Most men like to look younger. Some will even admit it. However, too many guys automatically believe that looking younger means shaving off their beards. Stop! Don’t do that! Instead, follow these steps to look younger while still sporting your prized facial hair.

Step 1: Get your rest

The first step to looking younger is making sure that you are getting a good night’s sleep, every night. Depriving your body of proper rest can lead to many health problems. One of the first negative effects of insufficient sleep is on your looks. Having bags under your eyes can make you look older. And a great cure for that is…SLEEP.

Step 2: Prep your face

The next step to looking younger is always keeping up on general maintenance. Washing your face every day and exfoliating once a week is a good place to start. It is good to rid your skin of excess oils that could lead to breakouts and scarring, which could diminish your youthful look. It’s important to know your skin type for this step! Skin types, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, are:

1. Sensitive skin may sting or burn after product use
2. Normal skin is clear and not sensitive
3. Dry skin is flaky, itchy or rough
4. Oily skin is shiny and greasy
5. Combination skin is dry in some areas and oily in others

Each skin type presents its own need. For oily skin you should use a cleanser that cleans deep. But for dry or sensitive skin you want to use a gentle cleanser.

Step 3: Trim and shape

After washing your face, your hair follicles are at their prime for trimming and shaping. That said, trimming with clippers or scissors generally works better when your beard and mustache are dry. When your beard is well trimmed and shaped, it’s bound to make heads turn your way. Plenty of young guys keep their beards in top form. This should remain a priority as you get older. You want to make sure that your beard looks sharp and well-groomed.

Keeping all your edges crisp and clean is key to a sharp-looking beard. The easiest way to get this look is by using the right tools. Do your research and make sure you are using the proper accessories when it comes to maintaining your facial hair. Brands like Harry’s offer many different shaving products and solutions you can use to clean up your beard’s edges and turn your trimming process into perfection. Pro Tip: Don’t forget your eyebrows. Trim your eyebrows to keep them in check as well. The neater your eyebrows and beard are, the younger you look.

Step 4: Add some beard oil

We know that as we age, our bodies change. With that said, our facial hair changes too, which can make us look older. Facial hair not only changes in color, but it can also change in texture. The older we get, the more coarse our beards may become. However, beard oil can help with this. Adding a little beard oil every day will help to moisturize and protect your beard!

Step 5: Moisturize your face

Adding a light lotion to your face can reduce the effects of the environment on your skin. Using the correct moisturizer for your skin type can make a world of difference. For example, if you normally have dry skin, use a heavier daily moisturizer. For added defense, try a face moisturizer that contains sun protection (SPF). This will help limit the effects of sun exposure. However, be sure not to add face moisturizer to the areas that already have beard oil on them.

Add these five steps to your regular grooming routine and you will look younger before you know it. With the proper care, you can keep your beard and still look younger! Now please share any other tips that work for you in the comments below!