When
a man finally decides that he’s ready to grow
out a beard, there are several decisions that he must make. He
must figure out the length he wishes to grow his beard to, the types
of products he’d like to use and how much money he’s willing to
spend in order to maintain his facial hair. Another decision that
must be made is whether or not to use scented beard care products.
Most beard care products on the market contain fragrances, but there
are unscented options out there as well.
So,
should you be wearing a scented beard care product or one that has no
fragrance? At the end of the day, it’s up to you. But, if you
need some help making your decision, we’ve broken down the pros and
cons to each so that you can decide which one is right for you.
Two
Types of Fragrances
Before
we get into the reasons why you may choose to go with unscented or
scented beard care products, let’s briefly explain the two
different types of fragrances that are used to make beard care
products smell a certain way.
- Synthetic:
Synthetic
fragrances are fragrances that are derived from artificial sources.
These types of fragrances tend to be stronger, but they are also
more likely to irritate you due to how strong they are. Also, many
men are sensitive to synthetic fragrances as they can be quite harsh
on the skin and facial hair, putting a man at risk of developing
irritation.
- Natural:
Natural
fragrances, meanwhile, are derived from plant-based ingredients such
as essential oils and botanical extracts. These are widely
considered superior because our skin and facial hair seem to
tolerate them much better, and they are less likely to irritate our
sinuses because they’re rarely overpowering. Additionally,
plant-derived fragrances tend to benefit our skin and hair because
they’re often loaded with nutrients and healing properties that
come from the plant compounds.
A
Scented Beard Care Product is Right for You if…
…You
Don’t Wear Any Other Fragrance
Now,
if you don’t wear any other fragranced products, such as cologne,
hair conditioner or lotion, a scented beard care product is probably
a good choice as this can act as your signature scent. After all,
the way that you smell has a lot to do with the impression that you
make on people, so wearing a high-quality fragrance often works in a
man’s favor.
…Your
Face Sweats
If
the skin beneath your beard tends to sweat, wearing a scented beard
product can serve you well. Beard sweat can produce an odor due to
the bacteria that accumulates. A scented beard care product can help
mask that odor.
An
Unscented Beard Care Product is Right for You if…
…You
Wear Other Fragrances
If
you wear other fragrances already, you may want to skip the scent
when choosing a beard care product. Too many fragrances at once can
be overpowering, and certain scents clash with each other.
…You’re
Sensitive to Fragrances
Some
men are generally sensitive to fragrances. Some men have skin
reactions to anything that’s scented, while others may find that
their airways become irritated from breathing in fragrances. If you
react badly to fragrances, unscented is without a doubt the way to
go.
Choice
Is Yours!
Whether
you go with a scented or unscented beard care product is completely
up to you as neither is objectively better than the other. Use this
guide to figure out if you should be rocking a fragrance or not.
And, remember that if you do go with scented products, natural
fragrances are always superior.