causes Acne.”

This one’s tricky. Technically, yes - some beard oils can trigger breakouts. But it’s not the oil’s fault; it’s the formula. Heavy, greasy oils clog pores, leading to dreaded beard acne. 

But here’s the good news: there are lightweight beard oils for breakout-prone skin and even non-comedogenic beard oils that hydrate your beard without messing with your skin. 

Think of it like: Ordering butter chicken at 2 AM. Some versions make you feel bloated, others hit just right. The key is in the ingredients.

What to do instead:

• Look for oils labelled lightweight or non-comedogenic. Try Adigo Beard Oil, which promises no stickiness, just a fuller, healthier beard.
• Avoid mineral oil-heavy formulas.
• For the first use, start small. Slowly increase the quantity depending on your beard length. To be on the safer side, massage in a few drops only - your beard doesn’t need to be dripping wet from it.

Myth #3: “Breakouts Under the Beard Are Just Something You Have to Live With.”

Nope. Acne under the beard is common, but not inevitable. It is treatable. In fact, it is completely avoidable. Think of it like beard dandruff’s evil twin - it happens when sweat, dead skin, and product build-up get trapped.

How to prevent breakouts under the beard:

• Cleanse twice daily. Use a gentle face wash to remove dirt and oil. The gentler it is, the better. Remember: Harsh face wash → Dry skin → More chances of breaking out. Try Adigo Swoop Face Wash, which is made with natural ingredients like Lemon and Turmeric extract
• Exfoliate weekly. This is the ultimate exfoliation tip for beard growth - it unclogs follicles, reduces ingrown hairs, and makes your beard look fuller. Use Adigo Swoop Face Scrub which comes with non-comedogenic properties and doesn’t clog your pores. 
• Hydrate. Use a light moisturiser that won’t suffocate your pores. Top it up with a lightweight beard oil that keeps the unruly strands under check
  
  

Pop culture check: Remember Chandler Bing’s “beard phase”? Scary, right? Yeah, don’t let your grooming become a sitcom subplot.

Myth #4: “More Beard Products = Better Beard.”

In true GEN-Z fashion, more isn’t always more. Using ten different balms, oils, potions, and serums might feel like you’re building a beard-care multiverse, but you’re probably just overwhelming your skin.

Beard care mistakes most men make and how to avoid them:

• Using sticky beard balms → They trap sweat and can cause breakouts
• Overcleansing their beard → Stripping it of natural oils, making it itchy and ruining pH balance
• Forgetting to cleanse under the beard → Dry, flaky, irritated skin

Solution: A simple beard grooming guide that works for all:

Step 1 - Gentle cleanser

Step 2 - Lightweight moisturiser

Step 3 - Beard oil 

Myth #5: “Beard Itch = Manliness.”

Listen up. An itchy, scruffy beard is not a badge of honour. Nobody considers an ill-kept beard a sign of manliness anymore. It’s just your skin screaming for help.

How to keep the itch and breakouts under control:

• Always go for a sulphate-free cleanser to avoid losing moisture
• Hydrate with natural beard care ingredients such as jojoba or argan oils
• Avoid scratching - it might feel satisfying, but it leads to more beard dandruff and irritated skin

Myth #6: “Beard Balm Is for Everyone.”

Here’s the tea: Should everyone use a beard balm? Yes. Is it made for everyone, though? Hard no.

Using a thick, sticky beard balm is not the solution to everyone’s problem. If you’ve got sensitive or acne-prone skin, heavy balms can clog pores and trigger flare-ups, which we do not want! Obv!

What’s The Fix?

• Swap out heavy balms for lightweight creams or hydrating oils
• Always patch test first
• Do not follow trends blindly - use only what works for your skin texture

Myth #7: “Natural Remedies Don’t Work.”

Okay, not all DIY remedies are created equal (looking at you, toothpaste-for-pimples hack). But some natural remedies for beard acne actually help:

• Aloe vera gel → Calms irritation (Bonus points for the homegrown variant)
• Tea tree oil → Antibacterial (Diluted, obv)
• Oatmeal mask → Soothes inflamed or red skin

Pop culture check: Natural remedies are like indie music. Some are cringe, some are lowkey amazing - you just need to know what’s your groove.

Myth #8: “Beard Care Is Just About the Beard.”

Wrong. Wrong. So wrong.

Beard care is all about beard plus skincare, and overall hygiene of both. Ignore one, and the others suffer.

Best beard care routine to avoid acne:

The basic: Regular wash → keep it clean

The add-on: Exfoliate → Keep dead skin at bay

The must: Hydrate → Beard + the skin underneath it

The bonus: Protect → Shield against dust, heat and pollution

Myth #9: “Beards Don’t Need Sunscreen.”

Plot twist: The sun doesn’t care about your beard. UV rays penetrate skin, beard or not. Which means you still need SPF. And a good one at that.

Beard skin care tip: Use a lightweight, gel-based sunscreen that won’t make your beard greasy and will easily absorb despite those strands.

Myth #10: “Only Bearded Men Need Beard Care.”

Even those who love rocking a stubble or going completely clean-shaven, the skin underneath the beard still matters a lot. Hydrating, exfoliating and keeping breakouts in check is the key for a consistently good-looking beard.

Think of it like: Buying gym shoes. Just because you’re not a marathon runner doesn’t mean you can wear flip-flops on leg day.

Quick Fixes for Common Beard Problems

• Itchiness? Switch to sulphate-free cleansers and add hydration
• Beard acne? Invest in non-comedogenic products and do not forget weekly exfoliation
• Flaky beard? Add a lightweight oil to your routine & drink more water
• Ingrown hair? Weekly exfoliation and no to blunt razors

The Ultimate Beard Care Cheat Sheet

Dos:

• Cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate, protect
• Lightweight beard oil every day
• Pampering your beard and treating it well
• Taking care of basic hygiene

Donts:

• Believing in myths shared on WhatsApp
• Using products without a patch test
• Overloading the beard care routine with 10 products

Final Take

Common beard grooming myths debunked? Check.
Shaving myths destroyed? Done.
Beard acne survival guide? Delivered.

At the end of the day, your beard isn’t just facial hair - it’s part of your vibe. And vibes are meant to be maintained, not ruined by old-school advice or shady products.

So, ditch the myths, keep the routine simple, and let your beard (and skin) thrive. Because whether you’re flexing for the gram, heading to a Diwali party, or just vibing at a café with your besties, confidence looks best when it’s not hidden behind frizz, flakes, or breakouts.