How to Grow a Beard As a Teenager

Almost every teenager wants to grow some kind of facial hair. Unfortunately, only a small number of guys are blessed with shaving at sixteen. Most of us — myself included — didn't start shaving until our late teens, and many of us didn't see a proper beard until our early to mid-twenties. Even then, growth is still largely shaped by genetics.

If you're stressing about patchiness or thin coverage, don't. Patchiness is completely normal between 15 and 19. Beard growth isn't something you can force; it's tied to genetics, puberty timing, ethnicity, and hormones. But it will come with time.

That said, there are a few things you can do (safely) to support faster, healthier growth — and a few beard styles for teenagers that make the most of what you've got right now.

What Actually Controls Beard Growth?

Beard growth is controlled by a few factors. The most important is genetics. Everything from the hair colour and coverage to age starts growing is determined by your genes. If your Dad or uncles grew beards early or late, chances are you will too.

That might not be the answer you want to hear. But it's not the whole story.

Technically, you've already got your beard hair; it's just fine vellus hair at present (some call it peach fuzz). During puberty, androgen receptors respond to rising testosterone levels, turning these hairs thicker and darker. The same thing happens below the belt. You don't need sky-high testosterone — you need normal, stable levels and good androgen sensitivity.

Oh, and just one more thing — shaving does not make your beard grow faster. 

How to Naturally Support Healthy Testosterone Levels (Safely)

Men today are in a testosterone crisis. Levels have never been lower. 

Why is this the case? Well, theories are everywhere. Most likely, it's due to a combination of factors: obesity, lack of exercise, lack of competition, poor diet, and environmental hormone disruptors.

That's why young men often grow beards more slowly than their fathers and have less overall muscle compared to men fifty years ago. It's the testosterone.

Don't go taking testosterone supplements. That causes more damage than it's worth. Instead, with a few lifestyle hacks, you can boost your levels, grow a beard faster, and get a better physique.

Here's how:

Eat Like Someone Who Wants a Beard

If you want your hormones firing properly, you have to feed them. That means real food — not living off Monster and crisps. Aim for solid protein sources like chicken, fish, Greek yogurt alternatives, or legumes if you're not into dairy. Add in zinc and magnesium from things like red meat, pumpkin seeds, and leafy greens. And don't fear healthy fats: salmon, olive oil, and eggs (if you can have them) all support hormone production.

One thing to avoid? Extreme dieting. If you're under-eating, your testosterone tanks — and your beard growth stalls with it.

Strength Training for Teenagers

Lifting doesn't magically turn you into a Viking. But it does radically improve your hormone health. Simple resistance training, especially compound movements (think push-ups, pull-ups, bodyweight squats, dips, and light dumbbell work), can spike your testosterone levels.

These basic exercises are more than enough to get started. You don't need to go full "gym bro" from day one. Focus on proper form, gradually introduce weights (and increase slowly), and rest. You build muscle and increase hormones during rest, not workouts. 

Sleep More 

Teenagers love and hate sleep. They love sleeping in but hate getting up. It's really bad for your hormones.

Sleep is basically a free testosterone boost — and as a teenager, you need 8-10 hours. When you stay up half the night gaming or scrolling, your hormone levels crash the next day. Even one bad night of sleep can drop testosterone noticeably.

If you want better beard growth, get serious about bedtime.

Reduce Stress Where You Can

Stress = higher cortisol levels. Cortisol is basically the enemy of testosterone. When it goes up, the other goes down. 

You don't need to meditate on a mountain. Just find small ways to chill out (aside from video games): go for walks, play sports, journal, breathe for a minute before bed. Whatever works.

Read More: Beard Growth and Testosterone: Is There a Link?

How to Make the Beard You Do Have Look Better

Let's say you've finally got some decent growth coming in. Don't let it sit there looking like scraggly wisps — that's not the move, and it's definitely not going to impress anyone. Once you've got hair to work with, you need a few simple habits to keep it looking intentional.

• Keep your skin healthy: Acne, clogged pores, and rough skin all make early beard growth look weaker. Wash your face gently, use a moisturiser, and skip harsh alcohol-based products.
• Exfoliate once or twice a week: This clears dead skin, prevents ingrown hairs, and keeps the follicles free so new hairs can grow properly.
• Use a bit of beard oil: Even if you only have light stubble, beard oil makes the area look fuller and stops the skin around patchy spots from drying out.

You've also got to accept you're not going to get a full beard. In fact, full beards on teens look downright weird. Instead, lean into the teenager beards. Good options include:

• Teenager goatee: Great for early growers — it uses the chin and moustache area, which usually develops first.
• Light stubble: Clean, simple, and suits almost everyone. It makes patchiness way less noticeable.
• Short boxed beard-lite: A trimmed, low-profile version of the adult boxed beard. Sharp lines, minimal length, easy to maintain.
• Whiskers + moustache combo: Works when your cheeks are slow to fill in. Keeps things intentional while you wait for the rest to catch up.

Be Patient, Stay Healthy, and Let Time Do the Work

If you're 14 years old longing for your beard, be patient, bro. It isn't going to happen anytime soon. There's just no rushing these things. 

Most guys experience some fuzz and stubble around 14-16, then the cheeks fill in 17-19, and by 20-23, most men develop their "adult beard." The keyword here is most. You could be a little earlier or a lot later. I didn't really see full growth until I was in my late 20s, and even then, my cheeks are still sparse. 

Don't worry about what you can't grow. Focus on maximizing your potential and styling the beard you can grow. Plus, if you lock in these habits now, you'll be ahead of almost all your peers by your early 20s.