handsome man with a full, healthy beard. Viewed in profile

HOW TO SPEED UP BEARD GROWTH

Otis Skincare

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At the start of your beard journey it's natural to imagine a full, thick, and well-groomed beard. 


But the process can take a lot longer than expected! So how can you speed it up?

Well, the good news is, there’s a lot you can do to help your beard reach its full potential faster.


Below is your go-to guide for understanding what factors affect beard growth and what you can do to give it a healthy boost.


We explain the essentials of hair growth, show you how to care for your skin and beard for better results, and provide you with an action plan to grow the beard of your dreams - quickly.



Handsome man looking at his hair follicles in the mirror

What Does Hair Need to Grow?

Just like the hair on your head, your beard requires specific conditions to grow thick and strong.

Hair growth depends on several factors, including the health of your hair follicles, sufficient blood flow, and the presence of key nutrients like vitamins and minerals.

  • Healthy hair follicles are the foundation of beard growth
  • Vitamins like biotin, vitamin D, and zinc help boost hair strength and thickness
  • Hydration and a balanced diet ensure your hair gets the moisture and nutrients it needs to thrive.

Deficiencies in these nutrients can slow or even stop beard growth altogether. If your body lacks the proper fuel, your hair won’t grow as fast or as full as you’d like. See our article - vitamins for hair growth - for more on the essential vitamins you need to encourage fuller growth.

And for an in-depth look at how vitamin deficiencies impact hair, check out our guide to hair loss and vitamin deficiency .

A Healthy Beard Begins with Healthy Follicles

No matter how well-groomed your beard looks on the surface, it’s the health of your hair follicles that makes all the difference.

Put simply, healthy follicles produce stronger, thicker hairs. While clogged or damaged follicles lead to slow, patchy, uneven growth. Think of your beard like a garden—if the soil (your follicles) isn’t nourished, nothing is going to grow properly.

Ensuring that your follicles are clear is key.. Simple steps like keeping your skin clean, exfoliated, and well-moisturized help create a better environment for your hair to thrive.

Practical Advice for Growing a Beard

Before diving into specific actions, let's cover the basics.

A healthy lifestyle is crucial for speeding up beard growth.

This includes:

  • Diet: Eating nutrient-rich foods to give your body the vitamins and minerals needed for hair production.
  • Hydration: Drinking enough water helps ensure that your body (and hair follicles) stays well-hydrated.
  • Exercise: Physical activity promotes better blood circulation, ensuring that nutrients reach your hair follicles more efficiently.

But if you're looking for a more tailored plan, keep reading!

ACTION PLAN: How to Speed Up Beard Growth

Ready to take action? 

These three steps will help you to start seeing faster, fuller beard growth.

1. Skincare 101: Clean, Exfoliate, Moisturize

Healthy skin leads to healthy follicles, which leads to healthy hair growth. So taking care of your face is the first and most important step in growing your beard faster.


CLEAN

Washing you face every day is essential for unclogging hair follicles. 
Dirt and oil can block follicles, slowing down hair growth. Using a daily cleanser 
like our DAILY FACE WASH will remove grime and excess oil, setting the 
stage for a healthier beard.


EXFOLIATE

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells that can block follicles, preventing new hair from growing and causing ingrown hairs. Regularly exfoliating will promote faster growth by keeping your follicles clear and open.


Make sure to use a gentle exfoliant to avoid irritating the skin. Our DAILY FACE WASH contains a mild chemical exfoliant – Lactic Acid -that gently unglues dead skin cells and washes them away.
Cleaning and exfoliating in one step!

MOISTURIZE

Keeping your skin hydrated reduces any dryness and itchiness as well as rehydrating and protecting your skin.

So your hair follicles stay healthy and hydrated and functioning properly.

And using a good-quality moisturizer has the added bonus of making your skin firmer – smoothing and reducing wrinkles and fine lines.


Applying a product like our HYDRATING DAILY MOISTURIZER will lock in moisture, improve skin health, and, as a result, boost your beard growth.

HYDRATING DAILY MOISTURIZER has been designed to be the best for bearded guys. It’s super lightweight, so it absorbs easily – leaving your skin (and beard) feeling soft and smooth.
And it’s incredibly hydrating! Packed with the finest anti-aging ingredients, including Hyaluronic Acid and peptides, the gold standard for anti-aging.

2. Trim and Style Your Beard for Maximum Fullness

It might sound counterintuitive, but regular trimming is good for beard growth. Trimming encourages hair to grow thicker and stronger. 


You shouldn't shave it all off though! Contrary to popular believe that doesn’t make your hair grow faster.

Just a light trim every few weeks will prevent breakage and give your beard a more even, fuller appearance.

3. Adopt a ‘Healthy Hair’ Diet

What you eat directly affects how fast your beard grows. So a diet rich in vitamins and minerals that support hair growth will accelerate the process.
Here are the key vitamins to focus on:

  • Biotin: Promotes keratin production and improves hair strength. Found in eggs, nuts, and whole grains.
  • Vitamin D: Encourages follicle health and hair growth. Get this from salmon, fortified milk, and exposure to sunlight.
  • Zinc: Helps repair damaged hair follicles. Found in shellfish, red meat, and beans.

Incorporating these nutrients into your diet will provide your hair with the essential building blocks for faster, thicker growth.

Handsome black man with full, healthy beard

FAQs

Does beard oil help growth?
Beard oil doesn't directly increase growth, but it does keep your beard and the skin underneath hydrated, reducing breakage and irritation. This creates an environment where your beard can grow better.

It also makes your beard feel softer and reduces itching as your beard grows through.

There are plenty of blended beard oils available, but we prefer simple argan oil to really soften the hair.


Does shaving every day encourage beard growth?
No, this is a common myth. Shaving doesn’t impact the rate at which your hair grows, but trimming can help maintain a neater, fuller appearance.


What stunts beard growth?
Several factors can stunt beard growth, including stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, and underlying medical conditions. Ensuring you manage stress and nourish your body will help prevent these issues.


How do I activate beard follicles?
You can stimulate your hair follicles by maintaining a good skincare routine, staying hydrated, eating a nutrient-rich diet, and using products like beard oils that promote circulation and hydration.


Does stress affect beard growth?
Yes, stress can slow down hair growth or even cause hair loss, including in your beard. High stress levels disrupt hormone balance and reduce blood flow to hair follicles. So managing stress through relaxation techniques, regular exercise, and good sleep can help improve beard growth.


Can exercise help beard growth?
Yes, regular exercise boosts circulation, ensuring that more nutrients and oxygen reach your hair follicles. Exercise also reduces stress, which can indirectly improve beard growth.


How long does it take for a beard to grow fully?
Beard growth varies from person to person, but on average, it takes about 2 to 6 months for a beard to grow fully. Factors like genetics, age, and overall health play a role in how fast your beard will grow.


Do beard supplements work?
Beard supplements can be effective if you're lacking essential vitamins and minerals like biotin, zinc, or vitamin D. However, they won’t make up for poor diet or skincare habits. Always prioritize a balanced diet and proper skincare first.

What age does beard growth peak?
Most men reach their peak beard growth between the ages of 25 and 35. However, this can vary based on genetics and overall health.

The Takeaway

Growing a thicker, fuller beard doesn't have to be a slow, frustrating process.


By focusing on healthy habits, maintaining a good skincare routine, and providing your body with the nutrients it needs, you can encourage faster beard growth.


Start by keeping your skin clean, exfoliated, and moisturized, adopt a beard-friendly diet, and give your beard regular trims to keep it looking its best.


Your beard does have the potential to grow faster and fuller—now you know how to make it happen!

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RESPECT FOR YOUR SKIN


RELATED READING

This article is for informational purposes only and does not contain medical advice. As always, please contact your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.

References:

Deepa P. Patel, Shane M. Swink, Leslie Castelo-Soccio; A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss. Skin Appendage Disord 8 August 2017; 3 (3): 166–169.


Saleem F, Soos MP. Biotin Deficiency . [Updated 2023 Feb 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. 


Paus R, Theoharides TC, Arck PC. Neuroimmunoendocrine circuitry of the 'brain-skin connection' . Trends Immunol. 2006 Jan;27(1):32-9. doi: 10.1016/j.it.2005.10.002. Epub 2005 Nov 2. PMID: 16269267.


Massachusetts General Hospital. " Blood Vessels Hold Key To Thicker Hair Growth ." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 February 2001


Natarelli N, Gahoonia N, Sivamani RK. Integrative and Mechanistic Approach to the Hair Growth Cycle and Hair Loss . J Clin Med. 2023 Jan 23;12(3):893. doi: 10.3390/jcm12030893. PMID: 36769541; PMCID: PMC9917549.